TransAfrica

TransAfrica (formerly TransAfrica Forum) is an advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. that seeks to influence the foreign policy of the United States concerning African and Caribbean countries and all African diaspora groups. It is a research, education, and advocacy center for activism related to social, economic and political conditions in Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America and other parts of the African Diaspora. TransAfrica is the largest and oldest social justice organization in the U.S that focuses on the African world. It has served as a major research, educational, and organizing institution for the African and African descendant communities and for the U.S. public in general.

TransAfrica Forum is a research, education, and advocacy center dedicated to global justice for the African World. TransAfrica envisions a world where Africans and people of African descent are self-reliant, socially and economically prosperous, and have equal access to a more just international system that strengthens independence and democracy.

TransAfrica is an educational and organizing center that encourages human interest viewpoints in the U.S. foreign policy arena, and that advocates for justice for the people of Africa and the African Diaspora. TransAfrica creates solidarity between Americans and communities most affected by U.S. policies throughout the world. TransAfrica supports human rights, gender equity, democracy, and sustainable economic and environmental development.

TransAfrica advocates for a more just foreign policy through the engagement of African Americans and policymakers. ^{[citation needed]}

By connecting people and policymakers to those most affected by U.S. foreign policy, and by encouraging Afro-descendants to be civically active, TransAfrica works to create a more just foreign policy that reflects the values of African Americans, especially respect for human rights.^{[citation needed]}

The Black Forum on Foreign Affairs was formed in 1975, and served as the precursor to TransAfrica. TransAfrica Forum was founded on July 1, 1977, after being conceived a year earlier at a Black Leadership Conference convened by the Congressional Black Caucus in September, 1976. A committee consisting of Randall Robinson, Herschelle Challenor, and Willard Johnson are credited with formulating an organizational design and launch. Robinson became the organization's first Director.

TransAfrica launched a series of legislative campaigns and strategic media outreach that increased public awareness of South African apartheid and contributed to the global anti-apartheid solidarity movement. The organization is credited for its activist role in the anti-apartheid struggle. Through the Free South Africa Movement, TransAfrica initiated letter-writing campaigns, hunger strikes, and protest marches to challenge the apartheid system and compel the U.S. government to take action against apartheid.

Named after former board member Arthur Ashe, the Arthur R. Ashe Foreign Policy Library is the only library in the U.S. dedicated to sensitizing Americans about African, Caribbean, and Latin-American issues. It is an important resource for policy analysts, scholars and the public.