Editor’s Note: This article was first published February 15, 2012. Dr. Alie Kabba has recently been appointed Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone.
By Our Correspondent
Alie Kabba, Sierra Leonean immigrant activist and head of the Chicago-based United African Organization, has been chosen as one of the top 100 African American leaders in the US.
The recognition highlighted Alie Kabba’s service and activism in uniting African immigrant communities and addressing common issues with a strategic focus on strengthening the organizational and leadership capacity of the community.
By all accounts, Alie Kabba (photo) has emerged as a respected national immigrant leader, public policy advocate and community organizer. He has built a strong track record of legislative success in advancing equal opportunity for immigrants and refugees, as well as fostering result-oriented alliances with diverse groups to promote fairness and inclusion.
As Executive Director of United African Organization, Alie Kabba has established a viable model for promoting social and economic justice, civic participation, and empowerment of African immigrants and refugees in the US.
He is the first African to be elected President of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), which is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of American society. In partnership with over 130 member organizations, the Coalition educates and organizes immigrant and refugee communities to assert their rights; promotes citizenship and civic participation; monitors, analyzes, and advocates on immigrant-related issues; and, informs the general public about the contributions of immigrants and refugees.
Alie Kabba is also Co-Chairman of the Golden Door Coalition, a coalition of individuals and organizations committed to the resettlement of refugees with dignity and the support necessary to thrive in the US. GDC members represent a broad range of ethnic and faith communities, employers, community-based organizations and others.
He was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Cable Access Network Television (CAN TV), which gives every Chicagoan a voice on cable television by providing video training, equipment, facilities and channel time for Chicago residents and nonprofit groups. CAN TV’s five local, non-commercial channels reach 1 million viewers in the city of Chicago.
When asked about where he gets his inspiration, Alie Kabba’s response was cogent: “I’m inspired by everyday struggles of ordinary people yearning to live in dignity.”
And when asked what advice he would give to anyone who is craving to achieve their dreams, Alie Kabba was pensive and forthright: “Be the architect of your dreams with clarity of vision and honesty of intention, and never succumb to fear or doubt. Believe in the power of human imagination and capacity to triumph over adversity.”
As he looks to the future, Alie Kabba was asked about what’s next in this chapter of his life. His response was an indication of a tireless visionary unafraid to venture into difficult terrains: “I plan to embark on a national organizing project to build an engaged US constituency for Africa.”
The Grio100 consists of African Americans making great contributions in the world. Its goal is to predict who would make up the next generation of history makers.
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