Pillars
Community engagement is at the heart of the Office of African American Affairs' mission. Lasting solutions are built through meaningful dialogue, strong partnerships, and active participation from residents, organizations, institutions, and community leaders throughout New Mexico.
OAAA works to create opportunities for communities to share concerns, identify priorities, celebrate achievements, and help shape initiatives that impact African American residents across the state. Through listening sessions, public forums, conferences, cultural events, educational programs, and community partnerships, the agency seeks to ensure that local voices help inform statewide efforts.
The agency serves as a connector between communities and government, helping residents access information, resources, services, and opportunities while also ensuring that policymakers and institutions better understand community needs and perspectives. This two-way engagement helps strengthen trust, improve collaboration, and foster more effective solutions.
Community engagement also includes celebrating the rich history, culture, contributions, and achievements of African Americans in New Mexico. Through partnerships, events, and public education efforts, OAAA helps preserve cultural heritage while building stronger connections across generations and communities.
Areas of Focus
- Community outreach and engagement
- Public forums and listening sessions
- Cultural heritage and preservation
- Youth and family engagement
- Civic participation and leadership
- Strategic partnerships
- Volunteerism and community service
- Statewide collaboration and advocacy