Our Team

Our Board of Directors

  • Naquetta O. Ricks

    President & Co-Founder

    Colorado Representative Naquetta Ricks (District 40) is the President and Co-Founder of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado. Naquetta is an esteemed leader in the Colorado House of Representatives and is also a trailblazer with a compelling journey.

    Born in Liberia and raised in Aurora, Colorado, she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Metropolitan State University, Denver, and her MBA from the University of Colorado, Denver. A pioneer, Ricks is the first African immigrant elected to the Colorado General Assembly and the initial Liberian American in any state legislature. Fleeing Liberia’s civil war at age 13, Naquetta overcame adversity to make Colorado her new home.

    In addition to her legislative role, Naquetta is the President and Co-Founder of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado and manages a successful mortgage brokerage business. Committed to community development, equity, and diversity, she tirelessly advocates for economic opportunities and immigrant rights. Ricks’s legislative impact includes spearheading groundbreaking laws, such as the Immigration Legal Defense Fund and the Towing Bill of Rights. Recognized with awards like the 2021 Legislator of the Year from Habitat for Humanity, she’s a distinguished member of Healthier Colorado’s Leadership Circle.

    With an unwavering commitment to community service, the African Chamber President, Representative Naquetta Ricks, remains a beacon of leadership, driving positive change and tirelessly advocating for her constituents’ well-being.

  • Zamy Silva

    Board Member

    Zamy is currently serving as the National Vice-President of Civil Rights Compliance with WSP USA, a global professional services and consulting firm.

    Zamy is a public servant who leads through the lenses of equity and true inclusion. She is an experienced civil rights professional who is dedicated, passionate, and committed to change and making a difference, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. Zamy is an innovator and a progressive thinker, who prides herself in pushing the envelope beyond regulatory confinements by strategically promoting and implementing civil rights programs and policies through effective and meaningful partnerships and collaboration.

    She has 18+ years of experience and expertise leading, managing, and overseeing every aspect of civil rights regulatory compliant programs at three government entities –Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD, Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and currently at a global consulting firm, WSP USA.

  • Eli Asfaw

    Board Member

    Eli is the National Black McDonald’s Owners Association - West Zone President. Eli often acts as a spokesperson for McDonald’s and franchisees, both locally and nationally. Eli believes in giving back to the communities and cities in which he does business. His family founded the Asfaw Family Foundation International (AFFI). AFFI organizes and sponsors several events every year including a Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Bicycle Giveaway, and the Aim High Scholarship Program.

    He also participates as a mentor in the Aurora Public Schools Badging Program where he speaks at schools about achieving business success. The students also shadow him to learn more about owning a business.

  • Tony Frimpong

    Board Member

    Anthony worked with Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (AGC) as a Mining Engineer for over 5 years in Ghana. He has bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees in Mining Engineering, which were obtained from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He moved to the United States in 1999 and acquired a master’s degree in accounting at Regis University. He further obtained an MBA at DeVry University. He worked as a Financial Analyst with Chase Corporate office in Colorado.

    He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Enrolled Agent with the IRS. He is a Business and Tax Consultant and a philanthropist. He is very involved in educating many local and foreign communities in Colorado where he frequently holds multiple conferences to educate them on taxes. He is the President of Jeroyaf Group and Jeroyaf Accounting and Tax Services, Aurora Colorado. He is a husband and a father of three wonderful boys .

  • Michael Washington

    Board Member

    Mike Washington supports HDR’s National Equity Services program and is a national lead in our Transportation Business Group Equity Services team. Mike is an equity and government affairs expert who brings a wealth of knowledge in equitable transportation policy, government relations, environmental justice, public engagement, and communication strategies. Mike brings over 15 years of urban planning and policy experience with an emphasis in equitable transportation planning. He is also adept at coaching executive-level management seeking socially equitable outcomes, recognized as a civil rights expert, and experienced in engaging elected officials and CEOs.

