Ujima

Ujima A multi-ethnic + multicultural professional theatre serving the beloved community.

Yalla Tour Info & Tickets:
https://www.ujimacoinc.org/on-stage-now/yalla

Yalla Gala Tickets:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/36858/production/1242816?performanceId=11652809 We are a company of actors, actresses, theatre technicians, theatre arts administrators, choreographers, playwrights, teachers, musicians and
vocalists. Ujima Company intends to educate and entertain through work which is reflectiv

e of its responsibility and caring for its community. All work is selected or designed to exploit Ujima’s unique ability to work together, take responsibility for each other, and create that special magic which flows from love and dedication to work, the collective and
the audience.

Today, our community remembers the loved ones lost in the TOPS shooting May 14th 2022.Celestine Chaney, 65Roberta A. Dru...
05/14/2026

Today, our community remembers the loved ones lost in the TOPS shooting May 14th 2022.

Celestine Chaney, 65
Roberta A. Drury, 32
Andre Mackneil, 53
Katherine Massey, 72
Margus D. Morrison, 52
Heyward Patterson, 67
Aaron Salter, 55
Geraldine Talley, 62
Ruth Whitfield, 86
Pearl Young, 77

We will never forget you. You are forever missed.

In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, Ujima Company went purple in support of Together for Youth foster care families...
05/06/2026

In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, Ujima Company went purple in support of Together for Youth foster care families in Buffalo. Go Purple!

Bridgeport/BaptismI was Baptized in the Church of God and Christ when I was four years old. They dressed me in a white c...
04/30/2026

Bridgeport/Baptism

I was Baptized in the Church of God and Christ when I was four years old. They dressed me in a white cotton gown, stood me on the shore of Lake Somethin’ or Other grabbed my head and my back and threw me backward into the icy waters of redemption. I came up spitting and coughing and snorting and saved.
We went to Elder Turner’s church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We lived in Mt. Vernon, NY, and I remember thinking there must be a church between here and Bridgeport. But then the Bridgeport saints did seem extra holy. I felt holy just bein’ around them. My real objection to the Sunday morning car trip was that I got car sick. Seems like everytime. I remember throwing up all over my orange plaid drop waist dress with pleats that I loved so much and then gettin’ Papa’s undershirt out of the trunk of the car and me wearin’ it to church with them sayin’ Oh she looks alright, she’s just a baby. She looks cute.
The best part about being in church was being with my mother. She was so beautiful in white. I loved sitting next to her when she would stand up with her right hand raised to testify, “I want to thank God for being here this mornin’. I want to thank Him for my health and strength, for bringing me through another week safe from sin and harm…”

From left to right: Lorna and Ruby (her mother)

Ruby Anita was no joke! She was fire. A true believer in hard work and faith. Ruby prayed as hard as she played gin rummy. Gave the best hugs and had a laugh like a drum.

Tickets available in our linktree! 🔗
See you this summer!!

SHE WHO MOTHERED MEShe took care of me.
She was not my mother.
She mothered me.
She taught me acceptance.
She accepted l...
04/26/2026

SHE WHO MOTHERED ME

She took care of me.
She was not my mother.
She mothered me.
She taught me acceptance.
She accepted life in a way that was peculiar to her.
She told me there were monsters who came in the night
and carried off children who would not eat enough,
children who were too puny to fight them off.
She gave me olive oil
blessed by the elders
to ensure my bowel movements and general well-being.
She let me walk behind her
underneath her long white skirts until I was too tall.
She never yelled at me or chastised me.
I did as I was told because I wanted to please her.
She taught me enthusiasm.
She prayed and sang songs of praise.
She let me cut the corns from her toes with a razor blade
and squeeze the worms from her blackheads.
She taught me faith and trust.
She warned me, “Chile, don’t grow ole if you can he’p it.”
And though she was old from the time I was born,
we were always girls together.

From left to right: Lorna C. Hill, Viola Byrd, Curtis Lovell

Aunt Vi is the inspiration for SHE WHO MOTHERED ME. She was tenacious and gentle. Open and sharp. Watching my mother and Vi together was witnessing real love. Reverence.

YALLA BITCH SUMMER TOUR
Link in Bio!t

GeronimoAunt Vi said the Indians left me on the doorstep-
i don’t remember what my question was -
But I was satisfied wi...
04/24/2026

Geronimo

Aunt Vi said the Indians left me on the doorstep-
i don’t remember what my question was -
But I was satisfied with the answer
I used to imagine Geronimo
comin’ down South 11th Avenue
from the Dead End
(beyond which was certainly
no man’s land)
And he stops at 513 and lays
this bundle which is me, on
the front stoop of the tenement.

