About Us

African Village Square (AVS) was established in 2020, driven by a deep-rooted passion for fostering community and building intentional connections within the African diaspora and with the continent. We believe in the strength of our diversity and the shared experiences that bind us across continents and experiences.

We aim to create a global community that nurtures and amplifies Africans' talent, experiences, and contributions. Through curated experiences, we aim to enlighten, honor and celebrate our rich cultural heritage and experiences.

We provide a platform for expression, learning, and empowerment, fostering an environment where stories are shared, talents celebrated, and lasting connections are forged.

Together, we can build stronger ties in the diaspora and the continent. We invite you to join us on this journey

Our Team

Ayodeji Omoogun (Ayo)

Founder & Executive Director

Ayo is a Nigerian-born banker with over 12 years of extensive experience in the banking sector, specializing in Public Sector and Development Organizations. He holds a B.Sc in Economics and an MBA from Nigerian Universities, preparing him for a dynamic path across various global financial hubs, including Lagos, Dubai, London, and New York.

Driven by his vision of African economic prosperity and his passion for community building, Ayo founded Africa Village Square in 2020, an Africa Diaspora Network organization to foster engagement within the African diaspora. Ayo believes in the need for a pan-African vision to harness sustainable and equitable economic prosperity and this fuels this dedication to forging connections and building bridges to the continent. 

Ayo also dedicates much of his time to mentoring individuals, guiding them to understand better and fulfill their purpose. His commitment to mentorship reflects his belief in the transformative power of individual growth and the importance of uplifting others along the journey toward personal and professional fulfillment.

fisayo okare

Program Manager


Fisayo is a journalist based in New York, with over seven years of extensive experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia Journalism School in New York, and earned a first class in Mass Communication for her Bachelor’s degree from Pan-Atlantic University, home to Lagos Business School in Nigeria. She is renowned for her dedication to excellence and passion for storytelling.

In 2020, Fisayo was hired as a financial journalist at Stears Business in Lagos, Nigeria, to help launch a premium subscription news product on the digital publication which is now renowned for its reporting and data-driven analysis of the Nigerian economy.

In 2019, she served in Abuja for Nigeria’s mandatory national youth service year and worked in the media department of Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization focused on democracy and good governance. While there, she produced and edited magazines and newsletters for the organization.

She is also a published author. Fisayo co-authored a book for Yiaga Africa, which was published and distributed in 2021 with support from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. She has also won awards including a Scholarship Award from the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) in 2020.

Fisayo’s unwavering commitment to journalism and her passion for driving meaningful change through storytelling inspire others within the diaspora network and beyond.

Join us on an inspiring journey where we provide a platform for meaningful dialogue, celebrating culture, and collaborative initiatives.

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