WORKSHOPS

• 3:30-4 PM: Meet & Greet
• 4-5:20 PM: Rhythms Sampling
• 5:30-6:30 PM: Panel Discussion

• 10-10:50 AM: Dance Session 1
• 11 - 11:50: Dance Session 2
• 12-12:50 PM: Dance Session 3
• 1-2 PM: Lunch Break
• 2-3:30 PM: Drumming Session
• 3:40-4:30 PM: Dance Session 4
• 4:30-5:30 PM: Performance Rehearsal
• 5:30-6:30 PM: Dinner Break
• 6:30-7:15 PM: Review/Performance Prep
• 7:30-8:30 PM: Performance

• 10:30-11:30 AM: Movement
• 11:40 AM - 1 PM: Discussion
• 1 - 1:30 PM: Photos, Testimonials

Though she immigrated to Atlanta, GA in 1988, Dr. Ramatu Afegbua-Sabbatt is a native of Idah in Kogi State, Nigeria, and a descendant of the Okpella tribe’s Royal Family of Afegbua. She began acting at age 14 with appearances in state television programs in Nigeria. 

Dr. Afegbua-Sabbatt is a University of Nigeria graduate with a degree in Business administration (Marketing Major). She also holds a Diploma in Insurance and a Grade 11 Teachers Certificate in Education. Ms. Afegbua-Sabbatt graduated from Saint Leo University, Florida with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2012. 

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Since 1988, she has influenced authenticity in African dance by performing with the leading cultural dance companies in metro Atlanta (Extensions of Africa, African Dance Connections, Uhuru Dancers, Barefoot Ballet Manya, Giwayen Mata and Ballethnic Dance Company’s signature production, Leopard’s Tale). Mrs. Afegbua-Sabbatt co-founded Barefoot Ballet Manya. As the founder of Giwayen Mata (translated from Hausa as “Elephant Leaders of the Women”), an all female percussion ensemble, she broadened artistic expression for female artists by challenging the traditional practice of exclusively restricting drumming to male musicians.

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Dr. Afegbua-Sabbatt is listed on Fulton County’s School Arts Program, Georgia Council for the Arts’ residency Artists Directory, and former Young Audiences/Woodruff Arts Center.

Mrs. Afegbua-Sabbatt is in her 17th year as an instructor in Atlanta Ballet’s Dance Education Program at Fulton County’s West End Performing Arts Program.

Internationally recognized Enock Kalubi Kadima, best known as Brotha.E, is a multi-disciplinary artist from Congo, Kinshasa/Brazzaville. From Battles, shows, music videos, commercials, & theater, his dance movement and artistry reflect and highlight the richness of Congolese culture that he intends to shift the paradigm on, including how the masses in his generation perceive African Art. 

Also known for globally spreading Congolese culture through the study and practice of Ndombolo, he constantly pays homage to the legacy of those that came before him, which he believes is necessary to accentuate the voices of his people.

Sheila A. Ward is Co-Director of, and performs professionally with Eleone Dance Theatre of Philadelphia, PA and certified instructors for both the Umfundalai African Dance Technique and the Katherine Dunham Dance Technique. She is presently a tenured Professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science at Norfolk State University. Integration of her degrees in exercise physiology, epidemiology/public health, and dance serve as the foundation to promote, ‘Health Empowerment through Cultural Awareness,’ the guiding principle from which she conducts scholarly and community activities related to chronic disease prevention and management and African Diaspora dance for health and wellness. She is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), a Registered Kinesiotherapist, and a licensed Pre-K-12 Virginia Educator with endorsements in Dance Arts, Health and Physical Education, and Health and Medical Sciences. 

Dr. Ward  has received grant funding, lectured, published, and presented extensively on the community, state, regional, and international levels on the role of physical activity in the lives of African Americans and chronic disease prevention and management through exercise and dance. She has conducted over 46 dance arts-in-education K-12 residencies throughout the states of Virginia and Delaware, and the City of Philadelphia, PA. She began dancing in the Richmond Public Schools training with Mr. Robert Permberton, Jr. and Mr. Rodney Williams. She performed and trained with The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) and Philadanco II. She studied, trained, and performed with Baba Chuck Davis through the 2005 Cultural Arts Safari in the Gambia and Senegal, West Africa.

An educator, choreographer, and performer, Ms. Stephany Ursula Yamoah uses dance as a tool to connect with everyday lived experiences and tell stories rooted in African folk tales, historical narratives, and social issues. As the Artistic Director of the National Dance Ensemble of Ghana, she trains elite performers and organizes community engagement activities, all the while championing the power of the arts to educate, inspire, and drive social change.

With over 20 years of experience in the performing arts, her impressive journey has taken her from the University of Ghana to stages and studios worldwide, where she’s worked with distinguished choreographers and empowered countless individuals through her passion and purpose. Her vision? To uplift women, children, and society as a whole by celebrating the arts as a tool for unity and empowerment. 

Ghana native Nana Yaw  is a passionate percussionist dedicated to fostering community through rhythm, where each gathering is an opportunity to connect, learn, and express yourself freely. Through interactive drum circles and movement-based exploration, participants will not only refine their musical skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of drumming and dance traditions worldwide.

Come feel the beat, embrace the energy, and be part of a rhythmic journey that unites people through the universal language of music!

Ricky Micou holds a Master in Music Percussion Performance from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale , IL; a Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena; MS Graduate Studies , Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL; and a Certificate of Training from the Navy School of Music, Little Creek, Norfolk , VA. He has performed throughout the United States, South America, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Costa Rica as a Musician in the Navy Band. Ricky has also performed 500 shows as a working as a drummer at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA; as a Drummer/Percussionist at London Bridge Baptist Church, Virginia Beach , VA; and as a professional steel drummer throughout the Hampton Roads area.

He is an Adjunct Percussion Instructor at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Hampton University, and Percussion Instructor at Music and Arts.