Our Road to Freedom: The Grand Opening of CCCADI Ilé Oyin

The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) proudly announces the Grand Opening of CCCADI Ilé Oyin, its newest cultural hub in East Harlem, with a community celebration. Our Road to Freedom: The Grand Opening of Ilé Oyin invites the public to join a collective journey across sacred ground. The day begins at CCCADI’s Firehouse home (120 E 125th St), continues with a ceremonial processional and libation at the Harlem African Burial Ground (126th St. & 2nd Ave.), and concludes with a ribbon-cutting and space activation at Ilé Oyin, located at 208 E 126th St.

Ilé Oyin, meaning “House of Honey” in Yoruba, is CCCADI’s second location—a buzzing beehive of cultural activity where artists, youth, cultural workers, and scholars can gather to create, collaborate, and restore what has been lost through oppression. 

This 5,000 sq.ft. multi-functional communal space is a free, culturally-rooted hub created for the community, by the community—open to all who seek to gather, create, and grow. With an archival research library, public programming, and a creative workspace, this site will serve as a “new third space” and vital anchor for Harlem’s creative and spiritual ecosystem.

This milestone event marks a new chapter in CCCADI’s mission to foster cultural equity and celebrate African Diaspora traditions.

Event Highlights Include:

A ceremonial Juneteenth Procession led by from CCCADI to the Harlem African Burial Ground

Ancestral honoring ceremony led by Michael Manswell & Something Positive

Ribbon cutting and a “sweet” space activation at CCCADI Ilé Oyin

Performances by KR3Ts Dance Company, Peggy Robles-Alvarado, and youth alumni from CCCADI’s cultural programs

Preview of CCCADI’s Community Archiving Lab and community workspace