The Event Hosts

Amma Whatt

Amma Whatt is a dynamic vocalist and performer known for her genre-blending sound that fuses Soul, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, House, and Jazz. A proud graduate of Egbe Iwa and current Vice President of its Board, she continues to inspire through both music and mentorship.

Described by PopMatters as “a distinctive soul singer who absolutely seduces your ear,” and praised by The New York Times for her “silk-infused vocals,” Amma’s artistry is both powerful and deeply expressive.

She has performed internationally, collaborated with renowned artists, and created viral a cappella performances rooted in Afro-Cuban spiritual traditions. Beyond the stage, she is an educator and advocate, using her voice to promote social justice and empower communities through music.

Instagram @ammawhatt

Red Carpet Host

Robert G. Siverls

Robert G. Siverls is a dedicated actor whose return to the stage after a 17-year hiatus reflects both faith and purpose. He trained at The Acting Studio under James Price and John Grabowski of the Chelsea Repertory Company, where he refined his craft and renewed his commitment to performance.

In 2014, he was recognized as the Acting Studio Story Book Contest Winner. His work spans a variety of independent film and television projects, showcasing his versatility as a performer.

Within Egbe Iwa, Robert is known as “Baba Robert,” serving as a mentor (Oluko), workshop leader, and committed supporter of the organization’s mission to uplift youth through culture and education.

robertsiverls926@gmail.com RobertSiverls.com

The keynote speaker

Desirée Gordon

Keynote Speaker | Social Innovation Strategist | Executive Director, Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy

Desirée Gordon is an accomplished social innovation strategist, impact investment designer, curator, producer, and creative wellness artist whose work centers on building equitable systems that uplift communities. Her interdisciplinary practice focuses on creating pipelines to power, cultivating ecosystems of care, and designing sustainable networks that foster more inclusive, democratic, and imaginative societies.

A people-centered leader, Desirée blends creative vision with collaborative strategy and deep compassion. She has developed and refined her approach through impactful roles at leading cultural institutions including The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI). Her work has been nationally recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, where she was awarded the prestigious Reimagining the Museum Fellowship.

During her tenure as Director of Programs and Strategy at the Brooklyn Arts Council, Desirée led transformative initiatives that redefined how arts organizations invest in communities. She created the Creative Equations Fund, the organization’s first social justice and social innovation investment initiative, and developed a hybrid digital wellness platform designed to support workforce development and social equity. She also launched the Thrive Fellowship and ThriveFest, signature programs of the Brooklyn Innovation Institute, and led the development of the Brooklyn Innovation Portal, a digital ecosystem for connection, commerce, and collective investment in the arts.

Grounded in a commitment to equity, Desirée introduced the Neighborhood Impact framework, ensuring deeper investment in artists and communities from historically under-resourced neighborhoods. Through this work, she directed nearly $5 million in funding to artists, youth, seniors, and organizations driving cultural interventions rooted in justice, healing, and joy.

Currently, Desirée serves as Executive Director of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Brooklyn’s premier organization dedicated to African-centered cultural practice as a vehicle for social innovation. In this role, she is leading a new era of growth and impact, including the launch of the Araminta Space Grant initiative, which expands access to affordable space for artists and cultural entrepreneurs; Ifetayo’s Impact Studio, a media and technology incubator amplifying community storytelling; and Ife Grove, an intergenerational wellness platform rooted in cultural healing practices.

As an artist, Desirée is a founding member of several performance collectives, including Matriarch, Seya, and the all-women’s sound healing ensemble Lush Song Collective. Her artistic work draws on somatics, storytelling, and the choral traditions of the African Diaspora to create immersive sound experiences that support personal transformation and collective healing.

The Honoree

José Antonio Rivera

Civil Rights Attorney | Community Advocate (Posthumous Honor)

José Antonio Rivera (June 18, 1947 – April 10, 2025) was a civil rights attorney, U.S. Air Force veteran, and graduate of NYU School of Law. Over the course of his career, he built a respected law firm and later a consulting practice focused on community organizing and advocacy.

