Kofago Dance Institute outlines paid summer youth employment program and free Bronx conference

Kevin Mcwing, founder of the Kofago Dance Institute, and program director Serena Maximleian told Bronxet that the nonprofit is continuing a paid summer youth program (Kofago Taraji) this year through a partnership with New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program after direct funding fell short.

Mcwing said the partnership allows the program to pay youth participants despite a reduction in the institute’s direct grant funding compared with the prior year. "We had funding last year that we didn't get this year," he said, noting the shift required strategic partnerships to maintain paid opportunities.

The institute announced the Culturing Dance Conference, supported by the Bronx Arts Council, scheduled for Aug. 21–23 at Lehman College. Mcwing and Maximleian said the conference will be free for Bronx residents and CUNY students and will offer CTLE credits for DOE teachers through a partnership with Lehman’s School of Education.

Maximleian described the programmatic goals: creating safe spaces, offering paid work, and providing professional development and performance opportunities across New York City. The segment also listed community performances, upcoming Levenger Theater dates, and a citywide season that begins in July.

Contact and registration information was given on-air (websites mentioned during the broadcast): kofagagoinstitute.org for the institute and kofagodance.net for the company. The hosts encouraged donations and volunteer support to sustain programming.

Mcwing and Maximleian said the institute seeks additional funding and volunteers to expand offerings. The segment included an invitation to register for the August conference and to attend performances across the city.

The segment concluded with contact details and social channels; no specific grant amounts or budget lines were discussed on-air.