New York City boasts of a vibrant Burkinabé community of 6,000. Among them are students, models, and musicians.

And in spite of the lifestyle differences, the  community certainly knows how to unite in the name of Burkina Faso, where most of them were born.

The Shrine, a music venue in Harlem is a primary point of connection for the community, as it was founded by a friend of the prior Burkinabé president, Thomas Sankara. Ever since, it has been a hub of cultural solidarity in New York – a place for drinks, dances, and political debates.

A now global band, Burkina Electric, is the first electronica band from Burkina Faso, which is an infusion of traditional Burkinabé rhythms with contemporary electronic music. The band has certainly established a large presence throughout the city, with performances at Joe’s Pub in Manhattan, the Lincoln Center, and at Celebrate Brooklyn! in Prospect Park.

In a report by Burkina 24, New York has the largest American diaspora of Burkinabés.  L’Association des Burkinabé à New York represents the community, with over 132 representatives throughout the city. Above all, the report emphasized the eminent solidarity, along with the linguistic, cultural, and educational opportunities that the association aims to promote and continues to cultivate within the community.