Meet our founders

Sandella and Frank Malloy were raised in the culturally vibrant city of Charleston, South Carolina. Following high school, Frank chose to embark on a journey to Ghana, West Africa. In Ghana, Frank Malloy dedicated time to Peace Corps service, and during a visit by high school sweetheart, Sandella, they tied the knot and found love. Not just with each other, but with the culture around them. The cultural immersion, particularly in music and dance, left a profound impact on both. Sandella discovered her natural affinity for dance during this experience, and upon returning from Ghana in 1990, the couple joined a local dance and drum group in Charleston, SC. Within two years, they established their own dance company, Harambee. Weaving together the fabric of their upbringing in the south, and the profound lessons gathered from their African journeys, they seamlessly blend these influences to create stories through movement and music, offering a harmonious tapestry that celebrates the best of both worlds in the portrayal of the all-encompassing Black experience. Now, the company has been thriving for over 30 years and over time, they integrated their two children into the story. Making Harambee a family-run organization. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of cultural exchange and the power of love and art.