Yemaya Productions is an interdisciplinary enterprise whose mission is to promote social change through the development of programs and projects that integrate art and research.
Theory of Change
The theory of change that undergird our programs and projects is that awareness is a necessary condition for positive change to occur. All types of awareness are important, including self-awareness (being aware of who we are), emotional awareness (being aware of our emotions and the emotions of other individuals), social awareness (being aware of community and social problems), and environmental awareness (being aware of environmental problems and the implications). Beyond awareness, emotions are a key ingredient in the social change process, as emotions are the precursor to behavioral change. Art is an effective way to engage emotions and raise awareness, as art is the display of emotions and allow opportunities to generate awareness. By art, we mean the spectrum of activities that engages the senses in in a creative way, including theater, music, poetry, photography, painting, writing, and dance. Our programs therefore seeks to raise awareness and promote positive emotions such as empathy and compassion, in an effort to positively change individuals, groups, communities and beyond.
History
Formerly known as Yemaya Pittsburgh, Yemaya Productions was founded in Pittsburgh, PA in 2012 in effort to address the need for more culturally diverse programs in the region. While Pittsburgh has a rich cultural scene, Zayda Sorrell-Medina (the founder) observed that the city offered very few cultural activities related to African diasporic traditions in regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. She addressed the need by offering Afro-Latin dance performances at community festivals. Seeing the power in community based awareness building, Zayda expanded its scope to integrate other types of programs that contribute to positive community change.
Vision
Advance humanity towards oneness.
Goals
,Our organizational goals are to:
- Raise all types of awareness, including but limited to, self-awareness, social awareness, cultural awareness, environmental awareness, and spiritual awareness.
- Promote mutual understanding among social groups, especially groups
- Promote positive emotions such as empathy and compassion
- Promote positive behaviors that address exclusion, discrimination, oppression and other structures that inhibit humanity from oneness
About Yemaya
The name "Yemaya" was chosen for its symbolism. Yemaya stems from Yoruba tradition from Western Nigeria. She is the great mother of all living things, representing the community and our stewardship with the earth. The name reflects our deep abiding commitment to serve humanity and make the world a better place.
Offerings
From the Margins Program
Contact: yemayaproductions@gmail.com
- This program is designed to address group and community conflict through a series of workshops that explore issues around conflict and a culminating group artistic project.
- Engaging Our Communities is an environmental training program designed to raise awareness on issues around urban and environmental planning through traditional learning pedagogies and community-based theater.
- We offer specialized trainings that promote diversity, equity and inclusion that are creative and interactive.
- Orisha dance offerings include Yemaya, Oya, and Ochun.
Contact: yemayaproductions@gmail.com
Past Activities
From the Margins Follow-up
Eight month follow-up with FTM participants in Jos Nigeria to evaluate program outcomes
August 2021
Tea date with Zayda Sorrell-Medina and Eileen Chung
Online Zoom event that focuses on topics center on immigration, race and identity in America
December 8, 2020
Engaging Our Communities Program
Pittsburgh, PA
April to September 2018
[video link]
Beyond Climate Change Theater Production
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2018
[video link to full play]
[video link for highlights]
Social Justice Networking Brunch
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
July 14, 2018
Puerto Rican Bomba Dance Workshop
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
October 14, 2017
Third Annual Yemaya Celebration
Irma Freeman Center
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2017
Taste of Cuba Festival
Absolute Ballroom and Los Sabrosos Dance Company
Pittsburgh, PA
June 4, 2016
Cultural Dance and Music Retreat
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
January 9, 2016
[video link]
Second Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2016
Travel Abroad Cuba Program
Havana, Cuba
July 2016
First Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2015
Caribbean Dance Workshop Series
Assemble Studio
Pittsburgh, PA
Every Wednesday in July 2015
Eight month follow-up with FTM participants in Jos Nigeria to evaluate program outcomes
August 2021
Tea date with Zayda Sorrell-Medina and Eileen Chung
Online Zoom event that focuses on topics center on immigration, race and identity in America
December 8, 2020
Engaging Our Communities Program
Pittsburgh, PA
April to September 2018
[video link]
Beyond Climate Change Theater Production
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2018
[video link to full play]
[video link for highlights]
Social Justice Networking Brunch
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
July 14, 2018
Puerto Rican Bomba Dance Workshop
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
October 14, 2017
Third Annual Yemaya Celebration
Irma Freeman Center
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2017
Taste of Cuba Festival
Absolute Ballroom and Los Sabrosos Dance Company
Pittsburgh, PA
June 4, 2016
Cultural Dance and Music Retreat
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
January 9, 2016
[video link]
Second Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2016
Travel Abroad Cuba Program
Havana, Cuba
July 2016
First Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2015
Caribbean Dance Workshop Series
Assemble Studio
Pittsburgh, PA
Every Wednesday in July 2015
Invited Dance Performances
Yemaya Dance
Goddess Museum
Irvine, California
December 10, 2019
Yemaya Dance
Goddess Museum
Irvine, California
November 3, 2019
Oya Dance
Sustainability I Undergraduate Lecture
University of California Irvine
Irvine, California
November 2018
[video link]
Yemaya Dance
School of Social Ecology Winter Festival
University of California Irvine
Irvine, California
January 25, 2019
Yemaya Dance
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California
November 7, 2017
[video link]
Yemaya Dance
Pittsburgh Symphony
Heinz Hall
Pittsburgh, PA
May 13, 2017
Ochun Dance
Pittsburgh Festival Opera
Pittsburgh Golf Club
Pittsburgh, PA
April 22, 2017
[view media]
Orisha Dance
Penn State New Kensington
December 2, 2016
Oya Dance
Pittsburgh vs Cuba Boxing on the Bridge
Pittsburgh, PA
July 2016
Oya Dance
Featured with Yudi Valdez
Washington DC
June 13, 2016
Yemaya Dance
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pierce Studio
Pittsburgh, PA
June 11, 2016
Oya Dance
CAPA School
Pittsburgh, PA
December 31, 2015
[video link]
Ochun Dance
Emiliano’s Fiesta Latina
Pittsburgh, PA
November 1, 2015
Yemaya Dance
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Gallery Crawl
Pittsburgh, PA
May 31, 2015
Invited Music Presentations
Live Cuban Music
Tropical Forest Cuba Festival
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Yemaya Production & Flor de Luna Live Cuban Music
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Youth Music Workshop Series
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
October and December 2018
Tropical Forest Cuba Festival
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Yemaya Production & Flor de Luna Live Cuban Music
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Youth Music Workshop Series
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
October and December 2018
Invited Talks
Art and Sustainability
University of California Irvine
Sustainability I Undergraduate Class
Irvine, California
October 2018
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Giant Eagle
Pittsburgh, PA
February 27, 2016
Latin/Cuban American Jeopardy
Adda’s Café
Pittsburgh, PA
September 23, 2016
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
November 2016
University of California Irvine
Sustainability I Undergraduate Class
Irvine, California
October 2018
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Giant Eagle
Pittsburgh, PA
February 27, 2016
Latin/Cuban American Jeopardy
Adda’s Café
Pittsburgh, PA
September 23, 2016
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
November 2016
