Doc Powell, Founder of the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers

The Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers are an extremely talented and masterly group of cultural artists in the DC area whose proud tradition of demonstrating African culture through drumming, dancing, and singing has its original in Malcolm X Park. 

Malcolm X Park, located in the Adams Morgan/Columbia Heights area of the District of Columbia (officially named Meridian Hill Park), is a magical place where, for over 50 years, drummers of all persuasions conjugate with dancers and other artists on Sundays (weather permitting) to create a fantastic display of African music in conjunction with traditional music from many other origins of the world. 

They have performed at the Martin Luther King Library, Adams Morgan Day Street Festival, The Latino Festival, the Black Family Reunion Celebration on the National Mall, Emergence Community Arts Collective, Soul 57 Cultural Center, Sandy Point State Park, Howard University Blackburn Center, the Anacostia Art Gallery, Washington National Cathedral, Dance Africa DC Festival, American University, George Washington University, the Capitol Hill Eastern Market Art Gallery the Potter’s House in Adams Morgan, Union Temple Baptist Church in SE DC, the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, the Peoples Congregational Church, the National United Methodist Church the H STREET Festival, Fiesta Asia Street Fair, the Southwest (DC) Festival, the Thurgood Marshall Center, People’s Congregational Church, Tree of Life Learning Center in northeast DC, Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington VA, Howard University School of Medicine, Woodacres Elementary School in Bethesda VA, and many other venues in the Washington metropolitan area.     

Some of its company members include: 

Bill “Babalu” Caudle • Master Drummer Extraordinaire – a multi-talented musician, he has drummed with most of the African and diaspora drumming ensembles up and down the East Coast for decades. A native of Washington, DC, Caudle served as lead djembe drummer for Baba Melvin Deal's African Heritage Dancers and    Drummers for more than 20 years. He is one of the more experienced drummers who participates in the Sunday circle of drummers and dancers at Malcolm X Park in the Meridian Hills area of Northwest Washington, DC. The circle, which this year celebrates its 50th year in existence, is believed to have officially started in response to the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965; Caudle became a fixture there and has drummed there since the early 1970s. A major drum talent, Caudle is unique in that he is considered to be a drummer’s drummer as well as a dancer's drummer. It is rare to be considered both, but Caudle, who himself is an accomplished dancer, is able to move in two worlds – that of the dancer as well as the drummer. As a result, drummers admire him because he is able to adapt to and master any rhythm – so long as it is played correctly; and dancers like to move to his hand because he watches their body movements carefully and drums to the dancers’ strengths. A deeply spiritual person, he considers African drumming to be one of the highest art forms and views drumming as a healing medium when shown the proper respect and deference. 

Joseph Soh Ngwa • Ancestral Master Drummer – born in Cameroon, West Africa, is known for his high skill and knowledge concerning the djembe and other African percussion instruments, particularly the talking drum. He is also a specialist in the healing power of the African drum, and is a practitioner of the divine spiritual arts of African percussion. Master Ngwa’s skills are very much in demand and he is involved with a diverse range of projects, such as films, video recordings, and museum consultancies. He offers workshops and performances exploring the various musical and oral traditions in Africa. A highly sought after percussionist, he performs and teaches widely with many groups throughout the U.S. and other countries, and is a senior member of the drumming corps for two prominent Washington, DC-based African dance companies: African Heritage Drummers & Dancers and KanKouran West African Dance Company. 

King Baba James’ music is dynamic and complex. Putting smooth tunes to his captivating voice, King Baba James’ music is a fresh new sound to the music world. You will be enthralled and challenged by his lyrics. His music entices the human spirit to think in a new way- to consider money, love, politics and life. Fitting for the car ride home from work after a long day or to speak to your loved one- King Baba James’ music soothes the soul and is unlike any other- no imitations here. Some tracks make you want to kick up your feet and dance, too. Inspired by memories of his childhood in Nigeria his message is universal- everyone will be able to relate. His message is positive and his vibes are good. Above all, if you want music that is good for you play King Baba James.

