Join us for a free interactive performance for kids and adults!

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Kiazi Malonga in collaboration with Fua Dia Kongo will present a dynamic presentation which will include traditional dancing, drumming and songs from the Congo. Malonga will also perform a few songs from his sophomore album Zu Dia Ngoma, which are a beautiful mix of traditional music and modern Congolese flavors (including guitar, base and trap set). Malonga's set will also include a few exciting surprises that will get the audiences engaged.

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Kiazi Malonga (https://linktr.ee/KiaziMalonga) is a second generation Congolese American born into a family of artists. He was first introduced to the Ngoma drum at age two by his father Malonga Casquelourd, a world-renowned traditional drummer, dancer and choreographer from Congo Brazzaville. Casquelourd traveled to the US in 1972 and shortly thereafter began to build his exceptional legacy in the traditional arts in the US.

It was in this setting that Kiazi Malonga was trained and learned about his Congolese cultural heritage. He became the lead drummer of his father’s dance company, Fua Dia Kongo, at age 16 and began teaching at that time as well. Kiazi has taught and performed throughout the US, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe and Africa. He currently teaches Congolese traditional music in Oakland, CA. Kiazi just released his sophomore album, Zu Dia Ngoma (https://linktr.ee/KiaziMalonga) in March of 2024; which incorporates never before recorded compositions from the late Malonga Casquelourd as well as newly composed music.

In addition to music, Kiazi founded and runs a US based nonprofit social enterprise, Pelisa Energy (https://www.pelisaenergy.com/support). Pelisa Energy aims to close the energy gap in Central Africa by supplying solar-powered technologies that have immediate benefits to the health, education and livelihoods of the Central African people.

Kiazi completed a dual masters in International Affairs and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development and has an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Stanford University. He has gained working familiarity with environmental, social, and governance criteria and ESG reporting frameworks (GRI, UNGP, CDP, SASB, and GHG Protocol) and ESG ratings/rankings tools (Just 100 and Sustainalytics).

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This program is presented in conjunction with Thrive@MoAD sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. Additional support is provided by Yerba Buena Community Benefit District.