Africa

Denver Community Overview

African refugees, primarily Ethiopians, began arriving in Colorado in 1984. The numbers grew in the late 1990’s, with a dramatic increase in the last few years. The largest groups last year were from Somalia, Burundi, Sudan, Ethiopia and Rwanda, according to the African Community Center.

The US Census Bureau counts 9,763 Africa-born Coloradoans, mostly in Metro Denver, but this underestimates the size of the communities.

The community is comprised of refugees as well as Africans who have entered the US with immigration visas.

Denver also shares sister cities with two of Africa’s cities – Nairobi, Kenya and Axum, Ethiopia.

Community Resources

African Community Center of Denver
1201 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80218
303-399-4500
http://www.africancommunitycenter.net
African Community Center of Denver is a refugee resettlement program which conducts educational and social services programs that help newcomers resettle in the new communities and acculturate, recover from past trauma, gain personal independence and economic self-sufficiency. In addition, the African Community Center of Denver works with African community-based organizations to provide technical assistance in developing the leadership capacity to serve their respective communities. Their community outreach promotes awareness about refugee issues and the challenges faced by newcomers.

The African Community Center of Denver is a Program office of the Ethiopian Community Development Council Inc. (ECDC), a community based organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. ECDC is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.

Colorado African Organization
PO Box 471111
Aurora, CO 80047
720-351-5520
http://coloradoafricanorganization.netfirms.com
Colorado African Organization was formed in August 2003, by a pioneering team of members from several countries from Africa. Their vision was to establish an organization that for the first time and with one voice would advocate for the issues that uniquely affect the entire African immigrant community in Colorado. This organization strives to foster greater unity, to increase the level of participation in the activities of the Colorado society, and to insure inclusion and representation in dialogues affecting community policies and opportunities.

African/Caribbean Heritage Camps
2052 Elm St.
Denver, CO 80207
http://www.heritagecamps.org/afam.html
African/Caribbean Heritage Camp provides an opportunity for adoptive families with children of African/Caribbean heritage to share in a common experience that fulfills a sense of community and individual identity.

Ecumenical Refugee Services
1600 Downing St., Ste 400
Denver, CO 80218
303-860-0128
http://www.ersden.org
Ecumenical Refugee Services (ERS) helps to resettle refugees and asylees who came to Colorado through Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries, by providing them assistance with educational needs, family and social services, medical attention, employment, and cultural orientation. The main goal of ERS is to help refugees become self-sufficient and independent as quickly as possible.

Eritean Community Center
6677 Leetsdale Dr
Denver, CO 80224
303.329.3664

Lutheran Family Services of Colorado
Refugee and Asylee Program
1600 Downing St., Ste 600
Denver, CO 80218
303-980-5400
This resettlement agency provides services, support and encouragement to newcomers as they adjust to life in the United States. In many cases, LFS works with a co-sponsoring congregation or community organization to provide basic services.

South Africans in Colorado Club
http://www.sacolorado.org/
South Africans in Colorado Club connects South Africans who live in Colorado. This club was founded with the purpose of serving fellow and ex-South Africans, whether living in or only visiting Colorado. We have no political affiliations and welcome members of any race.

The Africa Centre
P.O. Box 1918
Boulder, CO 80306
303-473-0950
http://www.africacentre.org
The Africa Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting social awareness and knowledge of Africa by providing information, materials and services to the local and national community.

Media

African Roots
KGNU Radio
4700 Walnut St.
Boulder, CO 80301
303-449-4885
http://www.kgnu.org/africanroots/index.html
African Roots is one of 88.5 KGNU's long lasting international music shows, on the air for more than ten years. It continues to entertain and inform African music listeners every Saturday, 4 to 6pm.

Africa Today Associates, Inc
University of Denver – GSIS
2201 S. Gaylord St.
Denver, CO 80208 USA
http://www.africatodayassociates.org
Africa Today Associates is a non-governmental organization, which conducts educational and research activities to bring together academics, activists and community groups to address the challenges and issues of Africa. ATA publishes Africa Today.

Ujama News
1705 14th Street #517
Boulder, CO 80302
303-415- 1352
http://www.ujamanews.com/
Ujama News provides comprehensive information on art, music, literature, dance, natural living and sports based on an Afro-Centric heritage. Ujama News is a quarterly publication available in bookstores, cafes, college campuses and many other location.

Arts, Culture, Education and Sports

Afara Cultural Center
PO Box 12124
Denver, CO
80212-0124
afaraculturalcenter@earthlink.net
www.afaraculturalcenter.org
The goal of the Afara Cultural center is to create a bridge between diverse cultures. Afara offers classes in movement, art, music, healing and life skills to the Denver community.

Africa Agenda: Enhancing positive Images of Africa
PO Box 370894
Denver, CO 80237
303-341-1301

office@africaagenda.org
http://www.africaagenda.org
The mission of Africa Agenda is to help garner positive press for Africa and in so doing become an agent for education, economic development and democracy. They organize seminars, workshops, conferences and execute projects and activities aimed at highlighting the strengths and capabilities of the African continent.

African Awareness Expos, Inc
16574 E Kansas Pl.,
Aurora, CO 80017
303-750-8514
African Awareness Expos is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting African culture. We provide education on African culture in the areas of African arts, crafts, music and history. Programs include African music and cuisine, arts, and fashion. These programs are offered to schools, corporations, government agencies, churches and festivals.

