Mission
Kaira Arts and Resource Center is a non-profit organization that will be dedicated to bring good health, healing, and empowerment to youths and women in the community through arts and education.Vision
The Center will focus on cultural activities, learning and educational information on disease prevention (Malaria, AIDS) among children and adult. To inspire and support the youths in education and the exchange of visual arts, music and cultural ideas among various local and international artists who will be visiting the country.Leadership
Ella Hashemian, M.S. Founder and Director
Ella has extensive experience in R&D and clinical research in the area of infectious disease and oncology in the biopharmaceutical industry for over 12 years. She has managed several projects with many responsibilities and acted as the lead on a global clinical project. Her research experience and management were associated with RPRGencel, Affymax, Inveresk, and Pharmacyclics. Ella has shared her skills in support of humanitarian, women's health and education in Africa and Latin America.
Emmanuel Nado, B.A. Board Member
Emmanuel Nado is a former photojournalist of Fraternite Matin the daily newspaper of Cote d’Ivoire West Africa. A native of Cote d’Ivoire he has a rich and diverse background in music and communication. A passionate for the music and culture of Africa he has traced the compelling influence of African music and rhythms on the music of the world to the history and journeys of the African people around the world. As a music journalist and contributor to various media organizations, his articles have appeared in numerous publications. He is frequently invited to speak about African music and culture on many radio programs throughout the United States. He has been on radio stations KKUP and KALW where he produces and hosts African music programs which focus on various social issues concerning Africa and its relation with the rest of the world. Nado is currently a resident of California and a career educator.
PaBobo Jobarteh, Project Manager, Brikama
Pa Bobo started playing the kora when he was 6 years old and in 1988, at the age of 11 he performed at WOMAD in the UK to large audiences both in Cornwall and Reading. Pa Bobo is one of The Gambia’s foremost musical artists: a kora player, a singer, a bard, and a ‘Jali’ of the Mandinka people. Pa, along with his elder brother Tata Dindin, is cited in the Rough Guide to World Music (vol. 1 p 618) as spearheading ‘a revival in Mandinka music’, a ‘relentless tumbling dance music’. He has been recommended by The Gambia’s President Jammeh and its Art’s Council and was a natural choice to represent The Gambia with his song Peace, Love and Unity, which has become an unofficial national anthem, played daily on Gambian radio and television. He has been active in AIDS awareness program and he advocates support and tolerance with his malaria and HIV/AIDS songs.