Batalá New York is an all women, Black-led, Afrocentric drumming ensemble. It understands Afro-Brazilian culture to be the product of Black resistance and promotes and collaborates with a network of Afro-Brazilian artists in New York, Bahia (Brazil) and across the globe. It’s part of a global arts project of over 30 bands playing Afro-Brazilian music with percussive instruments and costumes hailing from Salvador de Bahia. Music includes rhythms heard throughout the African diaspora and pays homage to traditional Afro-Brazilian music and spirituality. Batalá performs all over New York in concert halls, community centers, at top cultural institutions, on the streets, etc. Deinya Phenix, PhD, is a sociologist, mother and child of the African Diaspora. After decades of dancing on stage, she was introduced to Afro-Brazilian percussion by gifted musician Cafe da Silva in 2009. She’s been a member of Batalá New York since 2012 and rose through the ranks from conductor to Artistic & Musical Director. She’s traveled the world teaching and learning about Afro-Diasporic music and dance and has trained over 100 women of Batalá New York to bring high energy, culturally relevant, visually stimulating performances grounded in community, centering service, powered by partnership with masters of percussion and dance across the globe.