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ADN Celebrates "The Century of the Woman": Investing in Women Entrepreneurs

Dear Friends,

African Diaspora Network celebrates women entrepreneurs, innovators, and global leaders as part of Women's History Month, taking place in March in the United States since 1986. We invite you to join us as we celebrate and support women leaders across the ADN community.

In honor of International Women's Day, ADN hosted "A Celebration of Sisterhood" featuring Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, PhD, on March 9 in Silicon Valley to commemorate unity among diverse individuals for the common cause of the advancement of women and girls. We are also delighted to announce that one of our Builders of Africa's Future, Pamela Anyoti Peronaci of Asante Mama, will be the first ADN fellow to represent us at Skoll World Forum, where she will have an opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs and engage the global community to the work that she is doing.

Support the 2019 Builders of Africa's Future and learn more about the upcoming work of ADN through the ADIS2019 Summary and Action Report. Get involved as a member through the following ways:

1) Join as members of ADN and be a part of the campaign to raise $25 million by 2025;
2) Take the Amplifying Abundance Online MasterClass Series with 9+ Hours of Content on ADIS2019 Topics;
3) Join our Impact and Innovation Speakers Series in New York, D.C., and Silicon Valley;
4) Champion and support the 2019 Builders of Africa's Future!

Our upcoming newsletter will feature a different awardee among our 2019 Builders of Africa's Future cohort. Read on to learn about ways to get involved in ADN and support our 2019 BAF entrepreneurs.

As always,
Thank you,

Almaz Negash
Founder & Executive Director, African Diaspora Network
Executive in Residence, School of Global Innovation & Leadership, SJSU

Read the ADIS2019 Summary and Action Report

ADN Hosts "A Celebration of Sisterhood" Featuring Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, PhD

Keynote speaker Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, PhD, was recently named a leader in preserving the stories and accomplishments of African Americans by The HistoryMakers

In her keynote address, Dr. Copeland-Carson established the contemporary period as “The Century of the Woman.” Infusing personal narrative within the historical progress of women from the 20th to the 21st century, she conveyed themes of disjointedness among women’s experiences. She recounted anecdotes ranging from her youth in Philadelphia to her time as a university student in Nigeria that cultivated her awareness of identity at the intersection of race, gender, and diasporic origin. Summing up her journey, Copeland-Carson concluded with ten major life lessons that include overcoming socialized perfectionism among women, advocating for oneself, and empowering women as a key ingredient to a healthier planet.

Special thanks to the following friends and colleagues for making the event engaging and dynamic:

Caroline Ocampo, CKO+ Media
Amari Romero-Thomas, Wisdom Revealed and Mosaic
Melanie Bielfeld, Connecting for Global Good
Debra Pacio, African Diaspora Network
Efrem Tewelde
Dawit Weldeghergish

BAF Awardee Pamela Anyoti Peronaci Named First ADN Fellow to Skoll World Forum

Pamela Anyoti Peronaci, Sunshine Agro Products

Pamela Anyoti Peronaci is the Founding Partner of Sunshine Agro Products and Owner and CEO of Asante Mama signature brand, which won the 2017 Eco Excellence Awards in the US as ‘Most Socially Responsible’ Brand. She is a Social Entrepreneur with about 20 years of experience in both Agricultural Policy and International Trade. She worked for several years in FAO Development Cooperation Department in Rome before establishing her own Social Enterprise in Uganda.

African Diaspora Network is delighted to announce that one of our 2019 Builders of Africa's Future awardees, Pamela Anyoti Peronaci of Asante Mama, will be the first ADN fellow to represent us at Skoll World Forum where she will have the opportunity to meet with fellow social entrepreneurs and engage the global community to the work that she is doing.

Ms. Peronaci is currently seeking investors, equity, or venture capital and grants to launch Asante Mama products widely in the United States market. If you would know any connections who would like to work directly with Asante Mama, from major retail stores to independent small retailers, we encourage you to e-mail Pamela at info@asantemama.com.

Learn More About the 2019 Builders of Africa's Future

Read the ADIS2019 Summary & Action Report

Learn more and read our ADIS2019 Summary and Action Report

“This was my first time participating in ADIS. It is a truly unique event in that it convenes people from diverse sectors and backgrounds, including government representatives, innovators, entrepreneurs, visionaries, social change leaders, subject-matter experts—all of whom share a passion for lifting Africa and for capitalizing on its promise. I wholeheartedly recommend ADIS to anyone wishing to have a positive impact on Africa.”

Sebastián Albuja, Ph.D, Director, Africa Division, American Bar Association | Rule of Law Initiative

Become a Member of ADN!

Join Us Today & Get Access to Your 2019 ADN Membership Benefits

Your membership enables you to unique access to ADN and the global leaders, innovators, investors and entrepreneurs like you who seek to uplift the African continent. We have an exciting year ahead, with convenings across the United States and Africa, supporting our Builders of Africa Awardees and other startups in Africa, building momentum for ADIS2020 and setting the foundations for the impact investment fund to meet its $25 million goal. Learn about membership levels and benefits on the African Diaspora Network site.

ADN Membership Levels:

Amplifying Abundance in Africa Online MasterClass Access
Friends of Africa
Sustainers
Donors Circle
Vision 2025

Take the Online Amplifying Abundance in Africa MasterClass Series

Participants of African Diaspora Network Investment Symposium 2019 learn about the agricultural technology landscape in Africa from leading experts.

ADIS events repeatedly sell out, serving thousands of changemakers from all over the world. Ready to take your next step? Here’s your chance to access 10+ hours of Amplifying Abundance in Africa Online MASTERCLASS content on topics such as:

Selling Real Estate in Africa
Understanding Africa’s Advantage on Climate Change
Best Tactics for Financial Capital
What V.C. Wants from Entrepreneurs
Top Innovation Companies in Silicon Valley and what they see in Africa
Law, Regulation, and Best Practice in Africa
How to Pitch to an Investor

Upcoming Community Events

Call for African and Diasporan (SMEs) Entrepreneurs

Join the Bootcamp in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania! The Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) of the African Union Commission invites African and Diaspora entrepreneurs to participate in the Scaling Up Your Business Bootcamp to be held from April 27th-29th in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs with an African Diaspora background whose business have outgrown the start-up phase and are looking to transition into full-scale operations with the right financial and technical capacity support.

Find the full application description here. Submit your profile and motivation letter to cido@africa-union.org. For questions, please e-mail youthl@african-union.org.

Apply By June 15 to the Stanford Seed Transformation Program 2020

Stanford Seed is looking for high-potential CEOs or founders based in Africa and India who are motivated for growth. The Seed Transformation Program is an unconventional, high-touch learning experience that goes beyond acquiring business skills. Stanford's world-renowned faculty and dedicated team of experts work with leaders throughout their 12-month journey to growth.

Apply Now to the Stanford Seed Transformation Program 2020