By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Africa House Sacramento hosted its third annual Ubuntu Dinner fundraiser Oct. 19, bringing together community members, leaders, and advocates in support of an ambitious goal: owning a building to serve as a permanent “African house” in Sacramento.
“We believe it would be a site for telling the African diaspora story. Not just a place to gather, which is very important to celebrate, but to also connect with the culture in every aspect of it”, said Ernest Uwazie, chairman of the board of Africa House Sacramento.
Africa House seeks to raise $5.5 million to acquire a 10,000-square-foot building, set on 21/2 acres, with space to accommodate 500 people in banquet style. The facility would serve as a vibrant community center, offering a place for gatherings of all kinds, including cultural celebrations, community forums, educational programs, and events. The space also potentially could house an African museum. The overarching vision is to create a hub that both preserves and elevates African and Black cultures while fostering unity and sustainability within the community.
Africa House Sacramento is a nonprofit, multicultural community resource center that has been dedicated to serving the needs of the African diaspora and others in the Sacramento region.
The fundraiser at Dante Club embodied the Ubuntu spirit of bridging gaps across cultures, communities and continents. Black people from across the diaspora attended. This year’s fundraiser embraced a Jamaican theme, celebrating the organization’s mission trip to Jamaica this past summer. The dinner featured a delicious spread of Jamaican staples, including rice and peas, jerk chicken, oxtails, and meat patties.
Keynote speaker Dr. Edward Bush, president of Cosumnes River College, spoke about the critical need for spaces that foster cultural pride, community empowerment, and Black resilience. His speech emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for future generations to connect with their roots while engaging in civic life and leadership.
“I’m excited about what’s going to be produced out of this space,” he said in his keynote address. “Africa House has to be a space for restoration and healing and a reclaiming of African personality and consciousness that looks to go back and to be rooted in the best of what It means to be African: reclaiming and honoring our cultural traditions, the stories, the drumming, the dance.”
Adding to the evening was Edwin O. Okongo, the event’s master of ceremonies. Okongo, a writer, journalist, and comedian, skillfully balanced humor with a sense of urgency, driving home the point that the African diaspora needs spaces to come together, share their stories, and build a collective future.
However, Africa House Sacramento’s work is not limited to its aspirational building. The organization has ongoing initiatives, including an annual mission trip that serves as a cornerstone of its efforts to build bridges across the African diaspora. The mission trip, along with local programs, is part of a broader effort to empower the community through cultural pride, education, and economic development.
The organization’s 2025 mission trip is to Kenya and Uganda.