The presence of West Africans in New York City dates back to the city’s early days, as evidenced by the African Burial Grounds located north of Wall Street in lower Manhattan and in Harlem. Their presence in NYC has only grown since, as West Africans have taken up residence across the five boroughs. Despite their history and  sizable population in New York City, West African political and economic integration in NYC has lagged behind that of other groups..

The West African community in NYC, much like a tree, shares a common trunk but branches out in different directions. West Africa is known for its immense diversity, with over two thousand languages and ethnicities found across its 17 countries, and a multitude of religions, predominantly Islam and Christianity. This diversity can pose challenges for building cohesive political alliances.

In the United States, particularly in NYC, the question arises: should we treat West Africa as a single entity? Doing so could provide the collective power needed to claim a significant place in the city’s political arena. As highlighted by Lobo and Salvo (2013) from the NYC Department of City Planning, “if treated as a single country, West Africans constitute the fastest-growing group of any immigrant group in New York City, having increased by a staggering 60 percent since 2000.” However, uniting West Africans, hailing from 16 different countries under a single umbrella poses significant challenges due to linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity, which could impact their nature and place within the city.

In New York City, the West African immigrant population is distributed across all five boroughs, with Harlem serving as a central hub—particularly for French-speaking communities such as Senegalese, Malians, Guineans, and Burkinabe. Additionally, a significant Nigerian community is located  in Rosedale, Queens. Staten Island is home to sizable Liberian and Sierra Leonean populations, including the area known as “Little Liberia.” In the Bronx, a vibrant Ghanaian enclave can be found around East 167th and McClellan Streets, near Grand Concourse and College Avenue.

For effective political and financial integration, West Africans must strategically leverage their racial, ethnic, and religious identities to build transnational connections and cooperation with other ethnic groups. By forming alliances with other Black populations, such as West Indians, Haitians, and African Americans, West Africans can strengthen their political voice. Similarly, utilizing religious affiliations, especially with Islam, can facilitate connections with Middle Eastern and Asian communities. With our fairly new ranked-choice voting system in New York City, these alliances could play a crucial role and accelerate West African political integration.

CUNY serves as a great example. I have always viewed CUNY as a gateway to political integration for immigrants, just as the Puerto Rican community played a role in the  fight for Hostos’s survival in its early years. Similarly, West Africans, comprising first, second, and one-and-a-half generations of immigrants, have risen to leadership positions within CUNY institutions. This rise in leadership, exemplified by individuals like Salimatou Doumbouya, Bashir Juwara, and Kadiatou Diallo, reflects the potential for West African political integration in the city’s fabric.

Salimatou Doumbouya, a native of Guinea, West Africa, held the position of Chairperson in the University Student Senate, leading advocacy efforts for nearly 500,000 CUNY students until last year. At Hunter College, Bashir Juwara, a first-generation immigrant from Gambia, West Africa, led the undergraduate student body throughout 2024. Kadiatou Diallo, originally from Guinea, West Africa, served as the President of the students’ government at Lehman College.

As demonstrated by the CUNY experience, cohesion among the West African community can work. A critical and urgent task facing the West African community throughout  New York City is the need to unite and assert a collective presence in the city’s political landscape. Groups like the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), Afrikana, and faith-based institutions like mosques can build inclusive coalitions that promote civic participation. Civic engagement serves as the foundation of political incorporation, as it fosters community visibility, strengthens networks, and lays the groundwork for long-term influence and representation. Only through solidarity and coordinated action can West Africans unlock their full political potential and contribute meaningfully to the rich diversity of New York’s civic and electoral life.