Joda and Friends – African Dance South of the Sahara
303-850-9265
http://www.afrikandance.com/index.htm
Baba Adetunji Joda, founder, master drummer and choreographer is from the country of Nigerian. He has been teaching and performing since 1974 and is the foundation of African dance, chant and drum in Colorado. The dances and drumming performed largely reflect the language and culture of the Yoruba people in the country of Nigeria. Joda and Friends are available for a variety of entertainment needs, ranging from dancing and drumming to providing an evening of African music.

Kakes Studios
2115 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303-444-5353
Our studio offers a variety of instructors teaching classes such as capoeira, djembe, dounou, and West African dance.

Kutandara Center
5401 Western Avenue Suite B
Boulder, CO 80301
303-443-2969
http://www.kutandara.com/
The Kutanara Center is a community-based music school whose primary goal is to give people of all ages the opportunity to experience joy through playing music from Africa. The Center hosts guest musicians from around the world, sponsors workshops and events that celebrate music, culture and community, as well as offering classes.

Maputo & Mawuenyega Mensah with Logo Ligi
http://www.logoligi.com/
Maputo and Mawuenyega specialize in Ghanaian dance, kpanlogo drum, djembe and African rhythms. These brothers are available for workshops, teaching and lectures around the community. They also direct Logo Ligi, a traditional African dance and drumming ensemble. Before coming to Boulder, both worked for the Akrowa Dance Ensemble in Ghana with Maputo as the lead dancer and principal choreographer and Mawuenyega as the principal drummer. They teach regular classes at Bantaba World Dance & Music.

Moyo Nguvu
1660 Gilpin St.,
Denver, CO 80218
303-377-2511
http://www.afrikanarts.org/
Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center, Inc. offers health services and classes in Afrikan Martial Arts.

Musa Konate and The Lost Tribe
Booking and contact information: Robert Oyugi
303-415-1352
ujama@interfold.com
Multi-national band playing an eclectic mix of musical styles ranging from African-Soukouss, Makossa and Mbalax to Caribbean-Reggae, Calypso and Compa, with a touch of American-R&B, Jazz and Rock.

Shamwari
5401 Western Ave, Suite B
Boulder, CO 80301
303-443-2969 or 303-579-
http://www.kutandara.com
Shamwari performs southern African music on mbira, marimba, percussion, and drum set. With the energy and enthusiasm only a group of kids could bring, Shamwari enthralls its audiences with the skill and professionalism of a band beyond its years.

Sifa! Sifa!
CHRISTaid, Inc.
5415 W. 59th Ave., Unit D
P.O. Box 1374
Arvada, CO 80001
303-463-2932
http://www.christaidinc.org/music_ministry.htm
This musical group is composed of 30 singers, praise dancers and musicians from Africa, and at least 20 Denver area churches. They celebrate worship using the cultural authenticity of Africa and by playing African praise music and dance.

Tobatana Marimba Ensemble
3847 West 103 Drive
Westminster, CO 80031
http://www.TobatanaMarimba.org
Tobatana is acoustic marimbas playing spirited, upbeat, "dance and trance" music. Tobatana performs their interpretation of traditional music from Zimbabwe with reverence to the original melodies and rhythms. Tobatana Marimba Ensemble is a nonprofit corporation.

Restaurants

Browse African Restaurants

Catering

A. & N. Catering Services
1059 S. Kalispell St.
Aurora, CO
720-297-3317 or 720-434-8641
African/American/International Food

Grocery Stores and Markets

Arash Groceries & Deli
2159 South Parker Road
Denver, CO 80231
303-752-9272

International Market
2020 South Parker Road #A
Denver, CO 80231
303-695-1090

Kantomanto African Market
495 Havana Street
Aurora, CO 80010
303-360-7200

Makola African Market
2032 Clinton St.
Aurora, CO 80010
303-341-4771

Marhaba International Market
6879 East Leetsdale Drive
Denver, CO 80224
303-333-7653

Merkato Market
7227 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80220
303-399-6116

New Era Africa Market
15283 E. Mississippi Ave.
Aurora, CO 80012
303-751-0647

Arts, Artifacts and Services

Africa Direct
2300 Krameria St.
Denver, CO 80207
303-316-7570
http://www.africadirect.com
Denver-based on-line store and wholesaler of African art, trade beads and ethnic jewelry.

African Crafts by Gertrude
Helen Walker-Hill
25999 Edelweiss Circle
Evergreen, CO 80304
303-670-7917
Hswalkerhill@aol.com
http://www.africancraftsbygertrude.com
Denver-based importer of batiks, jewelry and other crafts from Tanzania.

Akente Express
919 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
303-903-7394
Located in Five Points, this store sells African fabric and mudcloth, clothing and accessories.

Bead for Life
1143 Portland Place, Ste. 1
Boulder, CO 80304
303-544-5901
http://www.beadforlife.org
Non-profit organization sells beads and jewelry made in Uganda at their store in Boulder. All profits are invested in community development projects in Uganda.

Tropical Items Madagascar LLC
3150 Iris Avenue, Suite 210
Boulder, CO 80301
303-413-1965
http://www.tropicalitems.com/
Tropical Items Madagascar LLC is an importer, wholesaler and multiple event retailer of fair trade crafts made of high quality natural raffia and cotton fibers from Madagascar. We work with a non-governmental association, Naturary, consisting of native women artisans. Their objective is to contribute to the preservation of the rainforest while empowering and providing a sustainable alternative source of income for their member.