A diaspora family. A village. A promise kept.
For twenty-five years NCDA-USA has united sons and daughters of Nkwen across the United States — celebrating culture, lifting one another, and investing in our community at home and abroad.
About Us
The home of every Nkwen son and daughter in America.
The Nkwen Cultural and Development Association — USA (NCDA-USA) is the national family of Nkwen people, in-laws, and friends across the United States. We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we are built on a single, unshakeable conviction: Together We Are Stronger.
For more than two decades, Nkwen people in the American diaspora have gathered in living rooms, banquet halls, and palace courtyards to remember who we are, lift one another up, and give back to the village that raised us. What began in 2001 with a small group of pioneers in Boston has grown into a national federation of active chapters in the DMV, California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, New York, Delaware, Boston, and beyond — with sister associations in Cameroon, Germany, the United Kingdom, and across Europe. NCDA-USA in its current national form was formally established in 2015 under the Paramount Fondom of Nkwen.
Our mission
We exist to foster the cultural, economic, educational, and social wellbeing of our members in the United States and our people back home in Nkwen, Bamenda III, Northwest Cameroon. We celebrate our heritage so that it never fades. We stand with each other through births, weddings, illnesses, and farewells. And we invest in Nkwen — through primary-school scholarships that have reached more than 100 children each year, through donations to schools and clinics, through advocacy for the Nkwen Development Committee, through ongoing support for the Nkwen Water Project, and through a deep, working partnership with the Paramount Fondom under His Royal Majesty Fon S.F. Azehfor III.
The Annual Convention
Every July, we come together for our Annual National Convention — a five-day homecoming of culture, conversation, and commitment. We dance Mbaghalum. We wear our regalia. We pray. We share achu and yellow soup. We elect our leaders, settle our differences, and renew our promises to Nkwen and to one another. We do all of this so that the next generation — born thousands of miles from the Palace — will still know the sound of the talking drum, the warmth of "Ndo," and the meaning of "Nkwen ni ghe."
Why we matter
A people without its own history, language, and institutions cannot survive as a distinct community. NCDA-USA exists so that Nkwen will not only survive in the diaspora — it will thrive. So that our children will inherit something more than a passport. So that our village, half a world away, knows it is never alone.
Our work is the work of a village. We invite you to be part of it.
25
Years of Service
6
Active U.S. Chapters
1,000+
Diaspora Members
501(c)(3)
Federally Recognized
Our Mission
What we do
To foster education, promote health awareness, and reduce poverty in the village of Nkwen, Bamenda, Northwest Region of the Republic of Cameroon — while serving as the diaspora home for sons and daughters of Nkwen across the United States.
Our Vision
Where we're going
A thriving, connected Nkwen diaspora that honors tradition, carries the Fondom forward, and builds modern community institutions serving our people for generations.
Our Patron
Under royal patronage
We serve under the patronage of His Royal Majesty Fon Azehfor III, Paramount Fon of Nkwen — anchoring every chapter to the Fondom and to home.
Four words we live by
Our values, made tangible
Tap each card to see how it shows up in our work.
Value
Community
Community
We gather across state lines as one family — Nkwen first, always.
Value
Education
Education
Scholarships, tutoring, and college guidance unlock the next generation.
Value
Culture
Culture
Language, dance, regalia, and the Fondom — preserved and passed on.
Value
Development
Development
Tangible projects in the village: water, health, and infrastructure.
Our journey
Twenty-five years, one heartbeat
2001
NCDA-USA Founded
Established in California as a 501(c)(3) non-profit chartered to foster education, health awareness, and reduce poverty in Nkwen, Bamenda.
2006
Federal 501(c)(3) Status
IRS determination letter formalized in Minnesota (EIN 36-4545467) under founding officer Dr. Dominic Awahmukalah.
2014
Enthronement of Fon Azehfor III
His Royal Majesty Fon Azehfor III (Stanley Funwie Ngufor) is enthroned as Paramount Fon of Nkwen, succeeding the late Fon Ngufor III.
2015
First U.S. Royal Visit
His Majesty's first official U.S. visit as Paramount Fon — keynote at the NCDA-USA Convention in Toledo, Ohio. Theme: "Water is Life."
2019
Minnesota EGAM & Care Taker Era
Extraordinary General Assembly forms the Care Taker Committee that stewarded NCDA-USA through the pandemic.
2020
Virtual Unity During COVID-19
First virtual General Assembly. Mrs. Theresa Taminang launches free Zoom Nkwen-language classes. Diaspora wires relief funds to the village.
