Cultural literacy
Understanding the context, meanings and histories behind African cultural life. It gives us the knowledge to ask better questions, recognise different perspectives and engage with our heritage thoughtfully.
About All Things Africa
Know our roots.
Shape our future.
All Things Africa builds cultural literacy through learning, original stories and curated experiences, connecting the knowledge we inherit with our future.
No matter our degree of separation from the motherland, we should still know our roots.
Why we exist
Connection begins
with understanding.
No matter our degree of separation from the motherland, we should still know our roots.
African culture holds histories, languages, philosophies, creativity and ways of living that connect us to the people who came before us. Those connections can span countries, communities and generations, taking different forms in each of our lives.
ATA exists to help people understand that inheritance. We make space to explore the meaning behind a name, the history behind a tradition, the ideas behind an artwork and the people behind a movement. That understanding deepens our sense of identity and gives us more to share with the next generation.
Whether we live on the continent, belong to the diaspora or are finding our way into an unfamiliar part of our heritage, our curiosity deserves a place to grow.
What this means
Learn it.
Live it. Pass it on.
Cultural preservation
Documenting stories, sharing knowledge and keeping traditions in practice. Culture continues to grow as people create, adapt and pass it on. Preserving it means making sure that knowledge remains available.
Future generations
The knowledge we share today becomes part of tomorrow’s inheritance. Our children and the generations after them should have access to their histories, languages and cultural knowledge, and the understanding to carry them forward.
How we do the work
Learning that becomes
part of life.
Know Your Roots invites learning through play. Unforgotten brings historical stories back into view. Think About It opens space for reflection, while Cultural Voices brings different expertise and perspectives into the conversation.
Our storytelling, guides and live experiences connect cultural knowledge with everyday curiosity. At our annual Africa Day dinner, Cultural Vanguards recognises the people contributing to that work of preservation.
Together, these formats help us build a lasting home for African cultural learning, where knowledge is explored, enjoyed and shared.
Meet the founder
Bisi Akins.
Bisi Akins is a Nigerian-British cultural educator, presenter and founder of All Things Africa. Her work connects people with African culture, history and heritage through storytelling, conversation and curated experiences.
ATA began with a question: what else don’t I know? Bisi is building a lasting home for African cultural learning, connecting the knowledge we inherit with the responsibility to carry it forward.
Meet the people behind ATA’s research, writing and editorial work.
Meet the teamCultural Voices
Culture needs more than one voice.
ATA Cultural Voices brings together contributors whose work explores folklore, literature, philosophy, women’s impact, cinema, identity and belonging.
Each voice brings a distinct perspective and a shared commitment to carrying African culture and heritage forward.
The first question
Return to the story
that started it.
The amalgamation of Nigeria was the subject that sparked ATA’s founding question: what else don’t I know?
History & identity
How Nigeria was formed
Explore the 1914 amalgamation and the history behind the country we know today.
Cultural Vanguards
Culture is carried
by people.
ATA recognises people whose work contributes to preserving, celebrating and carrying African culture and heritage forward.
We honour our Cultural Vanguards at Know Your Roots: The Cultural Dinner, ATA’s annual celebration of Africa Day.
Support ATA
Help carry
culture forward.
The knowledge we share today becomes part of tomorrow’s inheritance.
Your support helps fund the research, storytelling and cultural learning behind ATA. From Know Your Roots to Unforgotten, it helps us share knowledge that connects people to their roots.
Be first to hear.
Join the community for cultural stories and announcements about upcoming ATA quizzes, dinners and experiences.