Vitendo 4 Africa

10/09/2026

‼️ UPDATE: The deadline to sign up to be a vendor has been extended to Monday, October 11!

Calling all African vendors!! The African Students Association at WashU is inviting vendors of African fashion, accessories, beauty goods, souvenirs, and more, to be a part of this year’s Africa week celebration! We would love to offer a chance to build clientele within the WashU community. This year’s marketplace will take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Room 276 of the DUC from 12:30-3:30pm.

If interested, please scan the QR code! Registration MUST be completed by October 11! We hope to see you there!!

10/09/2026

Here is another great investment for our children and our region's future.

What’s happening at Koch Park?

In 2025, we completed Phase One of the Koch Park improvements, which included upgrading all of the sports lighting to LED with automated controls.

We’ve officially started Phase Two!

We are installing two new full-size soccer fields with irrigation, with each field receiving HD Sports 2.0 sod. The project also includes new sidewalks connecting the upper parking lot to the fields and continuing down to the lower parking lot.

We’re also adding a new concrete staircase that will provide easy access to the playground next to the splash pad.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2026, with the new soccer fields ready for play in spring 2027.

This is another major investment in Koch Park and in the future of sports and recreation in Florissant. We’re excited to see this project take shape! Stay tuned for progress photos.

10/09/2026

Vitendo 4 Africa is honored to present the Community Impact Award – Athari la Jamii Award to Ms. Bran-Dee Jelks, Co-Founder and Director of Programs for the Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation! 🏆💜

With over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, nonprofit development, marketing, and community outreach, Bran-Dee has dedicated her life to empowering survivors of domestic violence, restoring hope, and helping individuals and families build brighter, more stable futures.

Through impactful initiatives such as the annual Rally Walk and Love Package Community Drive, she continues to provide essential resources, raise awareness, and champion survivors throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.

A proud alumna of Southern University, Bran-Dee’s commitment to service and advocacy has earned her distinguished honors, including the 2025 Rooted in Resilience Award, Building A Legacy Award, and Humanitarian Award.

Her work embodies the true meaning of community impact—empowering lives, strengthening families, and helping break the cycle of domestic violence.

✨ Vitendo 4 Africa celebrates Bran-Dee Jelks for her unwavering dedication, compassionate leadership, and transformative contributions to the community. Your impact is meaningful, your service is inspiring, and your legacy is one of empowerment and hope!

🎉 Come celebrate Bran-Dee and our amazing awardees! Purchase your tickets and join Vitendo 4 Africa as we honor the changemakers making a difference in our communities: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/v4a-13th-annual-gala-night

10/09/2026

This is what a truly welcoming school looks like.

The words we speak to them today shape who they become tomorrow and how they will show up at work, in their neighborhoods, and in our community 10, 20, and 30 years from now.
Thank you Hazelwood School District for leading the way.

St. Louis Mosaic Project Suzanne Sierra Sewell Walker Elementary School
Welcoming America

10/09/2026

This photo is from many years ago.

Look at them. Standing together, arms crossed, waiting for their turn to dance at the Missouri History Museum. So young, so serious, so full of pride in their culture.

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher

14 years ago we worried about who they would become. Would they stay connected to their culture? Would they be strong? Would they be okay?

Today, they ARE someone. They are young women. They are leaders, students, sisters, daughters. The little one in the front who was looking up at the older girls is now leading.

This is why we do this work. In that moment, they weren't just "the future." They were already carrying our history in their dresses, our rhythm in that drum on the side, our dignity in the way they stood.

If you have a child in your life, don't just prepare them for tomorrow. See them today. Honor who they already are.

Do you recognize anyone in this photo? Tag them and let them know how far they've come.
Thank you to everyone who have supported and continue to support our mission.
www.vitendo4africa.org

10/09/2026

INVITATION: PREMIER SOCCER TOURNAMENT

VIKA SABLES vs IBEX TEAM

You are cordially invited to a Premier Community Soccer Match!

*Date: Saturday, October 11 at 2:00 PM
*Doors Open: 1:00 PM
*Location: St. Sabina Church
*Address: 1625 Swallow Ln, Florissant, MO 63031

More Than A Game:

This match is part of our V4A Youth Wellness Initiative. We are using the power of soccer to bring our youth together and open a vital conversation around:

- Youth Mental Health- Promoting teamwork, belonging, and positive outlets for stress.
- Substance Use Prevention- Keeping our youth active, engaged, and focused on healthy choices.
- Violence Prevention - Building unity, respect, and conflict resolution on and off the field.

Come support the teams, support our youth, and strengthen our community. All are welcome!

PREMIER MATCH - DOORS OPEN AT 1:30 PM
Powered by V4A
St. Louis Mosaic Project St. Louis County Children's Service Fund National Council for Mental Wellbeing
St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission

10/09/2026

How do we support immigrant students and families in school — and beyond the classroom? Join this series to find out.

Register 👉 https://ow.ly/vzBK50ZUtRW

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Walker Elementary School on hosting a fantastic 5th Annual Walker Around the World Cultural Exchange Night!

Hazelwood School District is truly leading the way in making its schools and classrooms more welcoming and inclusive. We are happy to see great turnout from students and participation of teachers and immigrant families. Thank you Kevo Kuntai for sharing the rich masai culture with us.

When students learn about other cultures, they develop greater understanding, appreciation, and respect for one another.

Thank you SD Wehmeyer and the school administration for celebrating the rich diversity of our community and showing our students that our differences are what make us stronger!

St. Louis Mosaic Project Welcoming America City of Florissant Arinola Smith Solanke

10/09/2026

In Swahili, we say, “Umoja ni nguvu” — Unity is strength! 🤝
We were delighted to join the St. Louis community today at the 4th Annual Multi-Ethnic Chamber Mixer hosted at the International Institute of St. Louis. Thank you African Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro St. Louis, Heartland Chamber of commerce, Afghan Chamber of Commerce.
It was an uplifting evening celebrating the rich cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, and community connections that make our region’s immigrant business community thrive.
At Vitendo4Africa, we believe that when people from different cultures come together, share ideas, and support one another, we build stronger businesses, stronger communities, and a stronger region.
Together, we are stronger. Umoja ni nguvu!

10/09/2026

So proud to see great African talents joining us to add value and contribute to regional economic growth.
Keep up Dr. Mahmoud!

Dr. Mahmoud's path to cardiology took her from Nigeria to Ireland to the UK and now to WashU Medicine, where she's built a career in cardio-obstetrics.

Her research on hypertension in pregnancy spans two continents, and lessons learned in Nigeria are now shaping new approaches to postpartum care here in Missouri.

"I know I can't change the world, but maybe I can fix one small problem, and that's enough."

Read Dr. Mahmoud's full story via the link> https://bit.ly/4Ax32kE

(Feature by WashU Bursky Public Health - written by Judith Mwobobia)