Our Origin – KFAZ

Afo-a-Kom USA is a Nonprofit Cultural and Development Association of the Kom people in the United States of America that initiates or supports Ideas, Projects and Programs for the betterment of Komrades, particularly in the homestead in Kom.’

Created by Kom people living in the United States, the organization was formalized in June 2004 at the inaugural Kom convention in Washington DC, electing a pioneer executive board led by a President. It is duly registered and governed in accordance with the US tax-exempt nonprofit organization category 501(c)(3).

The National Executive Board works collaboratively with leaders of local chapters across States with agglomerations of Komrades. Six active chapters currently number a rough estimate of five hundred registered members unevenly distributed in Dallas, Appalachian, Houston, Minneapolis, New York and Arizona (KFAZ – Kom and Friends Arizona). The youngest chapter at the end of 2016 is the At Large chapter. It is for members who are not resident in States with active Chapters.

Active chapters act as support pillars to individual members and are the driving force of the national organization and the centers from where development projects are nurtured through ongoing interactions with local communities and organizations in Kom. Afoakom USA has its annual convention in Mid June and rotates among chapter States. Conventions are a premier lieu wherein Komrades in North America celebrate Kom culture and Kom children meet and get to know one another. It is at the Komvention that the General Assembly raises the most of its operating funds and decides on which projects to fund in the course of the year.

KFAZ – Kom and Friends Arizona

 Our very first meeting was in 2016 at the Yongs functioning under the name KFAZ(Kom and Friends of Arizona). When we started, there were 4 friends from Lebialem.  

We have 3 members who are based in cities out of Phoenix metropolitan area. Our numbers have been growing and today we are 24 registered members. I must confess that our bonds have grown stronger as the years have gone by and we are more of a family than just a Cultural Group