irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $46KThe Libation Celebration - This is the opening program and ceremony for the International African Arts Festival IAAFESTIVAL, which is held every July Fourth Weekend. Libation is held in May or early June. It features some of the artists who are performing at the Festival itself. The event also commemorates many of the recent and past IAAFESTIVAL and community ancestors.
- #2 $13KCovid Bail Out NYC -This is a volunteer-powered effort that uses 100 of the donations received towards getting people out of NYC jails and supported once free. Covid Bail Out NYC pays bail for folks locked in NYC jails pretrial and cover their vital post-release support, such as housing, PPE, food, medical care & healing.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
African Artisan Marketplace
Marketplace showcasing handmade fashion, jewelry, art, home goods, and cultural products from African and diasporic designers, healers, and makers
Good Eats Food Court
Outdoor food court offering traditional soul food, Caribbean, African, Latin, vegetarian, seafood, and raw gourmet dishes from diverse vendors
International African Arts Festival (IAAFestival)
Annual July Fourth weekend festival in Brooklyn featuring music, dance, art, cultural workshops, an African artisan marketplace, and diverse food offerings celebrating African and diasporic cultures
Libation Celebration
Opening ceremony held in May or early June that honors ancestors of the festival and community, featuring performing artists from the upcoming festival
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 3 activities
- Hosts the annual International African Arts FestivalOrganizes an annual outdoor cultural festival in Brooklyn celebrating traditional and contemporary African arts and culture, including performances by nationally and internationally recognized artists from African and African diaspora traditions. The festival is held regardless of weather conditions and is open to all ages.
- Hosts the annual Libation CelebrationConducts the Libation Celebration each year in May or early June as the opening ceremony for the International African Arts Festival, featuring performances by artists and honoring community ancestors as part of cultural preservation.
- Operates the African Artisan MarketplaceRuns an annual marketplace featuring handcrafted goods such as jewelry, fashion, art, and home furnishings from African and diaspora artisans, supporting makers, designers, and healers through direct sales at the festival.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Conducts workshops and skill-building sessionsHosts educational workshops led by experts during the festival, allowing attendees to learn new hobbies and skills as part of the cultural programming.
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Reentry Support Services 1 activity
- Operates the Covid Bail Out NYC programRuns the Covid Bail Out NYC initiative, which pays pretrial bail for individuals incarcerated in NYC jails and provides post-release support including housing, food, PPE, and medical care.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Produces and sells commemorative merchandiseDesigns and sells commemorative t-shirts celebrating African culture and the 55-year history of the International African Arts Festival as part of its programming and fundraising efforts.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Implements event access control systemsUses a wristband-based re-entry system during the festival to manage access and ensure secure re-entry for attendees.
- Provides diverse food offerings at the festivalOffers a wide range of food options during the annual festival, including traditional soul food, Caribbean, African, Latin, vegetarian, seafood, and raw gourmet cuisine, served through an outdoor food court.
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financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$530K
Contributions & grants$311K59%
Program service revenue$209K39%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$519K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$53K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$107K
Cash$6K
Investments$0
Liabilities$171K
Net assets$-64K
Liquid reserves0.1 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2022 · YoY revenue +29.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
Who runs it
board members · 11
- Adeyemi Bandele — Trustee
- Ajale' Coard — Trustee
- Beatrice Sabir — Trustee
- Clark Arrington — Trustee
- Damon Bware Van Zant — Trustee
- Deborah Buie — Secretary
- Duma Ndlovu — Trustee
- Jumaane Jumatatu Torrence — Trustee
- Omare Kinsey — Treasurer
- Rahima Lee — Trustee
- Segun Shabaka PhD — Chairman
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Blue Magic Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
- Covid Bail Out NYC Partner — Collaborates with Covid Bail Out NYC to provide bail and post-release support for individuals in NYC jails.
- Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
- India Arie Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
- International African Arts Festival Inc Network — Member of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit network supporting cultural programming
- KRS-1 Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
- Lauryn Hill Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
- One Art Community Center Partner — Hosts memorial events in partnership with International African Arts Festival Inc.
- Steel Pulse Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
- The Mighty Sparrow Partner — Performing artist at the International African Arts Festival.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Ancestral Veneration as Cultural Continuitymethodology: ancestral_venerationBy integrating ancestral remembrance into ceremonial and artistic practices, the organization preserves cultural heritage because honoring past contributors strengthens intergenerational identity and community cohesion.
- Collective Economic Empowermentmethodology: cooperative_economicsBy promoting cooperative economics through collective ownership and shared profit, the organization advances community self-determination because economic models rooted in shared benefit reinforce cultural values and long-term sustainability.
- Culture Through Celebrationmethodology: culture-through-celebrationBy centering community, unity, and celebration, the organization fosters African cultural expression because shared joyful experiences strengthen cultural identity and collective belonging.