Youth leadership and cultural excellence will be on display with a performance of the Ifetayo Youth Ensemble, along with the Harlem premier of The Senegalese in Harlem, a documentary by the International Youth Leadership Institute (IYLI) and panel discussion following the screening.

Senegalese in Harlem is a 20-minute documentary that tells the story of Senegalese in Harlem--business owners, artists, community leaders, educators and youth, including the adjustments they have had to make in this country.  One observer in the film notes, “The Senegalese community in Harlem has decreased due to gentrification and higher rents.” Another observes, “In a few years, Little Senegal might have disappeared.” Funding for the documentary was provided by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Ifetayo Youth Ensemble (IYE) is a professional preparation, touring ensemble of young people. IYE is dedicated to creating original, socially relevant, interdisciplinary performance works that reimagine cultural traditions through dance and drumming performances.