Dear AfriGA Community,

AfriGA officially began operations in January 2025 with a simple vision: to build a community where African graduate students at Cornell could connect, support one another, grow together, and celebrate our shared heritage.

The 2024–2025 academic year was largely focused on establishing that foundation. We began with no existing operational framework and a $0 funding baseline, eventually securing our first $750 in organizational funding. We also experienced difficult moments, including the loss of members, when AfriGA stepped in to create space for remembrance and community support. Building something new was not always easy, but through your trust, commitment, and participation, we kept moving forward.

The 2025–2026 academic year marked another important chapter. AfriGA held its first democratic Executive Board election, and I was deeply honored to receive your trust to continue serving, this time as the Association's first democratically elected President. I shared then my hope that we would build on our foundation and create even greater opportunities for connection, collaboration, and celebration.

Looking back, I am incredibly proud of how far we have come together.

This year, AfriGA hosted 11 programs and events, built a community spanning 20+ African countries, expanded its visibility and social media presence, strengthened relationships across Cornell and beyond, and connected with more than 45 African and African-descended faculty members across Cornell.

From our $0 starting point and $750 in first-year funding, we secured more than $15,000 in funding and in-kind support this year, allowing us to expand our programming and bring ambitious ideas to life significantly. Among them was the inaugural African Global Summit at Cornell, which brought together more than 120 registered attendees, Cornell leadership, students, faculty, researchers, professionals, and participants from institutions beyond Cornell.

Beyond our programs, we invested in AfriGA's long-term sustainability by adopting the Association's Bylaws, strengthening its governance and operational systems, organizing institutional resources, expanding partnerships, and establishing structures to support leadership continuity. We also conclude this administration with resources in place to support those coming after us.

None of these milestones belong to any one person. They were made possible by our Executive Board, members, volunteers, faculty, advisors, partners, sponsors, Cornell offices, and everyone who believed in AfriGA and contributed to its growth.

It has been an incredible privilege to serve as AfriGA's Founding President and to watch an idea grow into the community we have today.

As the 2026–2027 Executive Board begins, I ask that you extend to them the same support, participation, ideas, and encouragement that helped us build AfriGA to this point. Our continued growth depends on a community that continues to show up and believe in what AfriGA can become.

Thank you for trusting us, building with us, and being part of AfriGA's journey. I cannot wait to see where AfriGA goes next.

Aminat M Ibrahim

Founding President, AfriGA

2. Our Administration at a Glance

11 programs. Many moments. One community.

Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, AfriGA created opportunities for community, learning, professional development, cultural celebration, and connection. From welcoming new and returning students to academic and social programming, each gathering contributed to the community we continued to build together.


4. Signature Event

The Inaugural African Global Summit at Cornell: Shaping Africa's Role in the Next Global Era

One of the defining milestones of the 2025–2026 administration was bringing the inaugural African Global Summit at Cornell to life.

Held on May 2, 2026, the Summit was created as a multidisciplinary platform for engaging a central question: How will Africa shape the next global era? It brought together students, faculty, Cornell leadership, scholars, professionals, and participants from beyond the University for conversations spanning leadership, institutions, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and global development.

The program brought these perspectives together through a fireside conversation, thematic panel discussions, a graduate research showcase, and networking and engagement sessions. Emerging scholars shared their research alongside conversations with established leaders and practitioners, creating a space where different disciplines, experiences, and generations could contribute to the same dialogue.

With more than 120 registered attendees and participation extending beyond Cornell to other universities and the broader community, the Summit represented an important milestone for AfriGA. More than a single event, it demonstrated what could be built through student leadership, institutional collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating spaces where African perspectives, scholarship, and ideas can help shape broader conversations.

With Support From: • GPSA • Cornell EMC2 • OISE • IAD

In Collaboration With: Johnson Africa Business Society (JABS)

Explore the African Global Summit 2026: View Summit highlights, speakers, photographs, and more on the AfriGA website.

5. Building for the Future

Beyond our programs and events, the 2025–2026 administration invested in strengthening AfriGA's foundation and building resources that future administrations can continue to develop.


 

6. Looking Ahead

As AfriGA begins a new chapter under the 2026–2027 Executive Board, we look forward to seeing the Association continue to grow, evolve, and create meaningful opportunities for African graduate students and the broader Cornell community.

To the incoming Executive Board, congratulations once again. We encourage the AfriGA community to support them, participate in upcoming programs, share ideas, and continue contributing to the community we have built together.

To every member, Executive Board member, volunteer, faculty member, advisor, partner, sponsor, speaker, and supporter who contributed to the 2025–2026 academic year:

Thank you.