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Thank You! African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2020 was a Success #ADIS20
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Dear Friends,
It is an honor to have reached this milestone with you all, as we celebrate the completion of the fifth annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium. ADIS2020 met and exceeded our expectations, as we had a record number of 300 participants from around the world join us in Silicon Valley.
We are delighted and humbled by your presence and participation. The energy, atmosphere, and ideas you made possible have made this our best symposium yet. This was all made possible through you and your belief in the organization. ADN grows as our network continues to build bridges among Africans, Diasporans, and friends of Africa.
With a grateful heart, thank you to our sponsors, speakers, awardees, and the ADIS20 entrepreneurship pipeline representatives whose expertise and work provide an enriching ecosystem for collaboration and ideas to come together. Our vision and the quality of our symposium are truly built upon your participation and support. For achieving this dream and vision, I hold the greatest gratitude for our dedicated ADN board members, team, and volunteers.
African Diaspora Investment Symposium had humble beginnings, nurtured over the years through strategic planning, hard work, and belief in what could be possible. Next month, we plan to publish our summary and action report on ADIS20. Stay tuned for ADN2020 convenings and engagement opportunities.
As always,
Thank you,
Almaz Negash
Founder & Executive Director, African Diaspora Network
Executive in Residence, School of Global Innovation & Leadership, SJSU
Member of the United Nations Economic Council for Africa – HLPM |
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ADIS20 Master of Ceremonies
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ADN recognizes and thanks Nicholas M. Bassey, Acting Director of the Center for Transformational Partnerships in the U.S. Agency for International Development's Global Development Lab, for his four years of service as the Master of Ceremonies, beginning at the inaugural African Diaspora Investment Symposium to our fifth annual signature convening.
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The Inaugural African Diaspora Luminaire Award: Mimi Alemayehou
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African Diaspora Network is honored to present the inaugural African Diaspora Luminaire Award to distinguished development finance executive Mimi Alemayehou, the 2020 African Luminaire Keynote Speaker.
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Mimi Alemayehou is Managing Director for Black Rhino Group, an investment platform focused on the development and acquisition of energy and infrastructure assets across Africa. Prior to Black Rhino, Ms. Alemayehou was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the development finance agency of the U.S. Government.
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About the ADN African Diaspora Luminaire Awards
The African Diaspora Luminaire Award recognizes a distinguished African, Diasporan, or friend of Africa who has made high-level impact on a global scale. The selected individual will have made exceptional contributions and a demonstrated commitment to advance the continent and the communities in which we live. ADN is pleased to announce our first-ever ADLA recipient at ADIS2020.
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Barka Awards Ceremony: Honoring Helen Kim
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African Diaspora Network is pleased to present the Barka Award to Helen Kim:
“Helen Kim opened up opportunities and possibilities for African Diaspora Network, simply because she believes in the ability of entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups. She cares about women’s issues, children’s issues, education, and other issues that matter to our community. Helen, a powerful leader in the technology industry, represents what is good in the tech sector. Her leadership and foresight in what is possible paved the way for ADN to build true partnerships with eBay. Helen and her team at eBay are critical to the selection, mentorship, and development of the Builders of Africa’s Future 2020 cohort. We are inspired by Helen, and thank her for all she has done to make a difference for communities in Africa and the community in which we live.” - Almaz Negash
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About the African Diaspora Network Barka Awards
“Barka” is an expression of gratitude. It is a word used in multiple languages and cultures in Africa. In fact, usage of the word can be found across the continent including Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. To say “barka” in Moore’, Burkina Faso, is to express a gratitude so sincere and profound that it also conveys a blessing, imparting a dual meaning to the word: thank you, and be blessed.
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Partial List of ADIS20 Attendees
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U.S. Department of Commerce
Stanford University
United Nations in Kenya
EGH
ICT, Rwanda
USAID
YAATRA Ventures LLC
Energy Efficiency (pty) Ltd
SunFunder
Ethiopia Diaspora Trust Fund
Financing Facility For Remittances
RemitFund
SME.NG
Arigo Investments
Ujama
Global Business School Network
Ashesi University
IUGB Foundation
University of Memphis
Johnson & Johnson Supply Chain Corporation
Nyaho Medical Center
VillageReach
Refuge Place International
Harvard University
Africa-America Institute
AgInvest International LLC
Releaf
Jobo Max
Pyxera Global
Africa Foresight
Releaf
Ship & Bag
Fin Eazy
Lulaloop
Sharedact
Akira Chix
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Trimble Agriculture
U.S. African Development Foundation
MIT Lab
J&J Africa Innovation Challenge
Bush Company
US Department of Commerce
USAID
Rose Women Foundation
Ujama
USADF
Boshoff Architects
Ignite Investment
Sun Funder
Comz Africa
eBay
Miller Center for Entrepreneurship, Santa Clara University
Frugal Innovation Hub, Santa Clara University
The Camden Trust
UC Berkeley
Conveners.org
Honda Innovations
IDP Foundation
Global Fund for Women
The End Fund
Yahoo!
The KSP
Segal Family Foundation
Conrad Hilton Foundation
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Hugh Stuart Center Charitable Trust
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William H. Cilker Family Foundation
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BLACR - The Black Alliance for Cultural Revitalization
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Terry & Carolyn Gannon Fund
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Visit our website
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