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H.E. Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze
Permanent Representative of AU to the US. at African Union Mission to the US- Keynote Speaker by Permanent Representative of African Union to the United States
- FIRESIDE CHAT with H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, Permanent Representative of AU to the US with Dr. Olivier Kamanzi, Chairman ADSRA & AGCC.
- Photo opportunity
Keynote Speaker
H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America since October 2021. She was nominated by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to lead the African Union Mission in the USA, the first bilateral diplomatic Mission opened by the AU in 2007. Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States of America. Her core mandate is to enhance and maintain existing bilateral ties. These ties strengthen democratic institutions, advance trade, and investment, knowledge sharing, promotes peace and security, and mutual relationships between the U.S and all 55 AU member countries based on culture and shared values. A career diplomat with experience that spans the African continent, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze assumed her most recent duties on November 2, 2020. Prior to coming to the U.S., she helped lead diplomacy for more than two decades in a variety of top government positions in her home country – Zimbabwe. Well-known as a “quiet champion of democracy,” Ambassador Suka-Mafudze held ambassadorial positions representing her country in Khartoum Sudan and South Sudan between 2010 and 2019, and most recently in the Republic of Malawi. With a staunch commitment to democracy and the will of the people, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze worked fastidiously with the 55 AU member countries to promote and deepen democracy and democratic elections on the African continent. While Ambassador to Malawi, she chaired the group of regional ambassadors representing the South African Development Community (SADC), a regional Economic Community comprising 16 member states.
In 2007, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze was the Executive Director of Community Development, where she was responsible for the day-to-day running of an organization and technical professional staff who interfaced with the government, civil society, and private sector. She worked to ensure civil society needs were articulated and streamlined in public policies and programs. From 2000 to 2005, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze served as an elected member of Zimbabwe’s Parliament. As one of the few women parliamentarians, she was an influential voice committed to ensuring Zimbabwe’s laws were balanced and served the interests of the poor and other marginalized groups – women, youth, the elder, and children.
Ambassador Suka-Mafudze has a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and the World Order from the University of Leicester, the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science degree (with Honors) in Sociology and Gender Development from the Women’s University in Africa (WUA). Ambassador Suka-Mafudze is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of French and some Southern African languages, including Shona and Ndebele. Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze is married with four beautiful children.
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Mayor at City of ChicagoSpecial Guest Speaker
Brandon Johnson is the Mayor of the City of Chicago. As the son of a pastor and one of ten siblings, Brandon Johnson was raised on a foundation of hard work, faith, and service.
Brandon began his career as a public school teacher, first at Jenner Academy in Cabrini-Green and then at Westinghouse College Prep on the West Side, where he experienced firsthand how school closures, unemployment, and gun violence impacted his students and their communities. Brandon went on to become an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union, where he led multi-racial coalitions to defend neighborhood schools from privatization, reduce high-stakes standardized testing and expand access to state funding.
In 2018, Brandon was elected commissioner of the 1st District of Cook County, where he led the effort to pass the Just Housing Ordinance, which prohibited housing discrimination against formerly incarcerated people. As commissioner, he also collaborated with colleagues to eliminate the gang database, secure legal representation for immigrants facing deportation, and advance recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brandon convened a statewide “Save Our Seniors'' response to the crisis in low-income nursing homes. In the wake of civil uprisings in the summer of 2020, he organized the Cook County Board to commit to the “Budget for Black Lives,” bringing new investments in health care, public transportation, internet access, and affordable housing.
Brandon and his wife, Stacie, live in the Austin community, where they are raising their children, Owen, Ethan, and Braedyn.
Dr. Olivier Kamanzi
Chairman at Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC)- Opening Remarks by Dr. Olivier Kamanzi, Chairman of ADSRA & AGCC
- FIRESIDE CHAT with H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, Permanent Representative of AU to the US with Dr. Olivier Kamanzi, Chairman ADSRA & AGCC.
