Kuumba House, Inc. was founded in 1982 by South African native, Lindi Yeni, as a way of educating the public about South African culture. The mission of Kuumba House is to create, teach, perform, present and preserve the cultural experience of African art forms of dance, theatre, music and other creative expression. Furthermore, Kuumba House is committed to promoting cultural diversity and multicultural collaborations locally, nationally and internationally. Kuumba House's most important community outreach is to serve youth from low-income families as well as other under-served segments of the community. Kuumba House reaches over 3,000 youth annually with their outreach programs in community centers and churches; offering dance and drumming classes and performances.
Kuumba House Dance Theatre dancers, singers and drummers bring the reverberating syncopations of South Africa with their highly charged energetic performances of traditional and contemporary ceremonial, social and folk dances! The company occasionally fuses different regional African dance styles , delivering a fresh and unique approach to the African concert dance stage. Kuumba House presents dance concerts annually, during the Harambee African Heritage Festival, the African Heritage Month, Juneteenth and during Kwanzaa; Performers range from local to international artists. Kuumba House Dance Theatre performs all over the United States and Mexico. The company has had the honor of performing for numerous Heads of State, including the Honorable Nelson Mandela. The dance company is made up of South African natives, other continental Africans and Americans. The dance company performs for and conducts residencies at elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, civic organizations,festivals, churches, wedings, conventions, conferences and numerous functions. Kuumba House's theatrical presentations in the 80's to the early 90's boasted of works by such notable writers as Thomas Meloncon, Celeste Bedford-Walker, Ntozake Shange, Ruthe Winegarten, Naomi Carrier, to mention just a few. Kuumba House has trained many artists who are making a positive impact in people's lives. Kuumba House reaches over 30,000 people annually through our classes, workshops and performances. Over the last twenty-five years, Kuumba House has touched the lives of over a million individuals. Kuumba House looks forward to starting the journey to yet another level during the next tewnty five years! The next generation of leaders will continue the legacy. 3001 Cleburne; 713-524-1079; www.kuumbahouse.org