King Baba James, began singing and writing songs with his mother at the age of seven in Nigeria. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts at the prestigious University of Lagos. He’s traveled far and wide across the globe performing, singing, dancing, and teaching choreography.

As a young man his mother would take him to the local theatre where his mother sang, danced and prayed. She would pray for the children, pray for the men who left their women with their children. People came from miles away to hear her sing and pray. One night, a police came in the theatre half way through the night with the good news. He said, “The neighbors are complaining. Your music is too low, turn it up!” Shortly after that night his mother past away. She returns to King Baba James in his dreams, whispering into his ears, singing, telling him to sing. King Baba James started writing and recording songs, as the box of memories he created about his mother came back to him.

King Baba James’ writing and singing truly comes from his heart’s passion and the inspirations gathered from his mother. His music style is a mix of contemporary, pop, reggae, rock and roll, and alternative music. KBJ spent the past 12 years performing with the Toby Foyeh Band among countless other endeavors. He’s shared the stage with well known singers like Nancy Wilson, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, MC Lyte, Daddy Kane, Keyshia Cole and Ray J, at the African American Festival. He performed at the Syracuse Jazzfest in June 2003, Festival Town Point Park in Norfolk, Virginia in 2008. King Baba James’ career as a solo artist and recording artist is thriving. Listening to his lyrics will make you feel Irie. He does it for the love and for one divine love, for all humanity.

​Yerodin Sanders -  After observing multi-talented Percussionists, Storytellers and Musicians his entire childhood, he acquired his first Djembe in 1995, the same year he became a college freshman.

Familiar with the intrinsic power of this instrument, Yerodin was immediately disappointed in the quality of sound his soft hands were able to produce. Eager to learn the mysteries of instrumentation, maintenance and craftsmanship he was soon lead to world travelled Musician, Craftsmen and Cultural Curator Baile McKnight; whose workshop is in nearby Forestville, MD.  Via this connection, Yerodin has been able to participate in ongoing enriching cultural experiences.

In 2010, he became a recording member of the Leify Green Conspiracy.  As percussionist and background vocalist, Yerodin has participated in live shows throughout the DMV as well as shows in Philadelphia, Connecticut and New York.  With an album on iTunes and sales approaching 1,000 copies, our fan base continues to grow.

Many of his performances from 2011 to present have been in concert with the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, who are very involved in the cultural community.

Wakili McNeill is the founder of the Zawadi Arts & Leadership Training Institute (ZALTI), a community consulting firm in Silver Spring Maryland. Raised in Chicago's rich multi-cultured neighborhoods, Wakili developed a strong respect and appreciation for cultural diversity. Wakili McNeill holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Development at Norfolk State University (NSU). 

She has worked in youth development for over 15 years. Cultivating and influencing several diverse groups in Chicago, Baltimore, Virginia, Washington DC & Maryland her work has impacted both youth development professionals and young people directly in sectors such as: academic, faith- based institutions, neighborhood civic groups, city commissions, business advisory boards, and other community based groups. 

As the Director of Youth & Community Development in Hampton, VA at Alternatives, Inc., Wakili has galvanized communities in Hampton & Newport News, VA to establish positive youth programming & youth- led advocacy. She has been instrumental in the development of several youth training tracks for national and statewide conferences. 

Wakili has inspired non- traditional youth leaders to create positive action steps to address issues that are important in the lives of young people. As a Certified Advancing Youth Development Curriculum Facilitator, Wakili has trained youth professionals to work in partnership with young people to create positive sustainable change in the lives of young people and in the community at large. Wakili contributes her success to believing in the capacity of all people and recognizing the cultural arts as a valuable tool for empowerment.

Nana Malaya has been performing since early childhood.  Her versatility and expertise in the arts has lead to many diverse opportunities.  Her first major choreographic work was, “The Hallelujah Chorus,” a liturgical dance (an innovation at the time) for the prestigious Carnegie Mellon Institute in Pittsburg when she was only 16 years old!

