ABOUT
The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) celebrates the cultural breadth of the African diaspora by connecting the intersectional experiences of African people worldwide through the lens of art, education, and advocacy. Born in 1999, MoCADA grew from the graduate thesis of our founder Laurie Angela Cumbo on the feasibility of an African art museum contributing to neighboring communities. Twenty-five years later, MoCADA is more than a museum.
We instill a sense of pride through representation and access to the arts while delivering on our promise for cross-cultural exchange and other life-sustaining resources. With three NYC locations and numerous programs that extend beyond our physical footprint, we pride ourselves on being a vehicle for social change, an art incubator, and a community bridge that transforms people and neighborhoods near and far.
Culture Lab II @ L10
December 2019 marked MoCADA’s 20th anniversary as a pioneering arts institution and the official groundbreaking ceremony for L10, a 50,000-square-foot space designed by Andrea Steele Architecture as a new arts hub located at the base of 300 Ashland Place in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The special project, which was Initiated by Former Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), and managed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) within the building developed by Two Trees, will house four independent, Brooklyn-based arts organizations including 651 Arts, BAM, Brooklyn Public Library, and MoCADA across four floors of the cultural condominium. L10's official ribbon-cutting was held on January 28, 2025. MoCADA's flagship space, which includes a state-of-the-art gallery, performance space, and cafe, will open to the public in March 2025.
Ubuntu Community Sculpture Garden
Our community garden is an outdoor extension to our programming, is dedicated to art, wellness, and climate justice. As a green space, visitors of all ages are invited to learn about the flowers in our garden, explore our permanent public art installation and new murals, attend workshops and special events, and so much more. Ubuntu Garden is home to MoCADA's special outdoor installation, entitled ``Brooklyn Bronzes,.`` made by South African-Australian artist Kholisile Dhliwayo and curated by MoCADA Executive Director and Chief Curator Amy Andrieux, which honors and celebrates the work of Brooklyn's living legends who have contributed immensely to arts, education and advocacy.
Abolition House
In 2018 MoCADA extended programming to Governors Island as part of the Trust for Governors Island's annual arts residency program. As a cultural organization in residence, MoCADA occupies a 5k sqft house in the Nolan Park area which we call MoCADA Abolition House. Curated as a space of refuge, visitors can escape the concrete jungle by relaxing on the porch or the lawn, and or explore special artistic presentations, public art, wellness programs, and workshops that unpack systemic oppression while creating opportunities for community justice.
Culture Lab
MoCADA was born in a Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone owned by the Bridge Street AMWE Church in the Central Brooklyn section of New York City. Quickly growing into an arts incubator, in 2006 MoCADA relocated to a space on the ground floor of the James E. Davis 80 Arts Building within the BAM Cultural District (community-defined as the Bogolan District), designed by the architectural firm of studiosumo. For nearly two decades, this historical, community space has afforded over 100 groundbreaking artists across 20+ countries have looked to and were greatly supported by MoCADA to delve deeper into their artistic practice at the museum. For many, the privilege was an opportunity to showcase their comprehensive body of work for the very first time. To celebrate this rich legacy of cultural programming and trailblazing initiatives that has empowered generations of diverse creators, the revolutionary 80 Hanson space gallery, shop and office is being repurposed to house expanded programs dedicated to our community’s personal, cultural, and professional growth. Culture Lab closed its doors on March 31, 2024.
Our Team
MoCADA strives to create a diverse network of outstanding professionals from within and outside of the contemporary art landscape, to enable and propel the greater creative community towards excellence.
Amy Andrieux
Executive Director + Chief Curator
Amanda Reynolds
Seasonal Production Assistant
Ella Norwood
Seasonal Production Assistant
Run P.
Director of Live Events, Audio + Music Programming
Tunde Kwantu
Seasonal Production Assistant
Smartbomb
Website Development
Livin
Garden Plant care
Our Board
The MoCADA Board provides leadership in the development of economic and community resources to support MoCADA’s mission. The Board is responsible for strategic planning, governance, budget approval, fundraising leadership, and the Museum’s legal affairs.
Andrea Mody
Head of North America, Global Client Solutions, IFM Investors
Desiree John
Global Head of Enterprise Risk Management, KKR
Diallo Shabazz
Managing Director, Braven Solutions
Gabrielle Glore
Creative Producer, Managing Partner, Glorified Productions
Kenneth Allen
Managing Partner, Azurest Partners
Mickalene Thomas
Contemporary African-American Artist
Nubiaa Shabaka
VP, Chief Cyber Legal and Privacy Officer, Adobe
Stanley Lumax
Founder of African Chop House + Executive Brand Marketing Director, Chase Sapphire & Freedom at JPMorgan Chase & Co
MoCADA Board Members Emeritus
The following individuals have been bestowed the title of MoCADA Board Member Emeritus due to their distinct leadership, vision and contributions while serving on the MoCADA Board of Directors. The honorary title of Board Emeritus entitles these members to lifetime benefits from MoCADA.
Chaka Pilgrim
Founding Board
Clarence Johnson
Founding Board
Glenn Pogue
Founding Board
Gloria Cones
Founding Member (1999- 2015), Founding Board
Kathleen Clarke-Glover
Founding Board
Richard Anderson
Founding Board
Ronald Johnson
Founding Board
Valerie Bell-Bey
Founding Board
MoCADA Supporters
MoCADA programming is made possible thanks to the generous gifts from patrons like you and the following organizations and partners:
The Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Teiger Foundation, Willem de Kooning Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation, Arison Arts Foundation, Fox Aarons Foundation, NY Community Trust, Mosaic Network Fund, Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Cy Twombly Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, Kraus Family Foundation, Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Black Seed Fund, Humanities New York, Darryl Chappell Foundation…
ConEdison, Campari, LVMH, WarnerMedia Onefifty, Verizon, NYU Media Lab, AT&T, Macquarie Group, M&T Bank, Mailchimp…
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Parks, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, NYC Department of Education, NYC GreenThumb, NYC Coalition of Theaters of Color, NYC Cultural Immigrant Initiative, NYC Speaker’s Initiative, NYC CASA program…
DASNY, New York State Council on the Arts, NYSCA Electronic Media/Film Partnership with Wave Farm…
Institute of Library and Museum Services (IMLS), National Endowment for the Arts
NYC Councilmembers Crystal Hudson, Chi Ossé, and Christopher Marte…
Former NYC Councilmembers Robert Cornegy, Mathieu Eugene and Laurie Cumbo…