About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide African descent community member organizations a platform to share resources, promote collaboration, and be an influential voice.

A Word from the Executive Director

Selam! Kodi! Bonjour! Mhoro! Jambo! Hello!
It has been an honor to meet, volunteer, and work with so many dedicated African descent community leaders, community members, youth, stakeholders, allies, and partners committed to preserving our rich culture & heritage, building community wealth, engaging civically, and maintaining/improving healthy communities over this past 18 months.
The exponential growth of our membership, quadrupling of our 2020 fundraising goal and committee activation; was made possible by the support and commitment of all Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders’ (WSCACL or the Coalition) volunteers, member organizations, and the Board. The Coalition started its journey with a handful of African Leaders committed to working together to share information across our communities and better leverage scarce resources, while uniting as ONE voice. Our mission and membership has grown to include the entire African diaspora. We are very fortunate to have an active and dedicated multi-generational volunteer Board composed of diverse members of the African diaspora with backgrounds in marketing, website development, business ownership, public health, real estate development, finance, insurance, compliance, and non-profit governance that has met once a week for almost two years.
No matter our differences or the diversity of our communities, we should never forget the African Proverb, “Two spiders working together can take down a lion.” Creative Solutions to our common challenges will not come from City Hall, Olympia, or DC. Real change starts with us. We know the issues and we know the solutions that will work in our communities. Change only happens when the African diaspora UNITES and builds a better tomorrow as ONE.

As we reflect on 2021, like many others we experienced highs and lows in our second year of the pandemic. Since making a commitment to “Build Black Better Wealth Summit in February 2021, we have kept our commitment to purchase Black or BIPOC, our African Youth Drug Prevention group doubled in size and their parents are now participating actively in their
Martha Foster (Lucas)
Proud Seattle Native, Bulldog, & Double Husky “Woof, Woof!”

Strategic Goals For 2020-2022

In line with the coalition’s Civic Engagement strategic goal, VR will address the issues that affect civic participation by our communities…. READ MORE→

We at WSCACL are committed to improving the lives of the African Diaspora by engaging and implementing the full meaning of…. READ MORE→

Our COMMITTEES

The Foundation of the Coalition are our committees, which are led by our African Descent Community Leaders. It is our Community Leaders that work directly with our community members in their nonprofit community organizations or businesses and are at the frontlines

Focus on African descent Arts and Cultural programs, engage and teach youth about African descent culture, and participate in social events to bring awareness to Washingtonians READ MORE→

We at WSCACL are committed to improving the lives of the African Diaspora by engaging and implementing the full meaning of…. READ MORE→

Provides detailed information to best navigate the US Healthcare system, conduct health assessment, participate in health board, etc. READ MORE→

In line with the coalition’s Civic Engagement strategic goal, VR will address the issues that affect civic participation by our communities…. READ MORE→

Works from the framework of the Coalition’s strategic goal of economic empowerment. There is a direct link between educational achievement and…. READ MORE→

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Khetiwe Chitewere was born in Nairobi, Kenya and grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe. She is a leader in Security marketing at Microsoft Corporation. Khetiwe brings more than a decade of experience on boards focused on educating children in Uganda, Zimbabwe and the Pacific Northwest. She also brings her background as a Finance, Compliance, Governance and Marketing expert to the WSCACL Board.

Khetiwe Chitewere Board Chair

Martha also works as a Full-Service Independent Insurance Broker selling life, Medicare insurance plans, and property insurance. Under the leadership of the current Board, WSCACL was honored by the African community with an African Achievement Award in 2021.  In the last two years, WSCACL has grown from 20 to over 50 African descent member organizations and individuals, activated all its African descent community led committees, vaccinated hundreds of primarily BIPOC community members, counted hundreds of African descent community members with the 2020 Census, registered and encouraged many voters of African descent to vote, developed award winning youth & Culture & Heritage programs, and raised nearly $500,000. Martha is a Seattle Native that is from the Tigray State of Ethiopia, a proud Garfield Bulldog, and a double Husky receiving her master’s in health administration & bachelor’s in political science from the UW. Martha has volunteered in the African, African American, and Asian community serving on Boards and in various capacities for over twenty-five years.   

