MISSION

To expose diverse communities to the rich cultural heritage of Africa and the African Diaspora through art, dance, music, song, theatrical presentations and visual mediums. By embracing these traditional art forms, we bring together communities of every background to celebrate and share a rich heritage with all those who embrace it.

 ABOUT THE COMPANY

Marie Basse-Wiles and Olukose Wiles founded the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance, Inc. in 1983. The school is named in honor of Marie Basse-Wiles’ grandmother and is dedicated to preserving and sharing African culture and history with all whom embrace the culture. Each season the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance presents its Annual International Dance Conference & Concert in New York City. The weeklong dance conference is held at Baruch College while the concert is presented on the stage of Symphony Space both located in New York City. Each year the Maimouna Keita Adult Senior African Dance Company & the Maimouna Keita Junior Dance Company along with a variety of invited guests artists and musicians present an electrifying stage performance at Peter Norton Symphony Space. This concert features electrifying songs, dances, drumming, stilt walking and acting. The focus of the International Conference & Concert has been to share and aid in the preservation of traditional African and African American cultural traditions while bridging the cultural gap between people of all backgrounds. This year will mark the 17^th annual concert and conference. Twice a year, the Maimouna Keita School also sponsors cultural exchange trips to West Africa. Recently the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance has found a beautifully renovated new studio home to hold weekly classes and company rehearsals.

The Maimouna Keita School of African Dance, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Over the past twenty years, the Maimouna Keita African Dance Company has performed internationally at the National Theater Daniel Sorano in Dakar, Senegal; regionally at the Harbor Festival (NYC); The Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Dance Africa; The African-American Festival (Pennsylvania); The Holiday Festival (NYC); the Coca-Cola Centennial Celebration (Atlanta, GA); Symphony Space CAP Children’s Program (NYC); Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors (NYC); Chase Manhattan Metro-Tech Festival (NYC); Brooklyn Arts Council: Folk Feet Festival (NYC); the International African Arts Festival (NYC) and for numerous local professional and civic organizations.

Co-founders Marie Basse-Wiles, a native of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa and Olukose Wiles of New York, Musical Director, organized Maimouna Keita School of African Dance in 1983 respectively. The school is named in honor of Marie Basse-Wiles' grandmother and is dedicated to preserving and sharing African culture and history with all whom embrace the culture. Each season the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance presents its Annual International Dance Conference & Concert in New York City. The concert features electrifying songs and dances, to bridge the cultural gap between people of all backgrounds.

One of Maimouna Keita's greatest strengths lies in the foundation set forth by the Company's founders and artistic directors, Marie Basse-Wiles and the late Olukose Wiles. Marie Basse and Olukose dedicated their lives to sharing and perpetuating African Culture. They, as true leaders, pursue goals with the perseverance required to produce excellent outcomes. Their leadership ability has manifested itself in all that they touch.