According to Worldometer, Togo's population is currently 9,813,064. While detailed data on Togolese immigrants in Chicago are scarce, the U.S. Togolese community was estimated at 2,500 in 2008. In 2023, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) reports that Illinois has 1,878,890 residents born outside the U.S., including 86,716 from Africa. Specifically, 45,493 are from Western Africa, which encompasses 16 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and Togo. 

Togo, officially called the Togolese Republic, is a narrow nation in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west and Benin to the east. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its capital, Lomé, is situated. With an estimated population of about 8.5 million, Togo ranks among the smaller countries in West Africa. The nation is home to over 20 ethnic groups, including the Bassari, Kotokoli, Moba, Hausa, and Konkomba. French is the official language in Togo, while Éwé and Kabyé are the most commonly spoken local languages. Although Chicago's Togolese community is small and lacks official population data, its members maintain strong social and cultural ties, preserving their traditions despite being far from home.

In the summer of 1991, Togolese people in Chicago started holding monthly meetings that eventually led to the creation of the ATC (Association of Togolese in Chicagoland) in June 1992. Motivated by a desire to meet their social and economic needs, they aimed to build a supportive community while living abroad. ATC is a registered organization in Illinois with 501(c)(3) status. The Association of Togolese in Chicagoland works to support its members by finding ways to provide charitable assistance within the community. It promotes social, cultural, economic, educational, and scientific awareness among its members, while also enhancing public understanding of Togo's culture and history through seminars, workshops, and publications. Additionally, the organization fights discrimination against Togolese people, advocating for fairness and equality across immigration, employment, health, social services, and economic development. By fostering understanding, the association brings Togolese and their descendants in Chicagoland together and provides support to those facing health, social, financial, or legal challenges.

Chicago isn’t the only hub for Togolese communities. From Baltimore and Charlotte to Georgia and Arizona, Togolese associations are active, and in the Washington D.C. area, the group Friends of Togo is also involved. All these organizations, regardless of location, share the same mission and goal of welcoming Togolese immigrants to the U.S. and providing them with a space for community and culture. 

Christ Commission Church serves as a home base for Togolese in Chicagoland. Located at 8125 S. Cottage Grove Ave on Chicago's South Side, Christ Commission may be small, but it is strong in faith and community. You don't need to be an ATC member to join; many have been part of it for years, while others are relatively new. Besides the initiatives and mission that ATC values, there is also a deep spiritual bond among its members. Christ Commission is considered a spiritual home where people gather to worship. It is not only a safe space but also a shared space for unity, fellowship, and prayer, helping members stay grounded in their faith as they adjust to life in a new country.

Many Togolese natives have relocated to the Chicagoland area to join family members already there. Their decision to migrate to the United States was mainly driven by the desire to be near relatives who had already settled in Chicago. 

Moving to a new country can present many challenges. For those relocating to the United States, established communities like the ATC helped make it easier to find support and connect with others. However, one of the biggest hurdles was adjusting to the climate. 

Togo has a tropical climate, with a dry season during winter, and the average temperature in Lomé is around 26.6 degrees Celsius (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

In contrast, Chicago winters are frigid, snowy, and windy. The average temperature in Chicago during January, the coldest month, is about 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Daily high temperatures typically range from 30 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit during winter, while lows can fall to around 22 degrees Fahrenheit in January. This stark difference in climate between Togo and Chicago highlights the significant adjustment newcomers need to make when moving from a warm, tropical environment to a cold, harsh one. Togo natives have never experienced freezing temperatures like those in Chicago.

One person who faced challenges in adapting was Kofi Viagbo. Togo native Kofi Viagbo is a pastor at Christ Commission Church. Viagbo has lived in the Chicagoland area for 12 years and has been an ATC member for the same amount of time. He joined the association to surround himself not only with his relatives but also with his community, who have now settled in Chicago.

 “When joining your community, you live in peace,” said Viagbo. 

Over the past 12 years, Kofi has described the Togolese community as a special and wonderful group of people. They not only love each other but also support one another through both good times and hardships. In addition to the church, if someone is sick or struggling, Christ Commission members take it upon themselves to pray for them, encourage them, and provide support in any way possible, wherever needed.

 “I’m happy that I’m living among my people,” said Viagbo. 

Reflecting on Viagobo’s own experience, it is also important to highlight the role and contributions of Kofi’s wife and the church’s first lady. Adjovi Atati has served as the First Lady of Christ Commission Church for 10 years. In her role, she describes herself as a leader who sets an example. Adjovi seeks to encourage the congregation, especially the women, and to guide them in their worship and service to God. As a member of the Women’s Association of the church, Adjovi says that what inspires her most is seeing the women in the congregation being very active in the church.

 “Ladies who have a heart and want to work for God, want to worship and want to do things in God really inspires me,” said Atati.

Like the Women's Association, Christ Commission offers a variety of programs throughout the church. These efforts aim to engage the church community and provide resources for its members. On Sundays, they hold worship services at their main church starting at 10 am. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, the women’s association meets to discuss personal matters and pray together. Bible study also takes place on Tuesdays, and on Fridays, they host a night vigil from 10 pm to 12 am, during which they pray together.

Adjovi is always welcoming and encourages new members to join the congregation. They invite the ATC, other Togolese in the Chicagoland area, and all Africans in the community to join Christ Commission so they can accomplish things together, praise together, and worship together.

