Bi-Okoto (pronounced Bee-O-Ko-Toe) Drum & Dance Theatre was established in August 1994 to preserve traditional African drum and dance heritage and promote cultural understanding by educating audiences of all ages about African countries through language, music and movement for a better appreciation of diversity.

The organization is committed to sharing knowledge, building long lasting cooperative relationships with their community patrons, and developing professional artists that will produce quality productions.

With a sister organization in Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana, Bi-Okoto presents a repertoire of over ninety authentic traditional dances, music, dance dramas, operas and new contemporary works from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa.

The organization is comprised of many talented artists who have performed all over the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. Performances such as the 1998 Disney World's opening of Animal Kingdom and McDonald's commercial spots and the 2004 Childrens International Games, in Cleveland, Ohio. In January 2003, January 2004 and February 2005, Bi-Okoto received the high honor as the only African Dance Company in the United States selected by the United States Department of Defense Armed Forces Entertainment for a 5-week military tour of Europe. Seven artists from the organization toured the United Kingdom, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany presenting 35 performances in 30 different cities. The purpose of the tour was to entertain the military men and women overseas by lifting their spirits and morale.

Bi-Okoto receives grants and operating supporting to present educational programs, residencies and performances through the following organizations: Arts International, ArtLinks, Adopt-A-School, Artability, YoArt, Conseil International de la Danse CID, Cincinnati Arts Association- Artists on Tour, Fine Arts Fund, Heartland Arts Fund, Kentucky Center for the Arts, OhioDance, Ohio Arts Presenters Network, National Performance Network, the National Endowment for the Arts, Xavier University World Music Department, and Summerfair Cincinnati, Inc. With their support, our performances and arts education programs have reached over 175,000 adults and children during 2005-2006 at schools, classes, private and corporate performances, recreation and senior center and organizations with special needs constituents have used our services to help integrate arts curriculum as a way of therapy, improving critical thinking skills or understanding differences.