Our Team

Diadie Bathily

Artistic Director

Diádié Bathily (pronounced JAH-jay bah-chee-LEE) is a master dancer, choreographer, instructor, and costume designer from Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, West Africa. He is the founder and artistic director of Afriky Lolo, a nonprofit dance company based in St. Louis.

With a professional career spanning more than 30 years, Diádié specializes in the dances of Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Ghana, while also working fluently in contemporary dance forms. He has performed with internationally renowned companies such as Marie-Rose Guiraud’s Les Guirivoires, Adama Dramé’s troupe, and the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and has shared his work at venues including the United Nations, the Village of Arts and Humanities, and festivals across Africa, Europe, and North America.

As a teacher, Diádié has led residencies and master classes at institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, Temple University, Florida State University, and University of the Arts (Philadelphia). He is also a longtime faculty member at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), where he has introduced countless students to the joy and discipline of African dance.

Diádié is the recipient of the N’gowa Prize for Dance in Côte d’Ivoire, and his mentor Marie-Rose Guiraud hailed him as “a true artist to watch for the future of the Black Diaspora.”

Through Afriky Lolo, Diádié continues his mission to preserve and share the richness of African dance, music, and storytelling with audiences and students worldwide.

Rokya Ouattara

Assistant Artistic Director & Choreographer

Rokya “Kali” Ouattara brings over 20 years of international experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator to her role as Assistant Artistic Director and Lead Choreographer of Afriky Lolo. Born and trained in Côte d’Ivoire, she studied for more than a decade at the École de Danse et d’Échange Culturel under the legendary Marie Rose Guiraud, earning her Certificate in African Dance and Acting. During this time, she performed iconic roles such as Zaouli, showcasing the vibrancy of Ivorian cultural traditions.

Her career has taken her across Africa and Europe, where she performed with renowned companies including Les Nomades (Switzerland) and collaborated with celebrated choreographers such as Hélène Stuart, Kosua Ghiamph, and Nana Wilson. She has taught and performed widely, with highlights including being named Best Dancer at the Ivory Coast Women’s National Dance and Theatre Festival.

Beyond Afriky Lolo, Ouattara is the Founder and President of Chigata Art Institute, an organization dedicated to arts education and cultural exchange, with a special focus on supporting neurodivergent children. In the United States, she has taught African dance at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, and at major conferences and workshops in Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and beyond, inspiring students and audiences alike.

A multifaceted artist, Ouattara is also an accomplished poet, actor, acrobat, and percussionist. Her commitment to artistic excellence has been recognized through multiple diplomas and certifications, including the Higher Artistic Technician Certificate (BTSA) and the Higher Artistic Aptitude Certificate, and she was awarded the Prize for Best Actress at Festifee 2000 during the 2nd Edition of Afrique Theater.

As both an artist and educator, Ouattara is dedicated to sharing the richness of African dance, inspiring audiences worldwide, and nurturing the next generation through creativity, discipline, and cultural pride.

Caph Guei

Musical Director

Caph Guei is the musical director of Afriky Lolo. A native of Cote d’Ivoire from the Weh Tribe, Master Drummer and Master Dancer, Caph Guei has become one of the world’s leading drummers.

Caph, the 3rd of 5 brothers was born into a family of drummers, his father, Guei Denis was a well-respected Master Dancer and Master Drummer and older brother Guei Thomas who resides in France is world renowned Master Drummer as well.

Caph was educated in Ivory Coast at Ecole de Danse et D’echange Culturel, this is where he earned the title “MASTER”, mastering the traditional dance and indigenous drum styles of West Africa.

Caph’s professional career started with the “Les Guirivoires” dance company in Ivory Coast founded by Ms. Rose Marie Guiraud in 1973. Caph has performed extensively throughout Africa, Europe, Canada, Japan, Germany and the United States. Caph has performed many years for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and with the globally-touring Elmano Vasquez, an International Circus. In addition to being a performer, Caph is a teacher as well, teaching the drumming style of the Djembe orcehstra. He has taught at various universities such as Florida State University and University of North Carolina.

Caph loves his craft and his artistry, so much so that he established his own company in 2016 named Djougoukan Percussion. Caph continues to share his love of music and his heritage by teaching his own drum classes, presenting dance and drum workshops, offering djembe repair classes, hosting listening parties, showcases and concerts.

  • Dominique Beeks

    President

  • Imani Amos

    Director of Operations

  • Turkessa Morgan

    Rehearsal Diector

  • Steven Martin

    Rehearsal Director

  • Omari Holt

    Head of Logistics + Legal Counsel

  • Haley Rainey

    Executive Assistant

  • Jurnee Young

    Social Media Manager