By Risho Sapano, Founder and Co-Director, Mother Africa
Risho@motherafrica.org
As an immigrant woman and the Founder and Co-Director of Mother Africa, I carry with me not only the stories of resilience from my homeland of Sudan, but also the ongoing journey of creating a sense of belonging in a new country. The path is rarely easy, but when we walk it together—shoulder to shoulder, united by shared values, and uplifted by one another—it becomes a remarkable journey of growth. That spirit is at the heart of what Mother Africa stands for, and it continues to guide our mission every day.
Since 2004, Mother Africa has been a valuable asset for me and for countless refugees and immigrant communities; uniting, empowering, and celebrating African immigrant and refugee women and their families. Through our programs, advocacy, and community-centered initiatives, we build pathways to health, stability, and meaningful opportunities. However, the work is not without its challenges. In the face of rising budget cuts and shifting government priorities, the communities we serve face mounting challenges. Still, we remain steadfast. We are not here to simply survive, we are here to thrive. We are here to innovate, to lead, and to build systems that truly reflect and serve our communities.
Centering Community, Rooted in Equity
Mother Africa’s mission is to advance racial equity through leadership development, advocacy, and direct support. We serve communities of refugees and immigrants from more than 20 African and Middle Eastern countries. What makes our work unique is that our staff are not just multilingual—they are multicultural and reflect the very communities we serve. This allows us to develop programs that aren’t just “for” the community but are shaped by the community and implemented with the community.
We honor lived experiences and meet our communities where they are by delivering our services in Arabic, Amharic, French, Swahili, Mai Mai, Somali, Tigrinya, and Dari. We believe that language is more than communication; it’s a key to accessing critical resources —whether that be healthcare, education, safety or economic opportunities . That’s why we lead with cultural awareness and language accessibility in everything we do.
Strategic Goals that Serve the Whole Person
Our work is driven by a vision of holistic well-being. Our initiatives are built around five strategic aims that shape and uplift every age and facet of life:
- Advance Health and Well-being
We address the social factors that impact health—like housing, maternal health, mental wellness, and the environment—because these issues don’t exist in isolation. - Break the Cycle of Poverty
We equip families with tools to reach financial independence through digital and financial literacy, small business support, and employment readiness. - Foster a Resilient Community
We nurture connections between youth and elders, celebrate our rich cultural heritage, and offer practical support to families in crisis or transition. - Protect the Environment
Our advocacy helps raise awareness around environmental justice and sustainability—because protecting our planet is a community responsibility. - Grow Organizational Capacity
To meet growing needs, we continue building sustainable models, diversify our funding sources, and share our successes with partners across the nation.
The voices that shape our programs are what give them their strength. We don’t develop programs based on assumptions; we listen. We learn directly from community members who have experienced systemic injustices, and we empower them to lead the way in creating meaningful, lasting change.
By centering lived experiences, we ensure that our programs are not only practical, but deeply relatable, and truly impactful. And because we embrace people of all ages, everyone—from the youngest child to the eldest elder— can find a sense of belonging and feel at home here.
The Reality: Funding Cuts & The Need for General Support
We rely heavily on public contracts to fund our work, but many of those resources are becoming increasingly limited. We are looking for more general operating support—flexible funding that enables us to react instantly to the most pressing needs—to close these widening gaps. Unrestricted support enables us to immediately make a difference, whether it is assisting an elderly person experiencing isolation, connecting a mother to mental health care services, or helping a newly immigrated family find permanent housing.
Diversifying our funding portfolio is a vital step towards long-term sustainability. We are actively seeking partnerships with foundations, businesses, and individuals who share our values and our mission. This article is more than just a story, it’s an invitation. An opportunity to build meaningful connections between impact and resources, and between supporters and the vibrant communities we serve.
You Make This Possible
When you support Mother Africa, you’re not just donating to an organization—you’re investing in families. You’re strengthening the social fabric of our neighborhoods, you’re promoting equity and innovation and most importantly, you’re advocating for a future in which everyone can prosper.
Your kindness keeps our doors open to those in need, and our programs operating. To learn more about our programs, check out our presentation. If you’d like to support our work, please visit our website or reach out to us directly.