OUR FOUNDER

Founder Ajara Alghali Temate Institute for Black Dance and Culture

Text graphic reading "AJARA ALGHALI" with "AJARA" in yellow and "ALGHALI" in purple, on a black background.

Cofounder + Director

A performance artist and thought leader at the intersection of dance and cultural representation; Ajara’s work is a fusion of life experiences from her Sierra Leonean-American roots and focuses on the connection between African people throughout the diaspora.

OUR BOARD

President Aminata Sow Temate Institute for Black Dance and Culture

Aminata Sow | President

A synergist with a global perspective, Aminata believes in Sankofa (reaching back to pull forward), building community, and connecting the Diaspora through a Pan-African lens.

Secretary Toni Moceri Temate Institute for Black Dance and Culturew

Toni Moceri | Secretary

Toni believes it is our collective responsibility to create a world where we can all thrive. With more than two decades of nonprofit and public service experience, she has facilitated over 150 projects to realize their amazing missions by helping to access over $20 million of funding.

Kayana Sessoms

City of Detroit District 3 Manager, Kayana Sessoms is a community engagement professional specializing in restorative justice and creating equitable spaces for all. Currently, Kayana is developing a community health and wellness hub that provides families with the tools needed to create intergenerational wellness.

Joy Mohammed Board Member Temate Institute for Black Dance and Culture

Joy Mohammed, Esq

Attorney and mother of two Joy is a social justice advocate. Devoted to everything she does, Joy finds her joy in cooking, gardening, and caring for her twin Dachshunds.

Andrew Satiah

Associate Vice Chancellor at Wayne Country Community College District, Andrew has worked and consulted in the United States and the Republic of LIberia, West Africa.