2024 March Newsletter
Candalada
How internal work garners external progress and a seat at the table
Monday, March 25th, 2024 I attended the “Africa - U.S. Forum: Africa Engages in the Diaspora” at the USC Capital Campus in Washington D.C. The program was moderated by Bob Weska (online), Adam Clayton Powell III (in-person). The forum included speeches that built upon each other from esteemed educators Nii Simmonds, Ernest J. Wilson II, Asad el Malik, Krista Johnson with opening and closing remarks by Dr. Miles Davis.
Virtual and in-person attendees took notes and held comments until the conclusion of the last speaker. Current PhD students and professionals shared their responses with the panelist. When the official agenda closed, there was time for networking and formal introductions. The next forum will be held April, 22nd at 9:00 am.
Institutions respresnted included:
USC Annenberg, Center on Communication Leadership Policy
Institute for African Studies, The George Washington University
Center for African Studies, Howard University
University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg
African Centre for the Study of the United States
A repeating sentiment was, now that you know what the problems are what are you going to do about it? Where will you choose to invest your money? How can connecting and supporting the African diaspora shape the experience of future generations?
While these questions sound global and out of touch for some, reflective thinking reveals that discussions about Africa are personal for both African Americans and Africans. They challenge you to think about who you are. Are you an African that migrated to America and didn’t look back? Are you an American that feels no connection to Africa? Are you an American migrating to Africa?
Below is a list of takeaways and researchable topics from the discussion:
‘Res Ipsa Loquitur’ means ‘the fact speaks for itself”
The Nigerian Civil War (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970), also known as the Biafran War
By 2030 Blacks will have purchasing power of 1.7 trillion dollars in the United States
The 6th Region
Remittance Statistics and Africa
How can we use examples of countries that suffered hardship and used their diaspora to regain economic power (Ireland, Israel, India)?
Are embassies being underutilized by serving as passport and visa hubs verses a resource for tracking helpful emergency responders within the diaspora?
What lessons can the rest of Africa take from Rwanda and Ethiopia in regard to cultural identity and diaspora engagement.
The difference between a moment and a movement is commitment
Blaxit: Tired of Racism, Black Americans Try Life in Africa
How to deal with the idealized Wakanda vision of Africa and tension between natives and African Americans
THANKS FOR READING !!!!!!!!