About Our Network
Welcome To the African Community Network of Iowa ( ACN of I). This is a nonprofit organization registered under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3). It was created with the goal of building a platform for Africans to come together, get to know each other, discuss issues within the community, provide assistance to members, integrate better with their host communities and contribute towards solutions to problems that arise within the community.
The founders envisage that this organization will present an opportunity to come together, share ideas, journeys', hardships, accomplishments with each other and, be a channel for presenting Africa to the rest of the world.
Along the way we want the community to have knowledge of resources that are available to them, be it educational, job availability, housing and many opportunities that are available out there. We have community members that have been living in the diaspora long enough to direct anyone to whatever help they might need. This would offer a cultural bridge, especially for those who are new immigrants.
One of our missions is also to preserve our culture by organizing periodic cultural events that will bring our diverse communities together, enjoy and share our cultural food, dances, dresses and more. Through such activities, our children, grandchildren and hosts can get to know about us and who we really are. We want our children to embrace their culture, accept who they are and learn to integrate with other cultures in a positive way. If we don’t teach them who will.
Let’s come in one accord, love each other, share our thoughts, ideas, laughter and cries. The African community Network of Iowa is you. So, bring your concerns and with one voice we can build better communities and shutter negative stereo types.
Feel free to ask questions by contacting the secretariat. We are willing to assist you by any means we can.
Make a Difference. Donate Now.
Our Vision
ACN of Iowa is an organization that believes in the value of people from diverse backgrounds working together to better everyone’s life. This importance of strong community bonds, can be well illustrated with the follow proverbs from diverse African cultures:
African Community Proverbs
It takes a village to raise a child.
Cross the river in a crowd, and the crocodile won’t eat you.
Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable
If you want ot go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Our Mission
African Communities Network of Iowa is incorporated under the Iowa Nonprofit Corporation Act, Chapter 504A, Code of Iowa as a not for profit organization. Purpose of the Organization. The purposes of the corporation are as follows:
One
The association shall serve as a forum to bring together people of African descent, allies and friends of Africa in Iowa.
Two
The association shall provide services that will promote and encourage the collective cultural, social, educational and economic welfare of its membership and the community.
10-12 December
Three
The association shall provide services that will promote and encourage the collective cultural, social, educational and economic welfare of its membership and the community.
10-12 December
Get Involved
Join us the easy way...
Your support for African Communities Network of Iowa, makes a difference.
Become a Member
Online:
Click HERE to register as a member of ACN of Iowa.
If registered and not logged on, click HERE to log into your account.
Offline:
Contact any official of the ACN of Iowa to facilitate your registration.
During meetings, a registration desk will be open and available for new registrations and registration renewals.
Volunteer
There are different volunteer opportunities open in the organization, from time to time. These opportunities will be discussed and announced during meetings. If you have any inquiry about volunteering, click on the volunteer tab above or you may fill out the form on our Contact page. Next, a member of the services commitee will get in touch with you as soon as possible. Providing your telephone number makes it easier to quickly communicate with you.
Lead
Every member has an opportunity to lead. All it takes is for the member to identify an area of the the organizations mandate and take the initiative to strengthen it.
There will also be opportunities to vie for office leadership positions. All members are eligible to run of any open office positions as stipulated in our Bylaws.
Become a Member
By becoming a member, you will become a part of an active community for the improved welfare of African communities in the diaspora. Your voice help nature and preserve our African values and their integration with the broad diaspora..
Spread The Word
By your spreading of the word about us and what we do to your family and friends, you build support for African communities in the diaspora and impact positively on the role
they play in society and within the host communities.
A simple and great way to get the word out is to download, print, and share our ACN of I. Brochure
You can also easily spread the word by interacting with our social medial platforms.
Facebook: Receive our updates and connect to team members and fellow supporters of African Communities Network of Iowa
Twitter: Do not miss out on news and activities or our organization or its constituent communities.
Volunteer
ACN of Iowa relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish its mission.
New volunteer opportunities are posted from time to time on this website.
Currently, we are looking for volunteers in the following areas:
Bloggers. Volunteers with an interest in issues common to African Immigrants. Interested volunteers will be provided with blogging space on our website.
Website Development and maintenance. Volunteers should have, or be willing to learn working with content management systems.
From time to time, we shall be holding events and will need event organizing volunteers.
Communication is key to the success of any community organization and we envisage the use of various communication tools, requiring the help of volunteers to maintain and manage the communication tools adopted.
If you would like to volunteer in any of our activities, please send us a note using the submission form below.
Gallery
Check our gallery from recent events
Announcements
Here are some of the latest...

