Mission

Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy empowers youth and families of African descent to achieve high levels of educational, professional and artistic excellence. As a leading Brooklyn-based institution, we inspire future generations to develop a strong African-centered cultural identity and realize their power to transform social inequity.

What We Do

Ifetayo's programs are designed to empower young people and their families to reach their full potential and to become change agents for their community, whether through in-school Arts Education, onsite beginner-advanced Cultural Arts Program, or the Ifetayo Youth Ensemble- Ifetayo's signature ensemble of 17-20 young leaders who leverage their multi-disciplinary training to mount socially-relevant, interdisciplinary works each year that raise awareness of issues facing their community from AIDS to the prison industrial complex. Unique to Ifetayo, the Rites of Passage Program grounds young adults of African and Caribbean descent in a deep appreciation and understanding of their heritage, while preparing them for the world around them through work readiness and financial literacy training, college and career counseling, monthly workshops with topics ranging from health to sexuality, and gender-tailored initiatives such as Sisters in Sisterhood and I Am My Brother which provide a safe haven for young people to grow and develop as confident, emotionally mature, and engaged members of their community. Meanwhile, the Financial Education Institute and Marcus Garvey Cultural Heritage Program fold entire generations into the Ifetayo community through wrap-around supports that include financial literacy workshops, matched savings accounts, cultural education workshops, lectures with guest speakers, and group travel.

Together, these initiatives foster cultural awareness and pride, build a strong sense of community, and holistically support families of African and Caribbean descent.