Mission
Siren - Protectors of the Rainforest, Inc. incorporated in 2015 with the understanding that the group will continue its methodology to: Respect the traditional knowledge, historic and artistic traditions that were passed down to us. (We continually take classes from Masters which we share with the community). Build upon the culture and share it with the world. (Live Performances). Pass the appreciation onto the next generation. (In-School residencies, Workshops & General fitness and physical activity workshops with a focus on African dance.) Continuously create community based programs that promote sustaining the environment through a “Grow Your Own” concept.
Ruling year
2017
Chairman of the Board
Tunde Giwa
Main address
90 MONROE ST
BROOKLYN, NY 11216 USA
EIN
20-4793848
NTEE code
Arts, Cultural Organizations - Multipurpose (A20)
Environmental Education and Outdoor Survival Programs (C60)
Youth Centers, Clubs, (includes Boys/Girls Clubs)- Multipurpose (O20)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Siren - Protectors of the Rainforest, Inc's mission is to save and protect the rainforests because it significantly influences the health of the entire ecosystem, our planet and its people. The organization creates artistic and educational programs that incorporate the diverse cultures of Africa using dance as its siren call to locally and internationally mobilize support for changes to the existing regulatory framework. Our goal is to preserve, promote, & present the knowledge passed down from generations through African arts, dances, histories, cultures, musical traditions & innovations. By forming comprehensive & innovative educational programming using artistic expression, we enlighten diverse audiences & bring vital context to today’s issues from climate change to food accessibility, to the crisis at the Southern Border. Siren is and will continue to follow the theme set by the United Nations for the International Decade of People of African descent past the end of 2024
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
African Dance and History
Most children are taught history in a way that makes it seem like the history of Africans and their descendants began with slavery. To combat the scarcity of African history and dance in the US Educational system, Siren - Protectors of the Rainforest, Inc goes into the public school system to present dance and acquaint students with Africa, its people, its history and its culture through dance. The education system in America, unfortunately, enables people to see Africa as a place that has always been ridden with poverty and suffering. Our goal is to use dance as a way to introduce African history, culture and dance to get students to ask questions, and find answers in a supportive environment. This program meets the blueprints for learning Dance as set forth by the NYS Educational system
Professional African Dance Performance
Siren Protectors of the Rainforest has been around since February 2008. We have toured the United States and Canada. We are 30+ dancers strong and have performed for many dignitaries and the commemoration of historical events but really believe that art should be available to the public. We perform a maximum of five dancers and four musicians depending on the budget of our procurers.
Afterschool Program
African Dance from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa with teachers that can teach beginners to professionals.
Community Conversations
Sponsored by HumanitiesNY.
Community Conversations provide an opportunity for people of all ages to have a thoughtful discussion and dialogue about their shared values as American residents--past, present, and future. The discussions are an alternative to received wisdom (lectured or taught) on the following issues listed below that provide an opportunity for students to join in a national dialogue.
Community Conversations are 60-90 minutes long and require participants to follow along with a preselected text. Full participation in discussion is expected, with the intent that each person offers their unique perspective to generate a deeper and more personal understanding of the ideas for the group in a contemporary context. We use a prompt of guiding questions, as well as discussion within the group to generate a connection to the material beyond the scope of the class. The conversations serve as an intentional space for participating students to foster dialogue and develop personal stances on issues that affect them every day.
Community Engagement in Eco Preservation
We don't just perform but use our voice & stage to get people to take care of the environment through cleanup efforts coordinated by OrchardsNYC. We also plant fruit trees to alleviate hunger in food deserts and cut down on human carbon footprints. We welcome volunteers of all ethnicity and age group to come and own a tree in NYC
ARISE - African History, Past to Present Discussion series
History plays a huge role in how we identify ourselves. "In the end, who are you if you don't know anything about where you come from, about your origins, your family, your language, your own culture?" To combat the scarcity of African history in the US Educational system, Siren - Protectors of the Rainforest, Inc. is presenting a discussion series to acquaint the Americans with Africa, its people, its history, its culture and its present day economy. The discussion series is partially underwritten by NY Humanities, a local arm of the National Endowment of the Humanities.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The corporation aims to educate and raise awareness of the importance of the African rain forests emphasizing that rain forests help stabilize the world's climate; protect against flood, drought and erosion but most importantly are a source of medicine and foods.
For the past 2 years and past the end of 2024, Siren will be following the theme set by the United Nations for the International Decade of People of African descent: recognition, justice and development. This theme has and will continue to play a defining role in all of our programming.
We accomplish our work by
- Presenting African inspired performances
- Historical programming that enhances the community’s need to connect with Africa &
Africans for the purpose of development
- Arts In Education residencies through dance, music and visual arts projects to enhance African cultural education in the schools
- Addressing community needs resulting from COVID-19 thru food swaps, “Boutique 701”,
Science explorations for kids, community healing drum workshops, etc
Our performances and community facing programs are either ticketed or paid for by sponsors, donors or private procurers. Our historical programming is sponsored in huge part by funds from HumanitiesNY with a generous donation from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
All our programs are delivered wherever people gather.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We started in Brooklyn, NY with African dance for the purpose of reconnecting people back to preserving the homeland - Mother Earth. We are dedicated to preserving culture through music, dance, arts, and history. Most importantly, we are dedicated to preserving the rainforests not only for us but for generations to come. We use dance and music as a platform to educate people about cultural and environmental conservation.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a slew of volunteers and are constantly looking for more. We are also constantly looking for board members to make sure that the governance of our organization goes without questions. We have a full working board as well as a full time executive director and four full time staff members but rely on our independent artist consultants to deliver much needed services to the community.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
A food garden in downtown brooklyn that grew to include a greenhouse and is now managed by students and teachers at the location.
A performance troupe that has toured Canada and the United States and looking forward to bringing African History, dance and art to the rest of the planet
In 2018, Siren - Protectors of the Rainforest won the Novo Foundation Innovation in Programming Award from Education 1st & the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for it’s community conversations series.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
American Residents without prejudice to gender, race, sexual preference. Our Arts In Education offerings for all age groups
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Paper surveys, Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person),
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
Including a virtual programming component because people who don't live in NYC want to participate in our programs without having to worry about travelling from their home state
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
It allows them to be feel like they are part of the decision making process
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Siren-Protectors of the Rainforest Inc
Board of directorsas of 9/24/2021
Tunde Giwa
Julliard School of Dance
Ivonne Reid
Cohen Morrison
Ricardo Ricketts
Self Employed
Chibi Nguyen
Deloitte & Touche
Mambo Tse
Siren
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
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