Daniel Kumapayi
Daniel Kúmápàyí carries a name rooted in resilience — Kúmápàyí, meaning “death should not take this child.” Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Michigan after immigrating to the United States at a young age, he has built a career at the intersection of arts leadership, cultural advocacy, and Pan-African creative practice.
He is the Founder of Àkójọpọ̀, where he previously served as Executive Director and now serves as Board Chair. In his current role, he leads fundraising efforts, cultivates strategic partnerships, and supports the organization’s long-term sustainability. He also mentors emerging Pan-African arts administrators, helping to develop the next generation of cultural leaders. Through this work, he continues to advance Àkójọpọ̀’s mission to empower Pan-African art music communities and elevate African and Afro-diasporic musical heritage on a global stage.
Daniel also serves as Education Manager at INTEMPO, where he oversees music education programming across afterschool, summer, and community partnership initiatives serving 200+ youth. He supports a team of 20+ teaching artists and ensures high-quality, culturally responsive instruction, while collaborating with leadership to produce performances, strengthen community partnerships, and expand opportunities for student and family engagement.
Daniel’s broader experience reflects a deep commitment to access and representation in the arts. He served as a Music Teacher and Arts Liaison with Chicago Public Schools, where he expanded school-based arts initiatives and secured partnerships that increased equitable access to creative opportunities. He led Project Greenway, a youth-driven reimagination of Altgeld Gardens on Chicago’s South Side, culminating in a public exhibition at the National Public Housing Museum centered on student voice and creative placemaking.
His work also spans artistic and production leadership. He has collaborated with the Chicago Park District, the People’s Music School, and international partners such as Alliance Française Lagos. He served as a Production Assistant with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and as Production Manager for Àkójọpọ̀’s 2023 African Art Music Commissioning Project, coordinating artists, managing logistics, and supporting the development and presentation of new works.
In 2024, Daniel was selected for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago Leadership Institute, further strengthening his leadership in the nonprofit sector. As a researcher and cultural practitioner, he published “Integrating Pan-African Art Music into U.S. Orchestral Programming” in the American Journal of Arts Management (Vol. 13, Issue 3, September 2025), reflecting his commitment to expanding representation in the arts.
Beyond his professional work, he remains dedicated to community-centered initiatives and mentoring future Pan-African cultural leaders.
