Third Quarter 2025 WAU Email Newsletter

The third quarter is usually the busiest time for Wichita African Union (WAU) because of the annual event that comes around Labor Day weekend. We start planning for the event in April or May and by the time we get to July we meet about every two weeks, then the week before and the night before.

On July 12 WAU hosted its very first Donor Appreciation dinner at University Congregational Church. It was a successful event. WAU presented its charitable purpose which is exclusively educational and charitable, and its mission: To unite African immigrants living in Wichita, promote educational excellence and collaboration with likeminded organizations. WAU thanked the donors & sponsors for their giving as well as mobilizing others for support for WAU, both of which have helped create and increase impact and awareness in the community through the years. The following donors were present: Retired Attorney, Cydni Gilman; Camille Scott for Kansas Leadership Center; Margery L. Nagel; Roseline International Enterprise; Mr. Phillip & Mrs. Florence Oshakuade; Providence Home Health & Hospice, L.L.C.; Ultra Care Home Health Plus and Wichita Foundation. They each went home with Outstanding Donor Award for sponsorship and giving to WAU.

WAU Board of Directors and Executive Officers pause for a picture with WAU Donors and Sponsors on July 12.

On July 15^th WAU President met with Misty Uribe of One Campaign (ONE) to explore areas of possible collaboration after ONE had reached out for a meeting. ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization advocating for economic empowerment and heathier lives in Africa. Uribe made it back to Wichita from Charlotte North Carolina to attend the 12^th WAU Annual Celebration on August 30^th.

Misty Uribe from One Campaign at 12^th WAU Annual Celebration on August 30^th, 2025

In July we stayed in close contact with Hyatt preparing for the annual event and worked with the schools we are partnering with: Washington and Woodland Elementary Schools. July 28 and 29 were school enrollment days at Washington. WAU was there to welcome newcomer families; African refugee families who are adjusting to the new culture and education system, to let them know we are here to help and to share information on how they can reach us. We also shared map of Africa highlighting African countries and major cities, with WAU contact details included on the map, for the African students to take home. We tried to be there to interpret for families that need help with language translation such as Swahili. In the future we will need Kinyarwanda and Arabic translators as well with us. All translators must be cleared by USD259 background check. On July 31^st_, we participated in a breakfast kickoff event by Wichita Public School Foundation and Love Schools. At this event WAU together with Kansas Health Foundation partnered with Woodland Elementary school administration to listen to the progress the school had made based on goals set for the previous year and what areas the school needs support in the new year. WAU education committee was in liaison with Butler Community College (Butler) to plan for ways WAU can partner with the college to welcome new African international students and to reach out about award of a scholarship in August. To date 4 Butler students have received WAU Scholarships.

WAU members with English-Swahili translator at Washington Elementary School During School Enrollment on July 28-& 29

July 25, WAU participated in a gathering with other organizations at Kansas Leadership Center to strategize implementation of the Hunger Free Kansas food security program. WAU received a $5,000 grant from Kansas Health Foundation for food security in the African Immigrant community. We will be identifying families that can benefit from the grant by following a selection criteria. We hope to start the food distribution before Thanksgiving and continue during holidays and some weekends when students are home. We realize that some students rely heavily on school lunch for their nutritional needs. This will help to maintain food security when students are home after school, during weekends and holidays.

WAU members attending a Hunger Free Kansas Grantees Gathering at Kansas Leadership Center on July 25. Paused for a picture with Chase Willhite, Chief Strategy Officer for Kansas Health Foundation as he received Kansas Health Foundation’s WAU Outstanding Donor Award for generous giving to WAU.

Attending Breakfast Kickoff at Henry’s Place at NICHE on July31^st. with Woodland School Administration and collaboration partners Kansas Health Foundation and Love Schools Founder/Wichita Public School Foundation’s Program Specialist, Brandit Wilson.

On August 12 WAU attended Open House event at Washington Elementary School to meet new students and their families. Delivered school supplies and set up a table to hand out information materials and prizes.

WAU Team at Washington Elementary School Open House on August 12

On August 14 WAU attended a back-to-school event at Woodland Health and Wellness Magnet Elementary School to welcome students, teachers and staff back to school for the 2025/26 school year.

WAU Members Attending a Back-to-School Event at Woodland Elementary School on August 14

WAU Board Chair, President and Education Committee Chair and KHF Rep at Woodland Elementary School Attending Back-to-School Event on August 14.

Most of August we got busier, selling tickets and seeking sponsorship for the 12th WAU Annual Celebration as well as fundraising for WAU Scholarship Fund. We raised $4,015 total in donations. Donations were received from the following: Annie Foundation; Wichita Auto Dealers/Ameme Cars; retired Attorney Cydni Gilman; Dr. Kenny & Mrs. Morohunfola of Kansas City; Dr. Charles Quinn; Judith Khaya of Dallas; Ms. Margery L. Nagel; Prof. Teresa Molina; Mr. Phillip & Mrs. Florence Oshakuade; Nigerian Association of Wichita; Roseline’s International Enterprise; Sam’s Beauty Supply; and Ultra Care Home Health Plus.