Nana Malaya was also selected to be one of the youngest members of August Wilson’s first professional theatre company: The Black Horizon Theatre.  This friendship and collaboration continued, and she also served as an actress and choreographer for the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.  Her company, The Nubian Theatre Dance & Music Company, has provided her the opportunity to portray many characters and to be a featured performer at many major venues including: The Lincoln Center, NYC; The Kennedy Center; The Smithsonian Institute; Wolftrap; the Anacostia Museum; Discovery Theatre; The Historic Lincoln Theatre; The Arc; The Lisner; The Harlem National Black Theatre and many more.  She has also toured and graced the stage with Malcolm Jamal Warner, Phyliss Stickney, Phyliss Hyman, Stevie Wonder, Miriam Mekeba, Bill T. Jones, Alice Coltrane, and numerous others!  

Nana Malaya was declared “The Dancing Diplomat” since she has performed around the world.  She has had the honor of being selected to perform for the King of Ghana, President Bill Clinton, Rosa Park and others.

Kima Hawk is a dancer/performance artist, model, fitness model, dance fitness teacher and healer.  She has performed with Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, Bele Bele, Akoma Drummers and many other companies. Ms.Hawk has performed at a wide variety of venues throughout the community such as Hands of Drum (2016), Malcolm X Park and Kennedy Center are just to name a few.

Roberto Dominich, master Cuban drummer, will challenge you to keep up with his incredible hand drumming speed.

Eric C.Lewis ​is a graduate of the Duke Ellington High School of the Arts.  He also attended the University of the District of Columbia.  Mr. Lewis has studied with many master musicians from all over the world, including Rashied Ali, Abdou Konte, Baba Ngoma, and others.  For eight years he was a drummer with Washington's top West African dance troupe, Kankouran. Mr. Lewis has also lead his own groups including All Souls Percussion Choir, and the H.A.P. Children's Percussion Ensemble.  He was a drummer at the Action Chapel Ministries where he worked on his first CD project titled (2 Hands 1 Beat).  Among the internationally-known musicians with whom he has worked are Roy Ayers, Oliver Lake, and Sun Ra.

He is an amazing musician who has performed at a wide variety of venues and frequently visits Malcolm X Park on Sundays.

Butch Jackson is a drummer who has performed at a wide variety of venues and frequently visits Malcolm X Park on Sundays.

Frank Lloyd is a wonderful musician who has performed at a wide variety of venues and frequently visits Malcolm X Park on Sundays. ​

Rakhel Yisrael, born and raised in Washington, DC, grew up in a household of music. With a father as a bass player and a mother who understood her purpose as a mother and a wife, she grew up with instruments in her hands and strong values. Rakhel always had a passion for drumming and there was always a call in her spirit whenever she heard the drums. At 20, she got into her talent by teaching herself drum set, and djembe. She has traveled America and Northeastern Africa spreading her talents. Currently Rakhel is working conducting workshops for women of all ages on nutrition, self empowerment, and stress relief. She also conducts drum circles, and teaches with the Young Womens Drumming Empowerment Project in Washington, DC.

Sidiki Paul Lancaster is a highly qualified educator, performing African Percussionists/historian/folklorist aligning African Diaspora traditions with comparable experiences unique to African-American heritage, Facillitator of Rites of Passage/Boys 2 Men Mentoring Programs, Traditional African Healing Arts, and Ceremonial/ Ritual Traditions. Additionally, Mr. Lancaster has excellent management/communication, and research/analysis skills. He apprenticed with legendary artists Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus, Abdoulaye Camara, and Djimo Kouyate. Studied/performed with multiple African Master Percussionists including Mor Thiam, Ibrahima Camara, Zak Diouf, and Soulimane Diop, (Senegal), Ladji Camara,(Guinea), Babatunde Michael Olatunji,(Nigeria), Chief Bey,(NYC), Baba Ishangi Rizak, Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu, (Ghana).

