named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Educational Workshops
Workshops conducted in public schools and community organizations to teach African Diaspora culture through dance, music, and history.
Iconography: Celebrating the Female Spirit – Cheryl Byron
Traveling exhibition showcasing costumes, textiles, and artifacts from Cheryl Byron’s career, displayed at institutions including Brooklyn Public Library and Medgar Evers College.
Performing Arts Ensemble
Original dance, music, and storytelling performances rooted in African Diaspora traditions, presented at venues including Lincoln Center and international festivals.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Indigenous and Diaspora Cultural Preservation 1 activity
- Conducting cultural workshops for schools and community organizationsDelivers regular workshops to public schools and community-based organizations focused on cultural practices and traditions.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Curating and producing traveling cultural exhibitionsCurated and produced the traveling exhibition "Iconography: Celebrating the Female Spirit – Cheryl Byron," which was displayed at institutions including the Brooklyn Public Library and Medgar Evers College for two years.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Presenting original cultural performances at major venues and international festivalsPerforms original repertoire at prominent cultural venues such as Lincoln Center, the African Burial Ground National Monument, and the American Museum of Natural History, as well as at international festivals including MASA Festival in Côte d'Ivoire, Visa for Music Festival in Morocco, Dance X in Belize, Limon Roots Festival in Costa Rica, and the Trinidad and Tobago Emancipation Celebration.
- Releasing original music albumsReleased the original album VISION as part of its cultural programming and artistic output.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$48K
Contributions & grants$48K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$89K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$27K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-54K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -18.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Salandy | Board Member | 20 | $3K |
| Sandra AM Bell | Assistant Secretary | 20 | $2K |
| Michael Manswell | President | 20 | $800 |
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- African Burial Ground National Monument Partner — Performance venue for the ensemble
- American Museum of Natural History Partner — Performance venue for the ensemble
- Brooklyn Arts Council Partner — Collaborating organization
- Brooklyn Arts Council Partner — Michael Manswell teaches for this organization, indicating a professional partnership in arts education.
- Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Hosted the traveling exhibition "Iconography: Celebrating the Female Spirit – Cheryl Byron."
- Caribbean Cultural Center Partner — Collaborates on cultural and educational programs related to dance, music, and traditional religious practices.
- Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute Partner — Collaborating organization
- Interfaith Center Partner — Collaborates on programs integrating dance, music, and Yoruba religious traditions.
- Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Partner — Michael Manswell teaches for this organization, indicating a professional partnership in arts education.
- Lehman College (CUNY) Partner — Michael Manswell is on faculty, indicating an institutional partnership in arts education.
- Lincoln Center Partner — Performance venue for the ensemble
- Medgar Evers College (CUNY) Partner — Hosted the traveling exhibition "Iconography: Celebrating the Female Spirit – Cheryl Byron."
- Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) Partner — Cynthia Salandy supports individuals through this organization in homeownership and mortgage crisis services.
- West Indian American Day Carnival Association Partner — Collaborating organization
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.
- Artist-Educator Leadership Modelmethodology: artist-educator_leadership_modelBy embedding artist-educators in long-term leadership roles, the organization strengthens the integration of artistic practice with education and community performance, because sustained artistic leadership produces deeper community engagement and program continuity.
- Cultural Dissemination for Charitable Impactmethodology: cultural_disseminationBy propagating and exposing culture through arts and education, the organization advances charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, because cultural dissemination is viewed as inherently transformative and socially beneficial.
- Culturally-Rooted Resilience and Educationmethodology: culturally-rooted_educationBy integrating Yoruba religious traditions and African Diasporic cultural practices into education and community programming, the organization fosters personal resilience and engagement, because cultural and spiritual grounding are seen as foundational to individual and community well-being.