Africans on the Eastside

Empowering Children, Lifting Every Voice, Building Bridges for Youth, Families, Schools, and Community

By catering to the diverse needs of our youth and families through crisis intervention, community outreach and engagement, Africans on the Eastside (AOE) dedicates efforts to empowering youth and families to access and advocate for their needs. Headquartered in Bellevue, WA (east of Seattle), our passionate team of volunteers and collaborating organizations offer invaluable educational resources and culturally sensitive support services for African immigrants and marginalized communities. We provide learning opportunities, webinars and workshops to stimulate community discussions addressing challenges of civil society; provide direct services during crisis such as meals, partial rent/utility payment, negotiation assistance with landlord, and support for mourners of deceased family members. AOE offers opportunities for community members to gather to celebrate African culture through music, fashion, storytelling and games. Our Culture Clash series offers a forum where first generation African American youth can have a gracious space to discuss the challenges of growing up in two cultures, dominant American culture and traditional African home life. These sessions offer families resources to navigate these issues. 

Africans on the Eastside actively addresses the sources and effects of institutional racism and racial inequity in schools and other service providing agencies by participating on community-based leadership teams and by participating in discussions with city and state representatives. AOE reinforces the TRUTH that English Language Learners, Immigrants and others who identify as African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA) are welcomed and valued partners in our communities and schools. We believe that these often-forgotten voices need to be included in the work of building an inclusive, anti-racist society. The absence of these voices is a loss to the entire community. AOE’s mission is to serve youth's diverse needs and their families as a unit through outreach and engagement, education, advocacy training, leadership opportunities and development. We strive to cultivate greater respect for the language and culture of every member in our communities.

Africans on the Eastside is dedicated to fostering respect for the diverse languages and cultures within our communities, ensuring that everyone feels valued, included and welcome.