Passing of John Gikonyo
It is to our demise to hear of the passing of the late John Gikonyo. John was a well-liked and appreciated member of ACN. We will keep him dearly in our memmories forever more. RIP, John Gikonyo.
Leadership
The following are the current members of the Board of African Communities Network of Iowa.

Anne Kiche
Board Member and Chairperson

Peter Nkumu
Board Member and Treasurer

Sunday Goshit
Board Member and Vice Chairperson

Wangui Gathua
Board Member

Harrison Kpartipa
Board Member

Mamonate Nyane
Board Member

Amos Kiche
Board Member
Resources
Welcome to the resource section of the African Communities Network of Iowa. We are happy you made here and we hope you will find what you are looking for or discover new things you didn't know about. We don't pretend to have all the answers to your searches and inquiries but we believe you will find a link or two to lead you somewhere, if not please make suggestions and we will be happy to add new links here. These links will help you to quickly and efficiently navigate the Internet to find immigration related information.
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New Immigrants
The African Communities Network of Iowa and the United States of America welcomes you. Please know that you are not alone because all of us are immigrants and America is a nation of immigrants regardless how you got here. We know you are overwhelm with life adjustment, cultural shock and many other things you were not prepared for before coming to USA. Relax, take a deep breath and let us hold your hand and try to navigate you through the system to the best of our ability. Your best source of information is your community, the people who came here before you are great source of information but you have to be open minded and get second opinion always. You need to be aware that different people interpret information differently, so your best approach is to get the information from reliable sources(local, state and federal agencies). Information about housing, health insurance, schools, employment, driving , banking , healthcare, immigration etc... can be found at most government offices, libraries or online but make sure you understand well the information. We hope you find the information you are looking for and perhaps the answers to your many questions but don't be discourage or be frustrated by the volume of information because it is way of life here in America.
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Department of Homeland Security
http://www.dhs.gov/
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United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htmUSCIS Forms and Fees
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/index.htm
USCIS Case Status Online
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
USCIS Field Offices
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/index.htm
USCIS Compilation of Laws, Regulations and Guides
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/lawsregs/index.htm
USCIS Public Affairs
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/index.htm
USCIS Press Releases
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/pachron.htm
USCIS Special Registration
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/shared/lawenfor/specialreg/index.htm
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Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (BTS)
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home3.jspBureau of Customs and Transportation Security (CBP)
http://cbp.customs.gov
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
http://www.ice.gov
ICE Airport Security
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=20 -
U.S. Department of Justice
http://www.usdoj.govOffice of Special Counsel for Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/
Executive Office for Immigration Review
http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/n
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U.S. Department of State
http://www.state.gov/Visa Services
http://travel.state.gov/visa/americans/americans_1252.html
Visa Bulletin
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1770.html
Results for the 2004 Diversity Visa Lottery
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/21864.htm
Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
http://travel.state.gov/about/info/customer/customer_313.html
U.S. Embassy and Consulate Information
http://usembassy.state.gov/
Foreign Entry Requirements for Traveling Overseas
http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
Foreign Affairs Manual
http://foia.state.gov/famdir/Fam/fam.asp
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U.S. Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/Employment and Training Administration
http://www.doleta.gov/
Processing Dates for Labor Certification Applications
http://www.ows.doleta.gov/foreign/times.asp
Office of Workforce Security
http://ows.doleta.gov/
Prevailing Wage Information
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign/wages.asp
Employment Standards Administration
http://www.dol.gov/esa/
Regional and Local Office Information
http://www.doleta.gov/regions
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
http://www.oalj.dol.gov/libdot.htm
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm -
White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/Office of Management and Budget – Regulatory Matters
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/regpol.html
Office of Information and Regulatory Matters – Information Collections Under Review
http://www.whitehouse.gov/library/omb/OMBPPWKP.html -
Federal Register
http://www.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html
Congressional Information
http://thomas.loc.gov/
Join Us Today
Be a part of the African Communities Network of Iowa today! We cant wait to have you join our team.
Contact Us
Do not hesitate to contact us regarding any inquiry. We look forward to hearing from you!
Address
2958 Keel Boat LoopIowa City, IA
52240