Organized by the U.S. Africa Institute, the celebration brought together the African diaspora, students, diplomats, elected officials, educators, and community leaders to honor Africa Day, celebrate LATTC’s designation as a Black Serving Institution, and recognize the South LA Black Cultural District.
Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
Africa Day is more than a date on the calendar.
For Africans across the continent and throughout the diaspora, it is a day of memory, pride, connection, and possibility. It honors the generations who fought for independence and self-determination, celebrates Africa’s cultures and contributions, and creates a moment for people of African descent around the world to gather around a shared connection to the continent.
On May 25, 1963, leaders of independent African nations gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to establish the Organization of African Unity, the institution that would later become the African Union.
Africa Day commemorates that historic moment and the continuing pursuit of African unity, cooperation, and progress.
More than six decades later, the meaning of Africa Day continues to travel far beyond the continent.
In Los Angeles, that spirit of unity came alive at Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, where members of the African diaspora joined students, faculty, staff, diplomats, elected officials, educators, and community leaders for a celebration of African heritage, education, diplomacy, and community partnership.
Organized by Dr. Tadios Belay, President and CEO of the U.S. Africa Institute, in partnership with Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, the gathering marked three significant occasions: Africa Day, LATTC’s historic designation as a Black Serving Institution, and the continued advancement of the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District.Your Attractive Heading
The Immigrant Magazine participated as media partner, helping document and amplify the gathering and its significance for African immigrants and the broader diaspora.
Pamela Anchang, founder and publisher of The Immigrant Magazine, served as MC and host, welcoming guests and guiding a program that brought together diplomatic representatives, elected officials, educators, students, and community organizations.
At the heart of the day was a clear purpose: bringing the diaspora together to honor Africa Day while strengthening relationships among communities and institutions across Los Angeles.
For Dr. Belay and the U.S. Africa Institute, the celebration provided an opportunity to connect African communities and the broader diaspora with educational institutions, diplomatic missions, government leaders, and organizations working directly in the community.
Diplomatic representatives played a prominent role in the gathering.
Ambassador Ezra Chiloba Simiyu, Consul General of the Republic of Kenya in Los Angeles, joined the celebration, reflecting the growing educational, cultural, and diplomatic ties connecting African nations with diaspora communities across Southern California.
Mame T. Mbaye, Dean of the Los Angeles Consular Corps and President of the African Consular Corps in Los Angeles, also joined students, faculty, staff, diplomats, and community leaders in marking the occasion.
Their participation gave the celebration an international dimension while highlighting the importance of relationships between African diplomatic missions, educational institutions, and communities throughout Los Angeles.
The program included a panel discussion centered on “Education, Culture, Global Connections, and Community.”
The conversation brought together civic, diplomatic, educational, and community perspectives on the role of education, cultural identity, international relationships, and local leadership in strengthening communities and creating opportunities for future generations.
Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr., representing Los Angeles City Council District 9, participated in the celebration, recognizing the importance of Africa Day and the partnerships connecting South Los Angeles with African and Black immigrant communities.
The program also featured a keynote address by Jose Ugarte, Los Angeles City Council candidate and South Los Angeles community leader.
His participation placed local civic leadership and community engagement within a gathering that connected the African diaspora with the educational, cultural, and political life of South Los Angeles.
At the center of the day was Los Angeles Trade–Technical College and its historic designation as a Black Serving Institution (BSI).
For guests unfamiliar with the designation, a Black Serving Institution is a college or university recognized for its commitment to serving Black students and strengthening educational access, academic support, student success, career preparation, and pathways to economic opportunity.
Under the leadership of LATTC President Dr. Alfred McQuarters, the college has continued its work to expand educational access, workforce training, and opportunities for students from communities that have historically faced barriers to higher education.
Recognizing the Black Serving Institution designation during Africa Day gave the milestone a broader community context.
Members of the African diaspora gathered alongside African Americans, students, educators, diplomats, elected officials, and community leaders to celebrate an educational institution committed to the success of Black students.
The celebration also recognized the continued advancement of the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District.
South Los Angeles has a long Black history shaped by families, businesses, artists, educators, faith leaders, activists, and community institutions.
The Black Cultural District recognizes that history and the continuing cultural and economic contributions of Black communities while creating opportunities for greater visibility, preservation, and community development.
Bringing Africa Day, LATTC’s Black Serving Institution designation, and the South LA Black Cultural District together gave the gathering both local and international significance.
Africa Day connected participants to the continent and the global African diaspora.
The Black Serving Institution designation highlighted the importance of educational access and student success.
The South LA Black Cultural District placed the gathering within the continuing history and cultural life of Black Los Angeles.
One of the day’s significant moments was the presentation of Certificates of Recognition to organizations serving Black immigrant, diaspora, educational, health, cultural, and international communities.
State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and LATTC President Dr. Alfred McQuarters presented Certificates of Recognition to the U.S. Africa Institute, the African Coalition for Public Health, The Immigrant Magazine, Expose, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.
The recognitions honored the work of organizations contributing to education, public health, immigrant storytelling, community engagement, international exchange, and opportunities for Black communities throughout Los Angeles.
For The Immigrant Magazine, participating as media partner and receiving recognition placed immigrant and diaspora media within a broader network of institutions working to strengthen community visibility and participation.
The gathering was also marked by recognition from federal leadership.
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove presented a Certificate of Congressional Recognition to Los Angeles Trade–Technical College in acknowledgment of its historic Black Serving Institution designation and its continuing commitment to educational excellence and equity.
Throughout the day, students, faculty, staff, diplomats, elected officials, educators, media professionals, and community organizations gathered around a shared appreciation for Africa and its diaspora.
The celebration created opportunities for students to engage with diplomatic representatives, elected officials, community leaders, and organizations working across education, public health, media, international relations, and civic life.
For members of the diaspora, it offered a space to gather across national and cultural backgrounds and honor a shared connection to Africa.
For Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, it provided an opportunity to celebrate its Black Serving Institution designation alongside the students and communities it serves.
For the South LA Black Cultural District, the gathering highlighted the importance of preserving and recognizing the history, institutions, businesses, and cultural contributions of Black Los Angeles.
And for the U.S. Africa Institute, the celebration reflected its continuing work to connect Africa and its diaspora through education, diplomacy, cultural exchange, and community partnerships.
With Pamela Anchang serving as MC and host, the program moved through its panel discussion, keynote remarks, diplomatic participation, community recognitions, and institutional milestones while keeping Africa Day at the center of the celebration.
Dr. Tadios Belay and the U.S. Africa Institute expressed appreciation to Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, diplomatic representatives, elected officials, The Immigrant Magazine, participating organizations, students, faculty, staff, and community members who contributed to the gathering.
More than sixty years after African leaders gathered in Addis Ababa around a vision of African unity and cooperation, Africa Day continues to bring people together across borders.
At Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, the celebration brought that spirit into the heart of South Los Angeles.
The diaspora gathered.
Students stood alongside diplomats and educators.
Community organizations were recognized for their service.
Public officials joined institutional and civic leaders in celebrating education, culture, and community.
And Africa Day became what it has long represented across the world: an opportunity to honor Africa’s history, celebrate its people and cultures, strengthen relationships across the diaspora, and recognize the people and institutions helping build opportunities for the generations that follow.
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