Our Story
Founded by Soraya Sheppard, Color Me Africa Fine Arts (CMAFA) emerged from a promise made to Nelson Mandela during his historic visit to the United States in 1990. After years of exile, Ms. Sheppard returned to South Africa in 2011, uncovering an art community rife with exploitation and racism. This revelation ignited her passion to create change through art, leading to the establishment of CMAFA in 2012. Based in Rogers Park, Chicago, CMAFA fosters understanding of the African continent through art exhibitions and collaborations with other arts organizations.