About Us
Who is ACANA?
Who We Are
African Cultural Alliance of North America Inc. (ACANA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ACANA serves African and Caribbean immigrants by providing access to social and legal services, community development programs, health services, organizing African arts and culture events, and an array of many other services
Our Mission
The mission of ACANA is to help refugees, immigrant families, and all other residents of Philadelphia access legal, health, and other social services with a special focus on women, children, youth, and the elderly in their resettlement process in Pennsylvania. Additionally, ACANA is committed to fostering community development by driving structural change and transforming communities.
We work to empower individuals, strengthen community infrastructure, and implement programs that lead to sustainable, long-term improvements in the quality of life for all residents. ACANA also produces and presents African cultural performances and recording artists to create an awareness of African arts and culture. To this end, we strive to promote the preservation of cultural values and support artists’ efforts to promote their own vocations in their new environment.
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From arts and culture to health, legal support, and community development, ACANA remains committed to creating opportunities and uplifting every neighbor we serve.
What we do
Our Services
Legal
Our legal department is unique not only because we specialize in complex cases, but because we use a collaborative approach to solving the most complex cases, and employ other perspectives and disciplines, including social work and psychology.
Health
For the past ten years, ACANA’s Health Department has been promoting good health care through provision of health education and screening for major preventable and manageable diseases, including Diabetes, Hypertension and HIV/AIDS.
Culture
As part of the community development department, ACANA provides two main services: providing resources to needy community residents regardless of background, and promoting the vitalization of Chester Avenue.
What is Africatown?
(Investment and “Tourist Destination Point” for the global African diaspora and other interested persons)
Black Residents business ownership in Southwest Philadelphia and entrepreneurship talent is on display in the community. Their concentration along the commercial corridors of Baltimore, Chester, Woodland, and Elmwood Avenues have led to the international press naming Southwest Philadelphia “Little Africa.” The BBC and France 24 are often in our city doing special features on Black Residents.
Thus far Black Residents business owners have received little support from public sector organizations, for a variety of reasons. With the design of several programs, funded by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce and implemented by ACANA, public sector resources will be available to Black Residents businesses in Africatown to drive economic development initiatives to:
- Create jobs in Southwest Philadelphia
- Increase business ownership among the residents of the community
- Eliminate poverty
Want to make a difference?
Consider Supporting ACANA today for humanitarian causes in Philadelphia
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We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to come together to build a community free of poverty. Click on the button below to learn more and get involved.
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