named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
ATLAS, AFGRAD, and IVP Alumni Programs
Supports alumni networks of African scholars and leaders who have participated in AAI fellowship and scholarship programs, featuring interviews and professional showcases.
African Diplomatic Engagement Program & Talks (ADEPT)
Convenes African ambassadors, policymakers, and U.S. stakeholders to discuss educational partnerships, commercial diplomacy, and U.S.-Africa relations.
NEH Ajami Project
Collaborative research and digitization effort to preserve and translate Ajami manuscripts (Arabic-script African language texts) in Hausa, Mandinka, Fula, and Wolof.
Readers in Ajami Project
Produces educational materials and multimedia resources to teach Ajami literacy for students, educators, and professionals working in West African societies.
State of Education on Africa (SOE) Conference
Annual conference that reframes global medieval history by centering Africa’s role, particularly the West African empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, through scholarly lectures and public engagement. Targets educators and the general public.
The Gold Road Project
Educational initiative providing resources on the role of gold and trade in the development of medieval West African empires, in partnership with Howard University and Boston University.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Youth Global Leadership & Model UN Programs 1 activity
- African Diplomatic Engagement Program (ADEPT)Co-hosts diplomatic convenings such as the African Diplomatic Engagement Program (DIPLO) and plans for ADEPT, bringing together embassy representatives and policymakers to discuss educational partnerships, commercial diplomacy, and U.S.–Africa relations.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Alumni engagement and public content productionProduces and publishes interviews and content featuring alumni of AAI programs to highlight leadership pathways and impact in African development.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Annual Awards Gala and public recognition eventsHosts an annual gala event that includes public recognition of leadership and impact in Africa, such as the Investor Impact Award and Elder Award, and features high-level dialogues with African leaders.
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Digitization and publication of historical research materialsConducts and supports historical research by making archival materials, such as the Horace Mann Bond Papers (1830–1979), digitally accessible in collaboration with academic institutions.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Film and cultural programming for African creativityCo-presents film series and cultural events, such as during the New York African Film Festival, to highlight creativity and expression in Global Africa’s artistic communities.
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 1 activity
- Initiatives for economic sovereignty in African nationsCollaborates with stakeholders to identify and support independent economic action at community, country, and regional levels in African nations, promoting long-term economic self-determination.
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Trauma-Informed Community Resilience Initiatives 1 activity
- Programs for healing, repair, and historical storytelling in AfricaCreates opportunities for healing and repair in Africa through storytelling, education, convenings, and research conducted in collaboration with African organizations, focusing on historical and cultural narratives.
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Community-Based Educational Programming 1 activity
- Public lecture and education series on African history and empiresConducts recurring educational programming, including multi-part lecture series and public sessions on medieval West African empires, trans-Saharan trade, and West African knowledge production, targeted to K–12 educators and the general public.
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Research and Scholarly Fellowship Support 1 activity
- Scholarship and fellowship programs for African students and professionalsAdministers scholarship and fellowship programs that have supported over 23,000 African individuals in their academic and professional development since 1953, including through initiatives such as the African Scholarship Program of American Universities, the African Graduate Fellowship Program, and the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program.
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Educator Conferences & Professional Development Events 1 activity
- State of Education on Africa ConferenceOrganizes an annual free virtual conference focused on African studies and education, hosted in partnership with institutions such as Howard University and Boston University, to promote scholarship and public engagement.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Transcontinental partnerships for community development and leadershipLeads partnerships with organizations and school districts across Africa and the diaspora to support community development, opportunity creation, and a global network of leaders, including alumni from AAI programs who hold leadership roles in government and education.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.50M
Contributions & grants$3.28M94%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$343K10%
Other revenue$-124K
expenses
Total expenses$4.09M
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$1.04M
Grants paid out$293K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$2.68M
Cash$451K
Investments$803K
Liabilities$1.40M
Net assets$1.28M
Liquid reserves3.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +1.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOFI APPENTENG | PRESIDENT & CEO | 35 | $293K |
| AMBAR TAVAREZ | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $175K |
| JOURDEN WARREN | CHIEF OF STRATEGIC PARTNER | 35 | $132K |
| LOUISE ERSKINE | CLIMATE LEAD & CHIEF OF STAFF | 35 | $130K |
| SYDNEY PLANT | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 35 | $115K |
board members · 7
- CHRISTAL M JACKSON — TRUSTEE
- HUMBLE LUKANGA — TRUSTEE
- MAMADOU BEYE — TRUSTEE
- NIK AMARTEIFIO — TRUSTEE
- PETER MCKILLOP — TRUSTEE
- PROF OUSSEINA ALIDOU — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT MCCARTHY — SECRETARY
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AAI Partner — Collaborative partner in identifying opportunities for economic sovereignty in African nations
- Africa Partner — Core geographic and cultural partner in programs focused on education, healing, economic sovereignty, and community building.
