Nonpartisan • Community-led • Illinois-focused

Our Community.
Our Voice. Our Vote.

Building a stronger civic voice for East African and Congolese Americans across Illinois by connecting voters, families, professionals, business owners, students, and community leaders.

Join Our Community Learn About EACAI

We create access, participation, dialogue, and civic engagement. The final political decision belongs to each voter.

Who We Are

A permanent civic network for our communities

EACAI strengthens the collective voice, civic participation, and representation of Illinois residents with roots in East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our communities include Americans with connections to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and neighboring African communities.

We are Illinois residents, workers, parents, students, professionals, business owners, taxpayers, community leaders, and voters.

Our purpose

Organize and connect our communities.

Increase civic and electoral participation.

Create direct dialogue with candidates and public leaders.

Build representation in Illinois civic life.

Continue engagement beyond Election Day.

Our Priorities

Six areas of community focus

Our agenda centers on practical opportunities that help families and communities participate fully in Illinois.

Employment & Public Service

Expand awareness of state employment and pathways into public service and leadership.

Small Business & Economic Opportunity

Improve access to entrepreneurship resources, financing, state contracting, and technical assistance.

Housing & Homeownership

Support affordable housing, rental stability, financial education, and pathways to homeownership.

Education & Youth Opportunity

Promote scholarships, workforce development, internships, mentorship, and professional training.

Immigrant & Refugee Integration

Recognize education, experience, languages, and skills while strengthening successful integration.

Representation in Government

Encourage representation on boards, commissions, advisory councils, agencies, and leadership bodies.

Civic Engagement

Making participation visible

EACAI does not tell members how to vote. We create opportunities to learn, participate, ask questions, and make informed individual decisions.

“We are part of Illinois. We contribute to Illinois. We vote in Illinois.”

500community members connected

300registered voters participating

200forum participants

1,000+future voter network goal

These are organizational benchmarks and goals, not claims of current membership.

2026 Community Roundtable

Bring candidates and communities into the same room

EACAI proposes an East African & Congolese American Community Roundtable in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The event would bring together voters, community leaders, professionals, business owners, students, faith leaders, families, and other Illinois residents. Gubernatorial candidates or senior campaign representatives would be invited to discuss jobs, economic opportunity, housing, education, small business, public safety, immigrant and refugee integration, youth opportunities, and government representation.

The goal is a lasting relationship—not simply a photograph.

Candidate engagement

Hear directly from candidates.

Present community priorities.

Ask substantive policy questions.

Discuss lawful volunteering and voter outreach.

Allow interested individuals to learn about lawful campaign participation.

Maintain communication after the election.

Community Events

Conversations in our community

EACAI brings community members and public leaders together to discuss the issues affecting Illinois families.

October 31, 2026 · Chicago

Community conversation with Darren Bailey

EACAI members welcomed Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and Cindy Bailey for a conversation about jobs, housing, small business, education, and community representation. The discussion gave participants an opportunity to share priorities and ask questions directly.

EACAI is a nonpartisan civic initiative. Meeting with a candidate does not represent an organizational endorsement. We welcome dialogue with candidates and public leaders across political perspectives.

EACAI community members with Darren Bailey at an October 2026 meeting in Chicago — Community members and Darren Bailey after the discussion.

EACAI founding organizer Olivier Marambo with Darren and Cindy Bailey — Olivier Marambo with Darren and Cindy Bailey.

Get Involved

Help build the EACAI network

Join as a community member, volunteer, future community coordinator, partner, or event participant. Your registration will be securely submitted to the EACAI membership system.