Houston Africa Day celebrates African diaspora and legacy

Houston Africa Day returns not once but twice, with two significant events.

While not formally connected, both share a common purpose of uplifting the city’s vibrant African diaspora and honoring the powerful legacies of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Sylvester Turner.

First, the inaugural Houston Africa Day event will be hosted by several partnering African organizations, including the African Public Affairs Committee (AfriPAC), on May 17 at the Alief Community Center Park. 

Then on May 30, The African Diaspora Advancement Council will lead the official 8th annual Houston Africa Day event at NRG Stadium. This is the first time in eight years that the event will be hosted in this location since it began under Turner’s leadership as Mayor.

What attendees can expect

“This is more than just a celebration,” said Nneka Achapu, founder of the African Public Affairs Committee (AfriPAC) and co-organizer of the May 17 event. “It’s a recognition of the African community’s contributions to Houston—culturally, economically and civically. We are highlighting the African community’s global impact in this city.”

For Achapu, a Nigerian American with deep family ties to Houston’s African community, the celebration showcases the intercontinental bonds African immigrants maintain. Her mother, a nurse at Houston Methodist, regularly returns to Nigeria on medical missions with her colleagues.

 “We are the bridge to Africa,” Achapu said. “These intergenerational exchanges from medicine to business help maintain economic relations, support communities back home and enrich Houston.”

Linda Anukwuem, a dedicated community advocate, says the May 17th event will be an immersive full-day celebration, featuring various cultural performances representing different African regions—West, East, North, South and Central. 

In addition to live performances and speakers, there will be a fashion show, vendor booths from professional organizations and activities on the soccer field.

Warren Winston, a host committee member and the event coordinator for the May 30th event, says this is a community-led initiative. 

“We have the buy-in from the city, county, state, national and international leaders. That’s huge,” he said. “The more ways we can honor the contributions of our brothers and sisters in the community, the better.”

The celebration at NRG is leveling up both in scale and intention. More than a music, food and art festival, this year’s Houston Africa Day celebration is themed “In Celebration of Africa’s Son Turner,” paying tribute to the late congressman’s pivotal role in strengthening ties between Houston and the African continent. 

“We’re honoring him not only because the city loves him and Africa loves him,” said Winston, “but because he helped build the bridge that made it known Houston is not only Africa’s second-largest U.S. trade partner — it’s also home to a thriving African diaspora.”

This year’s program aims to strike a stronger balance between political recognition and cultural celebration. 

“In the past, it might have leaned more toward the political side,” said Winston. “But this time, we’re focused on the community food, dance, art and highlighting the economic and cultural impact of African communities in Houston.”

U.S-Africa Relations

Houston’s 18th Congressional District has long been a hub of international advocacy, largely thanks to Jackson Lee, who served the district for nearly three decades before her passing last year. During Turner’s political career, most notably as the Mayor of Houston, he was committed to strengthening U.S.-Africa relations. Here are some of the milestones throughout the years.

The late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Promotion of AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) Trade Legislation: She played an essential role in promoting this legislation, which aimed to benefit Africans and Americans through trade.  

Facilitating Dialogue and Business Relationships: She fostered connections between the U.S. and African nations, as evidenced by her participation in events like the Houston-Zambia Business Forum.  

Advocacy for Strengthening the African Union: She supported efforts to strengthen the African Union.

Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee and Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health: The congresswoman introduced a bill requiring the Government Accountability Office to investigate the US government worker savings plan’s investment in Sudan-based companies.

Support for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: As a former Chair of the CBCF Board, she championed initiatives that aimed to empower the next generation of Black leaders and advance the global Black community.

The late Congressman Sylvester Turner

Houston Africa Day: He initiated and hosted this annual event, which celebrated the contributions of the African diaspora in Houston and promoted trade opportunities, with the participation of African Union Ambassadors and other African nation representatives.

Bilateral Air Service Agreement: The Nigerian Government and Houston officials were in talks of an agreement for a potential direct flight from Houston to Nigeria to expand bilateral relations. 

Houston-Africa Energy Summit: He hosted the inaugural summit, which brought together African heads of state, ministers and business leaders to promote business, identify economic development opportunities and discuss challenges for U.S. companies operating in Africa.  

Work with Diaspora African Forum: He visited the Diaspora African Forum in Ghana, exploring investment and opportunities in Ghana and seeking to strengthen political ties between Ghana and Houston.  

Focus on Trade with Africa: He recognized Africa as a growing economic powerhouse and led a week-long 30-person delegation trade and investment mission to Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Houston African Day impact on businesses

During his tenure, Turner also played a pivotal role in uplifting the African community. Achapu credits him with collaborating with community partners to launch Houston Africa Day and attending major community milestones such as the grand opening of Wazobia Market, a now-thriving African grocery and resource center in Southwest Houston.

“That store started as a small business and now employs dozens. Turner’s presence and support symbolized the city’s belief in our businesses,” she said.

Chef Kavachi Ukegbu, Grubido’s owner, Art of Fufu’s creator and participant in the May 17 event, says African contributions in Houston are massive and need more than one day to be recognized for their efforts.  

“It’s happening in Alief for a reason,” she said. “This is where many Africans grew up, built their lives and started their businesses.”

Ukegbu spent years educating the public about African cuisine and history through food demonstrations and culinary classes. The event is a continuation of her mission to expand people’s perceptions of African culture, particularly through the lens of food.

“We’ve been in this community since the early ’90s,” she said. “We use food to connect people. From cassava to yuca, we show how African ingredients show up in all kinds of global dishes. When people realize African food is the root of so many cuisines, it opens minds and builds bridges.”

Chukwunonso Ofili, a multidimensional artist and entertainer, has participated in the official Houston’s Africa Day celebration for the past three years, including the new iteration under the AfriPAC.

Each year, Ofili brings his artwork to the event, sharing not just his talent but also a piece of his identity. “I show people what I’m all about—my creativity, my experience as part of the diaspora, and what I offer to Houston,” he said.

Ofili says Africa Day is more than a cultural celebration, it’s a networking goldmine. 

“You see more than 500 people in one space. Your chances of meeting your next client or collaborator are very high,” he said. “Through past events, he’s connected with fellow artists, mural collaborators, radio station owners and media partners who helped promote his work. “I don’t even know some of these people beforehand. But they see the value in what I do and that’s the kind of impact Africa Day has.”

With Houston transitioning to new city leadership, Ofili sees this year’s dual Africa Day celebrations—one from Turner’s legacy and the new one hosted by AfriPAC—as an opportunity to maintain momentum and build community.

“It’s like getting a new manager, you have to show why you’re essential,” he said. “If the mayor sees that Africa Day brings people together and creates economic value, nobody can argue with that.”

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