ABOUT US

Neriah Negus brings a deeply rooted commitment to inclusive, culturally affirming programs that uplift diverse communities.

Her leadership is rooted in a long-standing commitment to serving diverse communities, strengthening cultural identity, and providing accessible programs that promote wellness, learning, and community connection.

Neriah’s multicultural heritage reflects ancestral roots in East and West Africa and Mexico, but her understanding of family was shaped by lived experience. Raised not by both biological parents but by loving step-parents who chose to love, support, and guide her, she learned early that family is defined by commitment rather than genetics. Their example taught her that love has no color, care has no boundaries, and community can be created in many forms. Born in the diverse Bay Area and later raised in less culturally represented environments, she developed a deep understanding of the need for inclusive, culturally affirming spaces. Her personal journey of embracing her multicultural identity, along with the grounding principles of the Rastafari way of life—unity, service, humility, and upliftment—forms the foundation of her approach to leadership and community work.

Neriah holds a Bachelor of Science in Agroecology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, giving her a strong foundation in land stewardship, sustainability, and community-based environmental practices. Her academic background enhances the organization’s commitment to honoring Hawai‘i, supporting place-based learning, and integrating environmental awareness into cultural and community programs.

Her professional experience spans cultural entrepreneurship, arts and event production, culinary leadership, and creative community engagement. As a lifelong lover of dance, Neriah has studied and practiced traditional West African and Afro-Brazilian dance for over twenty years—a discipline that deeply informs her cultural programming and commitment to community expression. As owner and chef of Ital Grindz, she shares plant-based Ethiopian cuisine rooted in cultural tradition and wellness. As DJ Empress Neriah, she brings people together through music, movement, and cultural expression. Through her brand, Negus Love Creation, she uplifts African artistry and handcrafted cultural goods. These interconnected roles strengthen her ability to design meaningful programs centered on culture, creativity, and public benefit.

As Co-Founder of The A.F.R.I.K.A Collective, Neriah leads strategic planning, program development, nonprofit governance, and community partnerships. The organization provides cultural arts programming, dance and wellness classes, youth and family engagement, educational workshops, and charitable initiatives that support communities in Africa and across the African Diaspora. The Collective is dedicated to honoring Hawai‘i, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and supporting community well-being through creative and humanitarian initiatives.

Neriah’s long-term vision for the organization includes establishing a community center on Hawai‘i Island—a dedicated hub for cultural education, arts, environmental learning, wellness programs, after-school activities, intergenerational gatherings, and charitable outreach. This center will serve as a permanent foundation for community upliftment, cultural preservation, and holistic support.

Through her leadership, Neriah is building a sustainable, community-centered organization that uplifts diverse voices, preserves cultural knowledge, supports underserved populations, and strengthens collective well-being both locally and globally.

Amsa-t Neter is a movement artist, spiritual practitioner, and community builder rooted in embodied healing and ancestral wisdom.

At the A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective she helps shape programs rooted in cultural remembrance, embodied healing, and collective care. Her work bridges movement, spirituality, and education to create spaces where individuals and communities can reconnect with themselves and one another.

Amsa-t is a professionally trained dancer with an extensive career in film, television, live performance, and commercial work. Her background in movement spans multiple styles and platforms, grounding her deep understanding of the body as a vessel for expression, memory, and transformation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Phoenix, blending creative practice with educational insight.

Growing up without access to communities or cultural representation that reflected her identity, Amsa-t’s journey toward self-knowing deepened after becoming a mother. This experience sparked a profound desire to reconnect with her roots and to create a more grounded, affirming world for her children and future generations.

Often described as “coming home to yourself,” Amsa-t found that home through Kemetic Yoga, a practice that connected her to ancestral wisdom and spiritual lineage. She went on to become a Ra Sekhi Kemetic Reiki Master, receiving the spiritual name Amsa-t Neter, marking a pivotal point in her personal and spiritual awakening.

Her move to Hawaiʻi was an intentional return to the Earth — living in the jungle, surrounded by land and ocean, deepened her sense of grounding and belonging. From this rooted place, Amsa-t now reaches outward, working to build bridges across community, culture, and generation through movement, ritual, and shared experience.

Through her leadership at the A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective, Amsa-t is committed to cultivating spaces of freedom, remembrance, and connection — for herself, for her children, and for the collective as a whole.