Martha Lucas Executive Director Ex-Officio Board Member

Originally from the Congo-Kinshasa, Nida Ntita relocated to Seattle, Washington in 2011. She carries a Bachelor’s of Art in Philosophy and Education from the Catholic University of Congo, Congo-Kinshasa; Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Services, from Bethel University, McKenzie, TN. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Human & Social Services at Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.

Nida Ntita Vice Chair

Nansare Consolata is the founder of African Print Takeover (formally Best of Both World Production), a cultural awareness organization established in 2005. The organization specializes in cultural awareness fashion shows and event planning, providing community education and recognition of the influence of African culture. Nansare currently serves as the Lead for the Culture and Heritage committee at Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders, where she has actively participated since 2017/2018? and is a Cultural Ambassador for Africatown's sponsored Umoja Festival. Nansare was born in Uganda, but raised in the Central District and has participated in hundreds of African and African American culture and social justice activities since the age of 15 years old. Nansare continues her love for the community in her work as the Admin for Wa Therapy Fund Foundation which has brought her so much joy and honor to serve with Passion the key foundation of the nonprofit by Empowering People of Color through Mental Health Education and Radical Self-Care. Nansare continues to advocate for mental health within the African Community by encouraging those in need to seek mental health care as we all know it is not historically or traditionally a foundation for those in the African Community as well as Black Community to seek help within this profession. Nansare is responsible for bringing Africatown as a member organization to the Coalition and would like to be the Vice Chair of WSCACL in hopes to move the African & African American communities closer in unity and break the barriers that have long plagued our social being. Her desire is to see Everyone working together as one family to bring about Respect, Honor, Culture & Heritage to the communities she serves and loves the most. She is dedicated and passionate about connecting people and bringing people together. She is a Wife and a Mother a hat she wears proudly and says everything she does is so that the daughter Olivia would grow up in a community full of Cultural Diversity, Strength, Hope, Empowerment and Love. Something she wishes generations to come would greatly honor and appreciate long after she is gone.

Nansare Consolata Secretary

Ella is a proud South Seattle Native, Garfield High School Graduate, and the eldest daughter in a family of 8. Dr. McRae attended Washington State University (WSU) for both her undergraduate and doctorate degrees where she graduated from Veterinary School with honors and as one of the youngest graduates at the age of 23. Dr. McRae practiced small and exotic veterinary medicine in New Jersey and Maryland, before her path took her to do humanitarian work in West Africa. Dr. McRae lived over 10 years in Ghana doing grassroot community service, education, and Full Circle Doula care. Her compassion and love of community led to a career switch when she returned to the US in 2018. Ella has over 25 years of Community Service service which currently includes: Board membership of the First Hill X and the Black Farmers Alliance...Ella is a proud mother of a 14 year old and currently works as a Community Builder for Seattle Housing Authority in High Point and is a Mindfulness Facilitator. As a Community Builder, Ella taps into her natural desire to connect community members to resources and her network of influences, whether it is the Mayor of Seattle, one of the most powerful families in Ghana, or resident of one of her communities; Ella believes that supporting our community to get the resources they need to thrive and build community wealth is how we should all live.

Ella McRae Board Member At Large

    Best Way to Make a Difference in the Lives of Others

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    Language

    Applicant Assistant’s Name

    WhatsApp/Text Phone#

    Email

    1

    Amharic

    Nigisti Hailemariam

    (206) 557-0805

    nigistiha@yahoo.com

    2

     

    Wodenesh Ayele

    (206) 550-3999

    wodenesh2016@gmail.com

    3

    Arabic

    Fathia Hammad

    (253) 737-3786

    fathiaafrica@gmail.com

    4

    Bemba

    Modester (Mo) Chatta

    (253) 569-6540

    mochatta@gmail.com

    5

    Chichewa

     

    Wezi Longwe

    (206) 313-5818

    nyalongwe@yahoo.com

     

     

    Victor C. Mhoni

    (206) 488-7448

    Victor.mhoni@outlook.com

    6

    English

    Sibongile (

    Sibo) Chadyiwa

    (206) 581-4406

    minouv02@gmail.com

     

