New York City, April 13, 2025 As the global spotlight turned toward the 4th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, a powerful and timely side event organized by iNgwee African Tales drew international attention. Held at Meyer Hall, NYU’s main campus, the event ,titled “Empowering Heritage Custodians: Innovation in Knowledge Sharing and Cultural Continuity”set a deeply reflective and inspiring tone for the week’s proceedings.
The side event was not merely a panel or discussion, but a moment of cultural affirmation and strategic vision, curated and led by Bwalya Mwali, Chairperson and Founder of iNgwee African Tales. In her opening remarks, Mwali welcomed dignitaries, parliamentarians, cultural advocates, and a global audience joining in person and virtually, reaffirming the urgency of rethinking heritage preservation in the digital age.
“We chose this theme because it speaks directly to the moment we’re in,” Mwali said. “How do we, as Africans and global custodians of our histories, use the tools we now have technology, artificial intelligence to reclaim justice and sustain our cultural memory?”
Founded on the traditions of African oral storytelling, iNgwee African Tales has evolved into one of the most comprehensive digital and narrative documentation platforms for African and Afro-descendant communities worldwide. Mwali proudly shared that the organization’s greatest achievement has been its ability to bridge communities across continents through a shared commitment to cultural heritage.
“Our work connects communities through storytelling, interviews, and digital platforms,” she explained. “We listen to elders, engage with diaspora voices, and build tools that preserve and revitalize identities across generations.”
The event celebrated the idea that heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing force that must be honored, activated, and integrated into the fabric of modern institutions. “Our mission,” Mwali emphasized, “is not just to preserve heritage, but to innovate with it, to make it visible in our schools, our governance, and in the lives of future generations.”
Beyond presenting its own work, iNgwee African Tales used this platform to invite deeper collaboration among educators, researchers, community leaders, and artists working to protect and elevate African heritage globally.
“We hope today inspires not just thought, but action,” Mwali concluded. “Let this be a space where new collaborations begin, and where our shared commitment to culture is reaffirmed.”
The success of the side event underscored the crucial role of grassroots organizations like iNgwee African Tales in shaping global conversations around identity, justice, and the future of African and Afro-descendant peoples.
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