 “Together we can do something better,” said Atati.

Adjovi not only plays a vital role in leading the women's association, but these efforts wouldn't be possible without the leadership of the association's president, DeDe Mensah of Christ Commission Church. Mensah has served as the women’s association president for four years and recalls taking on the role to help strengthen the faith of current women members in the congregation.

 “I love to work with God, and I love to work with women so that everyone can know how to pray better and inspire people outside the community to worship God. I am so happy to be president,” said Mensah. 

Some of the greatest joys DeDe has experienced during her time as president are meeting people and seeing the work they do. In the women’s association, they not only support one another but also genuinely care for each other

. Even with these joys, there are challenges. Everyone, not just in the association but also in the congregation, has different personalities. 

“We are human beings, and to work with human beings can sometimes be very hard and be a challenge,” said Mensah.

 Other challenges faced by the women’s association include gathering to work together, as life in a new country comes with its own difficulties, and most members are busy. However, Mensah believes they can overcome these minor challenges. 

In discussing the women's association leadership, DeDe shares her vision for strengthening the organization. She highlights the importance of encouraging more prayer among members, especially women. She emphasizes the need for women to become more in touch with themselves, both as individuals and as part of the community. This also reflects her motivation for wanting to serve as president.

The church and the ATC value longstanding members like Kofi, Adjovi, and DeDe, who have played important roles in both the ATC and the Christ Commission congregation for many years. They appreciate the dedicated members who make meaningful contributions over time. At the same time, it is crucial to recognize, highlight, and welcome newcomers to both the organization and the church family. Afi, who holds a bachelor's degree in nursing, is part of the Togo community and a full-time mom. She serves as an interpreter for the church by switching between English and Éwé, one of the languages spoken in Togo. Regarding the ATC, she describes herself as "just a member." 

"When I say just a member, I participate in everything and support and contribute when needed," said Afi. 

She describes the Association of Togolese in Chicagoland as the representative of Togo in Chicago, based on her own words and experience. 

“We are from the diaspora, and we need something that unites us, brings us together as one. That brings us together so we can accomplish things,” said Afi.

 Like ATC’s mission, Christ Commission provides various programs for newcomers to the city. In addition to their worship services, the church also assists individuals with legal documents and employment issues, offers resources through its community to help find jobs, and supports housing concerns. 

“The difference hits differently, and if you are new here and don’t know where to turn, come to Christ Commission Church and find help,” says Afi.

With support from the ATC and Christ Commission Church, the most effective way they assist newcomers from Togo, aside from their formal programs, is through personal interactions, offering words of wisdom and advice. There are members of both the association and the church who have been here for years and serve as excellent advisors.

 “They have made the mistakes we are not supposed to make anymore,” said Afi.

Since the ATC has a history of helping newcomers from Togo adjust to life in the United States, Afi hopes that legacy will continue and grow through change. Specifically, she aims to support younger people from Togo coming to Chicagoland. 

“If we have more communication with the new generation, it will be great and help promote more diversity and change,” said Afi.

To support this vision, it’s important to engage with youth and understand their perspectives, as they bring fresh ideas and energy to the community, like 10-year-old Jason Namboure. Jason explains that, for him, God means feeling and immersing himself in God’s presence, while also actively participating in the Togolese community.

 “It’s good we have different cultures that allow us to be unique, and I see that as good,” said Namboure. 

Jason enjoys being part of the Togolese community because he believes it makes him unique. In his view, being unique means having a different perspective on life. By attending the church, Jason highlights his favorite activity, protecting the Bible at all costs.

Long before I knew where Togo was on a globe, I became familiar with it through stories of its language, culture, love, and community, shaped by my maternal grandparents' influence and grace. As I grew older and learned more, I recognized the uniqueness of Togo. This realization motivated me to explore further and learn more. I felt a deep sense of love and belonging for a place I hadn’t yet visited, but felt a connection to. 

Learning about Togo goes beyond understanding a country and its roots; it also helps me discover my own roots that lie within me.

Home is more than just where you rest your head or the table you gather around. It is your community where you find comfort, peace, happiness, and the joy of being true to yourself. For decades, the Association of Togolese in Chicagoland and the Christ Commission Church have come together to do just that. Many have never seen or heard of Togo on a map, and many have never known about the Togolese community until now. 

It is a community full of love and support, where they have found their home away from home in each other and have adapted to life in the United States. Through shared experiences, cultural celebrations, and communal gatherings, they strengthen their bonds and create a sense of belonging that keeps their heritage alive. Mentorship and shared wisdom within the community encourage younger generations to embrace their roots while pursuing dreams their ancestors didn’t have the opportunity to follow. The bonds formed provide support that helps newcomers navigate the challenges of relocation, ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey.

They build a future while honoring their past.

References:

• ATC Illinois. (n.d.). https://www.atcillinois.org/ 

• State demographics data | migrationpolicy.org. Illinois. (n.d.). https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/IL 

• Togo climate: Average weather, temperature, rain, when to go. Togo Climate: Average Weather . (n.d.). https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/togo 

• Togo climate: Weather Togo & Temperature by Month. Togo Climate: Weather Togo. (n.d.). https://en.climate-data.org/africa/togo-96/

• Togo population (2025). Worldometer. (n.d.). https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/togo-population/