BAM Affiliation Mama Aissatou Bey Bara is a creative and cultural warrior known for community activism, folkloric knowledge and iconic style! She lives in Harlem (5 generations strong) and participates on many community boards, promoting and directing cultural programming.

Her passions include music, education, production and craft making. The daughter of an opera-singer hailing from Ohio, Mama Aissatou moved to Harlem in 1967. She attended Music and Art as a bass violinist and graduated from Harlem Prep in 1971. Currently she works at McKissack & McKissack as Director of Community Employment Programs & Initiatives.

Mama Aissatou teaches and speaks internationally, but her cultural journey began with Hati Ast Hasifa Abdur Rahman & Abdul Rahman in Harlem in the 1960’s. She was the dance captian for the Weusi Umoja Dancers & Drummers, guided by the Onyango family collective in Baltimore (Now the African Heritage Dancers & Drummers under the direction of Brother Melvin Deal in Washington DC).

She has performed at DanceAfrica and studied as a continuing member of Sabar Ak Ru Afriq African Dance Club with Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye and Mama Andara Koumba Rahman Ndiaye.