Our non-profit organisation Medway African and Caribbean Association (MACA), is a registered charity dedicated to working with the local people, private and public organisations in Medway and the wider community to promote an awareness of African and Caribbean Culture. We achieve this through arts, educational and social programmes, creating opportunities that recognise and celebrate different needs and build a sense of belonging to create a place of safety to reach out to the wider community.
Our Mission
We promote an awareness of African and Caribbean Culture, through arts, educational and social programmes. We also support members on issues to do with racial harassment, undertaking prison visits, as well as many other functions.
Our Vision
Our vision to is to promote inclusivity with regards to culture, diversity and African and Caribbean heritage throughout Medway town and the wider community.
How We Began
The Medway African Caribbean Association (MACA) was initially set up in the 1984 by volunteers from the local community to work with the local people to make life better.
Mr Joe Cole had the idea along with John Okomah and some others, to meet with the idea of forming an association as a means of getting to know each other. People from a wide range of cultural backgrounds attended a meeting, which saw the birth of “Medway Multicultural Association. Mr Cole was the Chairperson and John Okomah the vice chairperson, also on the committee were Mrs Cole and Ron Hill. Some of the other cultural groups left to form their own group, but the group continued and renamed itself: Medway African Caribbean Association