Promoting African culture. Fostering Community.

Across Rhode Island, we bring experiences rooted in African culture that spark connection, curiosity, and deeper understanding. Music is the heartbeat of humanity, and our classes, performances, and events will keep you moving through it.

All Ages,

All Backgrounds.

We envision a culturally connected community to engage with, learn from, and celebrate African traditions, using music as a powerful tool for unity, and cultural exchange.

Who We Are

Sidy Maïga

Artistic Director

Trained from a young age under some of Mali’s most renowned master drummers, Sidy brings deep cultural knowledge and authenticity to his work. Since moving to the United States, he has become a respected leader in Rhode Island’s arts community, known for both preserving traditional West African music and expanding it through collaborations across genres.

As an educator and cultural leader, Sidy has spent nearly two decades teaching in schools, hospitals, and community organizations, developing programs that connect people of all ages to African music and culture. He is the founder of Afrika Nyaga, a West African Dance and Drum Festival that brings together local and international artists and audiences across Rhode Island.

In addition to his artistic work, Sidy has served on the boards of several organizations, including The Providence Drum Troupe, the Downtown Providence Parks Network, and the Gaia Vaccine Foundation, reflecting his strong commitment to community leadership and cultural advocacy. To LEarn more about Sidy Maiga, visit his website here. 

Board President

Rachel Nguyen

Rachel Nguyen is a nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience. She has expertise in strategic planning and organizational growth. A Rhode Island native, she has served as the Executive Director of a faith-based women’s health organization for over 17 years, where she led major expansion efforts, including the purchase of the organization’s first clinic space and the opening of a second location.

Rachel has a deep love of African music and culture. She has studied with master drummer Sidy Maiga since 2007. For several years, Rachel served as Sidy’s business manager, helping to organize local events and drumming trips to Mali. She is proud to support the mission of the RI Cultural Institute in showcasing African culture and building community through music.

Melanie Moore

Secretary

Melanie Moore is a Business Systems Analyst II at AIPSO, a nonprofit organization that supports the automobile insurance residual market. In her role, she focuses on User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and business analysis, leveraging her technical skill set—including Microsoft Office and SQL—to support testing, reporting, and analytical initiatives.

Outside of her professional work, Melanie focuses on a deep love of dance and nature and has been an active dancer with the Extraordinary Rendition Band (ERB) since 2014. ERB is a local activist street band that performs at community events such as PRIDE and PVDFest in Providence, as well as at rallies, parades, and benefit events supporting organizations including the Girls Club and Sojourner House.

In February 2023, Melanie completed the A to Z Grant Writing course through the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), building experience in grant planning and development.

Kalimara Otto-Gentry,

Vice President

Kalimara Otto-Gentry is the Chief Program Officer at Amos House, where she provides leadership in developing and advancing programs that support individuals and families in need throughout the Providence and Rhode Island community.

As a licensed clinical social worker with a background in cultural anthropology, Kalimara brings experience in community-centered program development, centering equity, healing, and social justice.

In addition to her professional leadership, Kalimara is an Afro-diasporic percussionist with more than 25 years of experience studying and performing traditional rhythms and musical practices. Her musical journey has been shaped by numerous respected teachers and mentors, including master drummer  and RI Cultural Institute Artistic Director, Sidy Maiga. She continues to study, practice and perform throughout the New England area.

Through both her clinical and artistic work, she is deeply committed to cultural exchange and preservation, collective wellness, and fostering community and human connection.

Want to know more?

Fill out the form to schedule a meeting today!