- Photo opportunity
Host/Speaker
Dr. Olivier Kamanzi is a Capital markets expert, International Financial Sector Development Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, and Philanthropist. He is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Chicago. Dr. Kamanzi is the Founder and CEO of Globrock Group, a holding company of Globrock Financial, Globrock Trade, and Globrock Technologies. Globrock Financial is a global management consulting and investment advisory firm with headquarters in Chicago and subsidiaries in the US and Africa. He is the former Deputy CEO of the Capital Market Authority of Rwanda, a former Senior Investment Specialist of Citigroup (Citibank), and an Executive employee at JPMorgan Chase. He is the Founder and Chairman of The Olivier Kamanzi Foundation – a public charitable organization. Dr. Kamanzi is President of the Board of Saint Sabina Academy, an affiliate of Saint Sabina Catholic Church based in Chicago, United States. Dr. Kamanzi is the Chairman of the African Diaspora Sixth Region Association of Illinois.
Dr. Kamanzi assisted in the establishment of the Rwandan capital markets industry and the creation of the Rwanda Capital Market Authority and Rwanda Stock Exchange. He initiated different policies, including the East Africa Regional Financial Market Infrastructure Development and Regional Capital Markets harmonization and integration. He assisted in the development and implementation of the East African Central Depository Systems for Securities and Securities Industry Training Institute (SITI East Africa).
Dr. Kamanzi holds a Ph.D in Philosophy of Organizational Leadership and Entrepreneurship with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He holds an MBA in Finance from Ashford University, the Forbes School of Business in Iowa, and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.
Dr. Kamanzi’s hobbies are running, reading, and serving the community by mentoring youth, providing financial literacy classes, and teaching the Stock Market Program to the 8th Grade. He appeared in various radio, TV, and written media, including WVON Radio, BBC World Services, Voice of America, CNBC Africa, Reuters, Nation, East African, GhanaWeb, and many more. He has written multiple articles on AfCFTA, Covid-19, financial, and leadership matters.
Ambassador Nada Draz
Consul General at Consulate Genera of the Republic of Egypt Chicago- Remarks & Introduction of Keynote Speaker by the Republic of Egypt Consulate General Chicago
- Photo opportunity
Special Guest of Honor
Hon. Kwame Raoul
Attorney General at State of IllinoisGuest Speaker
Hon. Kwame Raoul is the Attorney General and the state's chief legal officer and is responsible for protecting the state's and its people's public interest. Advocate on behalf of all of the people of Illinois; Legislate with members of the General Assembly for new laws; Litigate to ensure state laws are followed and respected. The Attorney General provides services that cover a broad range of issues, reaching every corner of Illinois.
Comptroller Susana Mendoza
Comptroller at Illinois State ComptrollerSpecial Guest Speaker
Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza (Democrat) took office on Dec. 5, 2016, serving the last two years of her friend, the late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka's, last term. She was re-elected in 2018. Mendoza is the first Hispanic independently elected to statewide office in Illinois.
Since becoming Comptroller, Mendoza has transformed the office, shifting priority to the funding of nursing homes, hospice centers, schools and the state's most vulnerable citizens during and since the state's two-year budget impasse. Although the Comptroller is charged with paying the state's bills as they arrive, the budget crisis forced the office to prioritize which bills would be paid first. During this period, Mendoza became an advocate for stability, comprehensive budget solutions and open and transparent financial reporting, winning accolades from agencies that rate the state's bonds.
Mendoza has initiated a transparency revolution in state government, working with legislators of both parties to introduce and pass transformative legislation to make financial information more publicly available than ever before. These measures include the Debt Transparency Act, the Truth in Hiring Act, the Budgeting for Debt Act and the Vendor Payment Program Transparency Act.
And when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Illinois in early 2020, Mendoza established a public online portal showing coronavirus-related state spending on necessary supplies in Illinois' fight against the deadly virus.
Commissioner Donna Miller
Commissioner at Cook County Board of CommissionersSpeaker
Donna Miller is currently the Cook County Commissioner of the 6th District and serves as Vice Chair of Contract Compliance, Workforce Development & Veterans Committees, and Chairman of the Forest Preserve District Contract Compliance Committee. She has a background as a healthcare consultant working with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Donna has tremendous experience in sales, training, and development and bringing together collaborations for new businesses with healthcare companies.
