TransAfrica

TransAfrica Forum is a research, education, and advocacy center dedicated to global justice for the African World. TransAfrica envisions a world where Africans and people of African descent are self-reliant, socially and economically prosperous, and have equal access to a more just international system that strengthens independence and democracy. TransAfrica is an educational and organizing center that encourages human interest viewpoints in the U.S. foreign policy arena, and that advocates for justice for the people of Africa and the African Diaspora. TransAfrica creates solidarity between Americans and communities most affected by U.S. policies throughout the world. TransAfrica supports human rights, gender equity, democracy, and sustainable economic and environmental development. TransAfrica advocates for a more just foreign policy through the engagement of African Americans and policymakers. By connecting people and policymakers to those most affected by U.S. foreign policy, and by encouraging Afro-descendants to be civically active, TransAfrica works to create a more just foreign policy that reflects the values of African Americans, especially respect for human rights. ==History==

The Black Forum on Foreign Affairs was formed in 1975, and served as the precursor to TransAfrica. TransAfrica Forum was founded on July 1, 1977, after being conceived a year earlier at a Black Leadership Conference convened by the Congressional Black Caucus in September, 1976. A committee consisting of Randall Robinson, Herschelle Challenor, and Willard Johnson are credited with formulating an organizational design and launch. Robinson became the organization's first Director. TransAfrica launched a series of legislative campaigns and strategic media outreach that increased public awareness of South African apartheid and contributed to the global anti-apartheid solidarity movement. The organization is credited for its activist role in the anti-apartheid struggle. ==Advocacy and education work==

TransAfrica continues to work on similar social, political, and economic justice issues throughout the African world. The current priority areas in Africa include Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, South Africa and Uganda. In the Americas, this includes Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and the United States. Advocacy and education events TransAfrica continues to sponsor public seminars, community awareness campaigns and training programs to sensitize the public and policy makers. This includes the Cabral/Truth Circles, film series, lecture series, book club and a writer's forum for authors to discuss their work. They co-sponsor the annual New African Film Festival in Washington, D.C. This brought the Anti-South African movements to the national stage. It sparked the formation of the Free South Africa Movement in the U.S. which TransAfrica was a founding member of. Within a few days, more sit-ins and demonstrations against South Africa were held nationally. ==Organization and structure==

TransAfrica is run by a board of directors, administered by staff, and supported by members. Danny Glover served as chairman of the board. Past board members included activists Arthur Ashe, Chuck D and Harry Belafonte. The list of former Directors includes human rights lawyer Nicole Lee ==See also==