Mankwe Ndosi has been working in the Twin Cities and Chicago for more than 15 years as a musicmaker, performer, educator and culture weaver focused on sound, story, and expanding the vocabulary of singing. She weaves improvisation/performance composition through worlds of hip hop, blues, afro-soul, world/root and creative music. She collaborates with organizers, musicians, gardeners, farmers, dancers, MC's, visual artists, theater producers, and educators. Her studio and live touring work include national and international dates with Nicole Mitchell, Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Medium Zach, Laurie Carlos, Ananya Dance Theater and Douglas R. Ewart. She has received foundation support from the American Composer's Forum/McKnight, 3Arts, Jerome Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. She worked as the Director of the CIA (Center for Independent Artists, Mpls, MN). Ms. Ndosi received her B.S. in Social Studies from Harvard/Radcliffe, and uses her social science background to inform her art. She seeks to infuse creative practice back into the worlds of healing, sustainable economic development, incarcerated women, education, and new village community building. As an educator she works with people of all ages in exploring and expanding their creative voices, and in valuing and unearthing their own stories.
