"When the roots are strong, the tree will stand through any storm. Together, we honor our ancestors, build for our children, and thrive as one people."

Our Mission

The mission of Africa International House is to serve as a center that exposes and educates all peoples to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. Our mission is addressed through our flagship program, the African Festival of the Arts, and through other activities that promote African-based culture. Africa International House is an umbrella for linkages and exchanges of people from Africa and the African Diaspora.

OUR STORY

The story of Africa International House USA, Inc. (AIH) begins at Window to Africa (WTA) - an African art and gift store in Harper Court, Hyde Park - owned by Dr. Delores (Dee) Parmer and Patrick Woodtor who returned from Liberia in 1982. WTA was operated by art & cultural enthusiasts: Joanne Scott, Shionah Chancellor, Steven B. Jackson, Dayo Laoye, Gwen Luster and Curtis Chancellor. Programs at WTA drew large crowds and included exhibitions, fairs and fashion shows. The Bahamas National Dance Troupe premiered in Chicago as one of these events. In 1989, WTA convened a group of cultural supporters to manage the WTA activities which became the African Festival of the Arts (AFA).

In 1994, the Woodtor family incorporated Africa International House USA, Inc (AIH) as a nonprofit organization to manage the AFA, with the mission: "To serve as a center that exposes and educates all peoples to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures." AIH, governed by a board of directors, combines community support with corporate sponsorship to present Chicago audiences with art and cultural programs through our Center for Contemporary African Art and Culture.

Africa International House USA, Inc. (AIH) is a not-for-profit organization registered in the State of Illinois with the IRS 501 © 3 status. AIH is an art and culture creations and presenting organization. AIH was incorporated in 1994 after six years of programming by a group of art enthusiast with a focus on African based cultures. The group came together under the organizational and sponsorship umbrella of an African art and gift store (Window to Africa) in Hyde Park, Chicago.

In Memoriam

Cherished members of the AIH community that contributed or participated throughout the years.

Dee Parmer Woodtor

Bernice Gardner

Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo

Shelby Moore

Alexander Gbayee

Linda Murray

Michael Ellis

David Olupitan

Niambi Ingram

Robert "Bobby" Sengstacke

Nii Oti (Timothy Williams)

Andre Sconi Smith

Nyssa

Oscar Brown Jr

Rah-Bird Seitu Nurullah

Marva Jolly

Meschach Silas

Jessie M. Spears

Baba Ifatoroti

Chester Spears

Jacob Carruthers

Margaret Burroughs

Conrad Worrill

Abena Joan Brown

Bobbie Womack

Eralah Spears

Barbara Farnandis

Taki Raton

Mineral Bramletta

Ann Ward

Augusta Tolbert Norman

Melvin King

Karen Gill

Community Quilting Bee

Hyde Park Herald | April 1, 2023

Africa International House Celebrates Black History Month

Chicago Crusader | February 2023

'Like no other': The African Festival of Arts returns to Chicago this weekend

CBS Chicago | September 1, 2022

Chicago's African Festival of the Arts Returns After 2-Year Hiatus

NBC Chicago | September 1, 2022

The 33rd Annual African Festival of the Arts Returns to Washington Park Labor Day Weekend by Devorah Crable

The South Side Drive | September 1, 2022

4-Day African Festival Coming To Washington Park For First In-Person Event In 3 Years

Block Club Chicago | August 31, 2022

Minister Louis Farrakan and Senator Mattie Hunter selected as Grand Baba and Yeye

Chicago Crusader | August 31, 2022

African Festival of the Arts returns to Chicago this weekend

Fox 32 Chicago | August 30, 2022

The 33rd Annual African Festival of the Arts Returns Labor Day weekend to Chicago’s historic Washington Park

Chicago Crusader | August 30, 2022

The 33rd Annual African Festival of the Arts Returns to Washington Park

Chicago Defender | August 26, 2022

18 Chicago Food Events to Enjoy in September – Including Plenty of Oktoberfest Celebrations

WTTW | August 26, 2022

33rd annual African Festival of Arts returns Labor Day weekend to Washington Park

CBS Chicago | August 24, 2022

33rd Annual African Festival of The Arts selects Ancestral African Quilt Art as official image

Chicago Crusader | August 24, 2022

2022 Chicago Festival Guide

WTTW News | August 22, 2022

African festival returns to Chicago after two year-break

Chicago Inquirer | August 15, 2022

Meet us at the park: Black Chicagoans stay turning city parks into our own backyard party

The Tribe | August 4, 2022

Africa International House USA, Inc. launches 33rd annual African Festival of the Arts

Chicago Crusader | July 31, 2022

Chicago festivals 2022: See list of summer events in city, suburbs

ABC 7 News Chicago | July 8, 2022

Jesse Williams Jr., businessman in the arts and jazz enthusiast, dies at 83

Hyde Park Herald | June 27, 2022

Ultimate List Of Chicago Events: 75+ Festivals, Fairs, Parades And More To Celebrate In Spring And Summer 2022

Block Club Chicago | April 14, 2022

Hunter named as Grand Yeye of African Festival of the Arts

Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter | September 10, 2020

African Festival of the Arts Celebrates 30th Anniversary This Labor Day Weekend

WTTW | August 30, 2019


Thousands Expected At 30th Annual African Festival Of The Arts Labor Day Weekend

CBS Chicago | August 20, 2019

African Festival of the Arts (AFA) hosts Annual Gala at Logan Center featuring 30 years of art and culture

The Citizen | August 14, 2019

African Festival of the Arts Celebrating 30 years in Chicago

Chicago Defender | July 22, 2019

Celebrating "Togetherness" at the African Festival of the Arts

ABC 7 News Chicago | September 4, 2016

African Festival of the Arts Celebrates 25th Anniversary This Weekend

DNAinfo | August 26, 2014

African Festival of the Arts

Chicago Reader | September 3, 2009