Witness Dibinga Sisters’ Kwanzaa dance at The Kennedy Center
For more than 30 years, the Dibinga Sisters have been a pillar of support for Boston’s youth, using their arts as a powerful tool for empowerment and expression. This year marks a significant milestone as their nonprofit, OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, celebrates three decades of inspiring creativity and fostering talent in the community.
The group will also celebrate the second principle of Kwanzaa (Kujichagulia – Self-Determination), capping both events under the theme “The Legacy of the Dibinga Sisters and OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center,” on the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center through African-inspired dances and music on Fri. Dec. 27, 2024, 6 pm.
The success of their program is evident in the incredible achievements of their alumni. Many have soared to great heights, becoming dancers and choreographers, touring with prestigious companies like Broadway and Alvin Ailey. Others have carved out their paths as stylists, working with icons such as Nicki Minaj.
Commercial dancers who have collaborated with artists like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Kelly Rowland, Demi Lovato, and more. They are designers, photographers, creative directors, educators, actors, city board members, business owners, authors, and dedicated parents of the next generation.
Musau, Muadi, and Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga have also made it a priority to provide their students with international experiences, taking them to cultural hubs in Africa, London, Paris, and Trinidad.
These opportunities not only broaden their horizons but also instil a sense of global citizenship and artistic excellence.
The event will feature special guest Dr. Omékongo Dibinga, an international speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of Inter-cultural Communication at American University, where he also serves as a faculty affiliate to the Antiracist Research & Policy Center.
His Urban Music Award-winning work has best been described by Nikki Giovanni as “outstanding, exciting, and new while being very old.” His latest book, “Lies about Black People: how to combat racist stereotypes and why it matters” (foreword by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson), has received praise from notable leaders from Dr. Joe Madison and Roland Martin to Dr. Shirley Davis and Ayo Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter.
“As we celebrate this remarkable 30-year journey, we recognize the incredible legacy the Dibinga sisters have built through their unwavering commitment to the arts and their community. Here’s to their continued impact and the bright futures of all the young artists they have inspired,” said the event organisers.
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date. To reserve a ticket ahead, click HERE.
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
