Few Words
I am pleased to welcome you to African Community Association (ACA), and excited to update you on our progress and planned activities going forward. The African Community Association has been a positive influence in North East Ohio for the past twenty years both in the African and various Northeast Ohio communities, and is an exemplar of a harmonious and focused organization featuring top African professionals from different fields. I am indeed humbled to lead this association of accomplished professionals. Along with Dr. Kazadi Wa Mukuna (Vice President) this journey promises to be highly rewarding for me personally, and for all our stakeholders in our different endeavors.
ACA supports a central worthy cause of promoting and supporting scholarly accomplishment in our youth via the annual award of partial scholarships. As a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, this means that your contribution to our scholarship drive is tax deductible, and we intend to expand our stakeholder pool this year i.e., raise more funds, so that we can in turn expand the scope and range of our work around North East Ohio.
We will continue to push forward in the education of people about conditions in Africa, following up on lecture series such as we had last year – an event to educate on the perils of Boko Haram and their threat of terrorism for Nigeria, Africa, the United States and the world at large. We will also continue to support student organizations at Kent State University and other non-profit agencies that regularly interact with us.
A crowning highlight of our annual endeavors is the annual dinner dance, and this year’s event promises to be as spectacular as in the past. We typically feature world renown persons with a direct interest in Africa as our keynote speaker, raise scholarship funds for African students in North East Ohio and most of all get to know our stakeholders better and have a great time. With your support, we are confident that we will experience significant growth this year and continue to project a positive image for Africa while supporting African students to accomplish their highest potential.
Thanks again for your continued support and interest in the African Community Association. I look forward to interacting with you all.
Respectfully
Dr. John Nworie
President
WHO WE ARE
The African Community Association (ACA) is an association of
professional Africans in Northeast Ohio
who have a special interest in the progress
of African students in area universities.
ACA was established in 1994 in Kent, Ohio, by a group of professors at Kent State University, who were particularly concerned about the support group and networking opportunities for African students and for African professionals who have made the USA their home. Their objectives then, as is now, was to provide ample opportunities for the students to succeed in the classroom and in the community-at-large, and to increase effective networking between African professionals and create linkages to their communities so as not to be insular but rather contributing at the highest levels possible to society.
VISION AND MISSION
ACA’s vision is to be a dynamic and vibrant driver of progress in the African Community, whose members may return to Africa or assimilate in the communities of the United States. ACA undertakes this with a strong sense of purpose, direction and determination to work with all members, supporters and affiliate organizations to stay relevant in tackling major development issues that affect the African Community.
ACA’s mission is reflected in our objectives, accomplished via our many activities, reflected in the following key objectives:
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Our Board, Committed to The Highest Standards
-
Life is a mystery that was not given to us as a problem to be solved, but we can live and experience it’s reality.
Dr. John Nworie CEO, Protem Healthcare President, ACA 2022-2024 -
Africa is a world in which all is related and integrated - Ubuntu - I am because you are.
Kazadi Wa Mukuna, Ph.D Ethnomusicologist and Professor of Music
Kent State University Vice President, ACA 2022-2024 -
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.
Dr. Debo Adedipe Medical Director, St. Luke’s Pediatric Care President, ACA 2019-2021 -
Onye kwe, Chi ya ekwe (If you say yes, your God will say yes)
Felix Ekechi, Ph.D [Late, 2023] Professor Emeritus of History, Kent State University Founding Member -
A major lesson for leadership in the African Diaspora: “forest fortuna adiuvat” (fortune favors the brave)
Christopher Williams Associate Professor of Pan-African Studies,
Former Dean Kent State University -
A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has it's place.
Charles Mbanefo, MD Nephrologist and Professor of Medicine,
Case Western Reserve University -
We show the light, inspire and lead by example.
Buchi Offodile, Ph.D Chair, Management and Information Systems
Kent State University -
If the yam used in sacrifice does not die prematurely, it will eventually germinate! Things will eventually improve despite present difficulties.
Dr. Remy Nnadozie Pharmacologist -
Stay focused - tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Felix Nwaokafor, MD Onyeishie (President), ACA (2015-2017)
Internist, University Hospitals Cleveland -
Think first and then act wisely. But don't forget to act.
PolyCarp Ikuenobe, Ph.D President ACA, 2017-2019
Professor of Philosophy, Kent State University -
Those whose palm kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.
Nze Ngozi Nkemere CEO, Kems Construction, Inc -
Africa is rising, lets work together - going it alone is like the sound of one hand clapping.
Dr. Ademola Solaru Software Entrepreneur
CEO, Parthenon Globalsystems, LLC President ACA, 2013-2015 -
You are what you do, not what you say you'll do
Chief John Anoliefo Chairman and CEO, Famicos Foundation President, ACA 2017-2019 -
You don’t have to stand in only one place to watch a masquerade i.e., there are multiple options you can employ to accomplish even the most difficult objective!
Nze Charlie Muruako Educator
ACTIVITIES
Fundraising, Fraternity, Student and Community Support
ACA’s activities revolve around scholarship and education. Please click here to download a copy of the most current scholarship application
ACA’s activities are highlighted by the annual dinner dance and scholarship awards gala, along with other community events recognizing strong family ties and outreach to professionals and students in the Northeast Ohio area.
ACA’s scholarship and awards gala is held every year as a major fundraising and networking event. Its sole purpose is to raise funds for students. Over the years several scholarships have been awarded meritoriously, and students have gone on to achieve great things. ACA is active and visible in the African community in northeast Ohio. ACA and its members partner with other organizations whose goals are compatible with ACA’s.
Sponsors
Many notable Northeast Ohio organizations support the objectives of ACA, and have been steadfast supporters for many years. A few of our long-time supporters includes
Donations & Events
Please select one of the options below to purchase tickets for our annual gala, select the QR code or use the payment link to get to the payments page. And if you are sending us a donation, please, donate generously! Give our students a chance to succeed!!