2022
DMV In-Person Reunion
First in-person General Assembly after the pandemic, hosted by the DMV chapter — a milestone of healing and renewal.
2025
Michigan Convention
Annual NCDA-USA Convention hosted by the Michigan chapter — youth programs and cultural night drew record attendance.
2026
Silver Jubilee — 25 Years
Anniversary year. Convention hosted by DMV (Jul 16–19); 25th Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles (Aug 1) honoring Dr. Mal Fobi, Dr. Tony Ndifor, and Mr. Martin Asang as True Heroes of Nkwen.
Our work
Programs we run & support
A scholarship board that has put Nkwen children through school every year since the 2000s. A five-day national convention each July. Mehnkwen language classes, tutoring, women's circles, youth leadership, mutual aid, and the Nkwen Water Project. Twelve living programs — four pillars — one village.
NCDA GCE Scholarship Board
Annual scholarships awarded to Nkwen youth, funded by member donations and gala proceeds.
Annual National Convention
Our flagship four-day gathering. Host chapter rotates yearly — Michigan 2025, DMV 2026.
Cultural Jamboree
Convention-week night of traditional dance, music, and regalia with chapter performances.
Community Tutoring
SAT prep, math/science, and college admissions guidance for member youth.
Group Health Briefings
Periodic Zoom sessions on group health insurance options for members.
Village Development
Water, health, and infrastructure projects channelled directly to Nkwen.
Built by founders, carried by you
Honoring those who came before
From pioneer members who laid the foundation to the Care Taker Committee that carried us through the pandemic — every era added to the story.
Pa Martin Asang
Pioneer Member · NCDA-USA
Recognized at the 2020 Virtual GAM for laying the foundation of the association.
Dr. Cletus Acho
Founding Member
Recognized as a founding member of NCDA-USA.
Dr. Dominic Awahmukalah
Founding Officer
Named on the original 2006 IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (EIN 36-4545467).
Dr. Dominic Awahmukalah
Past National President
Listed on the 2006 IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (Minnesota).
Mr. Simon Ngangmi
Past National President
Mrs. Caroline Ndifor (Mabre Ngenjang)
CTC Chairperson
Jul 2019 – Jul 2022
Mr. Henry Tita Tamunang
CTC Treasurer
Jul 2019 – Jul 2022
Mrs. Theresia 'Theresa' Taminang
Volunteer Educator
Ran free Zoom Nkwen-language classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Austin Achunkwe
COVID-19 Project Finance Coordinator
Received and acknowledged all COVID-19 relief funds wired to Nkwen.
Leadership today
The NCDA-USA Board
Our Board is composed of the sitting president of each branch, plus two additional members elected by the General Assembly.
Dr. Mrs. Melvis Memeh
Branch President · California
Mr. Elvis Bejingsi
Branch President · Maryland / DMV
[NCDA: Massachusetts President]
Branch President · Massachusetts
Mr. Jude Moma
Branch President · Michigan
Mr. Rene Azombi
Branch President · Minnesota
Mr. Divine Tita
Branch President · Texas
Major Ndiashea Ngante
At-Large Member · elected by General Assembly
Mrs. Immaculate Tita
At-Large Member · elected by General Assembly
Culture in motion
Snapshots from the diaspora
Royal procession
Cultural night
Welcome rites
Jamboree
Elders & councilGet involved
Your seat at the table is waiting.
Whether you're new to the diaspora or have been part of NCDA from the beginning, there's a place for you. Membership keeps you connected to your local branch, the national association, and the wider Nkwen family.
Mehnkwen · The tongue of Nkwen
Our language, kept alive across generations
Language is heritage you can hold in your mouth. These phrases — taught at our jamborees and Nkwen-language classes — are part of how we pass Nkwen on to the next generation in the diaspora.
- Everyday
Á pé
Tap to translate →
Everyday
Thank you
Say it: ah PAY
Used freely — to a host, an elder, a stranger.
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- Greeting
Á sàʼà
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Greeting
Good morning
Say it: ah SAH-ah
Spoken to elders and family at the start of the day.
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- Culture
Ǹdâ-bə̀ŋə̀
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Culture
House of the people
Say it: en-DAH BUH-nguh
A meeting house — the spirit behind every NCDA-USA chapter.
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- Culture
Nkwèn
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Culture
Our village — Nkwen
Say it: en-KWEN
Our Fondom — the home from which the diaspora descends.
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- Everyday
Wèʼ kɨ̀ kə̀?
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Everyday
How are you?
Say it: WEH kee KUH
A warm check-in between friends and kin.
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- Family
Tà
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Family
Father
Say it: TAH
Also used as a respectful title for an elder.
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