Core Community programs
African Art & Culture Celebration and Education
A Glimpse of Africa Festival
A Glimpse of Africa not only celebrates African culture but also plays a pivotal role in economically empowering entrepreneurs, particularly through vendor support. The organization provides a platform for small business owners and artisans to showcase their products and services to a diverse audience, offering valuable exposure and networking opportunities. Vendors, especially food startups, have gained significant traction through their participation, allowing many to expand beyond the festival and establish a lasting presence in the community. By facilitating direct connections between entrepreneurs and potential customers, A Glimpse of Africa helps drive economic growth while fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. This support is critical in helping businesses scale, increasing their visibility, and contributing to the vibrancy of the local economy.
Mental Health and Wellness Programs
A Glimpse of Africa is committed to supporting the well-being of the African community through a variety of Mental Health & Wellness Programs. These initiatives include a Community Mental Health and Wellness Fair, Data & Health Needs Assessments, and Covid-19 Support & Education to ensure informed health decisions. We also offer Wellness Sessions, Holiday Food Distribution, Maternal Care, and Health & Resource Navigation services, all aimed at addressing the unique health needs of the community. Together, these programs foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being while providing essential resources to those who need it most.
Community Mental Health and Wellness Fair
This two-day event is designed to address mental health disparities and all social and economic determinants of health that impact New Americans, especially in the African community. It provides a space to build connections, learn from the experts, and access essential resources to improve one's overall well-being.
Wellness
worshops
Our community listening sessions is a safe social healing through community connections while creating mental health awareness and providing access to resources. The sessions are facilitated by individuals with lived experience from a wide range of African immigrant/refugee therapists to alleviate cultural and language barriers and to build much-needed trust in mental health care. Add links to men, women, and youth listening sessions.
Health & resource navigation
Health and Resource Navigation programs provide critical support by offering language access in nearly 10 languages, ensuring that community members can effectively communicate and receive the care they need. These programs help individuals connect to vital health services, navigate complex healthcare systems, and access essential resources, such as maternal care, wellness sessions, and food distribution, with the guidance of culturally responsive navigators.
Data and health needs assessment
A Glimpse of Africa has taken the lead in gathering data and taking health needs assessments to highlight disparities in the African immigrant and refugee communities. Proper identification and data reports on African immigrants and refugees will minimize these challenges
Maternal care
A Glimpse of Africa’s maternal care programming, supported by the Kent County Ready by Five millage, focuses on providing culturally tailored support to expectant and new mothers. These services include prenatal education, postpartum care, and access to essential health resources, all aimed at ensuring healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes. By addressing the unique needs of African and immigrant families, the program helps mothers and their children thrive from the earliest stages of life.
Holiday food distribution
A Glimpse of Africa's holiday food distributions, held in November and December, provide much-needed support to families during the holiday season. These events offer culturally appropriate food to community members, ensuring that everyone can enjoy nourishing meals during this special time of year. By addressing food insecurity, the distributions help foster a sense of community and togetherness.
A Glimpse of Africa - Mental Health Series Trailer
Education, Literacy, and Community Empowerment
We are committed to ensuring equitable access to education, literacy, and community resources, empowering individuals of all backgrounds to thrive and succeed through culturally responsive and inclusive programs.
Scholarship Awards
Connect people to scholarship resources to support college expenses for African immigrants and refugees with high academic achievement.
Immigrant & Refugee Leadership Forum
Providing quarterly workshops for professional growth, connections & stronger support systems for self-sufficiency for the youth and adult Immigrants & Refugee leaders.
Reducing Literacy Gaps
Leading initiative to address literacy gaps for immigrants and refugees by connection people to ESL classes and other resources. High literacy proficiencies are more likely to be involved civically and politically.
Author Series
economic empowerment
A Glimpse of Africa's Economic Empowerment Programs focuses on enhancing the community's financial well-being through personalized support and education. Participants can connect with navigators who guide them to resources tailored to their needs, while personal finance classes equip them with crucial skills for managing their finances. Additionally, the festival vendor support program provides entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their businesses, fostering growth and promoting economic independence within the community.
connect with our navigators
A Glimpse of Africa's programs are designed to provide vital resources and foster social and economic empowerment within the African community. Through initiatives like financial literacy workshops, access to social services, and housing resources classes, we equip individuals with the tools they need to thrive. Additionally, our programs offer support in areas such as financial stability, wellness, and community advocacy, ensuring equitable access to the resources that matter most.
This November, we are offering a Housing Resources class to help families navigate affordable housing options. Participants must be registered in order to attend. If interested please sign up here.
personal
finance
A Glimpse of Africa's personal finance classes empower community members with essential skills in budgeting, saving, and managing debt, promoting financial literacy and stability. By providing practical tools and resources, these classes help participants build a strong foundation for economic independence and long-term financial success.
vendors & Business
support
The vendor and startup business support program aims to equip food, merchandise vendors, and immigrant start-up businesses with the skills, connections, exposure, and resources to succeed. The program also provides vendors with scholarships and a platform to showcase their products and services at the AGOA annual cultural festival and beyond. With fewer language, cultural, and system barriers this program ensures new Americans can find stability and contribute to the vitality of our community.
Learn more and become a vendor at the
2025 Festival by clicking here.
civic engagement & advocacy
A Glimpse of Africa's civic engagement and advocacy programs empower the African community to actively advocate for their rights and learn how to influence policies that promote equity and inclusion.
voter
engagement
Amplifying African community, voices through voter education.
immigration resources & Support
We are providing a know your rights, police misconduct, immigration, and asylum workshop on Wednesday, October 23.
You can sign up here, if interested.
bridging
the gap
Building consensus as a trusted advocate for policy changes and mediation between the city, county, and the African community.