KMUW - 89.1 Wichita was the media sponsor and promoted the event for two weeks. The General Manager of KMUW, Debra Fraser, attended the event, Kake TV News gave us a platform to advertise our event through a studio interview for the third year in a row. Eleven businesses, organizations and individuals sponsored the event by purchasing Special Tables (Amani Home Plus, Wichita Auto Dealers/Ameme Cars, Drum Beat Peace Academy, Kansas Health Foundation, Loveness & Family, Providence Home Health & Hospice, L.L.C., Nigerian Association of Wichita, TransVera Logistic Solutions, LLC, and Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc). Abe Baba sponsored photography and videography. All these types of support plus ticket sales, together help us to award the scholarships and to afford the type of event we host at Hyatt Regency. The Mayor of the City of Wichita, Honorable Mayor Lily Wu, attended the event and was a happy guest throughout, which helped to energize the audience. During her remarks she delivered a Proclamation that WAU had applied for, ‘August 2025 as Wichita African Union Month’. Wichita City Council, reviewed and approved the Proclamation. The Mayor also participated in the Scholarship Award ceremony during which five students from Butler Community College, Friends University, Hesston College, McPherson College and Wichita State University received $750 each.

Five WAU Scholarships Awarded on August 30th, 2025.

WAU has awarded 23 Scholarships since 2018 as follows: Butler Community College (4), Friends University (2), Bethel College (1), Hesston College (6), McPherson College (5) and Wichita State University (5). We started with as little as $100 per student and now in 2025 we awarded $750 per student. Please find on WAU website blog a historic record of awardees since 2018. Please note that no scholarships were awarded 2020-2022 because of Covid -19.

WAU Scholarship Award Ceremony - Mayor Lily Wu, center left; Education Committee Chair, Dr Daisy center right; WAU Board Chair, Dr. Dan Muhwezi - right; WAU President, Loveness Mpanje - left.

WAU Scholarship Award Ceremony - Dominic Essumang, McPherson College

WAU Scholarship Award Ceremony - Daniel Okuda, Wichita State University and Isaac Duran-Gijon, Friends University

WAU Scholarship Award Ceremony - Blen Bezwork, Hesston College

We finally met up with Grace Theuri of Butler County Community College. She came to WAU Meeting on October 10, 2025, to receive her Scholarship Award.

Grace Theuri, Enrolled in a Nursing Program at Butler County Community College. She is here receiving her Scholarship Award of $750 at WAU Meeting on October 10, 2025.

WAU Elementary School Partners - Woodland & Washington Elementary Schools

The Mayor of the City of Wichita, Honorable Mayor Lily Wu Presenting the Proclamation to WAU President just after Reading it.

Proclamation was requested and issued for ‘August 2025 as Wichita African Union Month’, because WAU spends the month of August preparing for the annual celebration which brings together locals and guests from other cities to celebrate educational excellence and African culture.

The Mayor of the City of Wichita, Honorable Mayor Lily Wu (center) pause for a picture with WAU Board Chair, Dr. Dan Muhwezi (right) and WAU President, Loveness Mpanje (left) at the 12^th WAU Annual Celebration on August 30^th.

Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Receiving an Outstanding WAU Award for Strategic Partnership and Sponsorship of WAU Annual Events

KMUW – 89.1, Wichita General Manager, Debra Fraser (right) at the 12^th WAU Annual Celebration on August 30^th & Annie Garvey l(eft)

Fun fun at the 12th WAU Annual Celebration

September 13, WAU hosted a free ‘One Africa’ Event at Chisholm Creek Park which brought together the broader African community & friends: African immigrants, African Americans, African refugees and friends of Africans and friends of the continent of Africa. This event was funded by Kansas Health Foundation to help build a healthy community. We do realize that the ticketed annual event leaves out some families in the community because of affordability. The free event at a park was open to the public, allowing families to come and connect with other members of the community, creating opportunities for networking, sense of belonging, collaboration, and many other possibilities for building a healthy and productive community. Happy Grocery Store, located at 1343 N. Hillside donated in kind (200 chapatis) and some WAU members provided other African dishes. We had music, poetry, drumming and food.

A Group Picture taken at the End of the ‘One Africa’ Event at Chisholm Creek Park on September 13.

KHF Representative, Candace Malone at the ‘One Africa’ Event at Chisholm Creek Park on September 13.

Time to eat at ‘One Africa’ Event at Chisholm Creek Park on September 13.

Left to right: Dr. Rick Bartlett (friend of Africa & WAU), Brian Fisher (New friend of WAU) & Loveness

WAU VP with WAU Members and Friends at ‘One Africa’ Event at Chisholm Creek Park on September 13.

Dr. Daisy letting kids drum during the ‘One Africa’ Event at Chisholm Creek Park on September 13.

Upcoming Next: Implementation of the KHF funded food security program. The initial plan is to mobilize beneficiaries, gather refugee families for a cooking and Nutrition class to be facilitated by the Sedgwick County Extension’s Nutritionist. This would maximize the healthy benefits from the program.

Last but not least. Lately, there has been an observation that there are many Americans who have connections to Africa or have visited Africa. Within the month of September alone we heard about some and made connections with more than four individuals, two of whom have between them visited more than 25 African countries. These individuals either have active programs in Africa or are connected to some programs, from providing clean water or other infrastructure projects to promoting sporting games such as lacrosse in schools in Uganda. Some of them have been looking for a taste of African food and connections. We want to grow this unique group, new friends of WAU. We can occasionally gather as an African Village to discuss lived experiences, share a meal, etc. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you or do in partnership, through email; auwichita1@gmail.com. The possibilities are unlimited, transformational, empowering; friend raising and community building.