WE ARE
About Us
Kazi Za Wahenga (Swahili for “Work of the Ancestors”) was created for the youth and young adults of African descent to travel internationally, learn and discover their African roots and heritage, and provide leadership development and training to prepare them to become the future global leaders this world needs.
Message
from our
Director
Executive Director: Taalib Saber
“As an avid traveler and connoisseur of African history and culture, I always wanted to create and be a part of something that would make people who look like me proud. When I first embarked upon my journey to discover myself and establish my purpose, I sojourned to South Africa. I was finishing my first year in law school and wanted to study abroad while working a Human Rights internship. This was my first time outside the United States and my first time stepping foot on the African continent. From the people, to the food, to the culture, it completely transformed my way of thinking. I saw people who looked like me, struggled like me, and strived like me. There was a connection that, often times as people of African descent we are detached from, reminded me of where I came from, who I was, and the greatness that lay within. I was so moved by this experience that I returned to various parts of Africa for 8 out the past 10 years.
Now, as a practicing lawyer, a grassroots organizer, and mentor, I wanted to provide this transformative experience to other youth and young adults of African descent. Many times in this society young people of African descent are overlooked, underrepresented, and unappreciated for their intelligence, ingenuity, creativity, strength, courage and wisdom. Through our programs, we look to change that narrative and highlight the value of our young people by exposing them to different cultures, languages, and experiences that will enhance their entire essence.
Each One, Teach One"
Sincerely,
Taalib Saber, Esq
Executive Director
Meet The Board
Keith Sydnor
is currently on his third term as councilman for Ward 2 in the City of Laurel, Maryland. First elected in November 2017, Keith is a dynamic and motivating leader who is dedicated to the progress of people, his country, and his community. Keith worked in law enforcement for more than 22 years. He has served as a Correctional Officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a Correctional Officer for the Virginia Department of Corrections, and a Deputy Sheriff for Petersburg, VA Sheriff’s Office. Keith is a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy. His illustrious military career includes two deployments to the Persian Gulf; a 2001 mobilization for Operation Noble Eagle (9/11); and two deployments to Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to his human service career and military service, Keith served as the Chairman of the Veterans Committee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1456. Keith served as the Vice President of the Board for Vistas II Laurel Lakes Condominium Association. Keith is also a current member of The 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, Inc
Veronica "Ms. V" Cooper
is a serial entrepreneur, an expert dress-maker, and certified barista. She is the current owner of Culture Coffee Too, a boutique coffee shop and gathering center for the DC community.
Celso "Rahiz" Morais
is an author, performer, composer and producer who started his career in 1994. Born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents, he quickly became one of the most active and eclectic artists on the urban music scene. He is a descendant of one of the most respected in Cape Verdean music, the late musician and composer Luis Morais. Not relying on his lineage to define his career, he worked from a very early age with several other well-known artists both domestically and internationally. Some of his hits include, “Um Sonho,” “My Time,” and. “Kriola.
Nia Duggins
is an attorney, activist, advocate, and policy professional with extensive experience working in government affairs and politics. She is a partner at Blackstone Advisory Group, Inc., a race and gender equity firm which specializes in human-centered design training focused on diversity, equity, inclusion strategies and support for various entities in diverse sectors. Nia is an active member of numerous community groups and organizations, and is passionate about voting rights, advancing equity issues, and housing reform.
Alexia Furlow
is a practicing attorney currently working for the Office of The Territorial Public Defender located in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Over the course of 2016-2018 she traveled between the USA and Kenya. While in Kenya, Alexia was invited to attend a National Action Plan Meeting on Strengthening Legal and Policy Environments by the Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN). At that meeting she sat alongside various nongovernmental organizations and Kenyan governmental sectors, including Police, Judiciary, and Prisons, to propose policy reforms that would mitigate the increase in HIV and Tuberculosis. To date, Alexia has visited 16 countries, the majority as a solo traveler. Alexia’s work and travel brought her to be featured in Charlotte’s Pride Magazine in October 2017 and Travel Noire in October 2018.