Amma Gatty
Founder
Culture Encounters didn’t begin as a cultural organization. In 2015, we launched as The Next Star Arts Program, pouring into young people through the arts—because I’ve always believed in nurturing potential.
But as we gathered, created, and shared stories, something deeper began to stir. It wasn’t just about the art. It was about identity. Culture. Finding a space where your roots, your voice, and your story are not just welcomed—but honored.
So we followed that nudge. We grew. What started as a youth arts program became a movement—a home—for cross-cultural connection led by immigrant voices. Today, Culture Encounters invites people to taste, move, and listen their way into deeper understanding—through food, dance, storytelling, and shared experience.
This work is deeply personal to me. I was born and raised in Ghana and now call the U.S. home. I was shaped by multiple worlds, and I’ve wrestled with how to hold tradition and change in the same hand. That’s why I believe in creating space for honest conversations and joyful encounters—where no one has to shrink who they are to belong.
To everyone who has walked with us—thank you. You’ve helped turn this vision into a living, breathing space where cultures don’t just meet—they grow together.
We’re still building. And we’re just getting started.
Culture Encounters didn’t begin as a cultural organization. In 2015, we launched as The Next Star Arts Program, pouring into young people through the arts—because I’ve always believed in nurturing potential.
But as we gathered, created, and shared stories, something deeper began to stir. It wasn’t just about the art. It was about identity. Culture. Finding a space where your roots, your voice, and your story are not just welcomed—but honored.
So we followed that nudge. We grew. What started as a youth arts program became a movement—a home—for cross-cultural connection led by immigrant voices. Today, Culture Encounters invites people to taste, move, and listen their way into deeper understanding—through food, dance, storytelling, and shared experience.
This work is deeply personal to me. I was born and raised in Ghana and now call the U.S. home. I was shaped by multiple worlds, and I’ve wrestled with how to hold tradition and change in the same hand. That’s why I believe in creating space for honest conversations and joyful encounters—where no one has to shrink who they are to belong.
To everyone who has walked with us—thank you. You’ve helped turn this vision into a living, breathing space where cultures don’t just meet—they grow together.
We’re still building. And we’re just getting started.
OUR VISION
We envision a region where cultural difference is not a barrier but a bridge—where communities thrive through connection, curiosity, and shared experience.
OUR MISSION
To ignite cultural curiosity, appreciation, and connection through the arts, immersive experiences, and open dialogue—building a more inclusive and interconnected region.
OUR STRATEGY
Our strategy centers on breaking barriers through immersive cultural experiences that spark meaningful connections. By engaging communities hesitant to embrace cultural diversity, we create spaces where curiosity leads to understanding and dialogue builds trust—fostering a Richmond where cultural celebration is a way of life.