About Us

Welcome to Our African Community in Madison

The African Association of Madison, Inc., founded in 1991 is a federally recognized non-profit organization. It serves as a forum to unite in purpose, and bring together people of African descent and friends of Africa in Madison and Wisconsin in general. The association seeks to promote and encourage the collective cultural, social and economic welfare of its membership. In so doing it seeks to safeguard the diverse African heritages and traditions inherent in the rich cultures of the continent, and serve as a medium to disseminate and share these heritages and traditions with the Wisconsin community. To achieve this goal, the association initiates constructive activities and develops cooperative relationships with institutions, groups and individuals that share a common concern for the community. Specifically, the association's activities shall include, but shall not be limited to, needs assessment and programs in education, youth development and social interaction.

The African Association of Madison and the African Students Association will produce the African Immigrant Festival program and related products in co-sponsorship with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Departments African Studies, Literature and Anthropology, City of Madison and the Dane County Cultural Commission.

The African Association is working closely with these organizations and agencies on the research, creation and implementation of the Festival and related programs. A task force composed of members of the Planning Committee of the African Association and the African Students Association and community scholars from the agencies and organizations will help identify resources and possible collaborating organizations in the Madison area, and will also help secure funding from corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

2009 Board of Directors
William Bosu (Chair)
Aggo Akyea (President)
Ann Marie Dawson (Vice President)
Felix Ossia (Secretary)
Frank Kooistra (Treasurer)
Richard Lowe (Planning)
Godwin Amegashie (Finance)
Jon Gramling (Communications)
Richard Yarl (Special Events)
Ray Kumapayi (Africa Fest)
Koso Weller (Education)