Many from the Bronx's Malian community attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Norwood for a new cultural center dedicated to West Africa's Republic of Mali on Friday.

The Malian Cultural Center honors First Lady Toure Lobbo Traore of Mali for her humanitarian work.

"It's the first such organization of Malians in the United States, which is committed solely to the culture and the uplifting of the community in Mali and in New York through culture," said Melvin T. Brown of the Malian Cultural Center.

"We just want to show America our culture, our history, to all the American people and to all of our kids born here," said Traore.

Organizers say the center will host children's activities and language seminars, as well as community dinners to educate the public about the Malian lifestyle.