About CAWADAC
The Center for African Writing, Art, Development and Cultural Exchange — where creativity meets community.
Our Story
CAWADAC — the Center for African Writing, Art, Development and Cultural Exchange — was founded by Paul Ugbede, a playwright, cultural curator and storyteller. Born in Nigeria, he emigrated first to the United Kingdom and then to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he arrived in 2024.
His creative and cultural work is driven by a single conviction: that African stories — in all their richness, complexity and diversity — belong at the heart of global artistic conversation.
Through CAWADAC, he has built a platform that connects African creatives with international communities through theatre, literature, film, education and cultural exchange.
CAWADAC is officially incorporated as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation in the State of Indiana (Business ID: 202604201992746), filed with the Indiana Secretary of State on April 21, 2026.
What We Do
Our work is built around three major areas.
Festivals
International cultural platforms bringing together authors, filmmakers, storytellers and audiences from Indiana and Africa — including the Indy-Africa Book & Film Festival, Students Wright Festival, High School Performance Lab and WIFE.
Workshops & Creative Development
Intensive programs supporting emerging and developing writers through mentorship, peer review and the development of original work — including the New Writing Workshop and AI Storytelling Workshop.
Exhibitions & Cultural Conversations
Curated visual art and film exhibitions that bring African art, cinema and storytelling to audiences around the world — with conversations that turn art into dialogue.