Keur Khaleyi: A Peek Inside, on view at the Eubie Black Cultural Institute April 5–18, 2025, showcases the work of young dancers from the Keur Khaleyi African Dance and Cultural Institute. Organized by curator Deborah Mason through her new initiative, Empowering Youth Through Art and Leadership, the exhibition features the hand-crafted accoutrements assembled by these performers to adorn their attire. The exhibition provides a platform for youth to share their artistry with a broader audience, while instilling in them a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.

About the Partners

Keur Khaleyi meaning “House of Children” in the Senegalese language of Wolof, represents the village. At Keur Khaleyi African Dance and Cultural Institute, we are the village of elders sharing ancestral wisdom, griots preserving history through storytelling, and artists educating and celebrating through dance and music.

Empowering Youth Through Art and Leadership provides an immersive educational art program designed for underserved youth. The program creates future art leaders and curators who will determine the direction of the art world.  Our young curators will create their own artwork, then collaboratively develop a unique exhibition.

About the Curator

Deborah Mason seeks to guide African American youth and people of color into scholarly positions in the world of art and curation. Besides promoting the work of her deceased husband, artist Pontella Mason, she has also been a curator, museum programmer, dancer and carpenter.

Opening Reception

Saturday, April 5th

4:30 -6:30pm