African Friendship Society

At African Friendship Society we believe that we all deserve to experience the real story of Africa and its people without prejudice or discrimination. We bring communities together through the celebration of joy, friendship and African arts and culture. We are especially committed to serving our black and African communities.

Africa is the birthplace of a rich cultural heritage. The African Friendship Society aims to showcase the rich cultural and artistic diversity among local African communities and promote unity around a shared cultural identity, while building a bridge and extending the hand of friendship to all other cultures to create a more culturally educated, accepting and inclusive Canadian and global community, in British Columbia and beyond.

Our mandate is to educate while entertaining, to promote mental and emotional well-being for all, social inclusion and community engagement and connectedness through African arts, and help build self-esteem and empowerment within the African community (especially the youth) through positive cultural identification. We also provide opportunities for people of all backgrounds to learn about and experience African culture, values, history and traditions in friendship and mutual respect, while embracing and celebrating diversity. Our offerings are in French and English (and soon in Swahili), and are especially suited for:


· Children (especially the children of the African diaspora, of mixed relationships and of African descent who have been adopted by non-African parents) - they are *our primary audience*

· Women

· Elders

· Persons with disabilities (our culture teaches us to embrace all souls)

· The Village (i.e. families and the community at large)

Africa with the Masters in-person Festival is an immersive and invaluable experience taking place on the Ancestral and unceded land of the Coast Salish peoples –Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, over three action-packed days. It is an inclusive and welcoming experience for all, in a mobility accessible venue.