A Toast to the Queen
Welcome, everyone, and thank you for joining me on this journey to celebrate Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms. Our friendship dates back to the days of Zion Prep in the 90s. Many saw Dr. Mimms as a mentor or elder, but to me, she was a cherished friend, a kindred spirit. This book began as a collaborative effort to honor her life and legacy even before her passing, and it reflects the spirit of community and partnership that she always championed.
Dr. Mimms encouraged all of us to be bold and fearless. She believed in the power of collaboration and using ideas to create a lasting impact. For 30 years, we worked side by side, along the I-5 corridor and uplifting the spirit of excellence wherever we went. There are moments now when I feel an urge to call her, to share some news, and I realize how much I miss her. Through the love notes contributed by friends and admirers, we hope to keep her spirit vibrant and inspire others to carry forward her work.
The Journey Book will be distributed at three special gatherings in Seattle: A Royal Reminder of the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa – November 9 Odunde Festival – November 16 (Tickets are still available) Sounds of the Sound – November 30 (Tickets are still available)
Everyone who attends these events or who supported this project will receive a copy. The Journey book will also be viewable at www.drmimmspresents.com. Proceeds from this project will help fund her Celebration of Life planned for March 8, 2025, at the Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, as well as Live Streamed. Maxine left clear instructions for her celebration. Updates will be posted to the website after the 1st of the year.
To the people that visited, sent prayers, flowers and financial support, we thank you. I say, we because I worked with a remarkable team championed by Elizabeth Diffendal to sort through the noise and create the space deserving of a Queen for her final year. To Alasha Adams, Indigo Brown, Kelle Brown, Dawn Mason, Ardell and Sherri Shaw, Patricia Valentine, and Ophelia Taylor Walker— you are the Official Dream Team. My gratitude is boundless.
Lastly but most important, please remember to hold up her family: Ted, Tonie, Kenneth, Elyse, Chantel, Lovell, Jenesis and Lillia. Send a meal, a basket or a card. Let them feel the love and support our community has to offer. You know how we feel, so continue to check in with them to honor Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms’ legacy.
Peace and Blessings to all!
ADEFUA Alumni
Odunde Festival - Program Order
Mistress of Ceremonies ~ Babakauna Ujamal
Salute to our 40th Year!
Libation ~ Iyalaje Afua Kouyate
Paying Honor to Dr. Maxine Buie Mimms
The Evolution of Culture in Community
The Evolution of Culture in Community is presented by a collective of our very own ADEFUA Artists. All performers in tonight’s show are multi-talented artists. Each performer sings, dance and plays multiple instruments. You’re here to see and feel community that surrounds us each day in sacredness. The dances and the rhythms of the variation of the drums on stage tonight represents several lineages which reaffirms and celebrates identity, and connects people of African ancestry with their roots, while also supporting cultural arts in our intergenerational backyards.
~ 1st Half ~
Ajaja invokes community to pay homage and honor to our ancestors as they continue to guide us all into the village of change. The Sylla family wakes up to the call of legacy building while the babies are young. Every home has a culture. We can teach our children ways of the land to build behavior and character to be celebrated with effort, diligence, and proper guidance. Love recharges and restores breathe… Modeling the steps of worthiness and ambition moves talents into action. Drawing inspirations from one another and allowing our children and families to see that hope and healing are all around us in our cultural communities. It’s a good thing for all of us – men and women to serve our families and community. Being of service to family, community, and what’s compatible to us…
~ Intermission ~
~ 2nd Half ~
