Fresno-based United Cultures exists to educate, promote, and disseminate the arts, culture, and gastronomy of all the Latino world.  Their mission is to create and encourage economic opportunities and new avenues of expression for all Latino art forms. In 2012, ACTA’s Development Program supported United Cultures’ consultancy with CPA Emmett…
Fua Dia Congo, founded in 1977, is guided by a Kikongo proverb, Wa Dia Fua Yika Dio, meaning “What you inherit, you must add value to.” For forty years the organization has been resolute in its dedication to preserving and presenting the music, dance, cultural arts…
San Diego-based Tekura Jegnas supports the preservation and continuation of African American martial arts traditions in Southern California.  Master artist Dennis Newsome started Tekura Jegnas in 1975, naming his organization in the Ethiopian Amharic language–tekura jegnas means “Black hero/warrior”–out of respect for his African teachers and in…
San Francisco’s Community Music Center’s mission is to make music accessible to people of all ages, musical levels, and financial backgrounds.  Their students range in age from one to 90+ years old and enjoy classes in everything from Western classical to Chinese to Latin Music.  Community…
Founded by dancer and teacher LaKiesha Golden, Cultural Arts of Gold’s mission is to preserve the arts and culture of Congo.  The annual Congolese Dance and Drum Festival, also known as Biamvu Bia Kongo (Bridges of Congo), aims to preserve the history of the cultural traditions of the people Congolese…
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Ginga Arts

Ginga Arts is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that emowers underserved and at-risk youth by offering ongoing classes featuring the traditional Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira.  Ginga Arts uses capoeria — part martial arts, part dance, part percussion, and part game — as an…
Inglewood Cultural Arts (ICA) strives to enhance the quality of life of Inglewood residents through their diverse programs which include individuals of all ages, ethnicities and economic status.  These programs serve to meet the need of: raising people’s awareness of the arts, both as an essential…
Founded in 1991 by a group of Vietnamese American journalists, artists, and friends, the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association is a community-based, nonprofit organization.  VAALA has organized numerous cultural events such as art exhibitions, book fairs, book signings, recitals, plays, lectures, the biennial Vietnamese International…
Master artist Juana Alicia Araiza founded the True Colors Mural Project in 2008.  She directs this public mural program based in the East San Francisco Bay Area.  TCMP preserves and revives the legacy of Mexican and Chican@ Mural Movements through the teaching of its philosophy and…
Oaxacan music