Our Story

our story

Our overarching goal is to introduce an integrated approach to teaching about Africa that cuts across the curriculum and can be adopted for other regions of the world.

THE ROAD MAP

our vision

While a primary goal is to have the Teach Africa program be the catalyst for revising curricula in middle and secondary schools throughout the country, there is an even larger, more essential goal to be realized. Teach Africa contributes to the desire among students to learn more about one another, and befriend each other, regardless of race, culture, or national origin. Teach Africa should engender respect for and an appreciation of differences, rather than being fearful of them. It should increase the willingness of youth to be a part of the international community–an informed and integral part. Teach Africa should prepare and inspire American youth to be more knowledgeable and effective leaders to better represent the United States globally.

ORIGINS

our history

The National Summit on Africa that took place from 1996 to 2000 wanted to strengthen the linkages between the Unites States and the African continent and address the fact that Africa was a footnote in American foreign policy. The Summit which resulted in the largest gathering of Africa interested individuals with delegations from every state and territory in the United States, concluded in 2000. One of the recommendations from the Summit’s deliberative process was that Africa education be included in curricula in schools in the United States. When the Africa Society was established in 2002 its primary objective was the realization of this goal emanating from the Summit.

HOW IT STARTED

timeline

“In 2002 the Ford Foundation funded a pilot program of Teach Africa that was implemented in Washington DC in partnership with the World Affairs Council of DC and the Department of State. Following the successful completion of the pilot, The Africa Society received additional funding to implement Teach Africa in the cities of San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.”
2002

“In 2008, The Africa Society in partnership with Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, qualified for USAID funding and received additional funding from Chevron and Mars Corporations for the implementation of its Teach Africa program in three additional cities: Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; and Los Angeles, California.

The Africa Society and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership in collaboration with UCLA’s Africa Studies Department also conducted webinars and produced a six part documentary series about an exchange between American and Ugandan teachers and students on topical discussions that was filmed in Uganda.”
2008

“The Africa Society has worked with a number of partners in implementing Teach Africa. In 2014, a Youth Forum at the Department of State for over 350 student leaders was convened, followed by another Youth Forum at the Wilson Center. In 2017 & 2018 we targeted high schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area. We acquired new partners including the Department of State’s Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the Wilson Center and Duquesne University.”
2014

“In 2018-2019 we curated Teach Africa programming, together with selected teachers, that included cultural exchanges at five different Africa Embassies and a cultural exchange with high school students from Kenya.”
2018-2019

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

partners of the teach africa program

CONTRIBUTE

get invloved

DONATE

Support our exceptional Africa-focused programming on topical issues to US audiences, educators and students.

DONATE

MEMBERSHIP

Join our community of Africa focused policy makers, leaders, professionals, artists in the United States and Africa.

JOIN

SPONSOR

Support The Africa Society in advancing an Africa based curriculum programming that brings value and long term growth to your institution or community.

SPONSOR

UPDATE

Enter your email to receive updates and the latest news on our Teach Africa program.

SUBMIT