July-sept 2025 newsletter updates
- Hawk Foundation
- Dec 3, 2025
- 3 min read
From powerful performances to new milestones, The Hawk Foundation continues to build bridges through African culture, research, and community.
What an unforgettable evening of rhythm, culture, and connection at Feel the Beat: A Night
with The Hawk Foundation!
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us to learn about our programs supporting
communities across Africa and to experience the energy of live drumming that brought our
mission to life.
Thank you to our partners at Global Washington for welcoming us as their newest
Himalayas Member and for helping us create a night filled with music, learning, delicious
food, and community.
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT
We are excited to share that The Hawk Foundation is a recipient of the 2025 Community Accelerator Grant, funded by Allen Family Philanthropies and awarded by ArtsFund Seattle!
This generous support will help us accelerate our mission in research and education in African Culture, expand our arts-based programs, and continue creating spaces for cultural restoration across Washington State and beyond.
We are deeply grateful for this partnership and for every community member who continues to believe in the power of culture to heal and transform.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Continuing Our Cultural Education Work
Langston Community Classes Continue
We are continuing to offer free community African drum classes at Langston Seattle. We bring master drummers to engage in our well-researched pedagogy of community healing through African drumming.
With these classes, we support our mission of public access to cultural education.
Echo Glen & Department of Health Partnership Completion
The Hawk Foundation successfully concluded summer programming at Echo Glen Children’s Center, marking the completion of our two-year contract with the Washington State Department of Health. This partnership provided evidence-based African drumming and healing programs for youth, demonstrating the power of culturally rooted wellness in behavioral health settings.
Woodinville Community School Partnership
Students at Woodinville Community School received African drumming instruction through The Hawk Foundation last academic year and earned academic credit for their participation. This is a model for integrating arts and heritage education directly into school credit systems.
REGIONAL & NATIONAL EXPANSION
Our Work Continues To Reach New Communities
Expanding to Oregon
The Hawk Foundation has officially expanded programming to Oregon, becoming a regional supplier for culture, heritage, and educational equity.
Education Equity and Legislative Work
Executive Director Javoen Byrd is currently collaborating with state legislators to develop an African American Studies curriculum designed for implementation across Washington State and beyond. This initiative will bring historically grounded, culturally responsive education into public schools.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Global Heritage
Yemoja Grove International Program Launch
We have officially launched the Yemoja Grove International Development Program, a cultural preservation and tourism initiative based in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria. The program includes drum-making apprenticeships, healing arts, and cultural tourism opportunities, all designed to sustain Yoruba heritage globally.
Cultural Partnership with the King of Iseyin
The Hawk Foundation has developed a formal partnership with the King of Iseyin, solidifying the Yemoja Grove project as a cornerstone for cultural preservation and heritage tourism between Nigeria and the African diaspora.
Nigeria Research Grant: Bata Drum Study
Executive Director Javoen Byrd has received a cultural research grant to travel to Nigeria and continue the study of the ancient Yoruba Bata drum, a foundational instrument in classical Yoruba music and spirituality. This research strengthens The Hawk Foundation’s global expertise in African music heritage and its healing applications.
LOOKING AHEAD
Upcoming Programs & Events
February 2026
"Dismantling Systemic Racism in Education" lecture with Dr. Joy DeGruy (City of Olympia partnership).
Black History Month
Countrywide teacher training and educational equity workshops.
Spring 2026
Curriculum launch across multiple Thurston County schools.
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