“The biggest lesson has been: start with breath, and the rest will follow. We’ve grown so much—from early workshops to institutional partnerships—but what’s remained constant is our commitment to the human. We’ve learned how to scale without losing soul. That’s rare, and it’s sacred.” - Diarra Imani, Founder

The Mosaic Institute began as The Youniversity an arts and academia consulting firm traveling the world as an advocate for teaching artists. Read more about our humble and impactful beginnings here. Our Founder, Diarra Imani has been a transformative artist and catalyst for creativity going on 10 years. Through her work in the nonprofit field, the education system, afterschool and out-of-school time programs her work has shined a light on the capacity to create no matter societal boundaries. You may find her name mentioned in national awards such as her 2022 Emmy-nomination for her work with poetry and film or as a Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist through YAL. Imani sees her poetry as a tool, a vessel and a lens to understand the world around us. She was, in 2024, awarded as a grantee for her work in the community as a Teaching Artist and as a Creative in Residence at the Equity | Impact Center. She has since been recognized as a 2025 40 Under 40 Honoree, making her among the youngest to receive the award.

The Mosaic Institute is a social innovation hub and creative canvas grounded in African wisdom, arts-integrated learning, and integrity-driven data. We partner with school districts, freedom schools, and community leaders to reimagine curriculum, research, and professional development. Our mission is to liberate creative students—especially those most marginalized—through curiosity-centered frameworks that dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and build schools that nourish soul and science.