José was deeply committed to advancing civil rights and empowering underserved communities. Among his many accomplishments, he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve on the Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Through an introduction by Melody Capote, José began working with Egbe Iwa and quickly became a trusted advisor and advocate. He generously gave his time and expertise, helping to establish the organization’s legal and fiscal foundation, work he continued until his passing.

Egbe Iwa honors him with the Ogun Seriki Citizenship Award in recognition of his service, legacy, and enduring impact. His contributions will continue to guide the organization for years to come.

The Master of Entertainment

DJ Paul Howard

DJ Paul Howard is a seasoned DJ whose career spans more than three decades. Born in Queens and raised in New Rochelle, he came up alongside the evolution of Hip Hop and House music, developing a deep connection to both genres.

A graduate of Howard University, Paul refined his craft in Washington, DC, where he performed in numerous clubs and on radio stations. He was one of the original Mixshow DJs on WKYS 93.9 FM in the early 1990s.

Today, he continues to share his passion for music as the host of House After Dark on WPFW 89.3 FM, airing Mondays from midnight to 2 AM. His mixes and live sets continue to energize audiences both online and on the dance floor.

Follow him on all social media platforms @DjPaulHoward and on Twitch @DjPaulHoward914. Look for his mixes on Mixcloud @DjPaulHoward.

The esteemed ensemble

The Esteemed Ensemble

Clemente Medina

Afro-Cuban Master Drummer | Ọmọ Àyàn | Percussionist | Educator

Clemente Medina is an Afro-Cuban master drummer, Ọmọ Àyàn, percussionist, and educator dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich musical traditions of the African Diaspora. Rooted in sacred rhythm and cultural practice, his work reflects a deep commitment to both performance excellence and community education.

Through his artistry and teaching, Clemente continues to uplift ancestral knowledge, using percussion as both a musical and spiritual language that connects generations and cultures.

Román Díaz

Master Percussionist | Scholar | Composer

Román Díaz is a Cuban-born master percussionist, composer, and scholar widely recognized as a “living repository” of Afro-Cuban culture. His work spans traditional religious and folkloric music as well as contemporary Afro-Cuban and Jazz performance.

Over the course of his career, he has performed and recorded with renowned artists including Mercedita Valdés, Jane Bunnett, Juan Carlos Formell, Paquito D’Rivera, Orlando “Puntilla” Ríos, and Danilo Pérez. He has also recorded with leading folkloric groups such as Yoruba Andabo, Raíces Profundas, and Los Marqueses de Atarés.

Román has graced prestigious stages including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Institution. His album L’ó Dá Fún Bátá, produced by Pedrito Martinez, features an all-female Àpọn ensemble, including Amma Olóríwáà!, founder of Egbé Ìwá.

He currently serves as a master percussionist with the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club, continuing to share Afro-Cuban musical traditions with global audiences.

RomanDiazBata.com

Olùdárè BernaRD

Babalórìsà | Ọmọ Àyàn | Àpọn | Educator | Founder, Kíìré Wellness

Olùdárè Bernard is an ordained Babalórìsà, Ọmọ Àyàn, and Àpọn within the Afro-Cuban Lúkúmi tradition, with more than 25 years of dedicated study and practice. His work centers on facilitating healing, guiding spiritual ceremonies, and preserving the sacred traditions of the African Diaspora.

He is the founder of Kíìré Wellness Center for African Diaspora Wellness Arts and the author of Breathing with Òrìṣà. A certified Breathwork Facilitator with the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance, Olùdárè integrates breath, movement, and ritual into transformative healing experiences.

His academic background includes a BA in Theater and Dance from Trinity College and an MA in Progressive Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. He has led workshops at institutions including Harvard, Duke, Dartmouth, Antioch University, and the Trauma Foundation, while remaining deeply committed to serving underserved communities.

An alumnus of Egbé Ìwá, Olùdárè currently serves as Board Secretary, Olùkọ́ (Mentor), and Ọ̀dọ́’kùnrin Dance Director, continuing to shape and guide the next generation through culture, discipline, and purpose.

kiirewellness.com, IG@kiirewellness, #BreathingwithOrisha