UPDATE: We met and exceeded our goal! Thanks to all of ACT's new Co-Founders. But we still need your support. And though the campaign has officially ended, anyone who makes a contribution in 2013 will be recognized as a Co-Founder. Thank you!

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For over 10 years, I’ve been dreaming and planning an organization to empower my community: African immigrants in America. And now it’s finally happening! But I can’t do it alone. That’s why I’m asking you to join me as a Co-Founder of African Communities Together. Please make a significant contribution today.

Like many African immigrants, I left my country to escape political violence—the Ethiopian revolution that killed my father and separated my family. My family came to America in search of safety and a better life. Thanks to their sacrifices, I got an excellent education, and have sought to give back by working as an organizer with low-wage workers and low-income communities.

I founded African Communities Together to help African immigrants do what generations of immigrants to America have done before us: integrate socially, get ahead economically, and have our voice heard politically. ACT provides direct legal services, develops African immigrants as community leaders, and advocates on the issues that matter to our members.

ACT is off to a great start building our first chapter in New York City! The response from African immigrants and other organizations in the field has been tremendous. It’s clear that the need is urgent. Within 10 years, I expect that ACT will be a major civil rights organization for African immigrants, with a network of chapters in cities across the country.

But we can’t get there alone. Many of you have been involved with start-up organizations and businesses. So you know how important early donors and “angel investors” are.

While my fellowship covers my salary, we need to raise the funds to open our first office and hire a second staffer. We need to raise $100,000 in the next three months to meet our budget —and we’re counting on Co-Founders like you to contribute $40,000.

As a Founder, I’m putting everything I have into launching ACT: all my time and ability, everything I've learned, and all my resources. I am “all-in.” As a Co-Founder, I’m asking you to “go all-in” by making a significant contribution. If you’re low-income or a student, that might mean giving $25 or $50. If you make $150,000 or more, that might mean giving $500 or $1,000.

This is a once-in-a lifetime occasion to co-create something special. If you believe in this dream, believe there’s a need, and believe in what we can accomplish together, then please—join me as a Co-Founder today.

In Unity,

Amaha Kassa