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About Kouraba
In 2014, West African born Artists and Co-Founders Rachael Abah and Amara Kanté launched Kouraba Toronto Centre for Cultural Advancement, as a non-profit organization. The idea for Kouraba came as a response to challenges faced by Black Artists of African ancestry who are looking for safe spaces to present authentic, cultural experiences to diverse audiences.
Co-Founder, Composer, and Master percussionist, Amara Kanté who identifies as Francophone, is committed to showcasing the rich talent of fellow Black African, French speaking Artists, within a supportive community of creatives dedicated to self mastery.
Producer, Co-Founder, and Spiritual Thought Leader, Rachael Abah who identifies as Anglophone, is committed to presenting holistic experiences that harmonize ancient West African philosophy and the performing Arts, as healing medicine.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Building a legacy of thriving Black Artists committed to learning, preserving and innovating authentic West African artforms.
Our Directors
Amara Kanté
The Kouraba Foli Music Ensemble provides participants with rare access to experience authentic West African music and performing Arts programming from an ancestral perspective, that is both sacred and secular. The percussion and dance styles are West African, mainly from the Malinke people currently found throughout Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast and other neighboring countries.
Amara Kanté is a world-renowned Master percussionist, Composer and Artistic Director of Kouraba Toronto Centre for Cultural Advancement. Amara identifies as a member of the Numu clan located in present day Guinea, Conakry. The Numu are the ancestral crafters of all the Djembe drum, percussive rhythm composers, and sacred knowledge keepers. He continues to represent the authentic culture, craft, and vast musical traditions of his people, to audiences around the world.
His repertoire of instruments include: Djembe drum, Kensedeni, Dunun drums, Talking-drum, Bolon, Krin, Bara and Congas. Recognized as a child musical prodigy, Amara has toured professionally since age 7. Through the rhythms he plays, he seeks to share this love of drumming, just as he was taught by the great percussion masters Mamadou Camara, Sékou ‘Cobra’ Camara, Mamady n’Toman Keita, Famadou Konate, Issa Balo, Soungalo Coulibaly and Mansa Camio.
Amara’s signature drumming power and sound can be heard on various recordings, soundtracks for film, and world music festivals. He has played with: Peter Gabriel, François Moity, Big Sugar, Mory Kanté, Kassé Mady Diabaté, Souleman Koli, and Judy Mowatt to name a few.
Rachael Abah
Rachael Abah is a Courage Mentor, Speaker, and Spiritual Thought Leader dedicated to empowering high-achieving women. She focuses on clarity and meaningful decision-making, guiding women to elevate their personal and professional lives with confidence and purpose.
Beyond her mentorship and speaking engagements, Rachael is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kouraba Toronto Centre for Cultural Advancement, promoting West African Drumming and Music culture for social impact. She is also a founding member of Immigrant Women In Business (IWB), fostering gender equity and mentoring immigrant women in entrepreneurship and well-being.
As a former board member of Dr. Roz’s Healing Place, Rachael advocates for women and children fleeing domestic and gender-based violence. Additionally, as a Director at Toronto Growth and Grind Network (TGGN), she engages new immigrants with topics promoting intentional living and meaningful success.
Ian Charles
Ian manages and operates Miracle Graphics Canada which produces a range of innovative designs, logos, and large format signs in Toronto.
He is an expert in graphic design and printing solutions, and for over 20 years has been involved with many design and printing projects, working with companies such as: Transport Canada, Esso, and RBC Mobile Mortgage Specialists.