Africa Day in New York: Origin & Activities.

By Spencer Chiimbwe

For more than a decade and a half years, the African Diaspora community in New York have engaged various stakeholders across city and state governments to celebrate  Africa. Specifically, the African Diaspora community makes use of the global traction surrounding the Africa Unity Day, May 25th, and African Union Day, September 9, to host events that showcase and celebrate Africa’s development in various areas.

In 2007, African Diaspora organizations in New York collaborated with the New York City Council Black & Latino Caucus to host the first Africa Day in the New York City Council Chambers. Hundreds of New Yorkers from across the five boroughs thronged the City Hall and elected officials from New York City, State and Federal governments issued citations to recognize Africa’s celebrated milestones. The African communities continued coming together to celebrate, support and collaborate with other Diaspora groups in celebrating positive developments emanating from Africa and around the world.

In 2009, New York State Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffery hosted the African Diaspora communities in New York and both the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate issued proclamations to recognize Africa Unity Day, May 25th in New York. The proclamation was given to the representative from the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations.

The African Diaspora community in New York continues to organize events clustered around the Africa Unity Day, May 25th, on which Africa can be celebrated. This celebratory platform will be used by various speakers  from the diplomatic community, government and community organizations to celebrate great initiatives and milestones such as AGENDA 2063 – Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future, the  Sustainable Development Goals and further embracing other organizational and individual accolades coming out of Africa.

The organizers of Africa Day NYC envision the content of the May 25th celebration to be informed by our knowledgeable leaders in New York City and State governments,  the African Union and the African Countries’ permanent missions to the United Nations, African Community leaders and all of other organizations who are supportive of the positive developments in Africa.