Africa Diaspora and Art was founded in the 1980s by Ken Ndiaye, who recognized the need for a more inclusive platform to showcase Sub-Saharan African culture in Belgium. Arriving in Belgium in September 1982 as a student and former pupil of Mudra (the dance school Maurice Béjart also created in Dakar), Ndiaye saw a gap in the existing associative structures, which were largely focused on maintaining links with countries of origin rather than fostering a broader, more integrated cultural presence. In response, Ndiaye established Africa Diaspora and Art as a non-profit organization with the goal of highlighting and celebrating the artistic talents of Africans while countering the often negative stereotypes of Africa. The organization aimed to create a more open and collective space for African artists and culture in Belgium through initiatives such as African Night in Summer, a series of events presenting different areas of artistic expressions such as music, dance and painting.