ACANA’s Africatown Grows Community Support in Southwest Philadelphia

By Gabriella Hopkins

On September 28, the African Culture Alliance of North America, or ACANA, celebrated the official unveiling of Africatown. Hosted by State Senators Anthony Williams and Vincent Hughes, this presentation was to commemorate the State and Federal Support of ACANA’s Africatown project.

During the event, speakers outlined how members of ACANA and Southwest Philadelphia dedicated their lives to seeing Africatown become more than an idea. Audience members in attendance showed overwhelming support for the project, which gave a better understanding of the impact Africatown has already made on unifying the local community. Although this celebration was a substantial feat for ACANA and Southwest Philadelphia, the speakers and representatives for Africatown noted that their work was just beginning. 

ACANA plans to establish Africatown around the location of their headquarters in Southwest Philadelphia. Portions of the 5400 block of Chester Avenue will now officially be known as Dolakeh Square in Africatown. ACANA and their partner organizations believe Africatown will open opportunities for the community to promote tourism, protect the history of African and Caribbean immigration in Southwest Philadelphia, and give leverage to revitalize the community. With nearly 500 businesses in the community, Africatown can help grow the area economically through existing and future infrastructure.