Studied/mentored with Chancellor Williams, John Henrik Clarke, Asa Hilliard, Leonard Jeffries, and Yosef A.A. Ben-Jochanan. Mr. Lancaster is the Co-founder of the Intercultural Conference on Drum and Dance (East St. Louis,Ill), the model event for all current dance conferences throughout the United States; Co-founder with Mor Thiam of Cosaan West African Dance Company (St. Louis,Mo.); Co-founder Director Azikwe Agyeyei Children/Adult Company(New Orleans,La.) Manage/directed, and performed with Koumpo West African Dance Company Opening EPCOT Center Walt Disney World Orlando,Fl, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and other renowed venues. He has performed with renown Artists as Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Bilal Sunni Ali, Gil Scott Heron among others, featured percussionist with the St. Louis and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. Guest Artist/consultant for African-American community organizations nationwide.

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Papa Aziz Ahmed is originally from NY City where he attended James Monroe High School in Bronx, NY. He later went on to study Liberal Arts at Howard University in Washington, DC. Quote from FB: "I am never at a performance just to make a dollar. I always play with the intent to move Nyama or the spiritual energy that flows through living beings and that connects us to our ancestors. I AM NOT A MASTER DRUMMER....I AM A SERVANT drummer OF MY PEOPLE AND MY ANCESTORS a praise drummer for the most High."

Dr. Kokayi Patterson - Prior to becoming an Acupuncture Detox Specialist in1979, Kokayi Patterson was a Drug Counselor and Program Manger/Director specializing in Residential Treatment, Community Outreach, and Youth Counseling for 35 years, He witnessed acupuncture used in 1970 at a local Drug Center. He lectures in D.C., Md. Va, and nationally. At the Drug Center he headed both staff & clientorientation and training for 20 years. He promotes the Wholistic Approach to Treatment,ie exercise, meditation, quality water, vegetarian diet, herbs, vitamins, AcuDetox, he continues to practice Chinese Acupuncture for Addictions: Acudetox is a empowering addition to treatment regimes. As a Addictions Counselor he maintains a Youth and Adult Counseling Practice. Trains in the D.C. area and is the only Program that offers WholisticNatural Approach to Treatment. It gives counselors a Wholistic(Spirit,Mind,Body,Environment) Perspective &approach to their clients outside of conventional means. Dr Patterson developed and taught a variety of basic Wholistic concepts to adults and youth in Schools and colleges, the beginning of each class students are taught area’s to massage for calming, focus before class work. These concepts complement the success of students, patients & broadens understanding of Life from a Wholistic view.

As a Graduate from MITCM Maryland institute of Tradional Chinese Medicine(2001) and a NADA Certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specilist he promotes the Acudetox protocol everywhere he goes and promotes Acupuncture and a array of Wholistic Processes and Services to empower the Person and the Community.

Senghor Jawara Baye was born in Washington, DC (Banneker City) on October 28th, 1951. Raised in DC he has an older brother and sister. He attended DC Public Schools and the University of the District of Columbia. Senghor is the youngest in his generation both on his mother's and father's side of his family. He is the father of three beautiful daughters and has three grandsons and one granddaughter.  To further his spiritual growth, Senghor has studied many religions, cultures and customs of the world and the principles of Maat.  He is committed to his African and Native American ancestral roots in the Cherokee/Moorish/ and Nubian traditions. In 1980, he joined the UNIA-ACL.

 Senghor's work with youth includes a position of Guidance Councilor in the DC Public Schools for 4 years and as the registered agent co-founded Stop America From Eating the Young Inc. (S.A.F.E.T.Y. Inc.), a non-profit 501C3 tax exempt youth advocacy corporation in 1975. In the 1980's S.A.F.E.T.Y. was renamed Sound Action For Enlightening the Young and today was named Medissage Inc. which is now located at Noah's Ark, a 135 acre estate in  South Carolina, with other locations around the world. He co-founded Community Based Buying Clubs Inc. and Sure Savings Collective Buying Clubs (S.S.C.B.C.) that operated between 1980 and 1994.

