Djoli Kelen is an intergenerational 501C(3) nonprofit and cultural arts collective co-founded by artists Christan Carter-Poret, Kody Kitchens, and Shannon Byrd-Crossley. The trio had been dancing together since 2007 and felt there was a need in Atlanta for an organization that would provide opportunity for deep study of African cultural arts; preserving the knowledge of elders and tracking the evolution of the artform through younger generations. The company was formed with the blessing of Souleymane "Solo" Sana, a Master Malian Artist, Sana provided the company name, which means One Blood in Bamana.
Since being incorporated in 2016, the company has provided services to the public including weekly classes, for-hire workshops and performances at schools and community spaces, an annual Black History Month-long festival, and a yearly special event each October to celebrate its anniversary. The company focuses on documenting, preserving, and highlighting the transformative power of African/African Diaspora dance, music, and culture. The company embodies the notion of one blood in every sense of the word.
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Members of Djoli Kelen pride themselves with an energetic and an infectious joy every time they hit the dance floor. With extensive theatre training as well as West African dance training from the likes of master instructors Abdoylaye "Papa" Camara, Ms. Judy Legier, Youssouf Koumbassa, Joh Camara, Moustapha Bangoura, Djeneba Sako, and Soulemane Solo Sana, Djoli Kelen is a force to be reckoned with.
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