We carry books on:
- History/African Culture
- African Spirituality
- The Maafa/Enslavement
- Nutrition
and Melanin Auto-/Biographies
- African Centered Applications/Psychology,
- Sociology
- Natural Hair Care
- African Names
- Children and books for Children
We
also carry:
- Head Wraps
- Framable Post Cards/Posters
- African
Flags/pins/ and red/black/green head/wrist bands
- Kufes
- Cowrie shell rings/jewelry/jewelry repair
& custom designs (Greg Calhoun)
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Throughout the years
we have hosted a number of presentations, book signings and workshops:
- Natural Hair Care Seminar
- Brothers and Sisters in Consolidation (BASIC)
- African Holistic Health Care Forum
- Black Panther Panel Discussion
- The
African Perspective Book Club
- Open Mic Poetry
- 7-day Kwanzaa Program
- Tribute
to Black Men Tribute to Black Women
- Fireside Chat
- Customer Appreciation
Party
- Swahili Classes
- African Hand Drumming
- Black Graduation
- Black Men's
Support Network
- Math/Tutoring Program
- Marabella's Crowns Trunk Show
- African
American Math Summit
- Million Man March Speak Out
- Marcus Garvey
Tribute/Discussion
- Children's Storytelling
- Sisters in Session
- Nature
Orientation Programs/Camping
- Malcom X: What He Meant to
Us
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Great authors we've
hosted:
- Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan -
"Dr.Ben", Elder Historian and activist, "Black Man of the
Nile and His Family", "Africa: Mother of Western
Civilization," and many more books
- Dr. Frances Cress Welsing -
psychiatrist, author "The Isis Papers"
- Anthony T. Browder - Owner
Institute of Karmic Guidance, "The Browder Files", "Nile
Valley Contributions to Civilizations", "Survival Strategies for
Africans in America"
- Del Jones - "Culture Bandits", "The
Black Holocaust"
- Dr. Claud Anderson - Chairman The Harvest Institute
Black Think Tank, "Black Labor, White Wealth", "Dirty Little
Secrets","Powernomics"
- Dr. Jacob Carruthers - Elder
Historian, "Intellectual Warfare","Mdw Ntr - Divine
Speech"
- Antoinette Jackson - Owner Seshat Publications, "Why Kemet
- A Cultural Awakening"
- Gimbu Kali - community activist, "Warriors
or Parasites: A Question of Confusion"
- Imani Kali-Nyah - CEO The
Ethiopian Holocaust Remembrance Committee, "Italy's War Crimes in
Ethiopia 1935-1941"
- Walter Mosely - "Black Betty"
- Pamela
Ferrell - Owner Cornrows & Co., "Let's Talk Hair", "Kids
Talk Hair", "Natural Hair Care Seminar"
- Tananarive Due -
"The Between"
- Donna Beasley - "Black Family Reunion
Planner", "Music in the Family"
- Darlene Paris - "Healthy
Eating in Chicago", Holistic Health Fair
- Mark Fancher - "Genocide
with a Smile", "Misplaced Loyalty - Why U.S. Born Africans Don't
Believe they are Africans Anymore"
- Dr. Elaine Ferguson - "Echoes
of Mercy, Whispers of Love"
- T'Keyah Crystal Keymah - "Natural
Woman / Natural Hair"
- Lerone Bennett Jr. - "Forced Into
Glory"
- Quaarandin - "Maintaining Our Temples"
- Aiasha Bilal - "The Art of Head
Wrapping"
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Creative Artists
- Kelan Phil Cohran - historian, multi-instrumentalist,
CD "African Skies", Kwanzaa Program, Melanin Conference
Preparation
- Maggie Brown - Owner Magpie Prod., CD "From My
Window"
- Atiba Y. Jali - Master drummer, owner Sound Creations,
"African Hand Drumming Classes", CD Party for "Karibu"
- D'Erania - jazz band
- Iyiala Adebajo - dancer, "Reggae Stretch
Classes"
- Kemba Webb - performer, "Harriet Tubman/Ida B.
Wells" and much more,
- Virdajean Towns-Collins - poet,
"Flowers Now", "Collage", Afri-Ware Open Mic Poetry Host
- Tiffany Mondy - dancer, Instructor African Dance Classes for Children
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...as well as many effective speakers and community activists:
- Frank Cannon - Chairman Black Men's Support Network, "Understanding the
Power of the Union, Black Men and Women in Relationships", "The
Impact of Racism on the Mental Health and other Social Services
Systems", "Conference at the Kitchen Table", Black Panther
Panel, "Plantationism in the Workplace"
- Dr. Conrad Worrill -
National Chairman NBUF, "What Ever Happened at the UN Conference
Against Racism/Reparations"
- Orrin Williams - environmental activist,
"Environmental Racism"
- Atty. Standish Willis - Chairman African
American Committee to free Mumia Abu Jamal and Aaron Patterson, Press
Conference on Mumia Abu Jamal
- Akua Njeri - Wife of slain Panther Fred
Hampton, Black Panther Panel
- Ben Stanton - Owner Herbs 4 U, "Healing
Foods for the African Body"
- Baba Hannibal Afrik - Elder, Shule Ya Wa
Toto School, Kwanzaa Program Presenter
- Johari Cole - Owner Organic Farm
coop, "Life After Meat", Melanin Conference Preparation
- Yirser Ra
Hotep - yoga instructor, "Yoga Skills Video Series", African
Holistic Health Forum
- Brenda Verner - Africana Womanism activist, Black
Images in the Media
- Simba Tayari - President, "The Swahili Institute of
Chicago", Swahili Classes
- Tsadakeeya - Owner/Chef Vegetarian
Gourmet,African Holistic Health Forum
- Hunter Adams - Research Scientist,
Kwanzaa Program Presentor
- Dr. Cynthia Winston - chiropractor, "Are You
Sick and Tired of Getting Sick and Tired", African Holistic Health
Forum
- Salim Abdul Khaliq - activist, "The Talking Book of Black
History", "Malcolm X, The Man and His Mission", "Nat
Turner"
- Bro. Shaka - activist, "Marcus Garvey Birthday
Celebration"
- Dr. and Mrs. Chandler - Owner Chandler's Health Emporium,
Holistic Health Fair
- Kristy Dotson - "Processed Foods - Subtle
Deception"
- Ramona Afrika - MOVE member, activist.
