About us
Our Story – A Calling to Unite
Diaspora One Tikar One People is an African immigrant-led cultural community organisation.
This organization was not born on a journey familiar to so many in the African diaspora to answer the question: Where do I come from? As proud children of the Tikari legacy, our founders felt the immense weight of a history severed by the ocean and the profound joy of rediscovering that connection.
That discovery was not an ending, but a beginning. It was a sacred calling to build a home for all of Africa’s children in our new home of Minnesota.
One Tikar One People was created to be that home—a place where the richness of our specific heritage serves as a welcoming fire for the diverse cultures of the entire African continent.
We are a testament to the belief that while our roots may be in different soils across a vast continent, here in the Twin Cities, we are one family, united in our shared identity and purpose.
Our Vision
The Vision of One Tikar is to build and strengthen the African Immigrant Diaspora communities in the Twin Cities through engagement initiatives, focusing on cultural education, heritage preservation and empowering the next generations.
We continue to create platforms for cultural expression and foster a deeper understanding of African Cultural Diversity through the conduit of the African Cultural Festival and continuous community engagements.
We are committed to fostering and promoting economic development and increasing exposure for African-owned businesses in the areas of Business Ownership, Healthcare, Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development.
We enhance networking opportunities within the African Immigrant Diaspora Communities in the Twin Cities, Minnesota by promoting unity and shared cultural identity.
Our Mission
The Mission of One Tikar is amplified through the Annual African Cultural Festival in Minnesota and monthly community engagements. The goal is to promote economic development through increased exposure for African-owned businesses and African Community Organizations.
The African Cultural Festival is also a platform for networking where African Businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the public, procurement officers from major corporations and government entities
The African Cultural Festival is an also a platform to educate and inspire the African communities to gain access and exposure to cultural resources.
We foster and promote economic development and increase exposure through training & Development for African-owned businesses and Community Organizations, in the areas of Business Ownership, Healthcare, Mental Wellness, Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development.
Our Strategy
We believe in action that comes from the heart. Our strategy is built on three pillars:
Cultural Celebration & Preservation:
We create vibrant platforms for cultural expression, with the annual African Cultural Festival as our centerpiece. Through this and other community engagements, we focus on cultural education, heritage preservation, and empowering the next generation to carry our traditions forward.
Economic Empowerment:
We are dedicated to the economic prosperity of our community. We provide high-visibility platforms for African-owned businesses, facilitate crucial networking opportunities, and offer targeted training and development to foster sustainable growth and wealth creation.
Community & Connection:
We serve as a vital bridge, connecting members of the diaspora with each other and with their heritage. We work to promote a shared cultural identity, enhance networking, and provide resources that strengthen the bonds of our entire community in the Twin Cities.
Our Values
Heritage: We honor the rich and diverse heritage of the African continent. Our many cultures are our collective strength and our guide.
Unity: We are one family, bound by a shared story of resilience and hope. We foster connection and belonging above all else.
Empowerment: We believe in the strength and ingenuity of our people. We create tangible opportunities for economic and personal growth.
Community: We are dedicated to building a strong, supportive, and vibrant African diaspora community here in the Twin Cities.
Legacy: We are building a future that our children will be proud to inherit, ensuring the flame of our diverse cultures burns brighter than ever.