The mission of Cheza Nami Foundation is to promote cultural education and diversity awareness to learning institutions, corporations, and communities. Cheza Nami envisions a culturally diverse world in which individuals of all ages can embrace the concept of global citizenship and understand the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. The foundation aims to preserve and encourage the appreciation of African culture by inspiring and educating the American public about Africa’s extensive and unique attributes.

Foundation President and CEO Catherine Ndungu-Case experienced a childhood in a rural village in Kenya, a childhood enriched by an emphasis on family and culture. She founded the Pleasanton-based nonprofit in 2011. The lack of accessible educational resources about Africa prompted her to create Cheza Nami, which is Swahili for “come play with me,” as a vehicle to share her African heritage with both her children and the larger public.

“Cheza Nami believes in a play-based, experiential approach to education,” says Ndungu-Case, who has received the Alameda Arts County Leadership Award in 2017 and an award from the Jefferson Awards Foundation for outstanding public service. “We encourage diversity awareness through African culture, and we use dance, play, and movement to deliver a unique learning experience. We offer activities to community organizations, schools, and corporations while addressing educational and social needs that help foster community building, global citizenship, and personal enrichment.”

Foundation projects have included Cultural Arts and Learning Assemblies for students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade; Intergenerational Community Festivals, such as the Annual Taste of Africa in Livermore; Diversity and Culture Camp, which are weeklong summer camps for youths of all ages and abilities; Library Programs, which promote Young Adult literature; and Corporate Diversity Awareness and Drumming Circles.

“Our projects are customized to reach everyone, regardless of ethnic or national heritage,” notes Ndungu-Case. “Sharing the universal language of art from the continent of Africa with communities in the Bay Area enables dialogue, understanding, and acceptance.”

Cultural Arts and Learning Assemblies are not limited to students. For Assemblies, Cheza Nami artists visit schools, community centers, libraries, museums, retirement homes, or private corporations to expose individuals to African culture through dance, music, games, instruments, and art through active participation. These events typically last between one and two hours.

Prior to the Pandemic, Cheza Nami sponsored underprivileged students in the Pleasanton/Livermore school districts to its week-long art summer culture and diversity camp. During the camp, Cheza Nami artists share dance, music, and art with students throughout the week, which culminates with a student on-stage production. Cheza Nami subsidizes as many campers as the budget allows in a given year.

Cheza Nami is also known for its annual Taste of Africa Festival. Held in Livermore or Pleasanton, the festival has served as a communal gathering point for residents of the Tri-Valley for many years. Typically, it has been an all-day outdoor event featuring African dance, music, food, and art during the first weekend of October. In addition to attending foundation events, supporters can contribute to Cheza Nami through donations or by volunteering.

Many artists have contributed to the success of the foundation. One of them is Wawi Amasha, a fine artist specializing in acrylics and digital painting. Amasha facilitates art and beading workshops for both children and adults and also volunteers her skills for local elders. The artist’s paintings are a dynamic and colorful representation of village life in her native Kenya, portraying lively landscapes and people with intricate textures and patterns. Cheza Nami is offering a collection of the artist’s prints for sale through April 30 as part of its celebration of Women’s History Month.

For more information about the Cheza Nami Foundation, please visit www.chezanami.org.