He could have chosen any house,
a pretty house, with a lawn and trees,
He could have chosen a family with other kids
so I’d have sisters and brothers
but he chose 513, the only tenement
on the block, and he thought
“Good People Here”

I figured I was well off.
At least I knew who my father was.
I didn’t worry about…
  if Geronimo is my father
  then who is my mother?
I was immediately reconciled to
the idea that he was my
father and Ruby was my mother
even though they had never
met and it was me knowing
both of them that joined them.

Yeah, I figured I was well off.
I knew my parents.
I had a mysterious background,
and everyone in my world loved me
despite the fact that I was not
truly of them. I was rich.

YALLA BITCH SUMMER TOUR
Link in our bio!!

June 19 & 20 - School 77 @ 6pm429 Plymouth Ave Buffalo, NY 14213June 21 - 5 Points Bakery @ 6pm44 Brayton St.Buffalo, N...
04/07/2026

June 19 & 20 - School 77 @ 6pm
429 Plymouth Ave
Buffalo, NY 14213

June 21 - 5 Points Bakery @ 6pm
44 Brayton St.
Buffalo, NY 14213
(Ticketed location)

June 26 - Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens @ 6pm
2655 South Park Ave
Buffalo, NY 14218

June 27 - 60 Winston Rd @ 6pm
60 Winston Rd
Buffalo, NY 14216
(Ticketed location)

June 28 - Silo City @ 2pm
120 Silo City Row
Buffalo, NY 14203

June 28 - Duende @ 6pm
85 Silo City Row
Buffalo, NY 14203 (ticketed location)

July 6 - Saul Elkin Hill @ 6pm
199 Lincoln Pkwy
Buffalo, NY 14222

July 10 - Penn Dixie Fossil Park @ 6pm
4050 North Street
Blasdell, NY 14219

July 12 - Freedom Garden @ 6pm
333 Clinton st
Buffalo,NY 14204

Ticketed Locations are available to purchase on our website! Link in bio!
Hope to see you there!

June 19 & 20 - School 77 @ 6pm429 Plymouth Ave Buffalo, NY 14213June 21 - 5 Points Bakery @ 6pm44 Brayton St.Buffalo, N...
04/07/2026

June 19 & 20 - School 77 @ 6pm
429 Plymouth Ave
Buffalo, NY 14213

June 21 - 5 Points Bakery @ 6pm
44 Brayton St.
Buffalo, NY 14213
(Ticketed location)

June 26 - Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens @ 6pm
2655 South Park Ave
Buffalo, NY 14218

June 27 - 60 Winston Rd @ 6pm
60 Winston Rd
Buffalo, NY 14216
(Ticketed location)

June 28 - Silo City @ 2pm
120 Silo City Row
Buffalo, NY 14203

June 28 - Duende @ 6pm
85 Silo City Row
Buffalo, NY 14203 (ticketed location)

July 6 - Saul Elkin Hill @ 6pm
199 Lincoln Pkwy
Buffalo, NY 14222

July 10 - Penn Dixie Fossil Park @ 6pm
4050 North Street
Blasdell, NY 14219

July 12 - Freedom Park @ 6pm
1170 Niagara St
Buffalo, NY 14213

Ticketed Locations are available to purchase on our website! Link in bio!
Hope to see you there!

Join us for Ujima's Annual Volunteer Lunch! Meet and greet with Ujima's team, and join our volunteer list!Saturday, Febr...
01/31/2026

Join us for Ujima's Annual Volunteer Lunch!
Meet and greet with Ujima's team, and join our volunteer list!
Saturday, February 7th at 1230pm

Lunch is provided
Ages 16+

Spots are limited
Register here- https://tinyurl.com/UjimaVolunteerLunch

11/09/2025

Getting the stage ready for Straight White Men. Have you bought a ticket yet? Link in bio ticket 🎟️

It’s almost here! Straight White Men runs November 14–23rd! Only two weeks to catch this electric production. Tickets ar...
11/06/2025

It’s almost here! Straight White Men runs November 14–23rd! Only two weeks to catch this electric production. Tickets are going fast! 🎟️ Link in bio.

Address

429 Plymouth Avenue
Buffalo, NY
14213

Telephone

+17163225178

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ujima posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category