Dear friends and colleagues,

Amid the many challenges of the pandemic, one transformative opportunity that arose is the world’s adaptation to new technologies that enable us to convene our global network on a regular basis. 
 
Last year, we convened people from 57 different countries. This year to date we have convened people from 69 different countries. We are delighted to engage a wide audience on topics that are meaningful for Africans, Diasporans, and friends of Africa.. Your participation at our convenings is a reflection of our commitment and belief in each other and this community.

This April, we have hosted:

On April 27, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, ADN will host April ADIS22: Energizing Investment in the Solar and Renewable Sector.

Please read a recap on these events, below, and we hope to see you at our upcoming convenings.

As always, thank you,


Almaz Negash 
Founder & Executive Director 
African Diaspora Network

Energy is key to Africa's continued development, and renewable energy holds great potential with the continent’s natural resources. Yet only 20% of electricity in Africa was generated from renewable sources in 2018. Worldwide, two-thirds of all newly-added electricity supplies were based on renewable sources. However, only 2% of this new energy capacity was in Africa. 

How can Africa access more solar and renewable energy? Learn more by joining us on April 27 for ADIS22 April: Energizing Investment in the Solar and Renewable Sector.
 

African Diaspora Network is delighted to present you the impact reports for Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE), our newest enterprise accelerator program, and Start Your Social Enterprise (SYSE), a new initiative providing a preparatory training for the Builders of Africa's Future program.

Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE)

Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) in its inaugural year supported 16 Black entrepreneurs in the United States. These entrepreneurs are now a part of the ABLE Alumni Network. This inaugural year set a strong foundation for the program, and we look to improve our model based on lessons learned. Read the impact report here.



Start Your Social Enterprise

Start Your Social Enterprise helps accelerate the entrepreneurial skills of Catholic Sisters who are connected to underserved communities facing poverty and other challenges across the Continent. Because of the initiative, 70% of the Sisters reported that they are very confident about launching their business idea. Read the impact report here.

On April 13, the African Diaspora Network and U.S. Department of Commerce hosted the U.S. – Nigeria Accelerator/Startup Connector, bringing together Silicon Valley-based accelerators and VCs who shared how they are working with global tech firms in the U.S. and abroad. We heard from Flutterwave, FoodLocker, Prosper Africa, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

Almaz Negash, Founder and Executive Director of the African Diaspora Network, and Fred Stewart,  Director, Office of Africa at the U.S. Department of Commerce (Washington, DC) gave the opening remarks.

Almaz Negash opened by saying, "As an African who is such an admirer of the Nigerian community, I am happy to see the U.S. Department of Commerce spotlight Nigeria. It is really the beacon of Africa in so many ways. You are part of changing the narrative of the continent. We are not just a continent where everyone goes to give aid. Africa is an investment destination and Africans can also invest in the United States."

Fred Stewart shared, "You are going to start to see more activity in the coming months. Prosper Africa is rolling out in a bigger way, we have the president's advisory council on doing business in Africa that we are getting ready to announce, we're super excited about the African Continental Free Trade area and its implementation, and in a few months the AGOA forum which will be potentially hosted by South Africa."

Hear more in the recording here.

On April 8, African Diaspora Network, in collaboration with Global Fund for Women, hosted “Paving the Path Forward: Investment in Women,” as part of the 2022 Skoll World Forum Ecosystem Day. 

Dr. Latanya Mapp Frett, President and CEO of Global Fund for Women, set the context of the event, stating, "Globally we know that women and girls are participating in and leading movements, demanding their rights. They are fighting for fair and just democracy and they are winning. Yet their path is so difficult. Protest is on the rise. More governments are adopting repressive tactics, presenting increased challenges and risks for those fighting for their rights. COVID-19 has added to this. How do we support women who are facing authoritarianism during a global pandemic that forces them to do more with less?

Learn more in the recording here.

On April 12, friends of the African Diaspora Network met with a delegation from Invest Barbados. Invest Barbados and African Diaspora Network first collaborated on an Impact and Innovation Forum session last year, "Investment Opportunities in Barbados". Since then, Invest Barbados has become a leader in bringing Afro Caribbean voices to our network and has joined as a sponsor.

During a luncheon, the Invest Barbados team, led by CEO Kaye Brathwaite, listened as residents of the Silicon Valley shared how Barbados could connect their country with Silicon Valley high tech, biotech, and telecom.

African Diaspora Network (ADN) seeks mentors to provide guidance and support to grassroots African entrepreneurs in the Builders of Africa’s Future 2022 Cohort. The BAF Mentor Community welcomes seasoned entrepreneurs, founders, and experts in sectors pertinent to building successful enterprises. Sign up to mentor an entrepreneur once or twice a month from April to June 2022. For more information, please contact Debra Pacio at debra@africandiasporanetwork.org.

Congratulations to ABLE alumni, Akissi Stokes, CEO and Co-Founder of WunderGrubs, LLC, for being selected by Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator powered by Techstars. Akissi’s enterprise is among ten organizations presenting at Techstars’ live, in-person Demo Day in Atlanta, GA, this week. 

Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator leverages innovative startups to drive community impact by investing in for-profit companies looking to make a positive impact on underserved communities, underrepresented people, and environmental sustainability. You can learn more about the program here.

African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS22) is the seventh annual global convening that celebrates and champions the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of Africans, Diasporans, and friends of Africa. 

Click the links below to register for upcoming sessions.

April 2022: Energizing Investment in the Solar and Renewable Sector
April 27, 2022 8am - 9:15am pst

May 2022: Bridging the Connectivity Gap
May 18, 2022 8am - 9:15am pst

Celebrate Builders of Africa's Future 2022
June 23, 2022 8am - 10am pst
 

ÆFROTOPIA is a platform that brings together Black people from diverse backgrounds who share the belief that different Black communities can leverage the collective to build thriving communities. This virtual and free event offers a real opportunity to reimagine our world beyond boundaries, and stands out for the richness of its programming, which will include innovation sessions, masterclasses, quality networking, and international synergy.

ÆFROTOPIA invites changemakers, talented entrepreneurs, thought leaders, educators, artists, and activists in pursuit of impact, economic growth, and empowerment for Black collectivities worldwide.

Register today! 

Looking to have a more active role as a member of African Diaspora Network? Learn more about ways to engage:

Invite a friend to subscribe to our newsletter by sending them the link here Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Support us through Amazon Smile Give Through Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) Donor-advised fund Mentor entrepreneurs participating in our ABLE and/or BAF programs. Contact Debra Pacio, ADN's Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement Manager, at debra@africandiasporanetwork.org to learn more. Be a volunteer and support African Diaspora Network initiatives Be an organizational sponsor and support the African Diaspora Network to bring together diverse people from around the world to collaborate and work together. Support ADN HERE

Hugh Stuart Center Charitable Trust