When Maryland鈥檚 Gov. Wes Moore proclaimed September African Heritage Month in 2024, he said it was a time to mark the 鈥渟ignificant contributions of African immigrants to the state鈥檚 cultural, social and economic landscape.鈥�
In Montgomery County, which has commemorated African Heritage Month for more than a decade, County Council President Kate Stewart said, 鈥淥ver 16% of the overall immigrant population in our county is from Africa,鈥� and celebrating that is part of the county鈥檚 drive to 鈥渨ork toward being an inclusive and welcoming community.鈥�
At Tuesday鈥檚 council meeting, where officials celebrated Moore’s proclamation, Council member Will Jawando talked about his own roots.
鈥淢y father came here from Nigeria in 1970, and I carry that part of my identity with me every day鈥� Jawando said.
The African immigrant population has grown statewide in Maryland. In Baltimore, Cindy Ogide, whose own roots are in the Ivory Coast, works as the health and human services manager for CASA, a national immigrant advocacy organization.
Asked what she wishes people knew about Africa, Ogide said they should be aware that it鈥檚 a continent, not a country.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a continent of 54 diverse countries, culture and tribes,鈥� Ogide said.
It鈥檚 not uncommon for people to stumble over African names, whether it鈥檚 at a public meeting where speakers are being introduced, or in private settings. In each case, Ogide urged people not to hesitate to ask how to pronounce a name.
And Ogide said people of African descent shouldn鈥檛 be shy about offering a correct pronunciation, 鈥渂ecause it is part of who we are and it has a meaning, so we should be proud of it.鈥�
Ogide mentioned the incredible diversity of languages, cultures and foods in Africa.
Asked about the signature dish of Ivory Coast, she didn鈥檛 hesitate to describe achecke, or atti茅k茅, granulated cassava.
鈥淚t鈥檚 often served with grilled fish, and also some fried plantain on the side with a little bit of tomato stew,鈥� and some onions and tomatoes as well, she said.
鈥淲hen you say you鈥檙e from the Ivory Coast, that鈥檚 the number one thing people ask, like, ‘Do you got some achecke?’ It鈥檚 the best, I can even taste it in my mouth right now,鈥� she told 草莓传媒, laughing.
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