- Salim Muwakkil -
journalist, "In These Times" ed.
- Cliff Kelley - Talk Show Host, 1450AM WVON,
Black-Owned Radio Station
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About the Owner
Nzingha Nommo has provided an African-centered book store and cultural resource center for the Black community since 1993 as founder, owner and President of Afri-Ware Inc. in Oak Park, IL on 266 W. Lake Street. Of the many hats she wears in her position, she is probably best known for her networking abilities, public relations savvy and strong dedication to working in the best interests of African people. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Nzingha Nommo attended Chicago Public Schools and continued the family's music tradition by studying piano. Her interest in Math lead her to pursue a technical field where she received scholarships to acquire her Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of IL at Chicago, and, her Master's of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. After 5 years in corporate America, Ms. Nommo decided in 1993 to quit her high paying job as an Electrical Engineer to pursue a new interest that came out of reading books on the great legacy of African people. She soon developed a passion to share with others accurate images and information by and about people of African descent. Out of all the cultural items she began to carry to different shows to sell, she found that no matter what market she went to, book sales were always highest and consistent. This demonstrated that Black people do have a desire to read about our origins, legacies and accomplishments especially when written by those dedicated to bringing the truth to the light. Ms. Nommo believes that the sacrifices that our ancestors made compels and obligates us honorably to preserve, defend and protect our culture, and Afri-Ware has grown to embody just that.
Transitioning from Electrical Engineer to Entrepreneur occurred quickly as Ms. Nommo explains to adapt to the "adventurous improvisation-ally intense nature of (most specifically) Black business ownership". The transition must have been a smooth one as her record will attest many accolades and over 13 years later. Afri-Ware Inc. through Ms. Nommo's leadership has provided culturally progressive and cultural responsible activities that are free and open to the public. The impressive list of speakers that have so graciously shared of their time and talents includes such giants as Lerone Bennett Jr., WVON's Cliff Kelley, Salim Muwakkil, Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Craig Hodges, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Baba Hannibal Afrik, Dr. Conrad Worril, Dr. Jacob Carruthers, Romona Afrika, Anthony Browder, Frank Cannon, Maggie Brown, Kelan Phil Cohran and many more. Afri-Ware has also hosted a number of ongoing weekly activities including African Perspective Book Club, African drumming classes, and Math tutoring. Afri-Ware has sponsored camping trips, Million Man March Speak Out, Natural Hair Care Seminars, African Holistic Health Forums, Film Screenings and much more. Nzingha Nommo has authored a health book "African Seeds of Life" and "Taking Your Sankofa Health Journey" which reflects on her 14+ years as a vegetarian, and, produced two CDs: a lecture on "Black Business and Black Consciousness" and, "Of African Origin" which showcases her musical abilities on the African thumb piano.
Afri-Ware Inc. has appeared in many publications including: The Chicago Defender, Ebony Magazine, The Chicago Reader, The Oak Leaves (3x front page), N'digo Magapaper, The Chicago SunTimes, The Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business, The Wednesday Journal, The Chicago Reader, The Austin Weekly, The Austin Voice and The Maywood Herald. Nommo has been interviewed on WVON, Chicago Access TV, WBEZ and given presentations at Universities and schools. Recently she was awarded the Ujamaa Award at WVON radio's annual Kwanzaa Celebration and the Nicholas Award for significan investment in the Oak Park business community by the Oak Park Development Corporation.
Nzingha Nommo is the eldest daughter of Irving and Ragina Bunton. She is grateful to the Black community, friends and family who have given so selflessly to ensure the success of Afri-Ware Inc
Nzingha Nommo would like to personally invite everyone to stop by Afri-Ware (or visit our website on www.afriware.net) and experience the glory of our African culture in books, jewelry, art, natural hair/body care, clothing and much more.
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DIRECTIONS
Directions From Downtown Chicago
Afri-Ware - 266 W. Lake St. - is located 1 block E. of Ridgeland in Oak Park across from Dominick's grocery store.
Take I290 (Eisenhower) West to Austin Exit (exit is on Left hand side).
Turn Right (North) on Austin to Lake Street
Turn Left (West) on Lake about 2 1/2 blocks to 266 W. Lake
Store is on North side of street.
Parking is FREE directly in front of store and around the corner.
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