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Learn About Ray of Hope
Discover our mission and values and how we strive to make a difference in the lives of young adults and the Baltimore community.
Ray of Hope Community Development Center
Ray of Hope began with the beat of a drum.
What started as a West African drumming group soon evolved into Xaala Mainama, a vibrant African Arts Ensemble featuring song, dance, and stilt performance. The group quickly discovered that rhythm could do more than entertain — it could empower. Through music and movement, Xaala Mainama became a catalyst for youth development and community growth.
Today, Ray of Hope is a Baltimore-based nonprofit offering African arts, youth development, and community education. Xaala Mainama remains the cultural heartbeat of our work.
Our mission
We instill pride and purpose by teaching cultural history, leadership, and hands-on skills—from drumming to sewing—all while building trust and opportunity. Ray of Hope is run by dedicated volunteers—concerned individuals from the community —who are committed to guiding youth and young adults toward confident and empowered lives. Together, we can grow a vibrant community of young people who are supported, inspired, and equipped to make lasting change in their lives and neighborhoods.
James Ray (aka Baba Djuann) CEO,
Ray of Hope community Development Center
A native of Baltimore, MD, and a respected leader in the city’s cultural arts and community development spaces, James Ray is the founder of Ray of Hope Community Development Center, established in 2024. Also known by his drumming name, Baba Djuann, he is a U.S. Army veteran, father, grandfather, and lifelong community advocate. James created Ray of Hope to uplift youth, young adults, and recovery communities through the arts, education, and empowerment.
His journey began in 1990, when he was trained as a West African drummer and dancer while stationed in Colorado Springs. He went on to found Xaala Mainama African Arts Ensemble Inc., initially a group of dedicated drummers that grew into a dynamic drum, dance, and vocal ensemble — and eventually, a powerful community arts organization.
Today, James continues to lead with purpose and passion, building programs that heal, inspire, and empower. Xaala Mainama remains a core part of Ray of Hope — evolving, and reaching communities in Baltimore and beyond.
What We Offer
Best known for our vibrant West African drum and dance performances, we also go deeper—offering programs in creative conflict resolution, community healing, and cultural heritage. Our offerings include workshops, classes, after-school programs, life skills training, speaking engagements, and drum circle facilitation. From high-energy stage shows to hands-on cultural experiences, our work goes far beyond the stage—connecting rhythm with purpose. As a volunteer-driven organization, our programming evolves each year based on community needs and capacity—ensuring fresh, responsive offerings that reflect the talents and passions of our team.
Today, James continues to lead with purpose and passion, building programs that heal, inspire, and empower. Xaala Mainama remains a core part of Ray of Hope — evolving, and reaching communities in Baltimore and beyond.
- Ray of Hope
Xaala Mainama - african Arts Ensemble -
Drumming, Dancing and Singing Troupe
How We Chose Our Name
“Xaala Mainama” is a phrase inspired by the Wolof language of Senegal meaning “Everything that God has given us.” We strive to reflect this spirit of gratitude, generosity, and share what we’ve been given with others. The phonetic spelling is "Yalla Mine-ugh-muh" .
Our members range in age from 5 to 75, each bringing their own energy, story, and skill. We’ve performed at festivals, colleges, and cultural events across North America—from AFRAM and Artscape to the UniverSOUL Circus and Baltimore Juneteenth celebrations.
