How Diadie Bathily brought West African dance to St. Louis — and the Oscars

Diadie Bathily is on a mission to share his culture. Born in Ivory Coast, he’s taken his knowledge of traditional West African dance around the world. That love for dance and culture led him to call St. Louis home and thrusted him into the spotlight at the 98th Academy Awards, alongside ballet star Misty Copeland, for a performance of “I Lied to You” from the “Sinners” soundtrack. Bathily shares what the Oscars performance means to him, his mission to share West African cultures and leading his dance company Afriky Lolo for 20 years.