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About
Crossing the Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange is an international organization that offers opportunities for cultural connections between the United States and Africa.
Our work is to create and develop programs and projects tailored to the specific goals of the participants in social justice education, health, visual and performing arts, and cultural enrichment.
With a commitment of respect for a world enriched with cultural differences and diversity, we work toward building community across borders through communication, dialogue and social engagement.
VISION
We envision a world where African people and those of African descent have the opportunity to live to their fullest potential and to thrive as their most authentic selves.
MISSION
Crossing the Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange (CTW) is a 501(c)3 organization operating primarily in the United States and South Africa. CTW offers educational, arts and culture, and healthy living enrichment programs that provide opportunities for cross-cultural community- and relationship-building between those in Africa and the African diaspora.
We strive to create safe and sacred spaces for creative exploration where participants can imagine a future of peaceful engagement and spirit-nurturing experiences for all peoples.
Leadership Circle
Ingrid Askew
USA/RSA
Founder & Executive Director
Ingrid Askew is a life-long cultural activist, evocative theatre maker, thoughtful educator, powerful speaker, and razor-sharp organizer.
Ms. Askew's work has always been centered on the goal of bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to build transformative communities and lead effective and lasting social change initiatives.
As Executive Director, Ms. Askew leads the important work of developing cultural awareness, sustainable exchange partnerships, and opportunities tailored to the needs of communities at home and abroad through education, the arts, and healthy living initiatives.
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Sonji Johnson-Anderson, PhD
USA/RSA
Co-Executive Director
Director of Educational Initiatives
Scholar, poet, author, ethnographer, activist and social justice educator, Dr. Sonji Johnson-Anderson is Co- Executive Director responsible for the development of Educational Initiatives in the USA and RSA.
Her interests sit at the intersection of Black Feminist Epistemology, Critical Race Theory and Performance Ethnography. Her work focuses on the experiences of students and families who are marginalized in public domains, primarily educational institutions.
A gifted educator and public speaker, Dr. Johnson-Anderson brings decades of teaching experience and a deep commitment to critical and culturally relevant pedagogy.
Fatima Dike
RSA
Theatre Arts Director
CTW South Africa
Fatime Dike is a playwright, poet, storyteller, and teacher. She is the first published Black, female playwright in South Africa.
Her decades-long, award-winning writing career started with the poets in the townships of the Western Cape.
Co-Founder of the Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre Company which is part of the Artscape Family of Theatre Companies, she is currently Resident Artist and Langa Champion at the Guga S'thebe Arts and Cultural Centre in Langa Township, Cape Town.
Her first play, The Sacrifice of Kreli, won her the Papillion Rising Star Award in 1979. She most recently won the Living Legend Award at the National Black Theatre Festival and was honored by the Artscape Women's Humanity Festival 2023 for her life in theatre.
Lucia Colombaro
USA
Economic Strategy, Affairs, and Collaborations
Tanya Zangaglia, MD
USA
Health & Wellness Initiatives
Intsika! Staff
South Africa
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Cebisa Peter
RSA
Program Coordinator
Lead Teacher
After School Program
South Africa
Zolani Balekwa
RSA
Lead Teacher
After School Program
South Africa
Advisory Board
Donna Howard
USA
Dr. Susan Theberge
USA
U.S.A.
Dr. Denise Patmon
USA
Andrea Battle
USA
South Africa
Sixolile Ngcobo
RSA
Lucille Luckhoff
RSA
Ayanda Mpono
RSA
Performing Artist, Cultural Worker
Malika Ndlovu
RSA
Malika Ndlovu's words and productions have appeared on pages and stages all over South Africa and across the globe. Her contribution to South African arts, culture and poetry specifically, spans over 25 years. Having published five poetry collections and two plays, produced numerous poetry events, this trans-disciplinary artist holds “healing through creativity” as her mantra and thrives on collaboration.
Cheyenne
Palacio-McCarthy
USA
Cheyenne Palacio-McCarthy is a social justice artist based in Brooklyn, New York. She recently graduated Hampshire College
studying Applied Theater for Social and Political Re-Imaginings, which focused on community-based transformation. She is a
choreo-poet, singer, songwriter, actress, director, and playwright. Her work encourages participants to explore ad refine what communal visions for liberation look like, making it more tangible and accessible.
Janet Aalfs
USA
Director/Founder of Lotus Peace Arts
Martial Artist, Poet, Movement Specialist, Performance Artist