Oni Arts Foundation

Oni Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) cultural arts education organization dedicated to empowering youth and families through creative expression rooted in cultural heritage. Founded by Nailah Oni Bulley, the organization began in 2015 as Gloria’s Heart LLC, named in honor of her late grandmother, Alyce Gloria Harris, whose legacy of compassion, resilience, and community care continues to inspire the foundation’s work.

As the vision grew, the organization evolved into Oni Arts Collective to better reflect its inclusive, community-centered approach to arts and culture. Recognizing the potential to expand its reach and deepen its impact, the founder established Oni Arts Foundation as a nonprofit, creating greater opportunities to fundraise, serve, and build sustainable programming for the communities it supports.

What is Oni Arts Foundation?
Oni Arts Foundation is a cultural arts education provider delivering creative, culturally grounded experiences for youth and families. Through diverse art forms—including visual arts, dance, music, and performance—the foundation connects participants to their heritage while encouraging innovation, self-expression, and personal growth. Programs are designed to be both educational and transformative, centering culture as a tool for empowerment, healing, and connection.

Our Mission
Our mission is to fundraise in order to provide accessible, high-quality programming through mentorship and the arts. We offer therapeutic outlets through classes, performances, conferences, and community events that nurture creativity, support mental and emotional wellness, and build meaningful relationships. Through mentorship, we guide emerging artists and young leaders in developing confidence, skills, and a strong sense of identity.

Our Vision
Oni Arts Foundation envisions a future where cultural arts education is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic barriers. We are committed to addressing challenges such as transportation, affordability, and access to resources, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to engage in creative and cultural learning. By centering cultural context in our work, we uplift traditions, honor diverse identities, and strengthen community bonds.

Community Impact & Programming
Over the years, as Oni Arts Collective and now Oni Arts Foundation, we have contributed a wide range of impactful programming to the community. Signature initiatives include The Oni Initiative and Ujima Week, a seven-day, intergenerational, free cultural arts engagement experience designed to bring communities together through shared learning and celebration. Ongoing programs such as Mynd Kuntrol Mondays and True to Tradition Thursdays provide consistent creative and cultural outlets, while CroXss Ethnic Exchange, a dance intensive, deepens cultural appreciation through movement.

Community-centered showcases and classes like the Love & Happiness Showcase and Biggie & Me (a mommy-and-me experience) create space for families to engage in the arts together. In addition, Oni Arts has facilitated West African dance classes for youth, teens, and adults, along with pop-up programming that makes arts education accessible and engaging across different settings.

Oni Arts Foundation has also built strong partnerships with respected organizations including ADEFUA, Northwest Tap Connection, Seattle Theatre Group, 4Culture, the Seattle Center, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and Gansango Dance & Music. Founder Nailah Oni Bulley has also served as a featured instructor at Seattle’s Alvin Ailey Camp, teaching West African dance and percussion, further extending the organization’s reach and impact.

Through its programs and partnerships, Oni Arts Foundation continues to cultivate spaces where art becomes a bridge—connecting generations, fostering leadership, and inspiring lasting community impact