US-based Gambian Journalist and Volunteer Pa Ousman Joof have been awarded two awards in The United States for supporting and advocating for immigrants’ rights and well-being.
Mr. Joof, a prominent member of the Gambian community in the US state of Washington, is the founder of the Seattle-based Washington West African Centre and a Journalist who founded the Gambia Talents Promotion.
He was awarded as Best African Non-profit Executive of Washington State. In contrast, his organization, Washington West African Centre, was awarded the African Non-profit Organisation by the African Achievement Awards, a Prestigious Premier Multifaceted Red Carpet award annually rolled out by Channel A TV in Washington.
The Award was created to acknowledge and Celebrate African Success and Excellence in all forms of Leadership, Community Service, Education, Entertainment, Fashion, and Sports.”
The Award aims to recognize outstanding African individuals, groups, or businesses that have positively impacted immigrant communities in the Pacific Northwest and The United States.
Reacting to the Award, Pa told Alkamba Times: “
After moving to Washington state in 2015 and starting the Washington West African Center in 2017, I am grateful for my achievements.
My life experiences in the United States for the past 18 years inspired me to create the Washington West African Center (WAWAC) less than two years after I moved to Washington State to connect my people with local resources and bridge the gap between the wider community and us. I started it as an all-volunteer organization and ran it from my Living room for five years using my resources.”
He said: ” The center serves as a one-stop hub where the West African Community can come and ask for any help, and we often make a concerted effort to provide the West Africans with the assistance they need. If we don’t have it, we go find it.”
Mr. Joof currently sits on different boards where he champions and advocates for Racial Equity and justice, especially for the members of the immigrant Communities. These committees include the Snohomish County Racial Equity Housing Advisory Board, the Department of Health’s Collaborative Thought Partner, the City of Lynnwood, the Parkslove Co-Design team, Washington Community Alliance, the Coalition of BIPOC Executive Directors, and the HTC Equity Coalition.
” I am honored to receive this Award on behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff, interns, volunteers, and the entire West African Community in Washington State. It is a good feeling to do something and be recognized for it,” delightful Pa told Alkamba Times from his base in Washington State.
