AWA is a pan-African nonprofit advancing women’s issues and empowering artists through vibrant cultural initiatives. We educate, train, mentor, and create meaningful production and presentation opportunities for Black women, including volunteer pathways and participation in the Niagara Afro Festival. While rooted in Black women, we welcome diverse communities to foster cross-cultural collaborations across music, film, spoken word, visual arts, entrepreneurship, and performance. Our work deepens public understanding and appreciation of traditional and contemporary African arts, culminating in flagship events like the Niagara Afro Festival and Reconnect Festival in Nigeria. We are committed to progress, inclusivity, community engagement, and a lasting, positive impact on artists, communities, and the cultural sector. Founded to uplift Black women and youth, AWA celebrates Africa’s rich artistic heritage and inspires cultural exchange across the continent and beyond. We are fundraising to establish and grow the Baobab Arts & Culture Centre in Niagara Falls Canada and welcome your support to amplify our impact.
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.