Title: Executive Director & Co-Founder
Company: African Community Education Inc.
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Kaska Yawo, executive director & co-founder at African Community Education Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in immigration representation.
Mr. Yawo, a highly esteemed figure in refugee services and nonprofit leadership, holds the position of executive director and co-founder at African Community Education Inc. (ACE), an organization dedicated to empowering refugee and immigrant youth and families through education. With a master’s degree in education and human management from Boston University in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree in French and linguistics from the University of Abidjan in 1994, he has positioned himself as a visionary leader in the nonprofit sector. Since establishing ACE in 2006, Mr. Yawo has played a pivotal role in serving thousands of African refugees and immigrants in central Massachusetts, assisting 300 students in achieving high school graduation.
Mr. Yawo’s expertise extends to his role as a State Department of Justice-accredited immigration representative, where he specializes in family-based immigration. His advocacy work includes frequent engagements on Capitol Hill, addressing issues related to immigration reform. Originally from Liberia, Mr. Yawo experienced civil unrest and sought refuge in the United States in 1998. His professional journey includes roles at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Catholic Charities, where he witnessed the challenges faced by newly arriving African students in Worcester Public Schools.
Motivated by the need for educational support, Mr. Yawo co-founded ACE with Olga Valdman, starting with an after-school program and expanding to include mentoring, post-secondary support, career development, and English as a Second Language initiatives. Under Mr. Yawo’s leadership, ACE has flourished, boasting 21 full-time staff, 29 part-time staff, and an annual budget exceeding $5 million. In 2022, he oversaw ACE’s transition to a new 56,000-square-foot facility, destined to become a cultural hub for African and other immigrant communities in central Massachusetts.
Recognized with various awards, including the Social Innovation Leadership Award and the Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year Award, Mr. Yawo is particularly proud of his role in assisting immigrant children in their journey to success. In addition to his impactful work at ACE, Mr. Yawo is a consultant to Worcester-based universities, including Clark University, Becker College, Assumption College, and Worcester State University. His commitment to education is further evidenced by his teaching courses on global health, immigration, and nonprofit management. Looking ahead, Mr. Yawo is driven to enhance connectivity between colleges and universities in the U.S. and Africa, underscoring his commitment to fostering educational opportunities on a global scale.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Mr. Yawo:
