Greenville, SC – Sept. 20, 2025 – Linked Africa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering knowledge sharing and professional empowerment, hosted a successful Community Engagement Event on Saturday, September 20th. Held at the Wakanda Lounge Bar & Restaurant, the event brought together 30 guests from across South Carolina and Georgia, creating a vibrant space for cultural exchange and professional networking.
The event’s success was highlighted by a diverse turnout, with attendees from South Carolina and one from Georgia. It also garnered support from across the country, with individuals in Seattle, Texas, Georgia, and Florida registering to show solidarity.
The gathering was designed to be a “bridge between continents,” a theme echoed by Nadege, Linked Africa advisor and philanthropist, who remarked, “This is a platform for meaningful dialogue, for sharing insights, and for building the partnerships that will drive a shared success.”
Attendees connected using the FROG networking framework, a method focused on creating quick rapport by discussing Family, Recreation, Occupation, and Goals. This intentional approach led to unexpected and enriching encounters.
Showcasing African Heritage and Community
The event was a vibrant showcase of African culture and community. Guests were treated to an array of traditional African dishes, including chin chin, beef and chicken patties, fried yam, fried plantain, and jollof rice, all prepared in an authentic African style by Wakanda Cuisine. Hibiscus juice, also known as Sorrel Drink, was a refreshing highlight.
The program featured a presentation of Linked Africa’s mission and leaders from countries including Burkina Faso, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Togo. A special segment was dedicated to a virtual tour of 10 iconic places to visit in Africa, followed by an engaging trivia game that tested guests’ knowledge of both the continent and South Carolina.
A poignant moment came with a presentation on the late actor Chadwick Boseman, a South Carolina native and global icon for his role as the Black Panther. The presentation highlighted his African and South Carolina heritage, a tribute made even more special by the event’s location at the Wakanda Bar and Lounge. The connection between Boseman’s legacy and the event’s location served as a powerful symbol of cultural pride and shared identity.
Empowering the Next Generation
The event served as a critical platform for Linked Africa’s mission, especially in supporting its local mentorship program, ThriveSC. A mentee from the program, Afi Gbolovi, shared a live testimonial about her experience, demonstrating the program’s tangible impact.
This community engagement event was a strategic initiative aimed at building a robust support network for ThriveSC, which focuses on empowering African immigrants to successfully integrate into and contribute to the South Carolina community.
According to Winnie, Linked Africa advisor and philanthropist, the event was a true reflection of the organization’s core philosophy. “Together, we are building bridges and changing lives.” she said.
The success of the event underscored Linked Africa’s commitment to community building, with proceeds directly supporting the sustainability of the ThriveSC program. The connections forged and knowledge shared have laid a strong foundation for future growth and collaboration in the South Carolina community and beyond.
