MWIZA MUNTHALI
"I am TransAfrican!"

I was born in a small town in Malawi, just before my country attained its independence from the United Kingdom. I am TransAfrican. My parents are part of the generation who born in the village, then left their homes being some of the first to receive highest forms of higher education and eventually lead the newly independent countries in various areas—I am a product of that. I am TransAfrican.After living the early years of my life in my native country, my family moved to the United States thus becoming a member of the African Diaspora. I am TransAfrican. The sojourn does not end there, after nearly four and half years we moved back to the Motherland, this time not my birthplace but on the western side of the continent—Ghana. That experience at a critical stage of my development—my teenage years—fundamentally influenced and inspired me in the dream of greater African unity and Pan Africanism. After all Ghana is the home of Kwame Nkrumah and the final resting place of W.E.B. Du Bois. I am TransAfrican.

The journey continues back to the U.S. when we moved back just at the same time as I started college at the University of Iowa. In college I pursued international development studies and consistently studied African history and politics. Apart from studying I was active in the international community on campus, particularly that of the African World which led me to be involved in demonstrations against apartheid in South Africa. I am TransAfrican.

School ends, off to work. I seek organizations working to grassroots-led development, support justice and freedom in the African continent—that leads to volunteer and intern for two Washington, DC institutions: Africare and TransAfrica Forum. I eventually get hired by TransAfrica which leads to actively participating in support for a just U. S. policy on Haiti, the Free South Africa Movement, and work in solidarity with pro-democracy, social justice groups in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and beyond. The work also encompasses continuous cultural, economic, and political education about the African World. I am TransAfrican.

I am TransAfrican because I am born on the African continent and a product of the liberation movement against colonization. I am TransAfrican because I am African Diaspora citizen actively connecting here and there.

I am TransAfrican!

NORA RASMAN
"I am TransAfrican!"

I am TransAfrican because of my unwavering commitment to justice and change; a willingness to keep learning and to continue listening. I am TransAfrican because our fundamental rights to freedom and existence are inherently connected; because activism and engagement can not be effective unless we are all in it.

I am TransAfrican because I know identity is just the beginning; as a TransAfrican of European descent I bear a particular responsibility born from my particular history. I am TransAfrican because I know we can’t walk away when things get hard; we have to look to our ancestors, each other and future generations and keep going. We can’t change our histories but if we fight we can be blessed with the power to control our destinies.

I am TransAfrican because people share their lives with me- their hopes, dreams, fears and trauma-with the hope and expectation that I can help change their situation; and I believe that change can come. I am TransAfrican because I know the day of our collective liberation will come; I know we can’t be scared or prepare for that freedom. But when it comes, we’ll all be there.

TAMARA GAW
"I am TransAfrican!"

I am TransAfrican. My nationality is American but I am TransAfrican.! My family is English but I am TransAfrican. I have the burning desire for all people to see my brothers and sisters in Africa and her Diaspora as I see them — as equals who are entitled to the same dignity I expect for myself.

I learn from them. My life is richer because of them. I stand in solidarity with them. I am proud to be TransAfrican.

JOIA JEFFERSON NURI
"I am TransAfrican!"

The definition of TransAfrica means there is a connection to every African around the world...across all borders. There is a connection between all of Africa’s children. God may be our Father but Africa is our mother. I not only work for TransAfrica. I am TransAfrican. I am connected to all of my mother’s children. I am TransAfrican. Though I was born in Cleveland, Ohio in the United States, I stand with the family in Haiti still living in a tent. I am TransAfrican. Though I call myself an US American I take up the fight of my trade unionist sisters and brothers in Colombia who face death because they stand up for their rights as human beings. I am TransAfrican. I cry for the mother in Congo who watches her daughter fall victim to rape a weapon of war. I am TransAfrican.

Today, as the world is filled with millions of African faces in all colors and shades and I know I am one with each and every one of you. Your struggle is my struggle. My struggle is your struggle. We share an African mother. We are victims of the same global north racism and greed. We are all one people in their eyes. Let us become one people in our eyes. I am TransAfrican. Are You TransAfrica? Stand with me and declare: I am TransAfrican.