Over her career, she has had responsibility for large volume accounts and led many cross-functional projects over a wide range of courses, including webcasts, week-long programs, workshops, and online training. Her training experience includes Consultative Selling Skills, Negotiation, and Presentation Skills. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her professional accomplishments.
Donna has been involved with community, civic and political activities throughout her life, including an internship on Capitol Hill, being a Red Cross Volunteer and working in communities disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and Sickle Cell. Notably, she was instrumental in bringing together government, providers, and advocate stakeholders to include Cystic Fibrosis in newborn screening in Illinois.
Commissioner Miller’s political involvement includes membership in the League of Women Voters, serving on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, 2nd Vice-President of Illinois Democratic Women, and former President of Democratic Women of the South Suburbs.
Dr. Maria Vidal de Haymes
Professor Director, Center for Immigrant & Refugee Accompaniment (CIRA) of Loyola UniversitySPEAKER
MARÍA VIDAL DE HAYMES, MSW, LSW, PHD
Dr. Vidal currently holds the position of Distinguished University Research Professor and Director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Accompaniment in the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Vidal earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Chicago and her PhD from the Ohio State University. Her research and teaching interests in migration studies and social welfare policy are informed by her experience as a Cuban refugee and her work with Jesuit Migrant and refugee service networks, primarily in the Americans and the Caribbean. In the School of Social Work, she directs the Migration Studies Specialization and coordinates migration-focused international social work professional internships.
Abha Rai, Ph.D., MSW
Associate Director, Center for Immigrant and Refugee Accompaniment of Loyola Univeristy ChicagoSpeaker
Dr. Rai comes with over a decade of international community work experience. She has worked closely with community-based organizations while designing programs, engaging in program evaluation, and providing direct support to individuals, families, and groups. Dr. Rai has been a grassroots community worker in both rural and urban India. She has led national campaigns across India in partnership with multinationals and agencies like Johnson & Johnson, ANZ Bank, and the US Consulate. She has also worked with community organizations in the Chicago area for about two years now. Through her community experience, Dr. Rai has engaged both in micro and macro social work practice.
Dr. Rai earned her Bachelor in Academic Law and Master of Social Work degrees from India. She received her Doctorate in Philosophy from the School of Social Work, University of Georgia. Her research interest is informed by her passion for engaging in community-centered research. Her primary areas of interest include gender-based violence across communities, with a specific focus on immigrants and immigration issues. Dr. Rai is invested in mentoring and aims to create “significant learning experiences” for her students. She has previously taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Her research and practice expertise directly inform her classroom approach and discussions. As a scholar, educator, and practitioner, Dr. Rai strives to further social justice every step of the way.
Hon. Dr. Harriet Lewis
Honorary Consul General at Honorary Consulate of Cabo Verde- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
Dr. Harriet Lewis serves as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Cabo Verde to the State of Illinois. In addition, she is the Founder of Konesens Development, a boutique consultancy that provides research, reporting, training, and capacity-building for organizations committed to furthering environmental sustainability and social cohesion.
Dr. Lewis has worked in the research, training, and community and economic development spaces for over 25 years conducting, social cohesion, business, and tourism research studies, and leading organizations that served women, refugees, youth, and small business owners. She has presented to audiences on four continents and has received accolades from the State of Massachusetts House of Representatives for her efforts in furthering social inclusion for survivors of violence.
She serves on the Board of Directors of Insight Chicago Hospital and Medical Center and the Jos, Nigeria NGO New Era Educational and Charitable Foundation. Dr. Lewis has an academic background in communications, public administration, philanthropy, and social policy and planning.
