Afua Kouyate, the Executive Director of ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop and CEO of the African Cultural Arts Center (ACAC), joined host Trae Holiday on The Day with Trae to discuss the upcoming 40th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration for ADEFUA at the Odunde Festival in Seattle. The event, scheduled for November 16, 2024, promises to be a vibrant celebration of African culture, with a 7 PM performance marking the highlight of the evening.

Afua, a seasoned educator and performer specializing in African dance and cultural arts leadership, has long been a pillar in Seattle’s cultural arts community. As the co-founder of Kouyaté Arts, Afua has dedicated herself to providing year-round educational programs that foster cultural understanding through African arts. This includes an annual 20-day educational trip to Africa, as well as local programs that employ and support performing artists in the region.

Reflecting on ADEFUA’s 40 years of impact, Afua expressed immense joy about the organization’s deep connection to the community, especially the way it engages families and individuals of all generations. She discussed how ADEFUA has become a vital part of the cultural fabric of Seattle, celebrating African heritage and providing a space for healing through dance and community programming. The 40th anniversary celebration is not just a milestone but a tribute to the legacy of ADEFUA’s work and its ability to unite the community year after year.

The anniversary celebration is part of a larger series of events organized in collaboration with other community organizations, including Kenara Park Kids and Josephine House. The series serves as a tribute to the late Dr. Maxine Mims, a beloved community leader, with proceeds going to her memorial. Afua shared how Dr. Mims' legacy has influenced the arts and cultural scene in Seattle, and how the collective work of these organizations continues to honor her contributions.

In addition to the anniversary performance, the event will feature an African marketplace, a documentary highlighting community testimonials, and a concert with performances from local and international artists. Afua also revealed exciting news about the future of the African Cultural Arts Center, as the organization plans to demolish its current building and replace it with a new four-story cultural center, enhancing its ability to support arts and cultural education in the community. The vision for the new center, which includes an outdoor amphitheater, will be further explored during a community visioning session on November 22.

Afua emphasized the inclusive nature of ADEFUA’s work, inviting everyone—regardless of background or ethnicity—to participate in the organization’s activities and programs. The anniversary celebration promises to be an unforgettable event, with rich cultural experiences and a renewed focus on legacy, community, and collective responsibility.

For more information, visit http://www.adefuacenter.org/. 

To see more guests like Kouyate, tune in with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.