Jennifer Johnson is a lifelong educator and dedicated ally whose work is rooted at the intersection of culture, logic, and mindfulness. With a career spanning from inner-city schools like Redeemer-Seton High School, Delgado Community College and Adinkra homeschool coop to Malamalama Waldorf School on the Big Island, Jennifer has spent decades fostering inclusive environments that honor cultural heritage and empower students of all ages.
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Originally finding her footing in the vibrant, multicultural landscape of New Orleans, Jennifer’s journey has always been about more than just academics. As a yoga instructor certified since 2007 and a passionate music lover, she views her work through the lens of service—sharing the tools of “ultimate relaxation” and mathematical confidence to help others find their balance.
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Now living a rural life on the Big Island of Hawaii, Jennifer’s commitment to community has taken on a new, personal dimension. As a mother of mixed-race children, she is deeply invested in creating a future where heritage is celebrated and protected. This passion led her to reach out to local leaders to collaborate on what has become the Afrika Collective, her third nonprofit venture.
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While Jennifer acted as the catalyst for the collective, she is clear that the vision is led by her partners, Neriah and Glenda (Amsa). She sees herself as a facilitator and cheerleader, using her experience in nonprofit development to secure funding and provide structural support for the multifaceted programs they lead. By supporting the work of groups like Black Ohana, Jennifer and the Afrika Collective are building a legacy of light, culture, and connection—working toward a long-term goal of a physical sanctuary for the Black American community on the Big Island.

Chris Rogers serves as Vice Chair of the Board for The A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective, bringing a strong background in business, real estate investment, and long-standing community engagement. She holds a Master’s degree in Business and is deeply committed to service-driven leadership.

For over a decade, she has been actively involved in community-building on Hawaiʻi Island. She founded a local community group on the Big Island more than 11 years ago and has been a dedicated member of the Hilo Women’s Group for over ten years, contributing to initiatives that foster connection, support, and empowerment.

Her decision to join The A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective reflects a desire to engage with and support a broader segment of the community. She is passionate about being of service and creating lasting, positive impact through collaboration, stewardship, and thoughtful leadership.

Elizabeth Fletcher serves as a Board Member of The A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective, bringing decades of experience as an educator, leader, and advocate for student success and family engagement. She is a lifelong educator with a proven record of advancing educational equity through innovative, community-centered approaches.

Elizabeth has served in a wide range of leadership roles, including Senior Success Coach, English Department Chair, Executive Director, and Instructional Facilitator, consistently achieving measurable outcomes in student growth and organizational development. Her work is grounded in deep expertise in equitable instruction, second-language acquisition, and program design, and she brings a collaborative, data-informed perspective to advisory and governance work.

Her leadership has positively impacted students, educators, and families across New Orleans, Los Angeles, and beyond. Elizabeth has also served on the Boards of Adinkra NOLA, Inc. and Understanding Principles for Better Living Church, reflecting her long-standing commitment to service, education, and community empowerment.

Mwenya Washington serves as a Board Member of The A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective, bringing a deep commitment to education, cultural integrity, and community wellbeing. She is an educator with a focus on nutrition, a business owner, and a mother of three children ranging from elementary school to college age.

Mwenya is passionate about supporting community spaces that educate, heal, and uplift, and she believes strongly in Afrocentric approaches that honor African culture, knowledge, and ways of being. At the same time, she is deeply committed to respectfully engaging with Hawaiian culture and tradition in ways that are authentic, relational, and non-performative.

Her vision is rooted in collaboration and shared learning — bridging cultures, strengthening relationships, and fostering a “small world” philosophy grounded in respect, connection, and collective empowerment. Through her service on the board, Mwenya contributes thoughtful leadership in support of the Collective’s mission to build inclusive, culturally affirming community spaces.

Jessica Smith serves as a Board Member of The A.F.R.I.K.A. Collective, bringing a creative, grassroots approach to community-building and education. She is a youth educator and organizer with a passion for cultivating spaces that nurture curiosity, expression, and collective growth.

Jessica is deeply committed to bridging the arts and sciences, honoring the ways creativity, inquiry, and ancestral knowledge intersect. Her work reflects a respect for collective histories and the ancestral gifts that continue to guide how communities learn, create, and heal together.

Outside of her professional and community work, Jessica enjoys crochet, gardening, and the performing arts — practices that reflect her belief in creativity as a vital, everyday expression of care, culture, and connection.