Art, culture, and community together across NYC.
Vick Quezada, Juan Deere, 2024. Corrugated steel, copper, wood, cactus, teosinte and John Deere lawn mower. Photo by Bob Krasner, courtesy of Socrates Sculpture Park.
SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11106
Exhibitions
The Socrates Annual 2024
On View through April 6, 2025
Free Admission
Each year Socrates presents an exhibition of new commissions made by artists selected through an Open Call. Featuring new works produced on-site by the Artist Fellows, The Socrates Annual 2024 exhibition addresses the theme of “Invasive Species,” considering the legacies of species migration alongside sociopolitical themes and myths of invasion related to people, animals, and plants. These projects consider the politics of settlement, illuminate ancestral agricultural technologies, facilitate human–land interactions and propose symbiotic resonances for earth’s future inhabitants.
Artist Fellows: Kimberly Chou Tsun An, Jill Cohen-Nuñez, Utsa Hazarika, Landon Newton, Mamoun Nukumanu, Juan-Manuel Pinzon, Vick Quezada, Petra Szilagyi, Nala C. Turner.
Public Programs and Community Events
Socrates Farmstand
Free admission
Saturdays from September 21 to October 19, 2024 | 10 - 2 PM
Every Saturday at Socrates through to the fall, Socrates Sculpture Park’s Farmstand offers fresh seasonal local produce with our vegetable partner The Queens Farm. The Socrates Farmstand is run by community members and teen work-study students.
Yoga at Socrates w/ Astoria Yoga
Free admission
Sundays from September 21 to September 29, 2024 | 10– 11 AM
Socrates offers free classes of Vinyasa Yoga – a series of flowing poses linked to awareness of the breath. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or a towel. No RSVP or pre-registration is required. Check @astoria.yoga for real-time updates.
Field Guides at Socrates
Free admission
Socrates x Noguchi Field Guide: Connections: Mycelium
Facilitated by Sol Aramendi
Saturday, September 21 from 11 AM to 1 PM | Pre-Registration Required
Learn about mold, fungus, and mycelium and how they support life and growth in the natural environment. Participants will explore connections in Isamu Noguchi’s work and create drawings and prints with mushrooms.Registration opens August 21 at 12 PM. Pre-registration is recommended, with a limited number of walk-up spots available.
Field Guide: The Clay Body and Their Stories
Facilitated by Marcela Torres
Saturday, October 5 from 11 AM to 1 PM |Pre-Registration Required
In this field guide, participants will look at two different natural clays from New York State: Long Island, and Upstate New York. Participants will learn about their geological histories and piece together how they came to be in their current state, through mapping and bookmaking. Participants will then make clay items honoring this journey.
Socrates x Noguchi Field Guide: RITUAL: FIRE AS MATERIAL
Facilitated by Luned Palmer
Saturday, October 12 from 11 AM to 1PM |Pre-Registration Required
Participants will make works on paper with ephemeral materials created by heat and fire and explore the theme of light and shadow in Isamu Noguchi’s work while creating experimental drawings with charcoal residue left behind by a bonfire.Registration opens September 12 at 12 pm. Pre-registration is recommended, with a limited number of walk-up spots available.
Field Guide: Fire Feast
Facilitated by Marcela Torres
Saturday, October 19 from 11 AM to 1 PM | Pre-Registration Required
This year’s fire feast aims to consider the dishes in our lives that signify moments of togetherness. The cakes we have on birthdays, the bread on holidays, or foods that represent times of reflection. This fire feast aims to serve as a time for rejuvenescence and consideration for the power of togetherness.
Special Events
Party In the Park
Saturday, September 28 from 4 to 7 PM Rain or Shine
Party in the Park will raise funds to support the general operations of all aspects of the Park including, horticulture, grounds, facilities, artist fellowships, fabrication support, youth education, and community programming. Featuring musical performances by Underground System, special guests, global cuisine for purchase, gourmet picnics, and more! Free for kids 12 and under.
