The People Behind the Work
The People Behind the Work
Sebé Kan is guided by artists, educators, mentors, drummers, and volunteers committed to preserving cultural traditions while creating meaningful spaces for the next generation.
Sebé Kan is guided by artists, educators, mentors, drummers, and volunteers committed to preserving cultural traditions while creating meaningful spaces for the next generation.
More Than Instructors
In Sebé Kan, teaching extends beyond movement.
Young dancers are surrounded by adults who model discipline, consistency, cultural pride, collaboration, and care. Rehearsals become spaces where encouragement, accountability, and intergenerational connection are practiced alongside rhythm and dance.
For many students, these relationships become part of their extended village—continuing long after performances end and dancers grow into adulthood themselves.
“The mentorship I have gotten over all these years from all the adults….I owe so much of the young woman I am today to them.”
Kelis, 11-year Sebe Kan company member
“I have all these people in my corner. It is a village, it is people who want to see you win.”
Nylah Jae, 10-year Sebe Kan company member
THE LEADERSHIP
Derrell Sekou Soumah Walker
Founder & Artistic Director
Portland native Derrell Sekou founded Sebé Kan with a vision of creating a culturally grounded community space through West African dance and drum.
After beginning his studies in his early twenties, Derrell traveled extensively throughout the United States and Guinea to study both drumming and dance with respected Malinké artists and teachers, including Mamady Keita, Mouminatou Camara, Alseny Soumah, Moustapha Bangoura, Youssouf Koumbassa, and Mahiri Keita Edwards.
Known for the rare combination of both drumming and dancing at a high level, Derrell has spent decades sharing West African traditions through teaching, performance, and community leadership.
Since 2006, he has served as a full-time Portland Public Schools teacher specializing in West African dance and drumming, while also teaching longstanding community classes at Matt Dishman Community Center.
As a father, teacher, performer, and mentor, Derrell continues building spaces where young people and families can experience culture, discipline, rhythm, and intergenerational community through the arts.
Dana Fuller Shephard
Company Director
A fourth-generation Portlander, Dana [Last Name] brings decades of leadership, mentorship, and community commitment to Sebé Kan.
By profession, Dana leads a Portland-based nonprofit mortgage brokerage and housing counseling agency focused on community empowerment and access. Alongside her professional work, she has spent years mentoring and teaching young dancers throughout Portland’s arts community.
Dana’s connection to dance began at age 14 through Jefferson High School’s performing arts program, where she joined the Northwest Afrikan American Ballet in 1992. Through the company, she performed professionally and traveled internationally for over a decade.
She later became a teacher with Kúkátónón African Dance Company before transitioning alongside fellow dancers, musicians, and instructors to Sebé Kan in 2018.
Throughout her journey as a performer, teacher, and director, Dana has helped guide multiple generations of Portland artists. At Sebé Kan, she continues creating spaces where young people experience discipline, cultural connection, artistic growth, and community through the traditions and teachings of West Africa.
Teaching Artists & Mentors
The artists and mentors of Sebé Kan bring together generations of experience in performance, teaching, cultural practice, and community leadership.
Through weekly rehearsals and shared artistic work, they help create an environment where young dancers are challenged, encouraged, and deeply supported—both on and off the stage.
Karida Griffith Walker
Artistic Mentor & Public Relations
Portland native Karida Griffith Walker is a professional tap dancer, educator, choreographer, and arts leader whose work bridges performance, mentorship, and community engagement.
She is a former member of Dorrance Dance and the Radio City Rockettes, and previously served as a Tap Dance Professor at Pace University. Karida has taught, choreographed, and performed extensively throughout the United States while also maintaining longstanding connections to Portland’s dance community.
Karida began studying West African dance as a young teen and later returned to Portland, where she joined Sebé Kan alongside her husband, founder Derrell Sekou Walker, helping support the company’s continued growth as a family- and community-centered organization.
At Sebé Kan, she contributes rehearsal mentorship, production support, and public relations leadership while helping cultivate an environment where young dancers feel supported, challenged, and connected through the arts.
Rolia Manyongai-Jones
Elder & Community Mentor
Originally from Monrovia, Liberia, Rolia Manyongai-Jones has played a foundational role in Portland’s African dance community for decades.
After moving to Portland and becoming a teacher at Woodlawn Elementary School, she founded the Kúkátónón African Dance Troupe in 1983, helping introduce generations of Portland youth and families to West African dance and drum traditions.
Both Dana [Last Name] and Derrell Sekou Walker spent many years studying and teaching within the Kúkátónón community before continuing that work through Sebé Kan.
As Sebé Kan evolved into a youth-centered company, Rolia threw her full support behind the company and remains a deeply valued presence—visiting rehearsals, performing in productions, and encouraging young dancers through the wisdom and guidance of an elder.
Keymora Goldsby
Emerging Artist & Mentor
Keymora Goldsby grew up studying with Derrell Sekou, Dana, and Mama Rolia as part of Portland’s longstanding West African dance community.
Over the years, the Sebé Kan village has watched her grow into a thoughtful young artist known for both her artistry and kindness. Now a young adult, Keymora performs with the company while also supporting younger dancers throughout the rehearsal season—encouraging them to dance boldly and confidently within the circle.
Her presence reflects the intergenerational spirit at the heart of Sebé Kan, where young dancers grow into mentors for the next generation.
DRUMMERS
Live drumming is central to the Sebé Kan experience.
Throughout the season, drummers and musicians contribute wisdom, artistry, and energy to rehearsals and performances—helping dancers develop musical understanding and cultural connection through live exchange.
See the Drummers sub-folder for the layout details. I’ve also put their bios there…
Hakim Muhammad
Born in Portland, OR, Hakim has been playing drums and percussion since the age of nine. In 2007 Hakim traveled to Dakar, Senegal to immerse himself in the cultures and traditions of African drumming. He studied with Senegalese drummer Medoune Yacine Guye AKA “Papa Dame.” Hakim teaches African drumming classes and workshops at various schools in Portland.
Daniel “Wavy Josef” Lasuncet
Daniel is a producer, singer and instrumentalist from Portland! Mentored by Hakim Muhammad and Sekou Walker in West African drumming, Daniel performs as accompanist with Sebé Kan. He’s also a rising star on the Portland music scene as an independent artist, known as “Wavy Josef” or “Mr. YEAH”! Find him here @wavyjosef.
Matthew Wirzbicki
Matthew began studying piano at age 5 and later earned a BA in Music. A multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and experienced performer, he has studied djembe and dunun music since 1998 and traveled throughout Mali to learn from West African artists, including Abdoul Doumbia, Moustapha Bangoura, and Alisco Diabate.
He also co-authored the instructional book and CD set Anke Djé Anke Bé, helping others learn the rhythms of Mali.
Andres Espinosa
Andres Espinosa comes from a musical family. He was introduced to African music at age 16. Drumming has been a source of inspiration and has led to the cultivation of many friendships and meaningful relationships. He has been a student of many great drummers, of friends, and of life.
Board of Directors
Sebé Kan’s Board of Directors helps guide the organization’s long-term growth, sustainability, and community impact.
The board supports the company’s mission of cultural preservation, youth development, and community connection through strategic leadership and organizational stewardship.
Derrell Sekou Soumah Walker
Dr. Bahia Cross
Dana Fuller Shephard
Jen Hanis-Martin
Carrying the Work Forward
For more than two decades, Sebé Kan has been sustained by the collective efforts of artists, families, mentors, musicians, volunteers, and community members who believe deeply in the importance of cultural connection and intergenerational community.
Together, they continue building a space where young people can learn, grow, and carry the work forward.