Almaz Negash Member of Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States

President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States comprises six women and six men from distinguished backgrounds, was selected by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in consultation with Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation Johnnie Carson and represents the diversity of the African Diaspora from African American communities in America and African immigrant communities across the continent and the Caribbean.

The Council’s members will leverage their individual backgrounds in government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based activities to provide invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between the U.S. and Africa, and promote trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the United States and Africa.

The establishment of the Council marks another significant milestone in U.S.-Africa relations and builds upon the commitments announced by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, aimed at enhancing dialogue between United States officials and the African Diaspora.

The individuals on the Council will each serve a two-year term, effective immediately through 2025. 

The White House has picked Rev. Dr. Silvester Scott Beaman, the consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who is currently the presiding Prelate of the Fifteenth Episcopal District serving in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola, to lead the team as Chair, tapping into his extensive experience and deep roots across the African continent. 

Other members on the Council include former Executive Vice President of U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation Mimi E. Alemayehou, American businesswoman and ex-Walgreen CEO Rosalind Brewer, American actress, and film producer Viola Davis, American physician and President of Spelman College Helene D. Gayle, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Hubert Gaspard, President of PepsiCo Foundation C.D. Glin, American businessman and investor Osagie Imasogie, founder and executive director of African Diaspora Network Almaz Negash, American professional women basketball player Chinenye Joy Ogwumike, Founder and CEO of Clipper Cash Ham K. Serunjogi and Kevin Young, Director of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture.

President Biden Announces the Inaugural Members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States

WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden is announcing the inaugural members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States. The establishment of this Council was a significant commitment announced by Vice President Harris on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, aimed at enhancing dialogue between United States officials and the African Diaspora.

The African Diaspora in the United States, a rich and diverse community of African Americans and African immigrants, is foundational to our 21st century partnership with Africa. This community, which includes descendants of enslaved Black Americans, has long advocated for the prosperity of the African continent and its people, and strengthened the unique relationship between the United States and Africa.

In accordance with Executive Order 14089, the Advisory Council comprises up to 12 members appointed by the Secretary of State, and represents the diversity of the African Diaspora from African American communities around the United States and African immigrant communities across the continent and the Caribbean. The Council’s members include individuals who have distinguished themselves in government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based activities. They will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between the U.S. and Africa, and promote trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the United States and Africa.

Rev. Dr. Silvester Scott Beaman will serve as Chair of the Council. Bishop Beaman’s extensive experience and deep roots in Africa will enable him to lead the Council to achieve its full potential.

The members of the Council for the 2023-2025 term are:

• Silvester Scott Beaman of Delaware, Chair
• Mimi E. Alemayehou of Washington, D.C., Member
• Rosalind Brewer of Georgia, Member
• Viola Davis of Rhode Island, Member
• Helene D. Gayle of Georgia, Member
• Patrick Hubert Gaspard of New York, Member
• C.D. Glin of Connecticut, Member
• Osagie Imasogie of Pennsylvania, Member
• Almaz Negash of California, Member
• Chinenye Joy Ogwumike of Texas, Member
• Ham K. Serunjogi of California, Member
• Kevin Young of Washington, D.C., Member

September 26, 2023 – Further details on the Council, and commitments from the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit can be found here: https://www.state.gov/u-s-africa-leaders-summit-implementation/.

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui International Affairs Analyst

Almaz Negash African Diaspora Network

“The Best is Still to Come”
A New Bright Pearl is added to the African Sky that is shining from the West of the USA to the East of Africa.
Knowing you all these years since the World Trade Center of San Francisco, you have been since that time at the front of all the engagements directly connected to Africa.
Your professional qualities are needed to orient initiatives and shape decisions for the improvement of the image of Africa and for adjusting adequate responses to the needs of Africans.
My best wishes for continual and higher level success and achievements and as James Brown used to say: “The Best is Still to Come” in your way, the African Best Way.

Almaz Negash • Executive Leader | Founder | Board Director | Speaker

Thanks Said El Mansour Cherkaoui! I appreciate you and all the good work we did together during my tenure at the BAWTC.

African Diaspora Network is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization. Our mission to harness and engage the intellectual, financial, philanthropic and entrepreneurial capacity of Africans and friends of Africa in support of economic and social development across Africa. Since 2010, the African Diaspora Network (ADN) has energized collaboration among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, philanthropists and African diasporans to uplift its local community towards the benefit of Africa. ADN is dedicated to providing virtual and physical forums to accelerate access to resources that foster partnership, knowledge sharing, and advance investment opportunities.