Halloween Harvest Festival 2024
Saturday, October 26 from 12 PM - 5 PM
Celebrate the autumn season with the cutest and spookiest dog costume contest around, presented by Chateau le Woof! Enjoy workshops, music, and food vendors. It’s a Halloween like no other that can only be experienced at Socrates Sculpture Park! Dog Costume Contest registration begins at 1 PM, at Chateau le Woof’s vending table on-site.
32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11106
Exhibitions
The Socrates Annual 2024
On View through April 6, 2025
Free Admission
Each year Socrates presents an exhibition of new commissions made by artists selected through an Open Call. Featuring new works produced on-site by the Artist Fellows, The Socrates Annual 2024 exhibition addresses the theme of “Invasive Species,” considering the legacies of species migration alongside sociopolitical themes and myths of invasion related to people, animals, and plants. These projects consider the politics of settlement, illuminate ancestral agricultural technologies, facilitate human–land interactions and propose symbiotic resonances for earth’s future inhabitants.
Artist Fellows: Kimberly Chou Tsun An, Jill Cohen-Nuñez, Utsa Hazarika, Landon Newton, Mamoun Nukumanu, Juan-Manuel Pinzon, Vick Quezada, Petra Szilagyi, Nala C. Turner.
Public Programs and Community Events
Socrates Farmstand
Free admission
Saturdays from September 21 to October 19, 2024 | 10 - 2 PM
Every Saturday at Socrates through to the fall, Socrates Sculpture Park’s Farmstand offers fresh seasonal local produce with our vegetable partner The Queens Farm. The Socrates Farmstand is run by community members and teen work-study students.
Yoga at Socrates w/ Astoria Yoga
Free admission
Sundays from September 21 to September 29, 2024 | 10– 11 AM
Socrates offers free classes of Vinyasa Yoga – a series of flowing poses linked to awareness of the breath. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or a towel. No RSVP or pre-registration is required. Check @astoria.yoga for real-time updates.
Field Guides at Socrates
Free admission
Socrates x Noguchi Field Guide: Connections: Mycelium
Facilitated by Sol Aramendi
Saturday, September 21 from 11 AM to 1 PM | Pre-Registration Required
Learn about mold, fungus, and mycelium and how they support life and growth in the natural environment. Participants will explore connections in Isamu Noguchi’s work and create drawings and prints with mushrooms.Registration opens August 21 at 12 PM. Pre-registration is recommended, with a limited number of walk-up spots available.
Field Guide: The Clay Body and Their Stories
Facilitated by Marcela Torres
Saturday, October 5 from 11 AM to 1 PM |Pre-Registration Required
In this field guide, participants will look at two different natural clays from New York State: Long Island, and Upstate New York. Participants will learn about their geological histories and piece together how they came to be in their current state, through mapping and bookmaking. Participants will then make clay items honoring this journey.
Socrates x Noguchi Field Guide: RITUAL: FIRE AS MATERIAL
Facilitated by Luned Palmer
Saturday, October 12 from 11 AM to 1PM |Pre-Registration Required
Participants will make works on paper with ephemeral materials created by heat and fire and explore the theme of light and shadow in Isamu Noguchi’s work while creating experimental drawings with charcoal residue left behind by a bonfire.Registration opens September 12 at 12 pm. Pre-registration is recommended, with a limited number of walk-up spots available.
Field Guide: Fire Feast
Facilitated by Marcela Torres
Saturday, October 19 from 11 AM to 1 PM | Pre-Registration Required
This year’s fire feast aims to consider the dishes in our lives that signify moments of togetherness. The cakes we have on birthdays, the bread on holidays, or foods that represent times of reflection. This fire feast aims to serve as a time for rejuvenescence and consideration for the power of togetherness.
