about us
Connect | Empower | Grow
African Women Journey is a platform that unites Black and African Diaspora Women to share their stories, talents, energy, resources, and skills, with their peers in the United States and in Africa in order to grow together through shared experiences. What makes African Women Journey different is our deep commitment to leveraging the talents, expertise, diversity of our community throughout our platform by amplifying stories, building a community, working together, and sharing resources to bridge the gap and strengthen the connection between Africa and the Diaspora.
African Women Journey launched in 2020.
What We DO
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We conduct continuing assessments of the status and roles of African diaspora women.
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We educate and convene the African diaspora women through workshops, networking, book club, leadership development, and other relevant mechanisms to the needs and status of African diaspora women.
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We publish regular newsletters, podcast interviews, stories, reports, and relevant news.
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We facilitate collaborative relationships with and among many African diaspora women.
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We provide a platform for African diaspora women to connect with other African diaspora professional women and gain valuable access to networking, leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
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We leverage our platform and privilege to speak truth to power and support gender justice causes in Africa.
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We celebrate African diaspora women leading the conversation, making waves, and shaping everything from social impact and politics to wellness, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
Our Mission
The mission of the AWJ is to contribute to a vibrant future of African diaspora women by connecting, supporting, developing, and amplifying stories of African diaspora women leaders, entrepreneurs, and change agents .
Our VISION
When African diaspora women are supported, seen and heard for their own excellence and process, they are able to contribute more fully to their communities and society at large.
Our Goal
Our goal is to connect, empower and amplify the role and contributions of African diaspora women. We ultimately want to unite and mobilize African diaspora women to their female peers in the continent while celebrating our rich diversity and excellence
Meet our founder
Lula Defersha is a social impact dynamo who seeks to help build individuals' self-awareness and confidence for successful collaborative contribution.
As someone who immigrated to the U.S. at a young age from Ethiopia, she recognized that it could be hard to ascertain your unique voice in a sea of stories. Still, through creating a community and series of professional Endeavors, she has found her unique skill of empathetic communication as an active and solution-oriented listener; advocate is the key element that will help others become more sure of themselves and create the life that they want.
Through her work, Defersha helps uncover and amplify people's inner stories within organizations and in their own lives to help them unlock new successes both collaboratively and developmentally.
Ultimately, her goal is to showcase those who have achieved success through her digital platform, African Women Journey, while connecting young professionals to resources for their growth and education and engaging individuals to know their story and clarify their contribution to bridging the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
