
Africonexion: Cultural Consultants
Connecting Cultures, Navigating Differences & Building Global Understanding.
We are a cultural consulting powerhouse, dedicated to helping Africans and Americans bridge cultural divides, foster understanding, and thrive together in a globalized world.

Some of our Clients







30+ Years of Bridging Cultures
We have spent over 30 years empowering organizations, colleges and universities, companies and individuals to successfully navigate cultural differences. Through customized workshops, engaging seminars, and one-on-one counseling, we support people from various walks of life—whether they’re studying abroad, volunteering, pursuing business opportunities, or engaging in diplomatic efforts. Our goal is to help participants build meaningful, effective cross-cultural connections that lead to greater understanding and success in a globalized world.
Leadership Rooted in Knowledge
Under the expert guidance of Professor Joseph L. Mbele, our programs are enriched by his extensive experience and deep cultural insights. Professor Mbele has created innovative tools and resources that form the core of our work, ensuring that every participant receives practical, valuable knowledge for navigating and thriving in diverse cultural environments.
Special Mention in "Jeopardy"

“Jeopardy” show, November 23, 2017
“Jeopardy”, the iconic American quiz show, featured Joseph Mbele’s book Matengo Folktales in a 2017 episode. One of the questions highlighted a story from the book about a long-eared animal cleverly outsmarting a lion. This recognition brought attention to the unique African storytelling tradition captured in Mbele’s work, emphasizing its cultural richness and universal appeal.
Bestseller Books
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Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences $18.00
Book Type: Paperback
This book discusses differences between African and American culture, to help prevent cultural miscommunications which might poison or ruin relationships between Africans and Americans. Americans who go to Africa highly recommend this book, and so do Africans who live in the U.S.A. Americans and Africans in relationships of any kind, whether business or personal, find this book indispensable.
- Author:Joseph Mbele
$18.00Add to cart -
Chickens in the Bus: More Thoughts on Cultural Differences $18.00
This is a sequel to my, Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences. The latter is widely read and also featured in college and university programs from the USA to China. With additional insights into issues raised in the earlier book, Chickens in the Bus addresses new topics, such as child raising and the cultural dimension of business between Africans and Americans. Readers treasure this book.
- Author:Joseph Mbele
$18.00Add to cart -
Matengo Folktales $18.00
Book Type: Paperback
This book presents English translations of ten Matengo folktales from Southern Tanzania, which the author recorded in the mid-1970s. Matengo is the author’s mother tongue. In addition to the tales, some of which include songs presented in both Matengo and English, there are commentaries on each tale and a concluding essay on the folktale. Accessible to the ordinary reader, this book is also used in college courses. On November 23, 2017 this book hit the limelight when it was featured on “Jeopardy,” the famous American TV show.
$18.00Add to cart -
WAAFRIKA, WAMAREKANI, NA KUSTAHIMILIANA KIUTAMADUNI $18.00
Book Type: Paperback
Kitabu hiki ni tafsiri ya kitabu kiitwacho “Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences” ambacho kimekuwa maarufu tangu kilipochapishwa mwaka 2005. Lengo la kitabu lilikuwa kuwawezesha waAfrika na waMarekani kuelewana na kuepuka kutoelewana na migogoro inayotokana na tofauti za tamaduni. Wasomaji waTanzania na waMarekani walinihimiza kukitafsiri. Hatimaye, mwaka 2023 Mwafrika Merinyo aliamua kukitafsiri. Nami naona amefanya kazi nzuri sana.
- Author:Joseph Mbele
$18.00Add to cart
Upcoming Events

April 29th, 2025
East Africa Book Fair Event in Minnesota / Bandhigga Buuggta
- 277 12th Ave North Minneapolis, MN 55401

June 25th - 28th, 2025
African Literature Association Conference
Prof.Joseph Mbele will be participating in the conference to discuss gender issues in precolonial Africa as reflected in folklore.
- University of Nairobi, Nairobi City, Kenya

November 20th - 22nd, 2025
African Studies Association Annual Conference
The ASA Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of Africanist scholars in the world and is the flagship event of the association. .
- Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA
What People Are Saying
For any one from North America or Western Europe, this is a good introduction to African culture, especially Tanzanian. If I read this before moving to Tanzania 14 years ago, I might have been able to avoid some stress and frustration. I still get frustrated as my way of thinking and project management style sometimes clashes with my Tanzanian family and acquaintances, especially regarding punctuality, and being direct. Professor Mbele gives a good perspective from an African point of view. The visitor or expat will be more compassionate as they find themselves waiting, and waiting, and waiting; he or she might even make new friends as time is flexible.
The Black Mzungu
Our class, “Culture and History of South Africa,” read Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences last week. The author, Joseph Mbele came to visit us on Tuesday. It was unanimously considered a DELIGHT. The book is a fast read, and Joseph Mbele writes in a conversational, welcoming style that sucks you right in, keeps you laughing, and keeps you reading. In person, Joseph proved to be one of the most brilliant, funny, warm, and gentle human beings I’ve ever met. My students loved him; the two hours with him flew past.
Professor Rebecca Fjelland Davis, South Central College
This is the book we use to orient people who travel to Tanzania or host Tanzanians who travel here. It explains the differences between the cultures of Americans and Tanzanians. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who plans to travel to the US or interacts with Americans who are visiting Tanzania.
Luanne Kallungi Skrenes
Today, Joseph Mbele spoke to seventy-eight people in the Conference Center at South Central College. He talked about the concepts in his book, Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences and about the challenges writing about Africans and Americans in a way that both Africans and Americans would read, understand, and laugh about both groups. He charmed us all with his humor, gentle manner, and delightful stories about interactions and misunderstandings between Americans and Africans. The crowd was entranced, listening intently without moving for such a long time that the motion-censor lights went out in the conference center full of people!
Professor Rebecca Fjelland Davis, South Central College
In his books, Professor Mbele aims to foster a more inclusive dialogue on race in America, advocating for listening, mutual understanding, and respect based on differences. Let's embrace these diverse experiences, histories, and identities to foster a more inclusive dialogue on race in America.
Glenel Loring
Your BGLibrary has a couple new and exciting books that you should absolutely check out! The first is “Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Difference” by Dr. Joseph Mbele. Mbele is Professor of English and Director of African Studies at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. His book tackles differences between Americans and Africans—especially focusing on his Tanzanian homeland—and he does it in a practical—and amusing—way. If you have any interest in visiting Africa, this read is a great way to begin to understand why they’re sometimes amused by us, and we by them! Holy Trinity will be talking lots this coming year about our relationship with the Lutheran Church in Isimani, Tanzania. Reading Mbele’s book will help in making connections and understanding more about these wonderful Christians.
For over 30 years, Africonexion has been bridging the cultural gap between Africans and Americans, empowering them to thrive in diverse environments.