YR2026 1st Quarter-to-Date WAU Newsletter

WAU Meetings: January 09, 2026, was January WAU General Membership Meeting. We spent time talking about Executive Officers, member meeting attendance, discussed an idea for Community Health Screening event, and venue for 2026 WAU Annual Celebration.

February 1, 2026: We met by Zoom to brainstorm about free Community Health Screening event.

February 4, 2026: WAU Board of Directors Zoom meeting.

February 6, 2026: February WAU General Membership meeting. We continued discussing venue for 2026 Annual Celebration and contract. Three college students joined the meeting.

March 6, 2026: March WAU General Membership Meeting.

April 17, 2026: April WAU General Membership meeting. The meeting discussed a lengthy agenda which included a summary of 2025 financial report, Theme for 2026 WAU Annual Celebration, membership dues, meeting attendance policy and enforcement, presentation of report on planning for free Community Health Screening event by WAU Health Steering Committee. Four college students joined the meeting and helped with meeting room set-up, managed zoom and helped with breakdown after the meeting.

Next Board of Directors meeting is on April 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM.

Here is Save-The-Date flyer for 13th WAU Annual Celebration on September 5, 2026, at Hyatt Regency Wichita. Please share this information with those you think may be interested in attending the event.

Partner Events: On April 11, 2026, WAU attended Kelly W Davis Running International Foundation's Annual Gala fundraiser at Hilton Garden Inn, 401 E. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67202. WAU made a $500 charitable donation to the foundation to support the work it is doing in Africa: providing full ride scholarships for High School girls. Schools identify freshman girls who have potential to succeed but experience financial constraints. A student is identified in 9th grade/Form1and stays on the scholarship until they finish senior year. The mission of the foundation aligns with WAU mission of promoting educational excellence and WAU is happy to contribute towards such invaluable investment in human capital for Africa and the World. In Africa, when you educate a girl, you educate the entire village.

Continued Membership Agreement with NonprofitGO.

On April 8, 2026, WAU had an onboarding Zoom meeting with NonprofitGO to discuss the services to be provided under the new membership. NonprofitGO is a consulting nonprofit organization specialized in helping nonprofits understand what it takes to run nonprofit organizations correctly. In 2026 WAU is continuing to get help with grant research and writing, access to educational workshops, training and community gatherings, orientation to QuickBooks, consultation meetings once a quarter, and referral program. The membership is made possible with funding from Wichita Foundation, with the goal of helping WAU build capacity to run the organization effectively.

Washington Elementary School

March 11, 2026: WAU, represented by Dr. Daisy Kabagarama, Former WAU President and Board Member, and Dr. Dan Muhwezi, WAU Board Chair, was part of the Partner Collaboration meeting at Washington Elementary School. The meeting was facilitated by Love Schools CEO, Brandt Wilson. Love Schools with its partner organizations for the school: churches and businesses met at Washington with the school administration to learn about the school and the areas where there is need for help. The school Principal shared goals of the school for next school year and for the remainder of this school year. A schedule of upcoming activities at the school was shared so that partners can participate where possible. On April 10, WAU joined Love Schools and other partners who together served as judges (7) of Spirit Contest during Washington House Celebration event in the school gym. The students were full of excitement, enthusiasm, and pride as they performed, cheered and danced. Four houses competed and two (blue and red) won in two different categories. The Judges were James from Ideatek, Principal of Coleman Middle School, Principal and vice of Robinson Middle School, WAU President and Wichita Public School Foundation Program Specialist (Love Schools CEO) and his colleague. It was a wonderful experience for everyone: the school, students, teachers and staff and the judges.

February 10, 2026, WAU President accompanied by a volunteer, Adela, visited Washington to drop off pizza and fruit tray for teachers' breakroom. We visited with two students while they had lunch. This was the week of parent teacher conferences. On February 11, 2026, WAU President went back to Washington for 'Eat Together' - 'Lunch with a Loved One Day'. Shared a meal with newcomer students who sometime can't sit with their parents/grandparents due to work schedules or lack of transportation.

Partners Collaboration Meeting at Washington Elementary School, March 11, 2026.

Washington House Celebration April 10, 2026.

Upcoming activities at Washington: April 22^nd is newcomer students' presentations day. Newcomer students will share about how they arrived in Wichita, KS and at Washington Elementary School. WAU is planning to be there to listen and for encouragement. April 23 is World Fair, 5:30 – 7:00 PM. WAU will drum for about 15 minutes before 6:00 PM and will also provide food, mandazi for Africa Continent table.

February 24, 2026: WAU partnered with Godfred from Ghana to deliver a presentation about the Mali Empire and Mansa Musa, to 4th grade class at Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary School. This was at the school's request, following instruction on African Kingdoms and West African historic figures.

WAU at Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary School, February 22, 2026.

There was a lot of excitement in the room

Godfred (Presenter), Luke (WSU Student volunteering for WAU) and WAU President leaving Minneha after the Presentation

February 22, 2026: WAU was invited to 2026 Black History month Celebration at Carl G. Brewer Community Center by Prince Hall Masonic Family of Wichita. WAU was represented by Elder Mr. Joseph Onijala (member) and Roseline Onijala (Board member).

February 16, 2026: WAU President attended Donor Appreciation dinner by KMUW, 89.1 FM, at their business location. WAU donated $100.

February 14, 2026: WAU President had a donor cultivation meeting with a prospective sponsor/donor and volunteer, Sabah Cheney. We had a productive follow-up meeting on April 7. Cheney is interested in supporting WAU Scholarship program, mentoring newcomer individuals and students who lack guidance and access to helpful information.

February 12, 2026: WAU members attended 'Beyond the First Gift; Stewardship for the First Time Donor' webinar. This event was sponsored by Wichita Foundation.

January 29, 2026: WAU President and Board Vice Chair attended 'Building Trust with Your Board Members' workshop at Junior League of Wichita. This workshop was organized by Kansas Heartland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The workshop was presented by Swanson House Fundraising Professionals. This was a conversation about transparency and trust among board members and fundraising professionals.