Atypical to New York City’s iconic imagery of lofty skyscrapers lies Harlem, a place where the skyline softens and the amount of beaming digital billboards drastically decreases. On the surrounding blocks of West 116th, the streets are filled with African braiding shops, African markets, and tons of African restaurants. West 116th Street, also referred to as Little Senegal, is not the only place where over thousands of African migrants are gathered. Across the nation you can find many communities that were built by Africans for Africans.

A recent trend has shown that an increasing amount of African migrants are coming through the Mexico border. According to Pew Research, many who make it through the border tend to settle in the south or migrate northeast. Of the many destinations, New York City has the biggest Black immigrant population of any metropolitan area, reaching 1.1 million in 2019.

For African migrants, local organizations and established communities like Little Senegal in NYC and Little Liberia in Philadelphia provide crucial cultural and social support. This support from nonprofit organizations and communities is not only what draws them to these areas, but helps them stay there. However, as the political landscape flips with the recent election, worries arise of how state governments and non-profit organizations collaborate – or not– with their immigration work. And how does this relationship impact the future and support of African migrants?