About Us
Who We Are
Building bridges across continents to empower the Afar diaspora through cultural heritage, education, and sustainable development.
About AAD
The American Afar Diaspora (AAD) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
We are dedicated to empowering the Afar community by preserving and promoting our cultural heritage, advancing educational and economic opportunities, and advocating for human rights and social justice.
Through active participation in cultural festivals and events, we strive to build a strong, united, and resilient Afar diaspora—fostering connections across generations and borders, and standing as a leading voice for the Afar people on the global stage.
About the Afar
The Afar are a people native to the Horn of Africa, primarily inhabiting Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, with a global population estimated between 5 and 8 million.
Afar is not only a people but also a language and a system of governance, organized by confederation, with the head of territory known as the Dardar or Amoyta—a role equivalent to a Sultan.
This rich cultural heritage—our people, our language, and our leadership traditions—is one we are committed to celebrating, respecting, and passing on to future generations.
Our Values
Our organization’s values are based on Kindness, transparency, and equity.
Kindness
We believe in treating everyone with compassion, respect, and understanding, fostering a supportive community where all members feel valued.
Transparency
We maintain open communication and honest practices in all our operations, ensuring accountability to our community and stakeholders.
Equity
We champion equal opportunities and fair treatment for all, working to eliminate barriers and create inclusive pathways to success.
Our Impact
Through our dedicated efforts, we have been building a network with other East Africa communities as well as in the US, which permits us to show our culture, history and to help our humanitarian situation back home.
On November 2022, we teamed up with a group from the Afar region of Ethiopia to collaborate on an important project. After months of hard work, we are thrilled to announce that as of June 28th, 2024, we have successfully integrated the Afar language into Google Translate. This achievement marks a significant step forward in making this language more accessible to a wider audience.