The African Dorcas Association was a black women's community aid society founded in New York City in January 1828.
"[2] Through this work, the members of the African Dorcas Association hoped to make education more accessible for black youth in New York City.
New Yorkers surrounding the organization did not find it appropriate for black women to be educated or involved in societal issues in this way, yet, despite the opposition, the African Dorcas Association thrived.
[6] The Association also unveiled the difference in the "gender dynamic within New York's Black activist community",[7] because it was geared towards youths, it demonstrated a motherly and nurturing form of activism, which should not be confused with sexism.
[4] The overall activities of the society reflected well on "African Ethic"[7] in which people collectively contributed the various skills for a single cause, to help Black youth get an education.
[7] They were quite successful in doing so, and it was not an organization that was solely based around money and external funds, they used their resources and found more clever ways to get things done.
"[7] The acts of the African Dorcas Association was also representative of their "cultural practices, in which men and women performed different activities, yet everyone's contributions were seen as essential.