I am committed to community building, diaspora advocacy, and supporting African communities in the United States. My work is grounded in a long-standing dedication to cultural preservation, social justice, and collective empowerment. Through leadership, service, and advocacy, I strive to strengthen communities, foster connection, and amplify the voices and experiences of African diaspora communities. The roles below reflect some of the initiatives I have been involved in.
Southern African Community USA (SACU)
I am a co‑founder of the Southern African Community USA (SACU), a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2013 to unite and support Southern African diaspora communities in the Washington D.C. area. I currently serve on the Board as Director of Marketing and Public Relations, shaping SACU’s public voice, communications strategy, and community outreach. SACU promotes cultural preservation, community empowerment, and social connection through cultural festivals, social gatherings, fashion and sporting events, educational programs, networking events, and public forums. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, we organized community sensitization panels and helped provide food to food‑insecure families. SACU has also supported relief efforts for communities in Southern Africa through its partnerships with other organizations. SACU has received a mayoral citation for the Ubuntu Festival, our street festival in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland celebrating Southern African culture, and continues to engage in advocacy on issues relevant to our communities.
- Served as a rapporteur for the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Global Africa Diaspora Convention in Baltimore, Maryland (2015), contributing to the preparation of official proceedings and reports on diaspora engagement and development.
Malawi Association in Washington
I have been actively involved with the Malawi Association in Washington (MAWA), a leading 501(c)(3) organization representing Malawians in the Washington, D.C. area, since 2005. Founded in 1994 as the Malawi Washington Association (MWA), MAWA serves as an important platform for community engagement, advocacy, and cultural connection. I served as Board Member, Secretary, and later President until 2018. As the primary voice of the Malawian diaspora in the area, the organization has been involved in hosting visiting heads of state and senior officials, advocating for issues such as dual citizenship, access to financial services, and land ownership rights, and convening the inaugural Malawi Diaspora Conference in 2018 to explore practical solutions for national development and the role that diaspora communities can play in advancing Malawi’s future. The organization strengthens community ties through cultural events, sporting activities, picnics, panel discussions, and support for Malawian artists, musicians, and writers. MAWA has also led major humanitarian initiatives, including fundraising for PPE during the COVID‑19 pandemic, disaster relief for flood and famine victims, and partnerships that have helped build libraries in Malawi. Through these efforts, MAWA promotes community, cultural identity, and meaningful engagement between Malawians in the diaspora and their homeland.
- Represented the Malawi diaspora community as a delegate at the inaugural U.S.–Africa Leaders’ Summit convened by President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. (2014).
TransAfrica
I served as a Communications and Research Intern and Fellow with TransAfrica, one of the oldest and most influential advocacy organizations focused on U.S. policy toward Africa and the African diaspora. In this role, I supported TransAfrica’s communications, outreach, and community engagement efforts in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, including events hosted by the organization. My primary responsibility was contributing to Africa Now!, a weekly public affairs radio program on WPFW, a Washington, D.C.-based community radio station known for its commitment to “Jazz and Justice.” The program examined issues affecting Africa and the global African diaspora. I conducted research to support program content and delivered on-air community announcements and feature segments. These included profiles of Pan-African women during Women’s History Month, as well as announcements about local community events hosted by organizations throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Through this work, I contributed to TransAfrica’s mission of promoting justice, human rights, and informed dialogue on issues affecting African and African-descendant communities.
International Club / African Students Association
While a student at Truman State University, I co-founded the African Students Association (ASA) and later served in a variety of leadership roles, including President. I also served in several leadership positions within the International Club and eventually became President. In these roles, I organized cultural programs, educational events, and social activities that fostered cross-cultural understanding and strengthened connections among African, international, and domestic students. Through collaborations with student organizations, university departments, and community partners, I helped create opportunities for dialogue, cultural exchange, and greater awareness of global issues on campus and within our local communities.