The History of Africa House International
Africa House was founded by Dr. Willie R. Mackey and his wife AkuSika Nkomo Mackey as an Art House in 1996. Located in the heart of midtown corridor an area often referred to as the Hood. The name Africa House gained popularity in the early 2000 due to the influx of talented artist working and residing in the apartments.
The Mackey’s saw a need for inner-city children, youth and people in general to be able to engage in programs within walking distance of where they lived. Dr. and Mrs. Mackey became community advocates and positive change agents by establishing the Art House, today grassroots Learning Center and home of Africa House Learning Gardens.
The Mackey’s saw a need for inner-city children, youth and people in general to be able to engage in programs within walking distance of where they lived. Dr. and Mrs. Mackey became community advocates and positive change agents by establishing the Art House, today grassroots Learning Center and home of Africa House Learning Gardens.
Our Mission
Africa House International is a community-based learning center established to keep the legacy of Dr. Willie R. Mackey alive by providing a holistic approach to Environmental Stewardship through Arts & Culture, S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) and provide Health & Wellness workshop, seminars and programs domestic and abroad.
About Our Co-Founder Dr. Willie R. Mackey
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Dr. Karimi Mackey, the second African American to earn a PhD in Astrophysics from M.I.T. Worked at Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center. DR. WILLIE RAY MACKEY (OSAGYEFO KARIMI SALMONE FAYE), renowned scientist and African dancer, born May 16, 1953, passed away suddenly on Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 at age 51. Born in Memphis, TN., raised in St. Louis, MO. he received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Mathematics with a concentration in African American Cultural Arts from Oberlin College. He received a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from MIT. He was founder of the Cooper Community Science Center in Roxbury, MA.; Institute of Rational Analysis, Boston, MA.; Amiraka Afrique, Dayton; Po Tolo Studio Complex, Cincinnati, and the McNair-Diop Astrophysical Institute. He performed extensively throughout New England with the Art of Black Dance and Music and completed a seven year apprenticeship under Raymond Sylla of Senegal, West Africa. He also served on the Ohio Arts Council Dance Panel. He was Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Wilber-force University and at the time of his death was a Spacecraft Plasma Physicist at the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland and Director of Modern Africa Tama Tama
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Message from the president:
Although Africa House has its roots in 1996 as an ART House we are not too far from that today. The international artist Papa Assane M'baye who helped build our Arts & Culture foundation, has returned to teach Sabar classes, language, and history. Dr. Mackey, who inspired it all, would be please with AfricaHouse International's S.T.E.A.M. initiative and the African Solar Village Green Project (ASVGP) originally the African Solar Village Outreach Project (ASVOP) he created to educate people in the inner city about Solar and other renewable energy technologies. I also do this work in memory of Olajuwon Hakeem Nkomo, my son, who was 19 years old when he was murdered in Cleveland, Ohio. I believe it is up to all of us to provide jobs and opportunities for our inner-city youth. There are many projects that can be used as tools to learn and grow. Every abandon house or building can be rehabbed and created into an Art House and provide work and an exciting learning and growing opportunity for our young people. We must teach them about positive teamwork. It's teamwork that makes the dream work. |
Contact Us & Learn More
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Discover all that we have to offer. Contact us today. We are ready to answer any of your questions or concerns. Ask us about our upcoming programs and community events
(216) 421-0298
1695 E 81st St #1,Cleveland, OH 44103 |