| African Americans around the country claim that Hurricane Katrina taught them a valuable lesson about cultural unity. But Africa Agenda saw the importance of bringing Americans together to support the birth of a stronger, more unified African American community long ago.
According to the organization’s founder and president, George Bamu, communications expert, technology professional, and native of Cameroon, Africa, Africa Agenda’s mission has unlimited potential -potential that stretches as wide and far as its vision - all the way across the African continent.
In March 2005, Africa Agenda hosted its inaugural gathering at City Hall in Aurora, Colo., an urban metropolis with a wealth of African American residents and African-born American citizens. Among the distinguished keynote speakers at Africa Agenda’s inaugural event were Ryan Frazier, Africa Agenda board member and Councilman-at-Large for the City of Aurora; Andy McKean, board member and President/CEO of Liberty Day; Denis Neba, Ph.d, board member and adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix; Heidi Hein, board member and Director of Communications at Project CURE; and Iya Ta’Shia Asanti, Urban Spectrum writer and Executive Director of the Colorado Institute of Indigenous Cultural Studies. Ashanti was recently appointed as Africa Agenda’s International Secretary and Media Correspondent.
George Bamu spoke to the Urban Spectrum about what motivated him to create Africa Agenda. "My inspiration comes from people like Nelson Mandela, Benjamin Mpaka of Tanzania, and Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan recipient of the Nobel Peace Award. I have always been interested in using my skills and talents to make a difference in my community here in Denver and in Africa. The message of our organization is that in spite of the images of Africa which portray it as a nation engulfed in wars, disease, and starvation, there is a different side of Africa comprised of a new generation of leaders ready to lead, as well as many untapped investment opportunities. Africa Agenda creates visibility for the many positive and powerful aspects of African life such our art, literature, history, music, academic institutions, military offices, lush land, and vibrant beaches. And African people are some of the most friendly, well-educated, hard-working, family-oriented individuals you will ever meet," said Bamu.
Bamu refers to organizations such as DAWA (Denver and Africa Working Against AIDS) and Friends for Peace in Africa as being groundbreaking agencies in Denver who work with African communities. | | "The work of these organizations serves as a foundation for the work of Africa Agenda." Bamu told US.
Africa Agenda plans to jumpstart its mission by working with small, African-owned businesses in Africa and Colorado that may not draw immediate attention or support from Fortune 500 corporations. "The Lagos Market of 6th Avenue, the African-owned shops on Colfax, the Kalamanto African Market on Havana, and the Kilimanjaro Night Club on Parker Road are just a few of the establishments Africa Agenda will initially support," promised Bamu.
The organization also hopes to organize a ‘Liberty Day Africa’ as a spin-off of the Liberty Day founded by Andy Mckean, whose mission is to preserve the rights outlined in the United States Constitution.
"Andy Mckean has been a primary supporter of Africa Agenda and we believe that the vision and purpose of Liberty Day can work for Africa just like it has in America," Bamu said.
Bamu is clear that Africa Agenda is a not a political organization. The organization’s current membership is comprised of people of all races, genders, professions, social classes, and political backgrounds.
Africa Agenda is a non-profit organization that welcomes anyone who shares its vision and mission. The organization has strong support across Colorado and the United States. It ultimately hopes to establish connections to Africans in Colorado and abroad from all over Africa including Benin, Congo, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Sudan, Namibia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, Rwanda, and of course Bamu’s homeland, Cameroon.
"Our board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of Coloradoans of both American and African heritage. A lot of them have lived in Africa. All of them have in depth knowledge of the issues facing the continent and are committed to doing what they can to strengthen it as a nation. There are a lot of examples of great African leaders who helped liberate the continent from colonialism such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and others. They laid the foundation for us and now we must continue where they left off. If we can put aside our individual interests and work for the greater interest of economic stability for all, we can create a peaceful world for everyone," Bamu said with great hope in his voice.
Editor’s note: For more information about Africa Agenda or to apply for membership visit their web site at www.africaagenda.org or call 303-369-5724. |
