The African Advocacy Network (AAN) was founded to serve the growing diaspora of African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants.
Services and Reach
AAN provides immigration legal services, case management, and social integration services based on a unique Cultural Brokering model. The network provides direct immigration legal services to more than 500 African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants living in the nine (9) counties of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento County, and Stanislaus County.
The organization's staff provides representation to immigrants before immigration authorities and delivers information and education to more than 2,000 African and Afro-Caribbean individuals about available services, immigration issues, and their rights.
Key Personnel
Joe Sciarrillo, ACSW-/ BIA Accredited Representative, grew up in the Bay Area and earned a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. in 2006. He also received an African Studies Certificate along with a French Proficiency Certificate. Joe completed a Study Abroad program at the Centre Baobab and Universite Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal between 2004 and 2005. In May 2014, Joe completed studies at UC Berkeley and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work.
Joe assists with legal consultation, legal counseling and legal processing, psycho-social case management. He also performs outreach to immigrant communities through fairs and Know Your Rights workshops. Joe is registered in California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker and currently doing asylum psychological evaluations.
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Commitment to Pan-Africanism
AdNA’s work is rooted in a commitment to Pan-Africanism. They welcome as members those who work on behalf of Africa and its diaspora. AdNA’s work is rooted in a commitment to Pan-Africanism.
Africa Wellness Working Group
The Advocacy Network for Africa's COVID-19 Working Group has now transformed into the Africa Wellness Working Group, representing a significant shift in our efforts to address a broader range of health and wellness issues on our continent. The Africa Wellness Working Group will expand its advocacy efforts to encompass critical concerns such as hunger, climate change, drought, flooding, and violence against women and girls. By broadening our scope, we can better serve the diverse needs of African countries and contribute to the holistic well-being of our people.
We invite all AdNA members who are passionate about advocating for these important issues on behalf of African people to join us in this journey. Our mission is to offer solutions informed by a Pan-African perspective, dismantling the forces of imperialism and neocolonialism that perpetuate exploitation.
History and Legacy
Drawing inspiration from the Pan-African liberation struggles of the 19th century, the Working Group builds upon the legacy of pioneers like W.E.B. Du Bois and Kwame Nkrumah. We recognize the Black Lives Matter movement as a crucial force in recent times.
Strength in Unity
Like unified broomsticks, there is power in unity. A single broomstick can be easily broken, but a bundle of broomsticks may bend but is much harder to break. Our collaborative power grows with each member organization. We build synergies with like-minded movements, amplifying our collective impact.
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Focus Areas
The Working Group champions critical issues identified by our African Partners themselves-peace and security, democracy, fair trade, climate change solutions, and environmental protection are key areas.
Upcoming Opportunities
We mobilize for action. The United Nations sessions of the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent and the African Union's Agenda 2063 are key opportunities for advocacy and progress.
Call to Action
Become part of the solution. Learn more about the Working Group's activities and how you can contribute to a brighter future for Africa and its Diaspora.
Get Involved
Stay informed and engaged. We share updates, action steps, and collaboration opportunities.
What is Pan-Africanism?
AdNA On AfricaNow!
AdNA supports the right of the Senegalese people to peacefully protest President Sall’s actions, individually or collectively, and to engage in public political debate on the same. We demand that Senegal adhere to its constitutional, regional and international obligations to respect and protect the rights to association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and the media. Any violations must be fully investigated and those responsible, held accountable.
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