About Us

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The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to help immigrants, refugees, and asylees in their adjustment and resettlement process in the United States. ACANA was founded in 1999 by a group of African immigrants as a cultural organization to support African artists and musicians in their efforts to establish themselves within the United States, and to preserve community values and culture within immigrant communities. However, due to overwhelming need for additional services for the increasing population of immigrants, refugees, and asylees in the Philadelphia region, ACANA expanded its mission to provide a range of social services, including ESL and literacy classes, afterschool programs, an ongoing food bank, health services, youth violence prevention, job training, and immigration counseling, among others. ACANA also offers many services that are open to the general population. ACANA has worked for many years to bridge the gap between immigrant communities and existing communities in Philadelphia, by collaborating with local organizations and government entities and to encourage community development and mutual understanding. ACANA recognizes the need for services for youth, women, and the elderly, and gears many of its services towards these groups. ACANA is located in the heart of its target community, in Southwest Philadelphia. The community of Southwest Philadelphia is an area of the city where many of the organization’s targeted clients (African and Caribbean immigrants, refugees, and asylees) reside.

Our Mission

To assist immigrants, refugees, and asylees in their adjustment and resettlement process.

Organization and Leadership

Voffee Jababteh, MSW, an African immigrant, has led ACANA since 2005. He works under the supervision of a diverse board of directors. The agency maintains a positive working relationship with its elected officials, including its City Council representative Council Woman Janine Blackwell, who serves on the agency’s advisory board along with State Senator Anthony Williams and State Representative Ronald G. Waters. ACANA works hard to maintain good service relationships with other stakeholders in the community as well.