Meet The Team
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Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
We are a historical, cultural non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the legacy of Empress Menen Asfaw, crowned Empress of Ethiopia. Her memory is of great importance as it provides a pristine lens by which we can engender respect for the unique gifts that African descended women bring to the world.
Each year, on Empress Menen’s birth anniversary, we provide Chicagoans with a free-to-the family event where we share her story, and we honor black women in the Chicagoland area who have been exceptional in service, philanthropy, and education of others. In 2025, we are celebrating our 10th year anniversary. Please donate to our organization and assist us in keeping our vision alive for another 10 years.
Meet Our Team
Asantewaa Oppong Wadie, Ed.D.
Founder of Empress Menen Day, Chicago
Public Historian & Professor of History
Wellness Consultant for Women, Girls & Families
Kwadwo Oppong Wadie, Ph.D.
Professor of Education, Education consultant, Public speaker on Black culture and History
Ahunuabobrim kuntunkununku Naa Polku Kolku Konko Chiri!
Contact Dr. Kwadwo Wadie: aoppongw@depaul.edu
Dr. Afrika Porter
CEO of Afrika Enterprises Consulting & Public Relations Firm
- Executive Director of Afrika Cares/HUMBLE
- The Queen of Hyde Park
Sista Afrika is a Partner at AMPR Consulting Firm with Melanie Brown
- Sista Afrika is a 5 time Emmy Award Winning Film Executive Director of Chicago At The Crossroad
Documentary
- Sista Afrika has hosted hundreds of events, shows, open mics, concerts, panel discussions, think tanks, and awards ceremonies and Galas to date
- Afrika is on the board at Building Better Futures Foundation for the Arts, The Woodlawn Restorative
Justice Hub, LOTUS Foundation, Empress Menen Foundation, 40 Plus Double Dutch Club, and she has several shows. " The Chicago Community Activism Podcast Live with Sista
Afrika show & both on
YouTube and FB
Contact Dr. Afrika Porter: Afrikaent1@gmail.com
Imani Olubayo Folayan Barberousse
Educator, Research Librarian, Sociologist, Information Scientist, Birth Worker,
Mindfulness Practitioner, Social Justice Advocate, and Food Therapist. She has dedicated over 30 years to Birth Work, Education, Homeschooling, Curriculum
Development, and Maternal Support through Doula and Breastfeeding Services.
Contact Imani Barberousse: ibarberousse@yahoo.com
Joy Morris
Joy Morris is a Newborn Care Specialist, Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Advocate, Home
Birth Promoter, Love-Assisted Birther, and Founder of Best Milk, Inc.
She is a Homeschooling Mother of 8, Editor, Expert in English Language and Literature,
Creative Writer, Teacher of Reading and Independent Thinking, Lover of Books and Oral
History, and Ethiopian History and Culture Enthusiast.
Contact Joy Morris: Jcarolem2@gmail.com
Ras Aba Shaka
Afrikan Liberation Worker
Community development worker
Social worker
HeARTist in the field of Dance, DJ & Sound System OPERATOR
Vinyl musician. Radio Host. Life Griot.
Contact Ras Aba Shaka: musicmanshaka@gmail.com
Imani Muhammad
Owner and operator of the famous Imani’s Original, a fine foods business which has been hailed
for its bean pie for over a decade. Her pies are being a feature in several major grocery chains,
including Whole Foods and Pete & Fresh Market. She is also a home-based day care provider,
A homeschool parent, and a podcaster.
Contact Imani Muhammad: info@imanisoriginals.com