In community, a place of wholesome and nurturing influences can exert a positive showing of compassion and resources. The joy of opportunity in music and dance. We honor the integrity of our cultural forebearers by living up to it in thought and deed. It’s Harvest time! Odunde-Odunde is celebrated as we share praises and give thanks to our all-mighty creator for life. Harvest time is working time. This process does take the whole village and it’s a happy time coming together. We sing and dance bringing in the New Year! With the abundance of life and light, we consume so much wealth. These are seeds for our hopes and dreams. Shango comes now to guard it well and invest it wisely. The marathon is ahead of us! The dance of strength picks up wisdom, confidence, and insight as the language of the drums brings community forward always. - 4 -
Executive Director
Afua Kouyaté
Associate Director
Babakauna Ujamal
Musical Directors
Boka Kouyaté, Foluso Mimy
Choreographers
Afua Kouyaté, Nailah Bulley
Performers
Guest Artists:
Baba Mosheh Milon
Grupo Bayano | Todo Folklore Cubano
NW Tap Connection
Musicians
Boka, Foluso, Papa Mangue Sylla, Mamadi Condé, Naby Camara, Kwame Harris
Dancers
Afua Kouyate, Chisula Chambers, Indika Sylla, Nailah Bulley, Aishé Keita, Nichole Jackson, Marvine Faty Youth King, Nafi, Aniyah, Mayila
NW Tap Connection
InstructedbyNailahBulley
Macy Black, Kimora Boston-Meade, Moniah Gabriel, Davis Gustafson, Brookelyn Herron, Indigo Hunstiger, Grace Maloney-Pouliet, Jocelyn
McMillon, Poppy Duangdala, Meseret Saleem, Ayanna Omar
Todo Folklore Cubano & Grupo Bayano
is a Seattle-based dance company that stands as a vibrant testament to the rich folkloric traditions of Cuba. Founded in 2005 by the distinguished Jose Carrion, a former principal dancer with Ballet
Folklorico Cutumba, TFC has evolved into a cultural beacon in the Pacific Northwest.
José Carrión - Artistic Director and Percussion
Yoanis Carrión - Musical Director and Percussion
Teno Carrión - Dance
Christopher German - Dance
Ricardo Guity - Percussion
Sharon Cronin - Vocals
Astrae Doty Vargas - Vocals
Bobby Smith - Vocals
Elders
Naby, Komala Martin-Sylla, Pam Brown.
Voice overs
Babakauna Ujamal
Stage Manager
Jo Alyce Harris
Backstage
Sekou Kouyaté
MiAndre Harris
Front of the House Hospitality
Pauline Harris, Madeline Brooks
Box Office Tickets
Cynthia Dampier
Raffle Tickets
Madeline Brooks ~
Blackbox Digital Films
is filming tonights event. Footage will be a part of next years documentary, “The Legacy of ADEFUA”
Noni Ervin from Kinara Park Kids
is also on location, prepping for the 4th Annual Kwanzaa Awards, which will take place on January 4th at The Royal Esquire Club.
~ Acknowledgements ~ OUR 2024 ODUNDE VENDORS (See the insert)
Laurie Sylla, One World Arts Exchange
The Friends of ADEFUA
Your time and energies that support our work on and off stage matters!
Rosemary Black, Katherine (Kat) Talbert, Aviona Rodriguez Brown, Olivia Quarles, Ayanna Omar, Jo Alyce Harris, Pauline Harris, Sekou Kouyaté
January
‘The Legacy of ADEFUA’ Testimonials Conducted by Black Box Digital Films
February
The Legacy of ADEFUA Community Leader should register for interviews.
March 8th
Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Dr. Maxine Mimms
The Evergreen State College, Tacoma, Washington
March 22nd
Rites of Passage | It’s A Girl Thang Potluck Gathering
April 26th
Rainier Valley Creative District Tour of Rainier Valley Businesses
May 3rd
African Cultural Arts Center Community Event featuring ‘Black Dance Is...Sports’
June 28th-July 6
“AZAN (Have Fun) Afua’’ Carnival | 8 Day Eastern Caribbean Boat Cruise St. Thomas, San Juan, Amber Cove/Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk
August 9th
ADEFUA’S BBQ Drum & Dance in the Park
September 13th
Media Party supporting The Film, “The Legacy of ADEFUA”
October 1st
Odunde Festival 2025 Tickets Tickets go on sale!
Nov 15th
Odunde Gala 2025
The Film and Performance “The Legacy of ADEFUA”
Location: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
~ To share is to survive forever, thank you for sharing ~
The Black AIDS Institute is Grateful for your contributions to the following:
Sister’s Get Real @ HIV: USA
Remarkable You, Va, and NC CIAA
Women at the Well; Charlotte,NC
Atirtec; Founding Elder , Covid Multigenerational