Hon. Dr. Sylvere Malonga
Hon Consul General at Republic of Congo- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
Hon. Diego Angulo Marinez
Vice Consul General at Colombia Consulate General in ChicagoSpeaker
Diego Angulo Marinez is a Colombian Diplomat who got his Law degree from Nariño University in Colombia with a cum laude thesis and a master’s degree in Public Administration from ESAP University, Colombia; he pursued specialization studies in Electoral Law at Universidad Sergio Arboleda and master's studies in Political Science from the Institute of Higher European Studies, (IAEE) Spain. He has completed introductory studies in legal English from Fordham in New York and Duke in Durham, Universities, USA; he has more than 16 years of experience as a lawyer in human rights, administrative law, and electoral law. Diego is a writer, who recently launched the book “Vivir Sabroso” of Editorial Planeta in Colombia, he has been a commentator of opinion programs on television networks in Telemundo and CNN en Español, and a legal adviser to public and private entities in Colombia. Diego was recently appointed to the Colombian diplomatic corps accredited to the United States in the city of Chicago and will be since May 5, 2023, in charge of consular functions
Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, Esq.
Senior Adviser at Rainbow Push Coalition- Remarks by Rev. Dr. Janette Jackson, Senior Advisor of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Founder of Rainbow Push Coalition
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson currently serves as the Senior Advisor to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., National President of Rainbow PUSH Inc. She also serves as Senior Pastor of the Maple Park United Methodist Church and is employed as the National Executive Director of PUSH For Excellence Inc.(PUSH Excel). Janette is the co-founder of Wilson, Howard P.C. Attorneys at Law. a firm she and her husband, Rodney C. Howard was formed in 1980. She served as a criminal defense attorney for more than 15 years (1980-1995). The firm now focuses primarily on Church law.
Rev. Wilson left the private practice of law from 1982-1995 to serve as the full-time Assistant General Counsel for Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and Operation PUSH Inc. and ultimately was appointed to serve as National Executive Director of Operation PUSH during Rev. Jackson’s campaign for President of the United States. Following her tenure at PUSH, Attorney Wilson served as Interim General Counsel for Chicago State University for one year. After her tenure at Chicago State University, she served as Special Counsel to Mayor Eugene Sawyer throughout his term in office.
Janette is a founding member of the Young Lawyers Section of the Cook County Bar Association and was instrumental in forming the Interfaith Lawyers Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. She has lectured on many subjects in the area of civil rights, affirmative action, school law, and church law. She has been an adjunct professor at a number of seminaries and universities, teaching courses in Marketing, Business Law, Church Law, Ethics, Environmental planning, and Church Administration. She served as the Dean of the Doctor of Ministry program at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Janette received a B.A. in Chemistry in 1971 from Mac Murray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and a Master in Environmental Science from Governor’s State University in Illinois in 1975. She is a graduate of John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where she received a J.D. in 1980 and was admitted to the Illinois Bar the same year. In 1997, Janette received a Doctor of Divinity from United Theological Seminary. She has been admitted to the Federal Trial Bar, US Tax Court, and the US District Court in 1983.
Janette Wilson’s publications and research include: Doctoral Thesis, “ Living In Our Faith, But Under The Law”, her Master's Thesis "Biochemical Fate of Tin in the Environment", HMO Feasibility Study for the Sidney Hillman Health Centre, Second Surgical Opinion Grant Application for ACTWU and articles in the African American Pulpit, She published a paper as a part of her Fellowship which she received from the University of Illinois Department of Public Health on the subject of “Violence as a Public Health Disease”.
Pastor Dr Jho Roni
Founder/President of Ministry ONE- Arrival, Protocols of invited guests, and MCs
- Opening Prayers by Pastor Dr. Jho Roni & Imam Hassan Aly
- Presentation “Coming Home” by Ministry One
- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Moderator
Pastor Dr. Jho Roni is a native of Chicago, IL. His education comprises several institutions: Moody Bible Inst (MBI), Chicago State Univ (CSU), IIT, GMOR Theological Seminary, and Columbia College. He’s a multi-denominational ordained Pastor. Dr. Roni is an Educator, Global Communicator (radio/TV/social media), Conference Seminarian (facilitator/speaker/host); also, and a creator/author/producer: “COMING HOME” (a collaborative project designed to promote “community” among the African Diaspora thru visual/digital/oratorical arts).
He is the Founder/President of Ministry ONE Media and JXR Communications.