Special Events
Party In the Park
Saturday, September 28 from 4 to 7 PM Rain or Shine
Party in the Park will raise funds to support the general operations of all aspects of the Park including, horticulture, grounds, facilities, artist fellowships, fabrication support, youth education, and community programming. Featuring musical performances by Underground System, special guests, global cuisine for purchase, gourmet picnics, and more! Free for kids 12 and under.
Halloween Harvest Festival 2024
Saturday, October 26 from 12 PM - 5 PM
Celebrate the autumn season with the cutest and spookiest dog costume contest around, presented by Chateau le Woof! Enjoy workshops, music, and food vendors. It’s a Halloween like no other that can only be experienced at Socrates Sculpture Park! Dog Costume Contest registration begins at 1 PM, at Chateau le Woof’s vending table on-site.
Courtesy of Recess Art
RECESS
46 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
The Brooklyn Art Book Fair
Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22
Hosted in partnership with Endless Editions, the Brooklyn Art Book Fair returns for its 8th edition. This year, the weekend-long event will feature more than 54 independent publishers, artist programming, and more. A fully masked indoor event, the Brooklyn Art Fair will run from September 20 to September 22, with operational hours to be announced soon. Follow @Brooklynartbookfair on Instagram for more updates.
46 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
The Brooklyn Art Book Fair
Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22
Hosted in partnership with Endless Editions, the Brooklyn Art Book Fair returns for its 8th edition. This year, the weekend-long event will feature more than 54 independent publishers, artist programming, and more. A fully masked indoor event, the Brooklyn Art Fair will run from September 20 to September 22, with operational hours to be announced soon. Follow @Brooklynartbookfair on Instagram for more updates.
Courtesy The Laundromat Project
Queens Info-sessionTHE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT
1476 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216
2024 Fall Liberation Series
Hosted by Wéma Ragophala | Free admission
First Fridays of each month from September 6 to December 6, 2024 | 6 - 9 PM
Held on the First Friday of each month, The 2024 Fall Liberation Series is a set of public programs that aim to transform The LP’s storefront into a vibrant hub for community building between local artists, cultural producers, entrepreneurs, organizers, and neighbors in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. The series will be hosted in partnership with Wéma Ragophala, an LP artist, who will cultivate social experiences and facilitate deep conversations with artists and Pan-African cultural experts to uncover contemporary social issues experienced by our immediate community.
Create Change Open Call - Info Sessions
September 12 to September 25, 2024 from 6 - 7 PM | Location specific to Borough
Join The Laundromat Project for an exciting in-person session to learn all about the Create Change program, application process, and selection details from the Laundromat Project staff. These info sessions are a chance to get questions answered, meet the team, and network with other creatives in your community.
Upcoming Dates:
Staten Island Info-session - September 20 | Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor
Queens Info-session - September 23 | Apicha Community Health Center
Manhattan Create Change Info-session - September 25 | Offices of the Studio Museum in Harlem
Artist-in-Residence Open Studio Brownstone Steps Garden Reading Series
Wednesday, September 18 from 6:30 - 7:45 PM | Herbert Von King Park’s Cultural Arts Center
As part of The 2024 Open Studio, The Laundromat Project presents The Brownstone Steps Garden Reading Series a theatrical arts program that brings free, high-quality performances to local communities in accessible public spaces. This event creates an opportunity for residents to enjoy engaging, professional theater close to home, offering an alternative to the more traditional arts venues in Times Square and other major arts districts. Click here for more information on The Laundromat Project’s 2024 Open Studio series.
People Power is Community Power: Civic Engagement Workshop
Facilitated by The Civic Engagement Commission
Monday, September 23 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM | The LP Storefront
In partnership with the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, this workshop aims to demystify civic engagement and how individuals can get involved to empower themselves and their community. A $50 gift card will be raffled at the end of the presentation for one lucky audience member to win! Join The Laundromat Project for an enriching workshop. Learn more and donate to People-Powered today!
