By More than 80 members of the Beninese American community in Central Ohio, along with friends, family and colleagues, gathered August 15, 2026 at Summitview Park in Powell, Ohio for the official launch of the Association of Beninese in Ohio (ABO) and to celebrate Bénin’s 66th anniversary of independence from France.
Bénin’s independence was established on August 1, 1960. For Beninese communities around the world, Independence Day provides an opportunity not only to celebrate the nation’s history but also to preserve cultural identity and pass traditions on to future generations.
In Powell, community members proudly wave the country’s green, yellow, and red flag. ABO leaders wear polo shirts that read “Association Des Béninois Ohio.” The members wear shirts featuring the phrase “Les Béninois d’Ohio pour un development durable du Bénin,” which means “Beninese of Ohio for sustainable development in Bénin.”
The flag of Bénin also reflects the country’s changing history. From 1894 to 1959, during French colonial rule, the territory used the French tricolor of blue, white, and red. From 1959 to 1975, the Republic of Dahomey used a green, yellow, and red flag. From 1975 to 1990, the People’s Republic of Bénin used a green flag with a five-pointed star in the canton. Since 1990, the Republic of Bénin has used the green, yellow, and red flag seen today.
During Saturday’s celebration, food, music, dancing, and storytelling create a lively reflection of Beninese and West African culture. Traditional foods, including fufu, soups, and puff-puff, share the table with grilled chicken, ribs, and other dishes. Music fills the park as a DJ plays Beninese hits and French-language African rhythms, encouraging guests to dance, socialize, and celebrate their heritage.
Central Ohio is home to a growing West African population, including communities with roots in Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, and other countries across the region. For the Beninese community, however, the establishment of ABO represents an important new chapter.
The organization aims to provide a formal structure for Beninese residents to connect, build professional and social networks, welcome new arrivals, and participate more actively in the broader Central Ohio community.
It will also help identify the needs and size of the Beninese population throughout Ohio while creating opportunities for partnerships with other cultural and community organizations. Central Ohio continues to bring diverse communities together through events and organizations that celebrate African and Latino cultures.
For smaller immigrant communities, establishing their own organizations is an important way to ensure their history and traditions have a place in the region’s increasingly diverse cultural landscape. For the Beninese community, the time has come to build that presence.
One of ABO’s important roles will be to help younger generations maintain connections to their heritage. Many children of immigrants grow up in the United States while navigating the cultures of both their families and their communities. Cultural programming, language learning, storytelling, and community events give Beninese American youth opportunities to learn about their history and understand where their families come from.
According to organizers, ABO will also serve as a platform where longtime residents and newcomers find community connections, professional networking opportunities, and information about resources throughout Central Ohio. Beyond cultural preservation, the organization also encourages civic engagement and creates a stronger voice for Beninese Ohioans.
Members of the Beninese community tell New Americans Magazine that they are proud of their roots and the country’s rich spiritual heritage, art, royal history, and culinary traditions.
French is the official language of Bénin, while numerous indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country, including Fon, Yoruba, Bariba, Dendi, and Goun.
Bénin’s history also includes the historic Kingdom of Dahomey, whose legacy remains an important part of the country’s cultural identity.
The Beninese diaspora continues to carry these traditions beyond West Africa, creating new communities while maintaining connections to their homeland.
The Beninese American population continues to grow. According to 2000 U.S. Census ancestry data, 605 people in the United States report Beninese ancestry. ABO organizers now estimate that more than 3,000 people of Beninese origin live throughout the United States. That current figure remains a community estimate rather than an official Census count.
For those gathered in Powell, the launch of ABO represents more than the creation of a new organization. It will provide an opportunity to connect generations, preserve cultural heritage, and establish a stronger presence for Beninese Ohioans.
As music continues to play and community members gather despite a few raindrops, the message is clear: Beninese culture has a home in Central Ohio, and this is only the beginning.
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