Virginia Friends of Mali

VFOM new president, Lydie Alapini-Sakponou, in 2012, with then Malian Ambassador Mamoun KEITA, Segou Project Manager Robin Poulton and the ambassador's Chief of Protocol, during our annual National Mali Day program. VFOM held its annual board meeting on October 26, 2017 and elected a new president and vice president. Ana Edwards, who has served as president since the formation of the sister city relationship with Segou MALI in 2009, has shifted to vice president and organizational representative on the Richmond Sister Cities Commission. "I happily and proudly yield the leadership position to Lydie Alapini-Sakponou. She was a founding member of the organization and has a long record as an outstanding educator in Chesterfield County schools. Lydie will bring warmth, experience and a keen talent to the job." The board also welcomed a new category, Student Board Member, and with it three new student members from Virginia Commonwealth University. Click here to

Our official VFoM GRIOT was once again prominent at the Folk Festival, leading a “panel” of guitarists. CHD was overwhelmingly the most impressive musician on stage. What he can do with the guitar is remarkable: he makes it talk ! It took about 90 seconds for the American leader of the panel to cede the leadership to CHD, in whom he instinctively recognized a superior talent both stagecraft and in the musician’s craft. Every time there is a Malian band, it is outstandingly the most popular item in the Festival. Lisa Sims: bring us a full Malian orchestra every year and 500 people are dancing instantly. More Malian musicians in Richmond, PLEASE !

Minister Counselor M A. CISSE of the Malian Embassy and members of the Malian  Association of DC are  flanked by Papa Susso on the left and  VFOM founder and   Segou Projects Coordinator, Robin Poulton on the right. Segou Governor Georges TOGO received gifts from VFOM. Former city councilor Madani Sissoko prepares to distribute gifts from the University of Segou to VFOM and Conference guests. VCU PhD students. VCU graduate students. Conference participant from Switzerland and Conference co-organizer Van Wood enjoy the West African cuisine of Chef MaMusu's Africanne on Main. TOP: Student volunteers who ran the day-of operations of the conference. LEFT: President of Richmond Sister Cities Commission. RIGHT: Rector of Segou University and Mayor of Segou. Guest from 19 African and European countries attended.