Daniel Kúmápàyí’s name means “death should not take this child.” Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Michigan, he works at the intersection of arts leadership, cultural advocacy, and Pan-African creative practice. He founded Àkójọpọ̀, served as its Executive Director, and now chairs its Board. He leads fundraising, builds partnerships, and mentors emerging Pan-African arts administrators, advancing the organization’s mission to elevate African and Afro-diasporic musical heritage globally. As Education Manager at INTEMPO, Daniel oversees music education programs serving 200+ youth and supports a team of 20+ teaching artists, while strengthening community partnerships and family engagement. He previously worked as a Music Teacher and Arts Liaison with Chicago Public Schools, expanding equitable access to the arts. He also led Project Greenway, a youth-driven reimagining of Altgeld Gardens, which culminated in an exhibition at the National Public Housing Museum. His production experience includes the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and Àkójọpọ̀’s 2023 African Art Music Commissioning Project, and he has collaborated with the Chicago Park District, the People’s Music School, and Alliance Française Lagos. A 2024 Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago Leadership Institute selectee, Daniel also published “Integrating Pan-African Art Music into U.S. Orchestral Programming” in the American Journal of Arts Management (September 2025). He remains committed to community-centered work and mentoring future cultural leaders.