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     Afro-Community Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI) was formed in July 2003 as an independent community-based organisation, because although the Afro community is one of the largest Minority Ethnic Communities in Northern Ireland (1126 people, 2001 Census, which today could be in excess of 3-5,000), information on the life and experiences of black Africans, African–Caribbeans and other Afro-descendants in Northern Ireland is virtually non-existent.

    ACSONI was borne out of a series of consultations and focus groups carried out with individuals from the Afro-Caribbean, African and other Afro descendant communities. The work was funded by the South Belfast Highway to Health between 2003 and July 2005.

    The focus group carried out a needs-assessment to explore gaps in service provision for this community. One of the outcomes of the needs-assessment was the lack of resources, community support and infrastructure to address specific needs of individuals from the African continent, the Afro-Caribbean and other individuals of African descent. This led to the establishment of the Afro- Community Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI).

    ACSONI became a registered charity on the 17th of February 2004. ACSONI became a member of the Northern Ireland Council For Ethnic Minorities in March 2004.

    Since its inception, ACSONI has risen to the challenge of developing and implementing a strategic framework through which the needs of this ever-increasing community can be addressed.

TIMELINE

July 2003  ACSONI established

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14 Feb. 2004  Constitution signed

17 Feb. 2004  Registered charity

March 2004  Member of NICEM

October 2004  First TropicX-04

Dec. 2004  1st Christmas Dinner

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14 Jan. 2005  ACSONI's First AGM

October 2005  Second TropicX-05

Constitution

     ACSONI is managed by a democratically elected management team of volunteers who serve a 1 year term in accordance with the organisation's constitution. This constitution was drafted by the focus group and on the 14th of February 2004, this document was accepted by the membership under the leadership of the first Chairperson, Mr Joseph Ricketts and the organisation's first secretary, Mr Paul Brown.

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    Membership is open to Africans, African-Americans, Afro-European, Caribbeans and Afro descendants including their non-Afro parents. Recently the organisation has seen a rapid and dramatic increase in the number of individuals from this community who have decided to reside and work in Northern Ireland. There are approximately 150 names on its database.

Membership fee is only £5 for the year.

     This fee entitles members to free Socials and reduced rates at TropicX and the Christmas Dinner. In 2005, dinner was held in Stormont Hotel and last year, it was in the Titanic Lounge in the Holiday Inn (click here to see some photographs). The fee allows members to also undertake various courses such as counselling, financial management, information technology, and drama to improve their employability and function within society. A newsletter which highlights these courses and events is also available to members.

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