Imam Hassan Aly
Director of Humanitarian Faith InitiativeSpeaker
Imam Hassan Aly served as the principal Imam and Director of Religious Affairs at The Mecca Center in Willowbrook, Illinois, for 12 years. He graduated from the prestigious Al-Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt, in Islamic Studies and Theology. He has held the position of Imam, served as the director of religious affairs in many Islamic centers, and taught at Islamic schools in Egypt and the USA.
He is also the author of many articles published in newspapers and websites. Sheikh Aly is the recipient of the Best Religious Speech award from Al-Azhar University Cairo in 2002. He has also hosted many Islamic radio shows in the US. Currently, he is a Ph.D candidate in Theology and an Adjunct Professor at Lewis University and the University of Chicago.
Rev. Dr. Isaac Paintsil
Senior Pastor, Christ's Oasis Ministries & Chair, Division of Hospital Medicine at Cook County Health- Presentation “Coming Home” by Ministry One
- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
Honorable Judge Lionel Jean Baptiste
Circuit Court Judge at Circuit Court of Cook County of Illinois- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
S. Mayumi "Umi" Grigsby (Not Confirmed)
Chief of Policy at City of ChicagoRepresentative of Mayor Brandon Johnson
S. Mayumi "Umi" Grigsby Chief of Policy of Mayor Brandon Johnson of the City of Chicago. Born in Monrovia, Liberia, and, raised in Houston, Texas by way of Paris, France. Grigsby is an author, advocate and attorney. Bilingual in French and English, Umi is a graduate of Georgetown University and Northeastern University School of Law. She is the Chair and a Commissioner on the Cook County Human Rights Commission. She also serves on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. In Chicago, she has served as the Chief of Staff at the Chicago Foundation for Women; the Chief of Policy and Advocacy for the Office of the City Clerk of Chicago, under City Clerk Anna Valencia; and also as an Assistant State's Attorney under the administration of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. She is the author of EmpowHERed Health: Reforming a Dismissive Health Care System, published in December of 2020. She was a member of the first cohort of Policy Link's first Cities & Counties for Fine and Fee Justice Fellowship. She is a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Class of 2021, a member of the inaugural cohort of Bonfire, a talent accelerator for women and a Chicago United for Equity 2022 Fellow.
Bishop Lance Davis
Founder of Building our Own Community- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
Bishop Davis was born on the west side of Chicago and acknowledged his call to ministry at the age of nine. Throughout his life, Bishop Davis has worked tirelessly to make life better for African American children and families. While he worked for his father’s organization (seven Popeyes Chicken and 2 Mcdonald's restaurants), he insisted on hiring young people from poor neighborhoods that circumference downtown Chicago. When Bishop Davis opened his own restaurants (two Docks Seafoods), he still insisted on hiring young people whom he could instill solid work ethics and train workplace disciplines.
All while serving the church of Jesus Christ, Bishop Davis operated several successful businesses. He established a water borehole drilling company in Ghana that has provided clean potable water for thousands of Ghanaian villagers. In 2002, he established XGD Corp., a construction company contracted by the Chicago Housing Authority to rehab hundreds of their low-income housing units. XGD was also contracted to build the Primary Feeder Cable Building for Chicago State University. In order to provide safe and caring mental health services to the South Suburbs, Davis and his wife, Kara, established the Zion Behavioral Health organization in 2010. In 2015, he established Kinsmen Development and secured one million dollars in real estate financing to purchase and rehab nearly 20 dilapidated homes in Dolton, Illinois. Bishop Davis founded Sankofa Ventures in 2004. This organization has a touring subsidiary (Sankofa US) that facilitates and organizes travel to Ghana, West Africa, for African Americans who are interested in “Return” journeys. To date, over one thousand African Americans have visited the Motherland with Bishop Davis and the Sankofa team.
In addition to creating for-profit businesses, Bishop Davis also established several not-for-profit agencies. The Voices of Morality organization was created to speak against police brutality and unfair lending practices of banks and other merchants. This organization successfully boycotted Daimler-Chrysler for its discriminatory practices in 2003. The company stated that their losses amounted to $67,000,000 due to the boycott. In 1996, Bishop Davis founded B.O.O.C., Inc. (Building Our Own Community). This organization was instrumental in feeding thousands of south suburban residents and opened the south suburbs’ first Robotics Training program for youth. Today, the BOOC organization is contracted with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to provide family advocacy and general counseling services for children and adults under DCFS care.