- African Diplomatic Corp Partner — Transcontinental partner engaged in community-building efforts
- African Prosperity Network Partner — Transcontinental partner collaborating on community and opportunity initiatives
- African Union Mission to the United States Partner — Co-hosted the African Diplomatic Engagement Program (DIPLO) on October 6, 2025.
- Boston University African Studies Center Partner — Co-hosts the annual State of Education Conference with AAI.
- Boston University’s African Studies Center Partner — Co-hosts the State of Education on Africa Conference and leads Ajami-related educational initiatives in collaboration with AAI
- Boston University’s African Studies Center Partner — Partner in organizing the State of Education on Africa Conference 2026.
- Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Partner — Collaborated on a panel discussion about U.S.–Africa policy and engagement.
- CorpsAfrica Partner — Alumnus Foday Bojang serves as Country Director at CorpsAfrica, indicating an institutional connection through AAI’s alumni network.
- First Data Western Union Foundation Funder — Funded the FDWUSP scholarship program from 2005 to 2006.
- Ford Foundation Partner — Partnered to implement the International Fellowships Program (IFP) from 2002 to 2012.
- Global African Diaspora Partner — Engaged as a key partner in dialogue and action around healing, repair, and transcontinental collaboration.
- Goldman Sachs Partner — Collaborated on the 10,000 Women Initiative from 2008 to 2010.
- Howard University Center for African Studies Partner — Co-hosts the annual State of Education Conference with AAI.
- Howard University’s Center for African Studies Partner — Co-hosts the State of Education on Africa Conference and collaborates on The Gold Road Project
- Howard University’s Center for African Studies Partner — Partner in organizing the State of Education on Africa Conference 2026.
- Institute of African Studies Partner — New partnership to support initiatives related to Global Africa.
- Phillips Petroleum Partner — Collaborated on the Phillips Petroleum Training Program from 1993 to 1996.
- Semafor Africa Partner — Collaborated with Semafor Africa through participation of Yinka Adegoke in a session on gold, power, and global trade networks.
- Starr Foundation Funder — Funded the African Scholarship Program from 1972 to 1980.
- UMass Amherst Partner — Collaborated with AAI to digitize and make available the Horace Mann Bond Papers.
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst Partner — Collaborating to make archival materials on African and African-American history publicly available.
- World Wildlife Fund Partner — Partnered on environmental and workforce development initiatives from 2002 to 2005.
- leading organizations across global Africa Partner — Collaborates with leading organizations across global Africa to advance dialogue on healing and repair.
- school districts across Southeast Michigan Partner — Local education partners collaborating on community and opportunity programs
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Liberatory, Africa-Centered Education for Justice and Decolonizationmethodology: liberatory_educationBy delivering scholarly, Africa-centered education that reframes global history and dismantles ideologies of human hierarchy, the organization advances justice and systemic change because accurate historical narratives disrupt harmful norms and empower marginalized communities.
- Transcontinental Diaspora Engagement for Systemic Changemethodology: transcontinental_diaspora_engagementBy connecting Africa and its diaspora through research, storytelling, and convenings, the organization drives sustainability, equity, and global healing because transnational solidarity strengthens collective agency and shared historical consciousness.
- Transformational Leadership Development through Networked Alumni and Educational Supportmethodology: transformational_leadershipBy fostering leadership among African and diasporan professionals and students through targeted education and alumni networks, the organization cultivates a sustainable pipeline of change-makers because empowered, connected leaders amplify impact across borders.