The Africa Narrative
The Africa Narrative is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing Africa’s narrative power through prestige cultural initiatives, original research, and knowledge-building projects that shape how Africa is seen, understood, and valued globally.
Our Story
The Africa Narrative (TAN) began with a Ford Foundation-funded research initiative examining how Africa is depicted in U.S. media, followed by a collaboration with YouTube supporting African short-film talent. It subsequently established itself as an independent U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on elevating African creative achievement and strengthening Africa’s cultural soft power.
TAN’s first program as a nonprofit, the AfroCreatives WikiProject, is supported by the Wikimedia Foundation and works to strengthen the representation of African arts and culture on Wikipedia, with an initial focus on film. The program has expanded to 21 African countries, mobilizing African creatives and cultural contributors to strengthen Africa’s cultural record on one of the world’s most influential knowledge platforms.
Nairobi—October 2026
TAN is establishing a Nairobi presence as the foundation for its transition into an Africa-anchored institution, with leadership and programmatic direction rooted on the continent. Beginning in 2027, TAN will expand its portfolio of cultural and research initiatives and extend the AfroCreatives WikiProject beyond film into other areas of African arts and culture.