African Center for Community Development, Inc.
Tunji Lesi is Principal at Tunji-Lesi CPA, LLC. since January 2016. He served as the Lead Financial Analyst with Alliant Energy Corporation, a Midwest U.S. energy company with more than $11 billion of assets from November 2006 to December 2015. Tunji is originally from Nigeria and has been living in Madison with his family since the 1990s. He is a former member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Neighborhood House Community Center Inc., a former member of Multicultural Group (An Alliant Energy Employee Resource Group), a former president of Union of Nigerians in Madison (UNIMA) Inc., and a former financial secretary of the African Association of Madison Inc.
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Dr. Evelyn Hammond is an Evaluation Specialist at the Evaluation Unit of the Natural Resources Institute. Her interests include multidisciplinary research in natural resource use and management. She evaluates a wide variety of programs and projects related (but not limited) to environmental education, agricultural programming, watershed management, water resources, aquatic invasive species, etc. Evelyn earned a PhD in Environment and Resources from UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.Evelyn is originally from Ghana and has been living in Madison for more than 10 years. She has been active in the African community - serving as an Executive of the Ghana Association of Madison (GhAMa), a volunteer for the African Association of Madison (AAM) Inc., a member of African Women Association (AWA), and a volunteer chaperone and youth program coordinator for the African Center.
Her favorite poem: Unless Nyankopɔn nods consent No storm can blow my wawa down Only He can see in the darkness Where we came from, where we go. This poem, written by A.W. Kayper-Mensah (1976) accentuates the Adinkra symbol, Gye Nyame (no one except for God). Gye Nyame symbol from the Akan culture, Ghana
Ray Kumapayi is the current President of the African Association of Madison, Inc. and a former Chief Engineer of the Surveying and Mapping Section of Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation. Ray received his Civil Engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma. Ray Kumapayi is originally from Nigeria.
Godwin Amegashie is a seasoned lender and the principal of SEED Consulting, LLC. He is a graduate of Citibank’s Executive Training Center in Lebanon and holds a B.A. in Economics, a Master of Science in Business with majors in finance, investment, and banking as well as in International Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a FELLOW of the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank.Goodwin was formally the Director of Supplier Diversity for the State of Wisconsin for more than 18 years. He created the Small Business Banking Center at M&I Bank (n/k/a) BMO Harris Bank. He has served on many boards (WWBIC (Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation), Minority Development Loan Fund, City of Madison Development Corp.), commissions - EDC- (Economic Development Commision, City of Madison), and CDA (Community Development Authority). He serves on the Executive Committee of the “A Greater Madison Vision” as part of the Capital Area Regional Planning Council.In February 2020, Godwin received a “Golden Shovel Award” from the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at the 34th Annual DBE Workshop and Secretary’s Golden Shovel.
Dr. John Tembei is a professor of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He received his Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University, Master of Science from Auburn University, and Ph.D. from South Dakota State University. John is originally from Cameroon and is a founding member of the Cameroonian Association of Madison (ASCAM) and also serves on the board of African Association of Madison (AAM) Inc.
His favorite proverb in Kiswahili: Haraka Haraka Haina Baraka (Hurry, hurry has no blessings)
Prof. Aliko Songolo is the President and Consultant of Songolo Group, LLC, and is a Professor-emeritus of French, Francophone and African cultures, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Aliko is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been a professor at the UW-Madison for over 26 years. Interested in consulting beyond academia, particularly in policy and governance fields. Skilled in Management, Personnel Development, Program evaluation, and restructuring, Editing, and Public Speaking.Prof. Songolo is originally from the Congo.
Abdul Abdi is the Manager of Customer Operations at Alliant Energy. Abdul received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and MBA from University of Wisconsin - Parkside.Abdul is originally from Kenya.
Nyima Sanyang is originally from the Gambia
Aaron Abraha is originally from Eritrea.
Favorite proverb in Tigrigna Newih guzo bhade sgumti’yu zgmr (A long journey starts with the first step)
Hade Xaashi was an engineer at Core BTS, a digital consultancy recognized for accelerating the adoption of technology to transform business and enable change. Hade earned a Bachelor's in Business Finance from UW-Madison and an Associate's in IT Network from Madison College. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Total Care LLC.
Oumar Keita is the Data Solutions Engineer at American Family Insurance and has been with the business for over 25 years. Oumar received his Master's in International Business from UW-Whitewater.Oumar is originally from Ivory Coast.
His favorite proverb in Bambara/Malinké: Kobeh na tomalo (Everything will take place only when it’s time)
Jean-Rene Watchou holds a Master’s degree in International Development from Lafollette School of Public Affairs (UW- Madison). Jean-Rene joined the Christ Presbyterian Church (CPC) staff in 2008 as Director of International Outreach Ministry where he organizes the Community Immigration Law Center, a community-based immigration service that provides free services to the community. Jean-Rene currently serves as Executive Director of the Madison International Partners, a non-profit organization that is an outgrowth of the CPC’s International Outreach Ministry.
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6314 Odana Road, Suite 14Madison, WI 53719
info@africancentermadison.org(608) 294-0066
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