With over 20 years of experience in West African dance, I bring my full journey to the stage—guided by the powerful drumming and energy this ensemble delivers. Home About Xaala Mainama Gallery Who We Are More 3 Home About Xaala Mainama Gallery Who We Are Book Your Next Event Contact BOOK Who We Are OUR FOUNDER & CEO Baba James "Djuann" Ray, a native of Baltimore, MD, is a Man of God, a Dad, Granddad, US Army (Desert Storm)War Veteran, Scuba Diver, African drummer, stilt dancer. Djuann began his quest for his XMI life in 1990 while stationed in Colorado Springs, CO. Under the direction of Zohar Israel (Free Spirit Drummers & Dancers-New Orleans, LA). After learning from Zohar and a few others, he formed two West African Drum and Dance Troupes, first "The Tribal Messengers & Jabula Dancers" and later, "UMOJA African Dance Company." One of Baba Djuann's biggest inspirations was meeting and watching Asanne Konte and Kankouran West African Dance Co. rip up the stage at a shopping mall in Colorado. Little did he know that he would be right up the road from them just a few years later as they are based in Washington, DC. After relocating to Baltimore in 1996, while forming and building Xaala Mainama, Djuann performed with several dance companies such as "Return To Goree" w/Babacar Ndaiye and "Keur Khaleyi West African Dance Co" w/Jihan Von Hendricks & Aaron Turner. In December 1997 in the former Koban Recreation Center (Flag-house Housing Project), with just a few members of the community, Xaala Mainama Inc. (XMI) Cultural Arts Center was born. With Baba Djuann as the lead drummer and Tremontenia Morgan-Hamm as the lead dancer, Xaala Mainama African Arts Ensemble has performed on many stages such as Baltimore's AFRAM, Artscape, & Baltimore County's African American Heritage Festival. We have opened for the world-renowned Dick Gregory just to name a few. Though Xaala Mainama was born with drummers from Baltimore's own Park Vibe Drummers from Druid Hill Park, we have evolved ever since. In 2015 we merged with "Sistah Drummers," a beautiful all female drum troupe that has added a breath of fresh air to XMI. Xaala Mainama is now rejuvenated, growing, touring, teaching, and making tomorrow a healthy place to exist in Baltimore and beyond. Who We Are It's All About Dancing !!! PATSY S. WALKER I started dancing at a very young age. Always loved to dance modern, ballet and street dance aka now known as hip hop. My first dance teacher was Sherrill and we practiced at the Enoch Pratt Free Library on S. Payson Street. Danced with the modern dance free library group from 11 to 13 years of age. Danced with the Southwestern High School Dance troop while attending high school. Became reacquainted with dance in my later year and this time I tried West African Dance which was introduced to me by a dear friend of mine who is well known in the world of West African Dance, Willa Walker, no relations but our dance spirit connected and she encouraged me to start taking classes with Babacar N’Diaye who was from the National Dance Company of Senegal, West Africa. Babacar, created his dance company, Return to Goree. I was a member of his dance class for many years until he left for California. Jihan Von Hendricks, my second West African Dance teacher, was a lead dancer for Return to Goree. Jihan eventually created her own West African Dance Company, Keur Khaleyi African Dance and Cultural Institute, Inc. I was a member of her dance class, community dance company and also a member of the dance company Keur Khaleyi. I remain a dedicated member of her dance class to this day. I currently am studying under Assane Konte, the director and founder of the Kankouran West African Dance company. I have danced and performed with the community class. I absolutely have learned a great deal of movement and understanding from studying under this master teacher. I am currently still a student with Kankouran West African Dance Company. I am always a student that has the desire to dance and perform. Dance is an art and every opportunity; I will dance and perform whenever possible. Dancing with Xaala Mainama, Inc. is an extension of the great teaching, learning about the culture and demonstrating all that I have learned from my journey with the Art of West African Dance. Xaala Mainama allows me to bring my love of dance created by the beat of the drums. With the expertise of the drums this ensemble brings to the floor, I am able to create and bring to the floor, all that I have learned in my 20-year long journey of West African Dance.
He attended ConneXions Community Leadership Academy School for the Arts, graduating in 2010, and began studying West African percussion there in 2003. For two decades, he has trained under Sankofa Dance Theatre with Salim and Jumoke Ajanku. Some of his teachers include Mahiri Keita, Weedie Braimah, Sekouba Oularé, Mamady Condé, Famaya kouruma, Amadou Kouyate and Menes Yahudah. Sankofa Dance theatre, Urbanfoli, Njò Abulè, Malidelphia are the main groups he's traveled and performed with. Byron has been teaching African history and rhythm for 12 years now. He has traveled all over the United States to perform. One of his many goals, is studying to broaden his horizon everyday by obtaining more information through the oral and musical traditions of West African culture.
