Support Nii Ardey: Save Anansi Beat

Help Anansi Beat Overcome Unfair Shipping Costs

Please check out this beautiful video to see what you are supporting!

https://vimeo.com/1053571923

Hello friends,

We are asking for your help. For over 20 years, Anansi Beat has been a vibrant force in Portland, bringing joy, rhythm, and the power of African drumming to our community. Owned by Nii Ardey Allotey, a dedicated artist and cultural ambassador, this Black-owned business has nurtured generations of drummers, dancers, and music lovers.

But now, Anansi Beat faces a financial burden that threatens its future.

What happened? The business had a full container of drums, clothing, hundreds of baskets and other items shipped from Ghana for the past holiday season. Items from friends and family were also added to the shipment. When the container arrived in Tacoma, customs declared that some of the items were not permitted in the US. This has led to excessive delays, and exorbitant storage and inspection fees, totaling more than $15,000. While Nii Ardey waits for the items to be released, and for adequate communication with the brokers, the fees are piling up, and these costs threaten the business. To avoid having the whole shipment sent back to Ghana, and the store losing a huge amount of inventory, Nii Ardey needs to raise money to complete this shipment process.

How can you help? We are reaching out to our friends, fellow musicians, and community members to rally around Anansi Beat. Your donation will go toward covering these outlandish fees, and ensure that Nii Ardey can continue his vital work of sharing the spirit and tradition of African drumming and dance in Portland.

If we are able to get this shipment released from customs, you will receive an African basket for your donation! For a $20 donation, you will receive a small basket.

For a larger donation, you will receive a larger basket.

Thank you for your support!