2026-06-15T21:31:49-07:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 461528068 AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS NETWORK - APNET AFRI 5136581699 PO Box 54165 Cincinnati OH 45254 Stella Bridges VP Finance & Treasurer 5136019840 2026-06-15 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Prince Ellis PO Box 54165 Cincinnati OH 45254 83870 0 X www.myapnet.org X 2015 OH APNET's mission is to empower youth, professionals, and the community through three foundational pillars: Networking, Business, and Community. Through the promotion of African culture, economic development initiatives, and educational programs, we aim to celebrate heritage, uplift communities, and drive inclusive, lasting impact. 6 6 2 350 0 0 149962 83870 0 0 0 0 0 0 149962 83870 0 0 0 0 6925 11108 0 0 0 92788 110058 99713 121166 50249 -37296 82126 44830 0 0 82126 44830 APNET's mission is to empower youth, professionals, and the community through three foundational pillars: Networking, Business, and Community. Through the promotion of African culture, economic development initiatives, and educational programs, we aim to celebrate heritage, uplift communities, and drive inclusive, lasting impact. 0 0 76737 65327 Community Pillar: AfriFest: Taste of Africa serves as a cultural cornerstone event for the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. This free, family-friendly festival draws an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 attendees annually and hosts between 50 and 75 vendors and exhibitors. Through food, music, art, dance, and cultural showcases, AfriFest promotes community pride, visibility, and appreciation for African heritage. APNET's Youth Summer Program focuses on cultivating the next generation of leaders. Each year, the program engages approximately 60 to 80 youth, ages 12 to 16, in 4 to 5 Saturday sessions totaling 20 to 30 contact hours. Participants benefit from 10 to 12 skill-building workshops that emphasize leadership, creativity, career exploration, and cultural identity. These interactive experiences provide youth with the confidence and tools to lead in their communities and beyond. 852 666 Business: Mixers that attract between 100 and 150 unique participants each year across 3 to 5 curated events. These mixers serve as incubators for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development, helping attendees build valuable relationships and expand their networks. The Business Connect series adds a strategic, cross-continental dimension, bringing together 80 to 100 participants annually, including business leaders, students, and investors from both the U.S. and Africa. Held 2 to 3 times per year, these events foster dialogue on trade, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities, helping bridge the economic potential between African and American markets. 19246 12901 Networking: The Symposium, APNET's flagship annual event, brings together an estimated 250 to 300 participants for a day of dialogue, learning, and celebration. In addition to panel discussions and networking sessions, the Symposium proudly awards approximately 8 to 10 scholarships to high school and college students each year, recognizing academic excellence and leadership potential. Furthermore, 3 to 5 community awards are presented during the event, honoring individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement in professional development, business innovation, and community engagement. The Entrepreneurship Workshop (AEW Series) further supports networking by offering 6-8 training sessions per year, reaching an estimated 60 to 80 aspiring entrepreneurs. These workshops provide guidance on business formation, marketing, intellectual property, and other critical topics, with a focus on supporting immigrants and new business owners. 0 0 0 96835 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 X Stella Bridges 5136019840 PO Box 54165 Cincinnati OH 45254 Prince Ellis President 20 0 X 0 0 0 Lily Edinam Botsyoe VP Admin & Governance 10 0 X 0 0 0 Michelle Kiigi VP Events & Programs 10 0 X 0 0 0 Jaja Stoudemire VP Marketing & Communications 10 0 X 0 0 0 Amanda Bock VP Operations & Secretary 10 0 X 0 0 0 Stella Bridges VP Finance & Treasurer 5 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 83870 0 83870 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 83870 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9722 9722 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1386 0 1386 1246 1246 7145 3105 4040 92317 90738 1579 854 854 8496 2992 5504 121166 96835 24331 0 82126 44830 82126 44830 0 0 0 X 32126 44830 50000 0 82126 44830 82126 44830 -37296 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 X 26262 39942 68469 149962 83870 368505 26262 39942 68469 149962 83870 368505 368505 26262 39942 68469 149962 83870 368505 1 1 0 0 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b APNET's FORM 990 is prepared by the VP of Finance & Treasure based on financial records and programmatic information provided by the board. Once drafted, form 990 is reviewed internally by the Board for completeness and accuracy. Board members provide feedback. The final version is filed with IRS only after Board approval or acknowledgement. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c During the board meetings, Board members are required to disclose relationships with vendors, contractors, or related business entities that could conflict with their duties or may influence decision making. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available upon request. Contact information is available www.myapnet.org. APNET respectfully requests abatement of the penalty assessed under Internal Revenue Code Section 6652(c)(1)(A) for the late filing of its information return. The late filing was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. During the filing period, the organization experienced an administrative oversight resulting from a transition in personnel and responsibilities related to tax compliance and financial reporting. The individual responsible for coordinating the preparation and filing of the return was no longer serving in that role, and the filing obligation was inadvertently overlooked during the transition. The organization believed that all required compliance activities had been properly assigned and monitored; however, an internal communication breakdown caused the filing deadline to be missed. Upon becoming aware of the oversight, the organization acted promptly to complete and submit the required return. The organization has consistently sought to comply with all federal filing requirements and has made good-faith efforts to fulfill its tax obligations. The late filing was an isolated incident and was not the result of intentional disregard of IRS requirements. To prevent a recurrence, the organization has implemented additional compliance procedures, including documenting filing responsibilities, establishing a compliance calendar with automated reminders, and enhancing management oversight of regulatory filing deadlines. Based on these facts, the organization exercised ordinary business care and prudence but was nevertheless unable to file the return timely. Accordingly, the organization respectfully requests that the penalty be waived due to reasonable cause.