Bishop Davis is married to his high school sweetheart, Dr. Kara E. Davis, and together they have four wonderful adult children: Grace, Andrew, Lance Nathaniel, and Natalie Kara.
Eunice Mina Escobar
Vice Chairwoman at African Diaspora Six Region Association of Illinois, INCSpeaker
Program Manager | Public Finance Professional | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) | Master in Public Administration Successful, experienced public finance professional with over twenty-nine years of increasing responsibility in public sectors, capital improvement programming, and program and project management.
• Successfully assisted in managing multi-million-dollar capital programs
• Oversaw the implementation of the multi-million Transit Asset Management program, the Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement program, and the Federal and State funded grants program at the RTA
Dr Ana Vicky Castillo
CEO of Afrolatinos Historical SocietySpeaker
Born and raised in the Pacific Coast of Colombia. Dr. Castillo is Vice-Chair of the African Diaspora Six Region Association of Illinois. She is a member of the Executive Board of the
African Diaspora Development Institute ADDI. Former Minister of Historical Legacy of the State of the African Diaspora. Founder and CEO of the Afro-Latinos Historical Society and the African Diaspora Museum, whose mission is to Reclaim the legacy of people of African descent in the events that have shaped the History of Humanity.
The Museum aims to connect Africans and their Diaspora to learn from the past and to create a vision for the future, empowering people of African descent to develop the tools to become a catalyst for political and social-economical change and community building for the ÁFRICA WE WANT.
Dr. Castillo is an Educator and Historian of the African Diaspora. She was selected as an Executive Appointee to the Illinois Amistad Commission by Governor Pat Quinn. Research Affiliate at Loyola University’s Center for Social Work. Head of the World Language Department and Spanish Language instructor at the Chicago Board of Education. Former Professor at Olive-Harvey College. Panelist on National and International forums discussing Afro-Latino affairs.
Peace Udechukwu-Ezeka
CEO of PuRe-Unity- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker
Peace Udechukwu identifies herself as Nigerian-American as she was raised in Southern California after her parents migrated from Nigeria to the United States in the early 80s. Peace, along with her cousin, is the founder of a non-profit organization called PuRe-Unity Inc.
PuRe-Unity’s mission is to educate, inspire, and continually expose the African Diaspora to the importance of Mental Health and self-actualization. Redefining mental health and helping people see that one’s mental health is actually the most important aspect of one’s being.
Peace is also the CEO of Peaceful Touch of Ankara, a startup business focusing on connecting the identities between Africans and African Americans through the use of Ankara prints and designs on everyday objects. Peace holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Clinical Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Holding additional titles, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and ordained Pastor at the CityLight International Assembly. She currently serves as the Director of Leadership Development at the Life Development Center, where she develops and facilitates faith-based purpose training and has had the opportunity to facilitate the training in over 15 African nations. She recently began serving as a Social Emotional Learning Specialist with By The Hand Kids Club across four of their sights. She also serves under Amara Enyia with her organization Global Black. She is a Wife, Educator, Spoken Word Musical Artist, and soon-to-be author
Mr. Oumar Diallo
President at Guinea Community Association of Illinois and Iowa- Panel Discussion: “State of the United States of Africa: African Heritage & Leveraging African Diaspora in North America” Moderated by Rev. Dr. Jho Roni
- Photo opportunity
Speaker / Panelist
Oumar Telly Diallo is President of the Guinean Community Association of Illinois and Iowa (GCAII). He works for the Foundation of Lions Clubs International as a Senior Global Grants Specialist in charge of managing humanitarian grant projects in India, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Hold a Bachelor’s in Political Science/International Relations at Northeastern Illinois University with minors in African & African/American studies and French.
Hosted online radio shows with Guineeview from 2010, The Voice of African Youth Show, Chroniques and Archives of Africa, Le Rendez-Vous Du Donner et Du Recevoir. With The Voice of African Youth, a platform show that connects young African leaders around the world to discuss, debate, and actively engage in critical issues affecting our lives abroad and in Africa.
