Victoria Boateng

46th Ward Democrat Victoria Boateng of Uptown is a djembe drummer, educator, speaker, community leader and deeply committed advocate for people with autism and other disabilities. Her life has been shaped by both challenge and rhythm.

 

Diagnosed with autism at age three, Victoria did not speak until she was seven—an experience that imbued her early years with isolation and misunderstanding. Overcoming these barriers, she discovered the djembe drum – a traditional West African hand drum - as a powerful outlet for self-expression and communication. She eventually graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Communication and refined her drumming craft under masters such as Bolokoda Conde, Michael Taylor, and Tosha Ayo Alston.

 

Now, Victoria channels her artistry into advocacy and community building. She is founder of the Victoria Djembe Academy, leads drumming classes and workshops for people with autism and other disabilities, and has taught at organizations like the Old Town School of Folk Music, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, and Divine Purpose Fine Arts Center. She has performed multiple times at the Uptown Rhythm Festival and at 46th Ward Democrats events.

 

Victoria works to bring drumming resources and culturally grounded arts education to communities that have been underserved. Through her teaching, performances with all-female ensembles, and her own facilitation of spaces where neurodivergent people can be themselves, she strives to use rhythm as both language and liberation.

 

Consider reaching out to Victoria to book or attend a workshop or performance!

 

About djembe
A djembe is a traditional West African hand drum, shaped like a goblet and usually carved from a single piece of hardwood. It is covered with animal skin—most often goatskin—that’s tightly stretched to create a wide range of tones. The djembe is played with bare hands and is renowned for its versatility: players can produce deep bass sounds, sharp slaps, and rich mid-tones, often all in rapid succession. Originating with the Mandé people of West Africa (in present-day Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Ivory Coast), the djembe has been central to community life—used in ceremonies, storytelling, dance, and healing. Today, it is a global symbol of rhythm, communication, and cultural connection.

 

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