For over forty years, ADEFUA has sustained the ministry of African Cultural Arts to, for, and by youth and families, globally. While based in Rainier Valley, ADEFUA traveled throughout the region spreading awareness, excitement, and cultural resilience through experiencing a creative educational healing process that culminates in joy. Community has been our largest support as we continue to stay rooted with intergenerational engagement along the way. ADEFUA has become a household name in the Black and BIPOC Community through consistent programming, always made affordable and accessible in safe spaces.

 

Since 1984 ADEFUA has been rooted as a foundational source of compelling cultural exchange. We all are ADEFUA - standing tall to sustain a network of families, artists, agencies, and statewide partnerships creating a robust network of support. ADEFUA builds a therapeutic sense of creativity, knowledge, professional skills, and pride in cross-cultures and in self, through intergenerational collective power. We have witnessed the power of transformation within oneself and have found home in a global state of humanity. ADEFUA’s Black presence has a long and enduring history, our annual events have been consistent over 40 years. Despite the impact of gentrification, economic inequality, COVID 19, and an ongoing lack of funding, we have created an enduring gathering place as we celebrate ‘space keeping’ for our communities who remain as a vibrant and thriving presence. Our cultural sharing’s bring joy, skills, learnings and deepened relationships and connection. ADEFUA has been dedicated to ‘placemaking’ for decades before the term became known. We create a positive and healing ‘third place’, especially for our youth and our elders.

 

ADEFUA is a space to share and experience the power and wisdom of Africa, through cultural arts, dance, ceremony and drum. ADEFUA is a decades long center of joyful reconnection with spirit and culture making. As our youth and families face many challenges, ADEFUA continues to hold this vital space for Community. Culture is medicine. We gather to collectively heal.

 

ADEFUA exemplifies the ‘Sankofa’ Adinkra story of Ghana- it means, “return to the past, in order to go forward”. We embody the Sankofa wisdom, with the image of a bird looking back as it gathers strength to fly, it touches us all. In honoring our ancestors, we collectively practice, nurture, and cultivate Unity with many other cultures, as Diasporic humanitarians. This organization is a true gift to a city in need. We are deeply committed to cultural transformation and innovation on behalf of our people and our community - weaving together the wisdom of the elders and the new ways of the youth. We thank you for your support in sustaining and lifting ADEFUA for the next seven generations.