Penda Diakité (b. 1992, Portland, Oregon) is a Malian-American visual artist, author, and filmmaker raised between the United States and Mali. A child of two artists—her father a ceramicist and storyteller, and her mother a sculptor—she was immersed in traditional Mali arts from an early age. At just four, she was introduced to bogolanfini (mud‑cloth) painting, and by ten authored the Africana Award‑winning children’s book I Lost My Tooth in Africa, marking an early start of her storytelling through art. She earned a BFA in Film/Video with a minor in Cultural Studies from CalArts (2010–14), where she formulated her distinctive mixed-media collage style—melding traditional West African painting techniques, hand engraving, acrylic, oil, and paper collage. Today, Diakité lives and works in Los Angeles, with a rich portfolio spanning gallery exhibitions, film screenings, and collaborations with institutions like the Lakers, Forbes, and PBS. From childhood mud‑cloth painting in Mali to international art and film exhibitions, Penda Diakité’s artistic journey is one of self‑exploration, cultural storytelling, and identity affirmation. Through her bold aesthetic and historical research, she amplifies voices of women and communities often overlooked—creating visual narratives that inspire, educate, and unite.