Dear AAM Village,

Congratulations are again in order for another one of our Madison-grown child, Joel (Joey) Zimba, who was recently appointed Athletic Director for the Verona Area High School.

It gives great pride to see someone you helped raise keep his eye on the prize and return "home" to make a difference in his community in the way Joey is returning.

As immigrants, I hope we recognize the significance of  having our children ascend to positions that have an impact on the future of the Madison Area on all levels of the workforce.

I hope these positive developments motivate us to increase our commitment and our investment in nurturing our brothers and sisters and their families as we strive to make a home away from home.

Joey and Linda are young African professionals whose parents are founding members and active members of our local organizations. As kids, they participated in every activity that AAM and or AWA organized. They performed for AFFEST since the inception of the Festival. Their parents sent the field trips organized by AWA and AAM (Museum trips to Chicago and Milwaukee, music workshops at the home of Pierre Gbedey followed by pizza dinners at Dominos sponsored by Felix Ossia and chaperoned by many parents.) They built lasting and supportive friendships. As UW-Madison students, they were organizers and leaders who actively represented Africa in a way that made us proud to be African; they engaged in community and humanitarian work that improved the lives of many. As adults, they are now taking their work to higher levels and bringing others on board.

Besides being a proud aunty, I would like to appeal to our community to continue the good work we started as we deepen our roots here.

Congratulations to Joey again!

Cheers,

--Emilie