About Us
WE ARE
WONTANARA.
"Wontanara" carries a promise: we are together. Founded in Atlanta in 2021, Wontanara Institution Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit teaching, healing, and building sustainable ecosystems through Afro-diasporic arts, culture, and education.
WHO WE ARE
MORE THAN A FESTIVAL –AN ECOSYSTEM
What began as a single annual conference has grown into a multi-division community institution headquartered at the Russell Innovation Center in Atlanta.
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Wontanara isn't only cultural preservation—it's a holistic ecosystem spanning cultural arts, wellness, business education, and events.
IN THE PRESS
FEATURED & RECOGNIZED
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WRFG
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WABE
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ARTS ACADEMY
Drum, dance, and cultural arts instruction—from school residencies to intensive training for young artists.
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS
Programming that treats culture as medicine—movement, rhythm, and gathering as pathways to individual and collective health.
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EMPOWERED
Business and life-skills education that equips our community to build, own, and sustain what it creates.
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PERCUSSIONS
The first Black-owned diasporic instrument manufacturing company in the United States, with a factory pipeline connecting Atlanta to Guinea.
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EVENTS
Signature gatherings—Wontanara Fest, the Health, Wealth & Mimosas Summit, and the Young Artists Development Intensive.
BUILDING IMPACT ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY
Our Business
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ARTS ACADEMY
Drum, dance, and cultural arts instruction—from school residencies to intensive training for young artists.
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS
Programming that treats culture as medicine—movement, rhythm, and gathering as pathways to individual and collective health.
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EMPOWERED
Business and life-skills education that equips our community to build, own, and sustain what it creates.
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EVENTS
Signature gatherings—Wontanara Fest, the Health, Wealth & Mimosas Summit, and the Young Artists Development Intensive.
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PERCUSSIONS
The first Black-owned diasporic instrument manufacturing company in the United States, with a factory pipeline connecting Atlanta to Guinea.
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IN THE SCHOOLS
Homework to Heartbeat™—including Rhythm & Roots® and Roots in Motion™—brings after-school cultural arts residencies to Title I schools, plus a 7-week Teen Cultural Arts Summer Camp.
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IN THE SCHOOLS
Homework to Heartbeat™—including Rhythm & Roots® and Roots in Motion™—brings after-school cultural arts residencies to Title I schools, plus a 7-week Teen Cultural Arts Summer Camp.
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cultural powerhouse meets business strategist, Abena blends heritage with hustle—leading Wontanara's vision across arts education, community wellness, and enterprise while building bridges between Atlanta and West Africa.
ABENA CAMARA
LEADERSHIP
THE HANDS OF THE DRUM
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Safiyatou c.Malloy
Cultural powerhouse meets business strategist, Safiyatou blends heritage with hustle. Under her leadership, Wontanara has grown from a single annual conference into a five-division nonprofit ecosystem, securing over $140,000 in competitive grants and establishing partnerships with schools, government agencies, and community organizations across the region. Abena also consults independently as a grant writer, sponsorship strategist, and social media growth expert for organizations across sectors.
founder & Artistic director
Frank Malloy
Frank W. Malloy IV is the Artistic Director of Wontanara Institution Inc. and the creative force behind the organization's arts programming and live cultural experiences. A master drummer and producer with credits including Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe, Tyler Perry Studios, Disney, and the Apollo Theater, Frank leads the artistic vision of the Wontanara Arts Academy, Community Wellness programming, and live events — ensuring that every Wontanara experience is rooted in cultural authenticity, artistic excellence, and community connection.
Artistic Director
Master Drummer for over 30+ years, Frank W. Malloy IV is the Artistic Director of Wontanara Institution Inc. and the creative Visionary behind the organization's arts programming and live cultural experiences. Ensuring excellence is the standard in Arts.
Frank Malloy
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10K+
Students Reached
Through School
Residencies
CULTURE. COMMUNITY. CHANGE.
Our impact
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500+
Youth Served in
Wellness & Arts
Programs
15+
Title I Schools
Across Metro
Atlanta
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2
Continents
Connected
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4+
Signature Programs
Delivered Year-Round
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10K+
Students Reached Through School Residencies
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500+
Youth Served in Wellness & ArtsPrograms
15+
Title I Schools Across Metro
Atlanta
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2
Continents Connected
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7
Signature Programs
Delivered Year-Round
BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT
Whether you attend, donate, volunteer, or partner — you help build a stronger, more vibrant future.
BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT
Whether you attend, donate, volunteer, or partner —
you help build a stronger, more vibrant future.