Karamu House

Karamu’s mission is to produce professional theatre, provide arts education and present community programs for all people while honoring the African American experience.  Established as a settlement house in 1915, founders Russell Jelliffe and Rowena Woodham Jelliffe set out to establish a common ground where people of different races, religions, social and economic backgrounds could come together to seek and share common ventures.  Today, Karamu achieves its mission through core programming which includes six main stage productions of socially-relevant and professional quality theatre; arts education in drama, dance and vocal music for all ages; and community programs that invite participation, engagement, reflection and a re-commitment to cultural values.