1476 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216
2024 Fall Liberation Series
Hosted by Wéma Ragophala | Free admission
First Fridays of each month from September 6 to December 6, 2024 | 6 - 9 PM
Held on the First Friday of each month, The 2024 Fall Liberation Series is a set of public programs that aim to transform The LP’s storefront into a vibrant hub for community building between local artists, cultural producers, entrepreneurs, organizers, and neighbors in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. The series will be hosted in partnership with Wéma Ragophala, an LP artist, who will cultivate social experiences and facilitate deep conversations with artists and Pan-African cultural experts to uncover contemporary social issues experienced by our immediate community.
Create Change Open Call - Info Sessions
September 12 to September 25, 2024 from 6 - 7 PM | Location specific to Borough
Join The Laundromat Project for an exciting in-person session to learn all about the Create Change program, application process, and selection details from the Laundromat Project staff. These info sessions are a chance to get questions answered, meet the team, and network with other creatives in your community.
Upcoming Dates:
Staten Island Info-session - September 20 | Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor
Queens Info-session - September 23 | Apicha Community Health Center
Manhattan Create Change Info-session - September 25 | Offices of the Studio Museum in Harlem
Artist-in-Residence Open Studio Brownstone Steps Garden Reading Series
Wednesday, September 18 from 6:30 - 7:45 PM | Herbert Von King Park’s Cultural Arts Center
As part of The 2024 Open Studio, The Laundromat Project presents The Brownstone Steps Garden Reading Series a theatrical arts program that brings free, high-quality performances to local communities in accessible public spaces. This event creates an opportunity for residents to enjoy engaging, professional theater close to home, offering an alternative to the more traditional arts venues in Times Square and other major arts districts. Click here for more information on The Laundromat Project’s 2024 Open Studio series.
People Power is Community Power: Civic Engagement Workshop
Facilitated by The Civic Engagement Commission
Monday, September 23 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM | The LP Storefront
In partnership with the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, this workshop aims to demystify civic engagement and how individuals can get involved to empower themselves and their community. A $50 gift card will be raffled at the end of the presentation for one lucky audience member to win! Join The Laundromat Project for an enriching workshop. Learn more and donate to People-Powered today!
Jamel Shabazz, Man & Dog on the Lower East Side, 1980. Courtesy Jamel Shabazz
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY
79 Essex Street, New York, NY
Exhibitions
We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets
On View: Wednesday, September 25 to January 6, 2025
Press Preview: Tuesday, Sep 24, 2024 from 4 - 6 PM
An expansive exhibition of street photography by more than 30 international, iconic artists. This exhibition uniquely highlights the diverse perspectives and techniques that define modern street photographers and emphasizes the role of the streets as a canvas for illustrating change. Each photograph offers a view into cultural and personal narratives, showcasing a world where every street corner tells a story. Learn more about what's on view here.
Member Preview: Tuesday, September 24 from 7 PM | ICP Members Only
Community Opening Celebration: Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 6 PM - 8 PM Buy Tickets - Free for ICP Members
Public Programs and Community Events
Info Session with Program Chair—Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online
Thursday, September 12, 2024 | Via Zoom
Join ICP and the Chair of the Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online program to learn more about how the program can further your photography. This intensive program spans a full calendar year (January 2025-December 2025), blending guided classroom study with independent fieldwork focused on creating a long-form documentary project.
ICP Photobook Club
Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 11 AM - 1 PM | Free event
Explore ICP’s photobook library during ICP’s Photobook Club, a community meet-up for book enthusiasts, photographers, and lovers of printed images. Bring your favorite photobook, zine, or other image-focused publication to share while exploring monthly selections from the ICP stacks during this community-building event. ICP’s reading library contains over 20,000 books and periodicals. The reading room is currently open to the public during ICP’s monthly Photobook Club, to researchers by appointment, and to members during Library Member Hours.
Info Session with Program Chair + Alumni—Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 from 2 PM - 3 PM | Via Zoom
Join ICP and the Chair of the Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online program to learn more about how the program can further your photography. Alumni of the program will also join to talk about their experience. This intensive program spans a full calendar year (January 2025-December 2025), blending guided classroom study with independent fieldwork focused on creating a long-form documentary project.The priority deadline to apply is October 20, 2024.