 Senghor served three four-year terms as the 3rd Assistant President General under the leadership of President Generals Honorable Marcus Garvey Jr. and Honorable Redman Battle. In January 2008 he was elevated by the Parent Body to serve as the 1st Assistant PG until August 2008 elections. The 8th successor to Garvey, President General Honorable Redman Battle transitioned on December 30th, 2007 when Interim President General Nwalimu Edward Gee served out the remaining eight months of his four-year term of office.

 Senghor Jawara Baye was elected the 10th President General on August 23rd at the 51st International Convention of the UNIA-ACL. He served as the District 3 Commissioner of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia from 1989 through January 2008. In March 2008 he was appointed Minister of Culture.   Between 1985 and 1987 he served as the UNIA-ACL Co-Chairman of the Centennial Commemoration Committee of the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey's birth. Garvey's Centennial was held in Garvey's land of birth, Jamaica, in August 1987.

 Senghor was an active member of the Woodson-Banneker/Jackson-Bey Div. 330 of the UNIA-ACL between 1980 and 2006 in Washington DC. He is currently a member of the King BaBa Kamau/Queen Mother James Div. 332 of the UNIA-ACL in Washington, DC, the Managing Editor of the Garvey's Voice Newspaper and the UNIA-ACL Parent Body Representative on Reparations.

 Senghor served as elder organizer and consultant for the "Young Lions Rites of Passage Program" for Roots Activity Learning Center.  Since April 2004 he has hosted an internet radio program Black Star Lion 9 Time on Harambee Radio www.harambeeradio.com and is currently working with 

www.movementunes.com and www.audioinbooks.com as a promoter for artists and authors of all types. He has been a poet for the last 38 years and has a great love for positive music and artistic expressions. He is very interested in supporting and helping people of African descent become more self-reliant, self determined, and independent while regaining knowledge of their historical roots and traditional greatness, and sovereignty. He loves working with and for youth who need more love and respect in the world and supports them as they grow to respect and love the world and make positive contributions in the 21st century.

 Senghor recently retired from the National Association of Social Workers national office in Washington. DC. He is the Chairman of the Board and founding member of Black Star Enterprises LLC and a marketing Representative for Black Star Lion Artists Association, a marketing agency for positive musicians and artist. In addition to his previous full time employment he works with several corporations. Senghor is a distributor for the New MATTAH Movement products, which are manufactured by blacks to help reverse our consumption spending and help build economic independence for the African community. He served for several years as a founding board member of the Cooperative Economic Development Corporation (C.E.D.C.). He also worked as a volunteer Mentor with the Kijiji Wazee RAP Inc. Mentoring Program. Currently he is a member of the Nubian International Hand Dance Association and the National Hand Dance Association where he is able to express his fond love for good music and social dancing. Senghor was a youth consultant for the 1995 Million Man March organized in Washington, DC where over 2.5 million people attended. Between February 2002 and August 2002 he served on the National Organizing Committee of MFR and also as Co-Chair of the DC Steering Committee for the Millions for Reparations demonstration, which was held in Washington, DC on August 17th, 2002 on Garvey's 115th birthday anniversary.

 Senghor has traveled to Bahia, Brazil, Jamaica, Trinidad, Belize, Canada, the UK, Africa and all over the USA speaking and learning from others. As a vibrant Inspirational & Motivational Speaker on Health, Wealth, and Cultural Enrichment and now the President General of the UNIA-ACL of the world, Senghor will uplift, inform, and educate you and your organization, school, or social group towards positive action. His background, knowledge, organizational skills, and ability to invoke humor in all of his presentations, regardless of the seriousness of the topic, can and will be inspiring to youths as well as adults from all backgrounds. Senghor's solid belief in MAAT and the principles of Peace, Love and Prosperity truly speaks truth to power and would be an excellent positive speaker at your next event. Senghor, which means descendant of the ancestors, believes he was called to serve the race today as President General of the UNIA-ACL and that Garvey Lives in spirit in the 21st century.

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Up You Mighty Race, We Can Accomplish What We Will!