ABOUT EZIBU
Mission
To enrich the lives of children and community through the resources of African dance, rhythms, culture and cultural arts.
Vision
Ezibu Muntu African Dance and Cultural Foundation is a professional organization of dancers, drummers, entertainers and other individuals dedicated to invoking a better educated positive understanding of African culture, values, traditions and the cultural arts as a whole. Through exposing the community-at-large to educational and artistic programming based on African culture and art forms, Ezibu Muntu hopes to enrich the diversity of the community and reintroduce basic African concepts of family and community into society by informing and exhibiting.
History
Ezibu Muntu African Dance and Cultural Foundation began as a student organization on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 1973. Founder, Tanya Dennis, a dance professor at VCU, recognized a need for multicultural enrichment in the Richmond community. She particularly wanted to help the African American students find a sense of ancestral pride and self-esteem. After maintaining status as a university based group, Ezibu decided they could better serve the community with a larger not-for-profit organization aimed at educating the community about African customs and traditions. In 1984, Ezibu established itself as a corporation and has been exciting and educating audiences for over 25 years. It is estimated that since it’s auspicious beginning more than 1000 individuals have been directly involved with the Ezibu Muntu family. Over the years, Ezibu has produced many professional artists in a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Renee Knight, a founding member still dances and today leads the foundation.
Artistic Directors
Faye Walker is a teacher and performer of Afrikan dance and one of the founding members of the EZIBU MUNTU AFRICAN DANCE COMPANY. A Hampton, Virginia native, "Sister Faye" has studied extensively with many Afrikan and African-American dancers and musicians who were or are now considered masters of the art form. Mrs. Walker has served EZIBU MUNTU in many capacities throughout the years: performer, Dance Captain, General Manager, Board Member, Director of the Visual Musicians Color Guard Corps (Footnotes), and Artistic Director. She continues to mentor, choreograph, sit on the Board and co-direct the company. Sister Faye has also choreographed for other companies and theatrical groups including: the University of Richmond's Ngoma African and Modern Dance Company, the Kuumba Dancers and various community and recreation centers. She has also choreographed and staged musicals for the Hampton University Players. A short list includes: "Dream Girls," "Ain't Misbehaving," "Little Shop of Horrors" and Scott Joplin's opera, "Treemonisha."
Babadunjo is a professional dancer, choreographer, and costume designer. He currently is the co-director of The Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, the Director of Ngoma African & Contemporary Dance Company at University of Richmond, and Color Guard Instructor at Deep Run High School and Lee-Davis HS. Has worked closely with Baba Chuck Davis (Durham, NC) and danced with Baba Melvin Deals' African Dancers and Drummers (Washington, DC). He is also a member of The Dzifa Masquerade Fraternity. Among these many talents he has also had the opportunity to travel to Senegal, West Africa as a dance liaison. He is also a performer with Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, Rocky Mount, NC for 8 years. Since at Carolina Gold, he has received Most Outstanding Performer 2003 and has held the captain leadership position 06, 07, 08. Mr. McCain is a past member of The Light Brigade World Winterguard Philadelphia, PA for 3 years. He received Most Valuable Member 2006 and Co-Captain 2007. Babadunjo has over 20 years of experience African Dance. His educational background includes study at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Dance/Choreography.
Company Members
- Adekoya Adefunmi
- Omomola Adefunmi
- Yolanda Branch
- Patra Brodie
- Ebonee Brown**
- Mark Carter**
- Hampton Couser**
- Leroy Craddock
- Roderick Davis*
- Weluna Finley*
- Shebony Forbes*
- April Fraser*
- LaShaunda Harris
- Shonda Hawkins
- Renee Knight, Founding Member
- Charisse Holt*
- Latonya Lane*
- William Lewis
- Tammy McCain
- Jarrell Morris
- Babadunjo Olagunke
- Zena Perthone
- Shamika Roberts*
- LaShara Smith
- Faye Walker
- Mayah Walker-Taylor
- Wendy Warren
*Inactive **Apprentices