O. Peter Akubeze, M.S. President
UWM - Dept of Africology
Kwabena Falson Vice President
Retired - Brady Corp
Solomon Tesfai Treasurer
Miller Coors
Ishaq Andreku Secretary
Roundy's Corp
Dr. Peter Ruta
Fouad Boulaleh
Paulette Bangura
Dr. Jennifer Kibicho
William Johnson
Dr. Aaron Buseh
John Avudria
Khay Khong
Yainkain Fofana
Fessahaye Mebrahtu Executive Director
ABOUT US
Our Mission
PACA brings together all people of African descent to preserve and enrich African cultural values through education, empowerment, and dialogue; serving the needs of the greater Milwaukee community.
Vision:
PACA envisions African refugees and immigrants making a smooth adjustment into American society, enjoying the rights and fulfilling their obligations as integral members of their community.
Values:
• Dignity is a right
• Integrity is a virtue
• Diversity is a value
• Unity is a strength
• Service is commitment
Goals and Objectives: • Advocacy • Cultural Preservation/Promotion • Education • Services
Organizational Profile
1998/1999
PACA was established as a small committee to address the emerging issues of African immigrants and refugees in the Milwaukee metro area;
2002
PACA committee members made a discernment to become a nonprofit entity and started developing pilot programs, including Coalition of African Youth (CAY), which is youth leadership development program;
2003
PACA acquired federal identification number or EIN. Through the help of the Private Industry Council (PIC) ELP program, the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee PACA completed organizational assessment
2003/2004
Same year PACA board embarked on business strategic planning with the assistance of
Metavante Corporation
2004
PACA was granted 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status;
2005
PACA initiated African Women Entrepreneurship (AWE) to build the entrepreneurial skills of African immigrant and refugee women and received a grant from Catholic Campaign for Human Development – Archdiocese of Milwaukee;
2006
PACA received its first grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement – Ethnic Communities Self-help program, opened an office and hired its first staff; expanding its funding base PACA developed more programs and hired more staff to run them;
2009
PACA became a refugee resettlement agency in partnership with ECDC;
2011
PACA moved to a new location that accommodate its expanding programs;
2012
Currently PACA has 9 fulltime staff and dozens of volunteers.