ICP PhotoSLAM: We the People
Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Join The ICP for the next installment of their live storytelling series, ICP PhotoSLAM! During this fast-paced, open mic event, photographers, the ICP community, and audience members are invited to participate in a live storytelling competition driven by photographs. Registering in advance is strongly advised.
79 Essex Street, New York, NY
Exhibitions
We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets
On View: Wednesday, September 25 to January 6, 2025
Press Preview: Tuesday, Sep 24, 2024 from 4 - 6 PM
An expansive exhibition of street photography by more than 30 international, iconic artists. This exhibition uniquely highlights the diverse perspectives and techniques that define modern street photographers and emphasizes the role of the streets as a canvas for illustrating change. Each photograph offers a view into cultural and personal narratives, showcasing a world where every street corner tells a story. Learn more about what's on view here.
Member Preview: Tuesday, September 24 from 7 PM | ICP Members Only
Community Opening Celebration: Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 6 PM - 8 PM Buy Tickets - Free for ICP Members
Public Programs and Community Events
Info Session with Program Chair—Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online
Thursday, September 12, 2024 | Via Zoom
Join ICP and the Chair of the Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online program to learn more about how the program can further your photography. This intensive program spans a full calendar year (January 2025-December 2025), blending guided classroom study with independent fieldwork focused on creating a long-form documentary project.
ICP Photobook Club
Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 11 AM - 1 PM | Free event
Explore ICP’s photobook library during ICP’s Photobook Club, a community meet-up for book enthusiasts, photographers, and lovers of printed images. Bring your favorite photobook, zine, or other image-focused publication to share while exploring monthly selections from the ICP stacks during this community-building event. ICP’s reading library contains over 20,000 books and periodicals. The reading room is currently open to the public during ICP’s monthly Photobook Club, to researchers by appointment, and to members during Library Member Hours.
Info Session with Program Chair + Alumni—Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 from 2 PM - 3 PM | Via Zoom
Join ICP and the Chair of the Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online program to learn more about how the program can further your photography. Alumni of the program will also join to talk about their experience. This intensive program spans a full calendar year (January 2025-December 2025), blending guided classroom study with independent fieldwork focused on creating a long-form documentary project.The priority deadline to apply is October 20, 2024.
ICP PhotoSLAM: We the People
Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Join The ICP for the next installment of their live storytelling series, ICP PhotoSLAM! During this fast-paced, open mic event, photographers, the ICP community, and audience members are invited to participate in a live storytelling competition driven by photographs. Registering in advance is strongly advised.
Heba Khalifa, Headache, 2016, from the series Homemade, courtesy of the artist
THE AFRICA CENTER
1280 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
Exhibitions
Points of Resonance: Contemporary Photography in Africa
On View: September 18, 2024 - January 12, 2025 | Free and open to the public
An exhibition presenting the work of twelve artists living and working in Africa and the diaspora. Through photography, the artists explore the effects of colonialism, migration, and changing identities. Points of Resonance: Contemporary Photography in Africa was shown first in Egypt in November of 2023 under the auspices of the Afreximbank Art Program. Featured artists include: Dawit L. Petros, Fatoumata Diabaté, Hashim Nasr, Heba Khalifa, Ibrahim Ahmed, Lebohang Kganye, Maheder Haileselassie, Nelly El Sharkawy, Nobukho Nqaba, Safaa Mazirh, Sammy Baloji and Seif Kousmate.
