Our Purpose and Vision
Bi-Okoto envisions a society where individuals, families, and communities honor their cultural heritage while valuing the cultural expressions of others. Our purpose is to protect and promote Africa's rich heritage through traditional arts, serving as an educational platform to enhance cultural awareness in communities worldwide.
Our Community Engagement
We focus on the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. Our programs are designed for a diverse audience that includes people of all ages (from young children to seniors), genders, and ethnicities. At our cultural center, we offer a variety of classes in African drumming, dance, languages, geography, history, cooking, and more. These classes attract students from age 6 to seniors, with some toddlers participating alongside their parents. Our afterschool and summer camp programs cater to children in grades K-12. Our monthly events are specifically tailored for Young Professionals, while our annual festivals, dance dramas, and community engagement activities are open to the entire community.
In addition to our cultural center, we travel to schools, colleges, festivals, and corporate events across the nation. We proudly engage participants from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds (African American, Appalachian, Caucasian, Latino, etc.). In terms of demographics, we serve approximately 35% Black, 30% White, 15% Hispanic/Latin, and 20% from other backgrounds.
Our Impact on the Community
Three decades ago, our founders established the Bi-Okoto project in response to numerous questions about Africa and its people from friends and colleagues in the community. Through our programs and partnerships, we introduce audiences to the unique arts, traditions, and music from various African countries. Our camps, afterschool programs, and center events continue to attract significant interest and participation. Our annual offerings include Kwanzaa celebrations, Heritage events, and summer camps, while quarterly programs feature drum circles and Agidigbo. Weekly classes cover a range of subjects (drumming, dancing, cooking, languages, etc.), and we provide performances, workshops, and residencies throughout the year. Bi-Okoto enriches the cultural landscape of the region with our diversity, uniqueness, and authenticity, earning the nickname "Little Africa" in Cincinnati. We offer accessible and distinctive community engagements, providing residents with unique opportunities to experience African culture without the need to travel abroad.
Bi-Okoto has been successfully integrated into the curricula of numerous regional schools. We have witnessed a growing demand for our programming as an enrichment option for both Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and non-CPS institutions. In the summer of 2021, we engaged with seven schools for summer enrichment programs for grades K-12, and by 2022, our involvement expanded to 19 schools.
Employment and Volunteer Opportunities – We create avenues for our staff to earn a living while allowing our volunteers to pursue their passions and interests. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bi-Okoto employed five full-time staff members and had 125 volunteers. Currently, we have three full-time staff members and over 125 volunteers.
Unique Summer Camp Offerings – Families with children aged 6 to 12 now have more options beyond basketball, ballet, Lego, and STEM. Some parents appreciate their children connecting with their cultural heritage, while others value the exposure to diverse cultures, preparing them to be more informed global citizens. Ultimately, the children are thrilled to learn new and exciting things in a vibrant, safe, and nurturing environment.
We have become a vital resource for African artists, college students, and professors seeking insights into African cultures. In recent years, we have experienced a notable increase in the number of college students and professors requesting our assistance for research related to African culture, music, or dance for their academic papers and departments.