Mission
The South Florida Council of African Elders restores self-governance, clear thinking, and unity to people of African descent in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties. We do this through ethical leadership, community building, and education.
Vision
Our vision is a healthy, united, global African community.
The need for Elders:
The Council has been established in response to community recognition of and request for the guidance of elder wisdom for the good of the present and the future.
Elders remind us of our humanity--and of the best in ourselves-- which we can become only as we are ‘seasoned’ in this world. They signal to us the way forward, guide us to stand tall in truth, goodness, and strength regardless of what good or evil we encounter along the path of life.
Nations on the continent of Africa have long relied on elder councils to provide guidance in matters affecting the population. Experts teach us that a council of elders can be consulted “in a variety of matters, ranging from family or marriage disputes, community-wide issues, naming of buildings and community centers, and directing resources to supporting important projects”.1
People of African descent in America are seeking wellness by reclaiming historical truths and examining what it means to blend the identity of the present with the strengths of the past. The restoration of the sacred role of Elder facilitates our healing from the trauma of our ancestors by beginning to fill the void in our identity caused by the loss of aspects of our culture.
1. Professor Manu Ampim
Find out more about the Council at www.sfcae.org
SFCAE is on YouTube! Learn more about the Council and how we can find cultural wellness together.
Help us welcome Elders Carol Wilson, Daphne Taylor-Rockett, Shamele Jenkins, pictured with Elder Rique Kofi.
According to Professor Manu Ampim, "Every 'Black' community should establish a council of elders to help guide that particular community. There are a number of examples of African societies governed by elders (gerontocracy) because of their collective and accumulative wisdom. This is an important philosophy that should be adopted because a council of elders could be consulted in a variety of matters, ranging from family or marriage disputes, community-wide issues, naming of buildings and community centers, and directing resources to supporting important projects.
The guidelines of choosing the council members should be clearly established and members chare chosen by vote.
Without a council of elders most Black communities will remain disorganized and lacking direction and effective leadership."
Let's reclaim our sanity by restoring our revered elders' glory, majesty, and leadership to the rightful place in our hearts, minds, and society.
Nominate an elder now for the first African Council of Elders in your area. We are beginning with South Florida, but we would be happy to assist you to establish the Council in your area.
Please ensure that your nominee meets these minimum requirements:
Complete the form below to nominate a phenomenal Elder,
Contact us at theculturecures@fireforgedrecovery.com or text 754-777-0806.
The Culture Has The Cure.
Please contact us at theculturecures@fireforgerecovery.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In the Cultural Wellness movement, we use the term ‘African’ to refer to all people whose families originated on the continent of Africa, including those whose ancestors were trafficked to other parts of the world during the atrocity of enslavement.
The purpose of using the term African to collectively refer to these descendants is to eliminate all the artificial and needless divisions between us that arise when we refer to ourselves by geographic or other sub-groupings (African American, Jamaican/Jamaican American, Bohemian, Haitian/Haitian American, etc.) Referring to us as African is not designed to ignore or remove our other cultural affiliations and pride and is intended only to help us find strength in unity.
The South Florida Council of African Elders is a new governance group for our area, born of feedback from the community during local Community Think Tank meetings where the needs of people of African Descent are discussed. During the meetings, people of all ages acknowledged and expressed great longing for a restoration of the role of Elder in our communities.
African communities on the continent historically and in the present-day count on the wisdom and lived experience of the people who have thrived through times good and bad. These elders share knowledge with people who are traveling through life and encountering various opportunities and concerns. Our work here and now is to capture the historical strengths and leadership of our Elders, and blend in the power and resilience we have developed in our survival and thriving through enslavement, for use as tools for tomorrow.
The Council’s purpose is to harvest the lifelong skills and wisdom of African American Elders for the good of the community. The Council will interact with our communities, local and eventually, national, leadership in faith, government, or other areas on behalf of the people of African Descent in Broward, Miami-Dade, and West Palm Beach counties.
According to African American History Professor Manu Ampim, “Every 'Black' community should establish a council of elders to help guide that particular community. There are a number of examples of African societies governed by elders (gerontocracy) because of their collective and accumulative wisdom. This is an important philosophy that should be adopted because a council of elders could be consulted in a variety of matters, ranging from family or marriage disputes, community-wide issues, naming of buildings and community centers, and directing resources to supporting important projects. Without a council of elders most Black communities will remain disorganized and lacking direction and effective leadership.”
The community and council members need not worry that the activities of its governance will conflict with personal, spiritual, or religious beliefs. The Council’s composition will include men and women who have lived a quality life of service and who have achieved the esteemed status of Elder as they have advanced in years.
Restoring the necessary and healthy relationship with the Elder phase of life and status retrieves the humanity of all, setting our worldview back in proper balance. The council returns power to communities and decreases involvement with law enforcement or governmental units to regulate environments and hold norms for safety. People of African descent will have role models much more powerful than mentors, who will afford us a new vision of what is possible for our lives.
Nominees must meet these criteria:
· The Elder must be of African descent.
· The Elder must be one who embraces leadership and growth, not defined as an Elder merely by age but rather by good repute and service to the community.
· The Elder must be 62 years of age or greater.
· The Elder must complete an Elder's Rite of Passage.
· The Elder must be nominated by one or more members of the South Florida African (descent) community.
· The Elder must attend council meetings and be available to provide guidance to the diverse local African community, including individuals, organizations, government, and faith leaders.
The Elder’s service to the community will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee. This review includes an interview of the Elder and his or her references. After completing the Elder’s Rite, the Nominees will be installed in a public ceremony, and this will establish the first South Florida Council of African Elders.
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