Public Programming and Community Events
2024 Future Africa Forum
Monday, September 23, 2024, from 4 - 6 PM | Invite Only
The Africa Center and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will launch the Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center (AADC) in New York City, a groundbreaking initiative designed to narrow the gap between the African diaspora and the information, opportunities, and relationships needed to build a more prosperous future for the African continent. The launch event will take place on September 23, 2024, at The Africa Center in Harlem, during the 2024 Future Africa Forum, The Africa Center’s annual program held during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Film at The Africa Center: You Will Die at 20
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Free and open to the public
In partnership with African Film Festival, watch the directorial debut of Amjad Abu Alala, the film tells the story of a Sudanese boy named Muzamil, who was told by a Sufi mystic that he would when he reaches the age of twenty.
Book Talk: Iris Mwanza in Conversation with Namwali Serpell
Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Free and open to the public
The Africa Center presents The Lions’ Den: Iris Mwanza in Conversation with Namwali Serpell. This program brings together author and gender equality advocate, Iris Mwanza, and Namwali Serpell, writer and a Professor of English at Harvard University, for a compelling discussion around Mwanza’s internationally praised debut novel, The Lions’ Den.
Swahili at The Africa Center
Every Wednesday, October 9 - November 20, 2024 | 7:00PM
Join us for a Swahili language experience offered by the Swahili Cultural Institute (SCI) in partnership with The Africa Center. As one of the most spoken languages in Africa, this Swahili program offers an immersive and enriching experience for individuals interested in learning Swahili, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. In addition to language instruction, students will gain insights into Swahili-speaking cultures, traditions, and customs.Swahili Cultural Institute (SCI) is a language and cultural institute that promotes the preservation, learning, knowledge of Swahili and other African languages, cultures and heritage.
1280 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
Exhibitions
Points of Resonance: Contemporary Photography in Africa
On View: September 18, 2024 - January 12, 2025 | Free and open to the public
An exhibition presenting the work of twelve artists living and working in Africa and the diaspora. Through photography, the artists explore the effects of colonialism, migration, and changing identities. Points of Resonance: Contemporary Photography in Africa was shown first in Egypt in November of 2023 under the auspices of the Afreximbank Art Program. Featured artists include: Dawit L. Petros, Fatoumata Diabaté, Hashim Nasr, Heba Khalifa, Ibrahim Ahmed, Lebohang Kganye, Maheder Haileselassie, Nelly El Sharkawy, Nobukho Nqaba, Safaa Mazirh, Sammy Baloji and Seif Kousmate.
Public Programming and Community Events
2024 Future Africa Forum
Monday, September 23, 2024, from 4 - 6 PM | Invite Only
The Africa Center and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will launch the Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center (AADC) in New York City, a groundbreaking initiative designed to narrow the gap between the African diaspora and the information, opportunities, and relationships needed to build a more prosperous future for the African continent. The launch event will take place on September 23, 2024, at The Africa Center in Harlem, during the 2024 Future Africa Forum, The Africa Center’s annual program held during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Film at The Africa Center: You Will Die at 20
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Free and open to the public
In partnership with African Film Festival, watch the directorial debut of Amjad Abu Alala, the film tells the story of a Sudanese boy named Muzamil, who was told by a Sufi mystic that he would when he reaches the age of twenty.
Book Talk: Iris Mwanza in Conversation with Namwali Serpell
Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Free and open to the public
The Africa Center presents The Lions’ Den: Iris Mwanza in Conversation with Namwali Serpell. This program brings together author and gender equality advocate, Iris Mwanza, and Namwali Serpell, writer and a Professor of English at Harvard University, for a compelling discussion around Mwanza’s internationally praised debut novel, The Lions’ Den.
Swahili at The Africa Center
Every Wednesday, October 9 - November 20, 2024 | 7:00PM
Join us for a Swahili language experience offered by the Swahili Cultural Institute (SCI) in partnership with The Africa Center. As one of the most spoken languages in Africa, this Swahili program offers an immersive and enriching experience for individuals interested in learning Swahili, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. In addition to language instruction, students will gain insights into Swahili-speaking cultures, traditions, and customs.Swahili Cultural Institute (SCI) is a language and cultural institute that promotes the preservation, learning, knowledge of Swahili and other African languages, cultures and heritage.