01Youth & belonging
Growing into who we are.
Culturally rooted learning, mentorship, and rites of passage that help young people explore identity, build relationships, and find their place in community.
Rooted in culture. Built in community.
Oakland, CaliforniaI am because
we are.
We bring people together through education, art, and cultural practice to build communities where young people—and the village around them—can thrive.
Get to know Ubuntu VillageA California 501(c)(3) nonprofitOur nonprofit credentials ↗
01 / Who we are
A village is more
than a place.
It’s how we care.
Ubuntu is the belief that our humanity is bound together. Our work begins there: with the relationships, knowledge, and cultural traditions that help people belong.
Founded by Hodari Touré and Shylah Hamilton-Touré, Ubuntu Village brings education, creative practice, and community building into conversation. We center young people of color and the families, educators, and communities around them.
Our purpose is to build, support, and connect self-sustaining communities—where learning is meaningful, culture is valued, and growth is shared.
02 / What we do
Many ways to grow.
One shared purpose.
Our work brings together four connected areas. Each starts with people, place, and the needs of the community.
02Art & cultural practice
Making space for our stories.
Visual and performing arts, storytelling, and shared cultural experiences that connect creativity with ancestry, reflection, and collective possibility.
03Education & technology
Learning that opens doors.
Learning experiences and program design at the intersection of culture, education, and technology—grounded in the lives of the people they serve.
04Land & community
Rooted in one another.
A vision for self-sustaining communities that connects care for the land, urban growing, and relationships across urban and rural life.
03 / The people behind the village
Educators. Creators.
Community builders.
Hodari Touré, Ph.D.
An educator working at the intersection of culture, technology, and learning. Hodari brings a background in social and cultural education and a commitment to creating opportunities for young people.
Shylah Hamilton-Touré
An artist, scholar, and educator whose practice spans film, cultural research, and educational game design. Shylah brings creative and community-centered approaches to how people learn, connect, and grow.
Meet Shy & explore her work ↗04 / A foundation for trust
Community purpose.
Nonprofit commitment.
Ubuntu Village is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation recognized by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3). We welcome conversations with funders, grantmakers, and partners who share our commitment to community.
View IRS determination letterPhotograph of the determination letter. For a complete copy and grant documentation, please contact us.
- Legal name
- Ubuntu Village
- Federal recognition
- 501(c)(3) public charity
- Exemption effective
- August 5, 2026
- California entity number
- B20260357753
05 / Build with us
There’s a place for you
in the village.
Whether you’re exploring a grant, looking for a community partner, or interested in bringing our work to your school or organization, we’d love to hear from you.
Connect with co-founder Shylah Hamilton-Touré:
ssphamilton@gmail.com