MANKWE NDOSI

July 2008

 

Many know her as the Director of the Center for Independent Artists, however, Mankwe Ndosi has been weaving together her work and artistic skills for years. She is a performing artist, writer, singer, composer, dancer, and theatrical performer, who visualizes and exemplifies the continuum and connection between all of these things. “The majority of my work has been about weaving connections between different kinds of art,” she stated.

 

An embodiment of the global connection between African and African American culture, Mankwe’s life has always been an amalgamation of cultures. Her mother, an African American from Minnesota, and her father, an immigrant from Tanzania - allowed her life here in Minnesota to be one that is connected to the global world. She has visited France, China, Canada, and her father’s home, Tanzania - and was inspired by various things she saw and heard. “I would listed to the way music was all over the world,” as she has been heavily influenced by her fathers international world view.

 

Mankwe is a Harvard graduate who received her bachelors in social science and economics, all while being involved in theater and performing while in undergraduate school. She knew that she wanted to do creative work, as she mentioned that, “all of my work has always had a connection to society.” And it is this societal connection that lead her to work in children’s theater in Washington, D.C., at the Guthrie and Penumbra theater in Minnesota.

 

Mankwe currently leads a writing group at Shakopee Women’s Prison, and is most proud of this accomplishment. “I am really focused on how you heal through personal struggle,” she stated. She travels all over the country and just returned from touring with local rapper, Atmosphere. “I want to really focus on supporting local artists.” She is also planning to complete her first CD by the end of the year and often collaborates with various artists in the Twin Cities – indeed, she is a familiar name and face to many artists.

 

Mankwe uses a lot of rhythmic breath work in her performance, and if you ever heard her perform before, you may be wondering where her inspiration comes from. “I’ve been inspired by jazz music and activists like Nina Simone.” She’s also been inspired by South African singer Miriam Makeba (Mama Afrika) as well. Mankwe’s voice and poetry is amazing, as she merges melodic rhythms with powerful words. “I’m a connector; I like to connect the things that happen in individual lives with challenges that happen in society. I feel that I am supposed to be a connector between African and African American culture.”