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Since our inception in 2016, Djoli Kelen has provided arts and culture services in over 10 states, 4 countries, and 3 continents, with in-person and virtual programs. After the onslaught of Covid, Djoli Kelen was among the first providers of Traditional West African Dance in the Atlanta, GA region to offer live streamed virtual dance activity to help its audiences and practitioners remain engaged during uncertain times, while also attracting new people. We offered classes as well as "dance challenges," in which we would post West African dance sequences on social media and challenge people to learn them, video themselves doing the movement, and post on their own social media accounts.

 Djoli Kelen openly and lovingly serves our community. Our core audience are those who are already connected with African and Diaspora Dance & Drum practices, including dancers, drummers, teachers, choreographers, etc. However, the range and variety of events and services provided, our extensive cross-marketing among like-minded local, national, and international organizations, and the easy accessibility online and with low cost barriers, consistently draw new people into our circle. Our programming is inclusive and family oriented, welcoming babes-in-arms as well as elders. We also accommodate people with disabilities and special needs. One of our main goals is to keep services affordable amidst the rising cost of life with the understanding that our services are needed and bring healing to our community.

Passport To Our Community 2023 will be the eight such annual festival produced by Djoli Kelen in honor of US Black History Month. This year, we curating something extra special! Our month-long, multi-event Black History Month Celebration will culminate with the first Djoli Kelen (One Blood) Fest! This festival will bring together Master African and Diasporic Artists, Students, Community, and MORE!

As in the past, one of our major focuses are our youth. Over the years, Djoli Kelen has partnered with various schools, students, and dance programs throughout metro Atlanta target younger dancers and artists. The celebration will start out with a Black History Kick Off Class; open to all. We will continue a community book reading and discussion of the book "Hot Feet and Social Change: African Dance and Diaspora Communities" augmented by panel discussions with master artists and scholars throughout the month, and incorporate many opportunities for community engagement through dance classes and workshops, performances, and a live concert. 

The Passport celebration is an anticipated annual gathering of our local and national Traditional West African Dance & Drum community. This year, Solo Sana, who is a Master Artist and guiding mentor that had an important role in Djoli Kelen's inception (he gave the Co-Founders his blessing and provided the company name, which means One Blood), is one of our featured artist in addition to Djeneba Sako, Moussa Traore, Joh Camara, Moussa Camara, Mariama Diakate, and MORE! Gathering together around African and Diasporic artistry will bring the community closer together in its understanding, practice, and inspiration for continued community expression.

Our main goal is to keep the dreams and aspirations of African ancestors alive and evolving into our contemporary moment here in the US, repairing the rupture in the handing-down of ancestral knowledge that was brought about by slavery. The art forms that we steward are healing and connecting in and of themselves, providing healthful physical activity, and joyful and supportive community. African-American self esteem and pride is enhanced by creating space for expressions of African diasporic culture that provide time-honored wisdom for our daily lives.