Founded in 2011 by international artist Sonia Aimy, African Women Acting (AWA) is an incorporated non-profit organization. The organization aims to empower, promote and preserve African cultural arts of all modalities in Ontario. These include vocal and instrumental music, theatre, dance, visual arts, spoken word, story-telling and poetry.
In order to comprehensively achieve our goal, we ardently support female African artists and those of the diaspora and champion related issues. As we are a community of women, the agenda of addressing social activism for social issues such as sexism, discrimination, racism, homelessness, gender-based violence and mental health are some aimed at to eradicate. Through artistic expressions, AWA brings these issues to light and offers knowledge, support and solutions.
Although AWA prioritizes promoting female African artists, we strongly believe in inclusivity in the arts community. We encourage partnerships and collaborations with artists of all genders, ethnicities and religious or spiritual beliefs.
Mission: Showcase, nurture and support African arts and artists of African heritage while advocating women’s issues.
Vision: To create opportunities such as artistic and educational workshops and events which promote artistic expression, inclusiveness and community engagement. Ultimately, we want to create an indelible positive impact on African arts and social issues in Ontario.
Mandate: With its convenient locations in downtown Toronto and St. Catharine’s, AWA collaborates with various artists and art organizations to service, educate, innovate, and provide free and affordable art programs and events to under-served communities.
About
African Women Acting
About Us — empowering women, amplifying African arts, building community.
Our Purpose
AWA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering women while preserving and promoting the heritage of African culture through arts.
Women’s Advocacy
African Arts
Community
6,000–8,000
Festival Attendees
10+
Artist Groups (2015-2019)
14
Artist Groups (2021)
80–120
Volunteers/Year
Our Story & Activism
What We Stand For
Representation & Equity
Community First
Cultural Preservation
Mentorship & Growth
Artistic Excellence
Women’s Advocacy
Where We Work
Convenient locations in downtown Toronto and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Mission • Vision • Mandate
Built to create real impact through art, education, collaboration, and community engagement.
Mission
Our mission is to showcase, nurture, and champion African arts and artists of African heritage while advocating for women’s voices. Led predominantly by African women and rooted in the strength of mothers, sisters and caretakers, we are committed to fostering cultural development within our local community by creating spaces and opportunities where creativity flourishes and diverse stories are honored.
Vision
To create opportunities such as artistic and educational workshops and events which promote artistic expression, inclusiveness and community engagement. Ultimately, we want to create an indelible positive impact on African arts and social issues in Ontario.
Mandate
With its convenient location in downtown Toronto and Niagara Falls, AWA collaborates with various artists and art organizations to service, educate, innovate, and provide free and affordable art programs and events to under-served communities.
Our Impact
AWA has made a significant impact on both festival audiences and the artists it supports.
AWA has made a significant impact on both festival audiences and the artists it supports, drawing between 6,000–8,000 attendees at its summer festivals. Between 2015-2019, AWA fostered the growth of over 10 artist groups at a variety of events, with several of the bands consisting of up to five members. In 2020, the organization successfully adapted to a virtual format, reaching over 5,000 viewers through its livestream festival, and in 2021, it welcomed 4,000–5,000 attendees in person at Oakes Garden while providing performance opportunities for 14 artist groups, each made up of at least four members. This impact is further strengthened by the dedication of 80–120 volunteers who support an average of 20 events each year, underscoring AWA’s strong community involvement and capacity to deliver consistent, high-quality & diverse programming.