Our Staff

  • SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

    Rusty Collins has been the Special Projects Coordinator for the African Chamber for 3 years. He is involved with grant writing, event planning, working with leadership, human resources, streamlining the organization’s infrastructure, and provides support for the Chamber President, Naquetta, the Board of Directors, and the staff.

    Rusty earned his Masters and Bachelors Degrees from Colorado State University. He joined the Chamber with 30 years of experience and has previously served as the Executive Director for Neighbor to Neighbor, an affordable housing nonprofit in Fort Collins; as Executive Director for Pat Stryker’s Bohemian Foundation in Fort Collins; and as the Director of the CSU Extension Office in Denver. He has also owned his own businesses as a real estate broker, business consultant, and hot dog cart operator with his children. Throughout his career Rusty has raised over $20 for nonprofits, published articles in national journals, acquired 150 apartment units for affordable housing, co-founded a Research and Extension Center at Washington State University, and was once named the Fort Collins Citizen of the Year.

    Rusty enjoys the people with whom he has the opportunity to work every day and thinks that It is exciting to be part of a great team that is helping to shape both the present and future of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado.

  • EVENTS, PROGRAM, & MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

    Claire Bagazonzya has been working with the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado as the Events, Programs & Membership Coordinator since June 2023. She holds an M.A. in International Human Rights with a Specialization in Conflict Resolution & Human Trafficking and a B.A. in International Relations from Temple University.

    Claire has over 11 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations that foster the economic, social, and cultural interests of the community members they serve. Some of these organizations include the Japan America Society of Washington DC, African Community Center, Colorado Immigrants Rights Coalition, International Community of Banyakigezi, and Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning to name a few.

    She has always had a calling to serve the immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities to promote all-around well-being. In her role as the Events, Programs & Membership Coordinator, she plans events and programs tailored to the business needs of the members and also works on maintaining and improving Membership for the Chamber. She is enthusiastic about connecting, building, and maintaining relationships with Chamber members, partners, and community members in her role. She is excited to be a part of a team that is providing vital support and uplifting Black and African immigrant-owned businesses in Colorado.


  • PROGRAM MANAGER

    Charles Msilanga is a seasoned professional who has been contributing to the success of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado since June 2023. Holding a distinguished Masters in Business Administration from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance from Kenyatta University in Kenya, Charles brings a strong academic foundation to his role.

    With over 10

    years of dedicated experience in Program Development and Implementation within the realms of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Business Empowerment, Charles has served various entities, including for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, and both governmental and international institutions.

    Motivated by a deep-seated passion to foster thriving communities on economic, social, and financial fronts, Charles has found a meaningful avenue for his aspirations at the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado. In his current capacity as a Program Manager, he spearheads the design and implementation of programs aimed at equipping, empowering, and transforming the lives of chamber members, ultimately contributing to improved livelihoods. Charles's commitment to creating a conducive ecosystem aligns seamlessly with the overarching goals of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado, positioning him as a valuable asset to the organization's mission and vision.

  • PUBLIC HEALTH NAVIGATOR

    Bio coming soon!

  • PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

    Lawrence Eghabor has been working with the African Chamber since March 2021. He started out as the Community Outreach Coordinator during the peak of Covid 19 pandemic, setting up neighborhood Pop-up clinics with our team. This was to ensure that the majority of our minorities have access to the Covid vaccination. The campaign was very important for the state, because Covid was dreaded all over the world.

    After the Post Covid Pandemic, he was given a scholarship to study as an Apprentice with the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce on how business works. Among other things, I learned how to start Non-Profit Small Business projects, and recruit, train, and retain workers. Upon completion of my Business Apprenticeship studies, I earned a certificate of completion. However, my Business Training Skills continue within and outside our office.

