Our Team

Kevin McEwen

Executive Director, Kofago Institute

A dance educator, cultural leader, executive director and lecturer at Lehman College & Queensborough Community College. He champions African Diasporic arts through performance, research, and community engagement.

Bakary Fall

Artistic Director, Kofago Dance Ensemble

A master of traditional and urban Senegalese dance, known for choreography that bridges heritage and innovation. Leads Kofago’s artistic direction with passion and authenticity.

Crystal Craigen

Director of Arts Initiatives and Change Management

Drives Kofago’s creative strategy, focusing on equity, community engagement, and the transformative power of the arts to effect meaningful change.

Patriann Edwards

Director of Research Initiatives

Guides research efforts across the Institute, with a focus on African Diasporic narratives, dance ethnography, and cultural storytelling.

Serena Maximilien

Program Director, Kofago Taraji

Serena mentors young dancers as program director of Kofago’s youth employment program, Kofago Taraji. A choreographer and performer, she nurtures emerging artists through culture-based education.

Atiya Clarke

Director, Kofago School of Dance and Culture

Leads Kofago’s youth education initiatives while managing projects and performing. Committed to nurturing the next generation through culturally grounded instruction.

Aicha Konaté

Dancer, Dance Educator, Choreographer

Brings energy, discipline, and cultural authenticity to every space. Dedicated to teaching and preserving African dance traditions while inspiring new movement dialogues.

Amell Garrison

Researcher, Dance Educator, Dancer

Amell merges scholarship and performance to explore the role of dance in African Diasporic memory, using movement as a tool for learning and connection.

Imani Massicott

Researcher, Dance Educator, Dancer

Imani is a passionate artist-scholar whose work celebrates Black joy and heritage through performance, teaching, and community-centered research.

Najah Aldrige

Dancer, Researcher

Connects embodied practice with cultural inquiry, using dance and scholarship to preserve Black heritage, advocate for public health concerns and uplift collective memory.

Fatumata (Fatu) Camara

Dancer, Choreographer

A bold and expressive performer whose work honors Guinean traditions while creating vibrant, movement-based storytelling for today’s audiences.

Chelsea Vallenilla

Dancer, Dance Educator

Merges ethnographical excellence with cultural expression, bringing passion and pedagogy to both the stage and the classroom. Committed to nurturing young dancers through holistic, community-centered education.