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Africa Nasir – Executive Director

Africa Nasir

Africa Nasir

Executive Director

Africa Nasir is the visionary founder and Executive Director of Heritage Treatment Link, a transformative program rooted in his own life experiences growing up in East Africa. His journey has been shaped by profound trauma, particularly related to substance abuse, igniting his determination to help others find healing and recovery.

Born near the Ethiopia-Somalia border, Africa faced harrowing challenges from a young age. At just seven, he witnessed the tragic murder of his father, a brutal act of tribal vengeance that shattered his childhood. After being taken in by his aunt and moving to Mogadishu, he was confronted with the chaos of a civil war that left him homeless and exposed to unimaginable violence.

By eleven, Africa was living in a refugee camp in Kenya, where he turned to drugs like cocaine and Khat as a means of escape. His life took a pivotal turn in 1994 when he arrived in the United States, where he continued to struggle with addiction, dropped out of school, and engaged in illegal activities to support his habit.

A turning point came in 2000 when he became a father. This new role inspired Africa to seek a better life for his daughter, prompting him to pursue treatment for his addiction. After successfully completing rehabilitation, he embarked on a remarkable educational journey, earning his General Educational Development (GED) certificate, a BA in Government from St. John’s University, an MBA from Greenwich in London, an MSc from the London School of Economics, an MA in Strategic Intelligence from Northeastern University, and an MA in Global Risk from Johns Hopkins University.

With a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to giving back, Africa returned to East Africa to support communities in countries like Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Sudan. However, he quickly realized the pressing need for addiction support within the U.S., particularly for those facing struggles similar to his own. This realization led him to establish Heritage Treatment Link, an outpatient facility dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their lives from addiction.

Africa Nasir’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and transformation. He believes that if he can overcome his past, anyone can. Through his work, he is dedicated to guiding others on their recovery journeys, armed with his personal story and the tools necessary to break free from the chains of addiction.