ABOUT US
The mission of the African Immigrant Health Research Collaborative (AIHRC) is to amplify the voices, experiences, and solutions of all African immigrants by actively challenging and interrupting structural oppression through community-led research, training, and engagement. We prioritize community cultural values and decolonized practices, sustaining a bold African immigrant-led network dedicated to driving meaningful policy and systems change to improve the well-being of African immigrants for generations to come.
PROJECTS
African immigrants have been uniquely affected by the coronavirus crisis. There is a need for researchers, health care providers and the health care system to understand their experiences and develop culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions.
RESOURCES
African immigrants are among the fastest growing immigrant groups and are a rapidly growing segment of the black community. Studies have shown disparities in health outcomes for mental health, chronic diseases, and infectious diseases.
Upcoming Alkebulan Circle Event
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 3:00PM – 4:30PM ET
Alkebulan Circle Spotlight: What African Immigrant Families Teach Us About Mental Health
What if some of our strongest mental health “tools” have been sitting in our living rooms all along? In this Alkebulan Circle session, we will explore how African immigrant families name (or avoid) mental health, how caregiving and community shape coping, and what culturally grounded support can look like across generations. Together, we’ll reflect on the wisdom, tensions, and practical lessons families carry, and how we can turn those lessons into decolonized research pathways for healing, help-seeking, and belonging.
Guest Speaker: Joanne Awuor Oport, MPA is the Founder and CEO of Africans for Mental Health (AFMH), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 whose mission is to break the stigma of mental illness in the African global community. AFMH promotes mental health awareness and supports prevention efforts around substance use and suicide risk reduction, with programming and community outreach based in Texas and Maryland. Joanne is also trained as a Certified Mental Health First Aider (Youth & Adults) and QPR Gatekeeper, and her leadership has been recognized publicly, including being named among The Daily Record’s 2024 Health Care Heroes honorees in Maryland.”
Zoom Meeting ID: 817 9672 2303
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