UAO aims to serve as the African Community Resource Clearinghouse wherein constituents gather, access information, share experiences, exchange views, and coordinate organizational capacity development. UAO's hub of resources on this website is intended to assist community members in navigating services, programs and resources that are available to help them cope better in the United States.
UAO’s COVID-19 Response
UAO’s COVID-19 Response As At March 18, 2019
UAO’s COVID-19 Response As At March 11, 2019
Events & Workshops are on hold. These include:
- African Youth Forum (March 28)
- Census (Outreach + Questionnaire Assistance sessions)
- Money Mondays (March 23 and 30 workshops)
2020 Travel Ban
On January 31, 2020, the Trump administration issued a presidential proclamation that expands the Travel Ban to nationals of 6 new countries: Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan. This is effective 12:01 am EST on February 21, 2020.
Know Your Rights
UAO hosts “Know Your Rights” information sessions in our communities. Click Here to request a training.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! | |
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KNOW YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS | |
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KNOW YOUR SAFETY PLAN! | |
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UAO Announces New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of United African Organization (UAO) writes to you to announce a leadership transition in United African Organization’s executive director. As you may know, Alie Kabba, our longtime staff leader, has been appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the new government of Sierra Leone. There could be no better reason for a transition, and we are so proud of him and thank him for his years of dynamic leadership in Chicago.
On behalf of the United African Organization Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Nancy Asirifi-Otchere, to the UAO executive director position. We are delighted that she has accepted the promotion and look forward to her execution of UAO’s new three-year strategic plan and to her taking a higher profile role in the African diaspora community. As we worked to develop our new strategic plan, it became clear to us all that Nancy’s knowledge of the UAO and insight into what community members need and want from UAO is very strong. We look to her to take the organization to the next level of development, and are committed to helping her achieve that. Nancy holds an MBA from the University of Southern Denmark and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Management, and is a DOJ-accredited immigration representative. For the past nine years, she has represented the UAO in various capacities including most recently, as UAO’s program director. Her promotion is effective immediately.
The UAO is a federation of many of the local African community-based organizations as well of individuals. Over the past decade, UAO has been a vehicle for African leadership development through community organizing, policy advocacy, and community research; provided a range of family support and immigration services to community members; and helped other organizations build their capacity. It hosts annual conferences including the African Youth Forum for immigrant Africans, native-born African Americans, and other immigrant young people.
Over the past 10 months the UAO completed a new strategic plan and succession plan with generous grant support from the Polk Bros. Foundation, the Field Foundation of Illinois and the Woods Fund of Chicago. The strategic plan zeroed onto six action priority areas:
- A community-wide assessment;
- The engagement of more second-generation Africans;
- Development of the organization’s advocacy and organizing initiatives.
- Organizational development prioritizing the staff leadership succession
- Board strengthening
- Increasing communications and fundraising activities.
If you have questions or comments, you can reach UAO Board Chair, Godfrey Chinomona at godfrey.chinomona@uniteafricans.org.
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UAO Reaffirms Dignity of All Immigrants and Refugees Amid Racist Comments from White House
United African Organization Reaffirms Dignity of All Immigrants and Refugees Amid Racist Comments from White House
United African Organization condemns President Trump’s derogatory remarks yesterday about Black immigrants from Africa and Haiti as shocking and shameful. Once again, refugees and immigrants are faced with an attack on our basic dignity.
Nancy Asirifi-Otchere issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s offensive comments from the White House:
“Dismissing people from countries whose populations who are not white, as ‘not welcome’ is racist. Yesterday’s remarks from the White House do not represent American values and disrespects the humanity of millions of people.
We are disgusted by the president’s plan to use undocumented young people as bargaining chips to scrap current legal family-based immigration and the diversity visa program. These are some of the limited programs that allow Africans to make the US a new home.”
United African Organization stands with all marginalized communities and reaffirms the dignity of all immigrants and refugees. Additionally,
Scholarships for DACA Renewal Applications
The USCIS fee for a DACA Renewal Application is $495. For many, affording this fee is such a short time can be stressful and prevent them from renewing their applications. A number of organizations are offering scholarships to help DACA recipients who need to renew their applications before the October 25 deadline.
If you currently have DACA and your DACA benefits would expire before March 5, 2018, then you should submit an application to renew your DACA before October 5, 2017.
Get Help with the USCIS Fee of $495
Mission Asset Funds (MAF): Apply Here
Protection for All Movement: To Apply, Email protectionforall@gmail.com
The Mexican Consulate in Chicago is offering assistance from $300. To Apply, visit the Consulate, 204 S. Ashland Ave., or call its Protection Department at (312) 738-2023 during regular office hours by October 5th.
Undocumedia: To apply for a $495 scholarship, fill out this form.
UnDocuBlack Network: To Apply, email Patrice@undocublack.org OR out this form.
The Resurrection Project: To Apply, call 312-666-3062
Get Free Help Renewing Your DACA
There are many FREE workshops around you. Alternative call UAO on 312-949-9980.
DACA Recission – What You should Know
The Trump administration announced that they are ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The future of nearly a million young people are on the line. Since 2012, the DACA program has opened doors for employment, opportunities for education, and provided protection from deportation for beneficiaries. It’s up to us to act now.
New Applicants:
Work Permits:
Advance Parole:
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