2026 marks the 25th anniversary of CFK Africa. What began as a 10×10 medical clinic in the home of our late co-founder Tabitha Festo and community-organized soccer games to prevent youth violence has grown into a thriving, internationally recognized organization and proud affiliate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with more than 80 dedicated staff. For a quarter of a century, our team has tirelessly worked to combat extreme poverty in slums through healthcare, sports programs, girls’ empowerment, and education, serving more than 200,000 people annually.
While we take great pride in our achievements, there is still much to be done. In 2026, CFK embarks on an ambitious campaign to raise $25 million to expand our programs and cultivate the next generation of leaders in sub-Saharan Africa. A key component of this campaign is our inaugural benefit, We Are Together, in Charlotte, North Carolina. This event, date to be announced, will also serve as the US launch of the Dreams book, a unique project by our girls’ empowerment program staff to bring healing and inspiration to teen mothers across the world. We will also host milestone events in Kenya, including a service trip to Kenya, coupled with a safari, and a celebration of community champions in August 2026. We invite you and your families to join us and serve our community for a rewarding and unforgettable journey into our work. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming opportunities to engage in your area.
Thank you for being a part of the CFK Africa legacy.
Rye Barcott,
Co-founder; Board Chair
Jeffrey Okoro,
Chief Executive Officer
Please join us for 25th anniversary celebrations across Kenya and the United States in 2026!
Please check back regularly for updates and future events as they are added.
Join us in Charlotte, North Carolina, for our inaugural benefit event, We Are Together. This event will unite our global community under one roof for the first time and raise critical funds to empower youth in slums - stay tuned for the date.
On August 7, 2026, CFK Africa donors and friends are invited to volunteer in the community, gaining first-hand experience with our health and youth leadership impact, and engaging with our staff and beneficiaries.
Local champions are the real drivers of community change in slums. Join us for our vibrant annual community awards celebration on August 8, 2026, to honor the unsung heroes who live out our mission of empowering youth in slums.
In 2026, we are launching a capital campaign to propel our work into the next 25 years. With a quarter of a century of earned community trust, proven health outreach, and workforce creation models, our We Are Together campaign will fund CFK Africa’s strategic 5-year vision to empower youth in slums toward purpose-driven mindsets by investing in the potential of African youth.
