Empowering African Diaspora Communities. Strengthening Our Collective Future.

At the African Center for Excellence, community advancement is the foundation of our mission. We are dedicated to uplifting individuals and families across the African diaspora through programs that expand opportunity, strengthen stability, and amplify community voice. When people have access to culturally grounded resources and pathways to success, they thrive — and so do the communities they help build.

Our Community‑Centered Approach

We create spaces where culture, learning, and empowerment intersect. Every initiative is shaped in collaboration with community members to ensure our services reflect real needs, lived experiences, and shared aspirations. Our work is rooted in equity, belonging, and the belief that collective progress begins with individual opportunity.

Core Areas of Community Advancement

Workforce Development: We equip community members with the tools, skills, and confidence needed to pursue meaningful employment and long‑term economic stability. Our workforce programs include:

  • Job readiness training and career coaching
  • Resume development and interview preparation
  • Digital literacy and professional skills workshops
  • Entrepreneurship support and small‑business guidance
  • Networking opportunities with local employers and industry partners

Social Services & Family Support: We provide culturally responsive support services that help individuals and families navigate essential systems and access the resources they need to thrive. Our social service offerings include:

  • Housing and employment navigation
  • Financial literacy workshops
  • Family engagement workshops
  • Resource referrals and case management

Our goal is to ensure every family feels supported, informed, and connected to a strong network of care.

Community Advocacy & Leadership

We believe that lasting change happens when communities have the power to shape the systems that impact their lives. Through our advocacy and civic engagement efforts, we:

  • Elevate community voices in policy conversations
  • Provide leadership development and civic education
  • Facilitate community forums and listening sessions
  • Partner with local organizations to advance equity and justice
  • Support residents in navigating public institutions and advocating for their rights

Our advocacy work strengthens community power and builds pathways for long‑term systemic change.

Our Commitment

The African Center for Excellence is more than a service provider — we are a catalyst for opportunity, a champion for equity, and a home for cultural pride. Through workforce development, social services, and community advocacy, we are advancing a future where every member of the African diaspora can thrive with dignity and purpose.

Join Us

Whether you’re seeking support, looking to participate, or ready to partner with us, the African Center for Excellence welcomes you. Together, we are building pathways, celebrating heritage, and inspiring excellence across our community.

Empowering Communities, Shaping Futures: The African Center for Excellence (ACE) Leads with Purpose

July 16, 2025

A Place-Based Vision for Systemic Change

In the heart of South Seattle, Southwest Seattle, and South King County, the African Center for Excellence (ACE) stands as a beacon of transformative leadership. With a mission rooted in workforce development, youth mentorship, family empowerment, and systemic advocacy, ACE continues to dismantle barriers facing African immigrant and BIPOC communities through a place-based approach that honors cultural heritage and community resilience.

ACE’s work is not just about programs—it’s about building ecosystems of opportunity. From financial literacy workshops to digital skills training, ACE equips families with tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Their culturally responsive initiatives reflect a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, education, and economic mobility.

One Seattle Day of Service: A Moment of Impact

On July 12, 2025, ACE proudly hosted a powerful community activation as part of the 4th Annual One Seattle Day of Service, marking its fourth consecutive year of leadership in this citywide movement. The event featured an African Youth Sports Clinic and Community Cleanup, drawing youth, families, and civic leaders into a shared space of service and celebration.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell made ACE his final stop of the day, a symbolic gesture that underscored the organization’s grassroots impact. Joined by local changemakers and veteran public service professionals, Mayor Harrell spent meaningful time with youth, sharing reflections from his own journey as a student-athlete. His message on mental strength, discipline, and strategy—invoking the legacy of Michael Jordan—left a lasting impression on the young participants.

Article content
Mayor Bruce Harrel, ACE ED and Youth Dev Dir

This clinic wasn’t just about soccer—it was about leadership development, civic engagement, and building pathways to scholarships and higher education. It embodied ACE’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of African immigrant leaders through culturally rooted programming.