About Chez Alpha Books
Chez Alpha Books is the first and only English language bookstore in Dakar Senegal. In addition it also serves as an academic resource center in Dakar, Senegal providing programs and services that support English language learners. The book store features a rich, eclectic and diverse collection of fiction and non-fiction with a focus on writers from Senegal, Africa and The Diaspora, along with world literature and many standard classics. Programs and services include a lending library enabling the community to have easy access to more than 2500 books in English, a full-service university admissions assistance program, English language training and academic test prep.
With a strong commitment to community engagement, Chez Alpha Books continues to develop and participate in community outreach programs that support education and literacy. In addition, we welcome opportunities to extend our outreach and introduce new audiences to our books and more!
With a strong commitment to community engagement, Chez Alpha Books continues to develop and participate in community outreach programs that support education and literacy. In addition, we welcome opportunities to extend our outreach and introduce new audiences to our books and more!
Angela Franklin-Faye, Founder and Director of Chez Apha Books
Entrepreneur, visual artist and higher education administrator are just a few ways to aptly describe Angela Franklin-Faye, founder and director of Chez Alpha Books. An experienced, visionary and innovative leader in the realm of international education and small business development Franklin-Faye has worked in the U.S., West Africa and the United Arab Emirates in the implementation of start-up education projects. She has extensive hands-on experience in the development of student admission/recruitment and student life programs.
For Franklin-Faye, establishing Chez Alpha Books was a natural initiative allowing her to combine a passion and commitment for books and her 20 years + education experience into one organization. Responding to community needs, she developed both a bookstore and lending library in one space allowing students, families and educational institutions access 2000 books. Utilizing her international education experience, she established The College Club which supports students in their university admissions process and works with professionals to identify short or long term education opportunities. In addition, Chez Alpha Books provides English language training and test prep.
With a BA and MFA in Fine Arts, along with a Master in Education Management, Franklin-Faye creates large scale, textile and mixed-media narrative artworks that speak to issues related to self- image, identity and culture. She remains inspired by the words of James Baldwin who said, “Artists are here to disturb the peace,” and asserts that this is how she wants viewers to engage with her works saying, “I always believed that a work of art should compel the viewer to come closer and not merely stand on the periphery and whisper ‘pretty’." She continues to say, "I see the world through the eyes and voice of people who have often been marginalized and silenced and through my works I talk up and back!"
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-franklin-faye-781b8a69
For Franklin-Faye, establishing Chez Alpha Books was a natural initiative allowing her to combine a passion and commitment for books and her 20 years + education experience into one organization. Responding to community needs, she developed both a bookstore and lending library in one space allowing students, families and educational institutions access 2000 books. Utilizing her international education experience, she established The College Club which supports students in their university admissions process and works with professionals to identify short or long term education opportunities. In addition, Chez Alpha Books provides English language training and test prep.
With a BA and MFA in Fine Arts, along with a Master in Education Management, Franklin-Faye creates large scale, textile and mixed-media narrative artworks that speak to issues related to self- image, identity and culture. She remains inspired by the words of James Baldwin who said, “Artists are here to disturb the peace,” and asserts that this is how she wants viewers to engage with her works saying, “I always believed that a work of art should compel the viewer to come closer and not merely stand on the periphery and whisper ‘pretty’." She continues to say, "I see the world through the eyes and voice of people who have often been marginalized and silenced and through my works I talk up and back!"
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-franklin-faye-781b8a69
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Mission and Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Chez Alpha Books exists to provide innovative quality English language training, personalized university admissions assistance and an eclectic array of multicultural non-fiction and fiction books to the community of Senegal and the world!
Vision Statement
Chez Alpha Books aspires to continue developing into the number one English bookstore and resource center in both Senegal and the Francophone West African region demonstrating a commitment to ongoing education and personal enrichment via:
1) Encouraging a love of books and reading that moves beyond the practical experience of homework into a continued lifestyle of cherishing books as a preferred recreational pastime.
2) Assuring professional growth and development to our clients by offering innovative programs with a growing emphasis on e-learning
3) Implementation of innovative English language and professional development courses that address the human resource needs of the region
4) Providing the local, regional and international community with fiction and non-fiction books that chronicle and attest to diverse human experiences with emphasis on books by writers from The Diaspora or stories that narrate the yet to be told history, experiences and contributions from The Diaspora.
5) Allow clients to travel the world via embracing world literature and in general books that engage readers and build dialogue.
6) Model positive collaboration via partnering with existing businesses and non-profit institutions to support literacy projects making books accessible to a wide range of communities with an emphasis on community development
7) Reflect a positive and ongoing commitment to social responsibility via expansion of the lending library and DVD program allowing increased numbers of families in outlying regions access to our library program