    Before joining the African Chamber, he earned a Master's degree in Theology from Notre Dame Graduate Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana in May 2000. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He is a Certified Hospital Chaplain from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia since May 2004. The Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce awarded me a Certificate of Completion in Nonprofit Business Training in Feb 2022. The challenges that confronted me as a minority black male since the early 90's did not allow me to apply my professional skills in the job market for so many years. However, he chose to survive. Whenever it was possible, I worked as a Professional Hospital Chaplain and Counselor at hospitals caregiving centers etc. All these trying years have taught him the need for forgiveness towards others and the readiness to be resilient in dealing with people and life issues.

    He is driven to listen to people's needs and see how he can help them. If he can help, he will definitely help, and if he cannot, he will redirect the client to where he can get the help he needs. Each time, he succeeded in helping anyone at the African Chamber, it encouraged him to do more for our clients.

  • PROJECT MANAGER (PUBLIC HEALTH INNOVATION)

    Teguo, a trained clinical neurophysiologist, contributed his expertise to the University of Colorado for a decade before embarking on a transformative journey in public health. In 2018, he earned a Master's in Public Health, sparking a passion for addressing health disparities and social determinants of health.

    Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Teguo pivoted to volunteer work with the Chambers, actively engaging in community initiatives. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health at Harvard in Boston, he focuses on health equity, bringing a wealth of knowledge and commitment to his academic pursuits.

    Public Health Programs at the Chamber:

    In response to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, the African Chambers took proactive steps to address public health concerns. Beginning with grassroots efforts such as distributing masks to the community, the Chambers collaborated with state and federal partners to organize COVID clinics and disseminate crucial prevention information.

    Building on these efforts, the Chambers forged partnerships with Tri-County Health to offer COVID vaccinations at community-centric locations such as churches, mosques, and soccer fields. Since 2022, the Chambers have been developing a dedicated Public Health program. This department serves as a trusted voice within the community, directing individuals to essential public health resources.

    Furthermore, recognizing the importance of mental health, the Chambers have initiated a capacity-building program in collaboration with Aurora Community College. This program aims to empower community health workers to become behavioral health providers, addressing the critical intersection of physical and mental well-being.

    The African Chambers proudly collaborate with NACCHO, Adams County, and Arapahoe County as close partners, solidifying their commitment to their communities' holistic health and well-being.

  • ASSISTANT PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATICS SPECIALIST

    Yao Ahonon is a dedicated Public Health Officer/Biostatistician with nearly a decade of experience at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. With a strong academic background—including studies like the acquisition of a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology & Disease Control) at the University of Ghana, currently at the University of Denver, Colorado, USA for a Master of Science program in Health Informatics. Yao has specialized in the managing and analysis of large health data sets, conducting operational research, and designing effective methodologies for research. He has broad experience in training and supervising Health Information Officers and coordinating data collection activities for large public health programs.

    In his career, Yao has massively contributed to public health by managing over 30,000 COVID-19 data points, developing an Access Database for the Orthopedic Unit, and leading the creation of a Public Health RedCap database system. He led medical outreach programs and demonstrated a fierce commitment to healthcare delivery through data-driven approaches in service, which further explains his passion for improving health outcomes.

    Yao has publications in different prestigious medical journals and has illustrated mastery in the presentation of research findings and associated complicated statistical data. He has further demonstrated competence in research and data analysis using SPSS, STATA, and R, with computer application skills, making him a great asset in public health and biostatistics. Guided by a passion for excellence and commitment to continuous improvement, Yao would like to make his experience in solving public health crises and promotion of healthcare services of high-quality count.

  • PUBLIC HEALTH NAVIGATOR

    Abdirashid is a Public Health Outreach Navigator and has been working under the National Association of Cities and Counties and the Colorado Department of Health and Human Environment COVID Education & Outreach Grant Programs for three years. He provides educational information, test kits, face masks, hand sanitizer, and other COVID and Vaccine related materials to immigrant populations in the community. He additionally provides education and supply distribution at DIA through the network of taxi drivers that gather in the centralized HUB.