Executive Director

Sekou "Tepaka Lunda" Conde
Sekou Tepaka Lunda Condé is a globally respected performer, educator, historian, folklorist, percussionist, recording artist, and entrepreneur. His lifelong commitment to traditional Malinké culture, history, values, and folklore is evident in his deep, continuous study and apprenticeship under some of the greatest masters in both Africa and America.
Condé began his formal training in 1978 with Muntu Dance Theatre, where he received rigorous instruction in West African drumming and culture. His education included mentorship under notable masters such as Babu Atiba (RIP), Moshe Milon, Mamady Keita (RIP), Famoudou Konate, Abdoul Doumbiya, Moussa Traore, Laurent Camara (RIP), and Babara Bangoura. These mentors provided him with a profound understanding of the djembe and the rich musical traditions of the Mandingue people, shaping his approach to West African percussion. Condé credits these masters for instilling in him the values of humility, discipline, and a steadfast commitment to preserving the ancient musical culture of the djembe.
Early in his career, Condé produced six original recordings of classical West African arrangements and performed with Memphis's Nubian Dance Company and New Orleans's Zulu Connection. He co-founded the Bamana African Drum and Dance Ensemble in Memphis and established the South’s first djembe school, "Djembekan School of Percussion." Through these efforts, Condé reached individuals searching for their cultural identity, offering them a deeper connection to Africa's rich heritage of music, song, and dance.
In 2006, Condé toured with the Legends of West Africa, a tour co-created by his father, Mamoudou Condé, Laura Rich, and Matthew Mueller. Following this tour, he founded Seneke West African Percussion Ensemble, a group featuring many of Chicago’s most talented artists. A year later, Condé joined NIMBAYA!, the first all-female African drum and dance company, founded and managed by his father, and toured Canada with the group.
Condé's dedication to education led him to become a resource coordinator in 2012, where he developed programs that enriched the lives of hundreds of children through arts and education. In 2013, he launched Kafolike School of Percussion, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Chicago and Kansas City, where he teaches children and adults about the culture, history, and techniques of West African music. That same year, he published his first book, Kafolike, which provides instruction on rhythms and the cultural history of West African drumming, based on his school’s curriculum.
Condé became the Program Manager for Muntu Dance Theatre’s Arts for Community Empowerment (ACE) in-school and after-school programming in 2015. His work reached over 3,000 children annually, creating a lasting impact on the educational and artistic vitality of the Chicago community.
In 2017, Condé was appointed Executive Director of Muntu Dance Theatre, becoming a beacon for Chicago’s South Side and surrounding communities.
Two years later, he was featured in the theatrical concert Djembe! The Show and continued his cultural ambassador journey as Assistant Manager for Guinea’s famed Les Ballets Africains, NIMBAYA!, and Guinée Percussions. He also serves as the Board Chair of La Foundation Aicha, a non-profit dedicated to addressing global humanitarian needs, particularly access to clean water.
Beyond the world of traditional arts, Condé has made his mark in mainstream entertainment, with appearances in the movie "South Side With You", which chronicles the first meeting of Barack and Michelle Obama, and three guest appearances on Fox’s hit show "Empire".
Through his vast knowledge, discipline, and entrepreneurial spirit, Sekou Tepaka Lunda Condé continues to elevate the cultural traditions of Africa, ensuring their preservation and impact on future generations.