We are dedicated to our mission.

Creating a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone thrives and embracing the rich cultural heritage of Africa through our work.

Get involved

Welcome to the African Center for Community Development.

We strive to foster a thriving and engaged African community by promoting cultural understanding, social and economic integration, and civic participation. Whether you’re a newcomer to the United States or a long-time resident, the African Center is your home away from home, providing invaluable resources to empower individuals, families, and businesses to thrive in Madison and Dane County.

The African Center’s journey began over half a century ago, coinciding with the gradual influx of Africans into Dane County for reasons such as education, employment, immigration, and family reunification. Our organization was established to meet needs of the growing African population and to provide for comprehensive social and educational services. As our community has expanded, so has our commitment to integrating African immigrants and facilitating cultural exchanges to enhance their success to foster understanding and enhance their success.

Our Mission

To promote the well-being of African immigrants and preserve the vibrancy of African cultures in Madison and Dane County through education, service, entrepreneurship, empowerment, and dialogue.

Our Vision

To facilitate the inclusion of African immigrants into the Madison and Dane County communities while maintaining knowledge and appreciation of their cultures of origin.

Our Values

We value the strengthening of family bonds and the development of sustainable social and business networks that will enable the African community to thrive in Madison and Dane County.

Word from our Executive Director

Meet Our Staff

Esther Ama Ptak (nee Ama Mohammed

Ama

Executive Director
ama@africancentermadison.org

Ama's Bio
Henry Obeng

Henry

Housing and Operations Officer
henry@africancentermadison.org

Henry's Bio
Inyillah Conteh

Inyillah

Community and Volunteer Engagement Officer
inyillah@africancentermadison.org

Inyillah's Bio
Joy Chefu

Joy

Youth Program and Outreach Officer
joyc@africancentermadison.org

Joy's Bio
Sekati Sanneh

Sekati

Grants and Communications Officer
sekati@africancentermadison.org

Sekati's Bio

Our Board of Directors

Tunji Lesi

Tunji Lesi, CPA - President

Abdul Abdi

Abdul Abdi - Vice President

Aaron Abraha - Secretary

Vanessa Ineza

Vanessa Ineza, MBA - Treasurer

Evelyn Hammond

Evelyn Hammond, PHD - Member

Ray Kumapayi

Ray Kumapayi, ENG. - Member

Godwin Amegashie

Godwin Amegashie - Member

John Tembei

John Tembei, PHD - Member

Patricia Titti-Garfoot - Member

Aliko Songolo

Prof. Aliko Songolo - Member

Nimo Mohammed - Member

Nyima Sanyang

Nyima Sanyang - Member

Jean Rene Watchou

Jean-René Watchou - Member

Oumar Keita

Oumar Keita - Member

Hade Xaashi

Hade Xaashi - Member

Get Involved

Donate

Your donations enable community members to thrive and contribute to the economy.

Ways to Donate
African Center community leaders workshop with RCC and DAIS

Volunteer

Join our board, our committees, volunteer in our programs to make a difference.

Contact us

Sign up

We’d love to keep you informed of our programs, community events and resources.

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Esther Ama Ptak (nee Ama Mohammed

Esther Ama Safia Ptak (Ama)

Originally from Ghana, Ama holds two Masters degrees, from the University of Cape Coast and UW-Madison. With a background in sociolinguistics, Ama has a lot of experience navigating different socio-cultural contexts and is a strong advocate of language preservation. To her, language, in whatever form, is a capital gain. At the African Center, Ama previously served as the community outreach coordinator, developing programs and implementing community engagement initiatives. As Executive Director, Ama builds strategic partnerships and coordinates with the board and community to ensure the Center is the pivotal resource our community needs. Ama loves spending time with her family, listening to community members, and participating in community events and research.

Connect with Ama at ama@africancentermadison.org

Henry Obeng

Henry Obeng

Henry is a multidisciplinary artist with a Masters degree in Fine Arts from UW-Madison and a Bachelor’s degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His artwork explores migration, cultural identity, and storytelling through printmaking, book arts, and photography. At the African Center, Henry leads the housing support program, advocates for community members, conducts case management, and coordinates wraparound support services. Through art and community work, Henry is committed to cultural preservation and increasing social impact.

Connect with Henry at henry@africancentermadison.org

Inyillah Conteh

Inyillah Borteh Conteh

Inyillah holds a Master’s degree in community engagement and nonprofit leadership from UW-Madison. As a feminist and advocate for social justice, Inyillah has demonstrated a passion for and commitment to serving others, especially young women, throughout her career. At the African Center, Inyillah leverages extensive expertise in community engagement and strong collaborative leadership to increase the social impact of our organization. Inyillah’s role includes coordinating the just launched older adults programs – Community ElderConnect and Baobab Senior Circle.

Connect with Inyillah at inyillah@africancentermadison.org

Joy Chefu

Joy Chefu

Joy was born and grew up in Cameroon. She studied law at the University of Yaoundé II Soa and became a seasoned lawyer with more than ten years of professional experience. She also holds a Masters degree in International Humanitarian Action from the International Relations Institute of Cameroon. Joy created a nonprofit organization in Cameroon aimed at reducing violence against women as well as creating mentorship and leadership programs for youth in middle and high schools to increase their potential. At the African Center, Joy coordinates programs that serves the youth in our community. Working at the African Center gives Joy the opportunity to serve her community and provide the “home away from home” experience – and she loves it!

Connect with Joy at joyc@africancentermadison.org

Sekati Sanneh

Sekati Sanneh

Sekati is a dedicated professional originally from The Gambia, with a strong academic background in economics and environmental science, holding a masters degree in both fields. He previously served as a Senior Planner for the Gambian government, where he contributed to policy formulation and development planning. Since earning his degree from the University of Illinois Springfield, Sekati has been committed to working with local communities. At the African Center, Sekati actively prospects for funding, ensuring sustainability of our operations and programs. Sekati’s role includes assisting with the development and implementation of our community-focused Bantaba Support Circles

Connect with Sekati at sekati@africancentermadison.org