Won several awards, including the Best Guinean Association in the World in 2019.
• PromoGuinee Certificate of Recognition Award-2011. In recognition of valuable contributions to the Guinean community in the U.S. and in Guinea.
• Recognition Award – 2012. For being a good counsel to upcoming leaders of the African Community
• Guineeview Influential Media Award- 2012. Effectively informing the African Community through the coverage of weekly events.
• Jacques Rogers Certificate of Recognition Award-2012
• International Media Award 2012– Guineeview
• Lifetime achievement award from Guinean Interstate Soccer Tournament.
Diallo participated in many conferences and symposiums in the US, from Columbia University to talk about freedom of the Press in Africa, and Migration Policy Institute in Washington D.C to tackle and advocate Immigration issues in the US-African Community, and symposiums about education in Africa.
Diallo hosted many cultural events, award shows, and fundraising dinners for Guinean and African Communities in the U.S.
Diallo has been living in the Chicagoland land area for the past two decades.
Zaynab Berety
Graduate Student Advocate for social justice and empowerment at Loyola Univeristy ChicagoCO-MC
Zaynab Berety is a passionate advocate for social justice and empowerment, recently graduating from Loyola University Chicago with a master's degree in Social Work, specializing in Micro Practice with a focus on Migration Studies. Her academic journey continues as she embarks on a Ph.D. program at Loyola, driven by a commitment to understanding the complexities of migration and its intersection with social work practice.
Recognized for her exemplary leadership and dedication to service, Zaynab was honored with the President's Medallion for the School of Social Work. This accolade reflects her embodiment of the Jesuit mission and her unwavering commitment to scholarship and community engagement.
Zaynab's personal experiences as a refugee and her family's journey have deeply influenced her career path. Motivated by a desire to make a meaningful impact, she is dedicated to working with immigrants and refugees, striving to understand and address the multifaceted challenges they face during resettlement.
Currently, Zaynab is working at a high school in Chicago's south side, supported by a grant from The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In this role, she leverages her expertise to support marginalized youth and promote positive outcomes within the community.
Looking ahead, Zaynab envisions a future where she can combine her roles as a researcher and educator with her passion for community development. She aspires to establish a community center that serves as a hub for support and resources, addressing the diverse needs of individuals and families.
William Leslie Balan-Gaubert
HISTORIAN HAITISpeaker
William Leslie Balan-Gaubert is a Haitian history scholar, critical thinker, independent researcher and a popular speaker. He has studied in Haiti, France and the United States and has taught at the University of Chicago and lectured intermittently at other universities. An assiduous student of Haiti’s culture and spiritual tradition, Balan-Gaubert has accompanied Haiti’s Supreme Servant: the late Ati Gesner Max Beauvoir (1936-2015), in Haiti and in the United States, dispelling falsehoods about Haiti’s West-African derived spiritual tradition. Balan-Gaubert believes that the most expedient need of our time is to decolonize our mentality and reclaim the power of our humanity. His mission: To share the knowledge he has acquired and techniques he has gleaned from shoeless elders to help anyone seeking to decolonize their mentality and reclaim their right to live a meaningful and fulfilling life here and now.
Vida Opoku
Student Political Science at Loyola Univeristy ChicagoProtocol
My name is Vida Opoku, and I am originally from Ghana West Africa. I moved to the United States in 2016. In 2023, I received my bachelor’s degree in political science with double minors in Health Administration and Criminal Justice. I was also the commencement speaker for the School of Art & Science.
I have worked with different non-profit organizations in the Chicago area, such as Apna-Ghar Inc., Bethany House of Hospitality, and the Girls Forward organization, to support refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced immigrants. I also served as an Ambassador for the Mentee global organization.
I have been a keynote speaker for organizations such as UNICEF (annual Gala 2021 in Chicago), Young Center (for their immigration fundraising event), and GirlsForwad, among others. Currently, I am finishing my master’s in international Affairs at Loyola University.
Chicago and working as a research assistant at the dean's office while interning with Jesuit Refugee Services in Rome, Italy.