     

    Ken Chikonzo

    (310) 591-4007

    kenchikonzo@fuller.edu

     

     

    Hnede Dorbor (Nelly)

    (952) 994-6985

    garjayehnede@gmail.com

    7

    French

     

    JEANPAUL KAMARI

    (832) 641-0463

    kmazimpaka@yahoo.com

     

     

    Nida Ntita

    (240) 437-2843

    nntita87@bethelu.edu

     

     

    Jean-Paul

    Yafali

     

    (206) 981-6911

    Jean-paul.yafali@nc-us.org

    8

    Igbo

    Andrew Ashiofu

    (404) 832-0245

    andrew.ashiofu@live.com

    9

    Kibembe

     

    Jean-Paul

    Yafali

    (206) 981-6911

    Jean-paul.yafali@nc-us.org

    10

    Kiboa

     

    Nida Ntita

    (240) 437-2843

    nntita87@bethelu.edu

    11

    Kikongo

     

    Nida Ntita

    (240) 437-2843

    nntita87@bethelu.edu

    12

    Kikuyu

     

    Bernard Kamau

    (510) 861-1161

    bnkamau2000@yahoo.com

    13

    Kinyarwanda

    JEANPAUL KAMARI

    (832) 641-0463

    kmazimpaka@yahoo.com

    14

    Kisii

     

    Denis Maronga

     

    (425) 389-9505

    dubaidenis@gmail.com

    15

    Kitetela

     

    Jean-Paul

    Yafali

    (206) 981-6911

    Jean-paul.yafali@nc-us.org

    16

    Koloqua

     

    Hnede Dorbor (Nelly)

    (952) 994-6985

    garjayehnede@gmail.com

    17

    Liberian English

    Hnede Dorbor (Nelly)

    (952) 994-6985

    garjayehnede@gmail.com

    18

    Lingala

    Jean-Paul

    Yafali

     

    (206) 981-6911

    Jean-paul.yafali@nc-us.org

     

     

    Nida Ntita

    (240) 437-2843

    nntita87@bethelu.edu

    20

    Luganda

    Nansare Consolata

    (206) 228-2845

    africanprinttakeover@gmail.com

    21

    Luo

     

    Denis Maronga

    (425) 389-9505

    dubaidenis@gmail.com

    22

    Mandinka

     

    Awa Drammeh

    (425) 750-7106

    jaitehawadrammeh@gmail.com

    23

    Ndebele

    Sibongile (

    Sibo) Chadyiwa

    (206) 581-4406

    minouv02@gmail.com

    24

    Nyanja

    Modester (Mo) Chatta

    (253) 569-6540

    mochatta@gmail.com

    25

    Portuguese

    Nida Ntita

    (240) 437-2843

    nntita87@bethelu.edu

     

     

    Jean-Paul

    Yafali

     

    (206) 981-6911

    Jean-paul.yafali@nc-us.org

    26

    Shona

    Ken Chikonzo

    (310) 591-4007

    kenchikonzo@fuller.edu

     

     

    Sibongile (

    Sibo) Chadyiwa

    (206) 581-4406

    minouv02@gmail.com

    27

    Spanish

    Bryan Rincon-Ochoa

    509-731-7825

    bryan@modernhost.co

    28

    Swahili

    Lina Stinson-Ali

    (206) 251-4783

    linatwala@gmail.com

     

     

    Denis Maronga

     

    (425) 389-9505

    dubaidenis@gmail.com

     

     

    Claire Mmbone

    (253) 632-1384

    mmbone.claire2@gmail.com

    29

    Tigrinya

    Nigisti Hailemariam

    (206) 557-0805

    nigistiha@yahoo.com

     

     

    Wodenesh Ayele

    (206) 550-3999

    wodenesh2016@gmail.com

    30

    Tshiluba

     

    Jean-Paul

    Yafali

    (206) 981-6911

    Jean-paul.yafali@nc-us.org

    31

    Wolof

    Adam Dibba

    (425) 351-0665

    adamdibba@gmail.com

    32

    Zulu

    Phetheni Ndhlovu

    (206) 779-2488

    pjjmandhlovu@hotmail.com