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Amara Enyia (Strategist | Public Policy | Social Impact)

Amara Enyia

Strategist | Public Policy | Social Impact
https://www.amaraenyia.com

MC

Dr. Amara Enyia is a Strategist, Public Policy Expert, and Social Impact professional on city and state policy as well as international affairs with expertise in Africa, Latin America, and Central
Asia. She serves as the Policy and Research Coordinator for the Movement for Black Lives and as a Strategy Advisor for organizations, companies, political campaigns, and public sector institutions globally. Her work has connected her to the 6th Region of the African Union Commission and analysis of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Dr. Enyia is a participant in the London School of Economics Executive Program in Cities. Prior to her current roles, she worked in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Chicago and served as Executive Director of community-based organizations. As a grassroots organizer, she worked on issues of education equity,
economic justice, and environmental justice.

Amara holds a Bachelors's degree in Journalism and Bachelors's degree in Political Science. She also holds a Master's degree in education, a law degree, and Ph.D. in Education Policy. She serves
on the National Advisory Board of the Public Banking Institute and on the boards of the Chicago Community Loan Fund, and Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives. She maintains proficiency in Igbo,
Spanish, French, and Portuguese and was named a Public Policy Global Leadership Fellow with the Global Strategists Association.

Dr. Aissetu Ibrahima (Assistant Professor at Northeastern Illinois University)

Dr. Aissetu Ibrahima

Assistant Professor at Northeastern Illinois University
https://www.neiu.edu/

Speaker

Aissetu Barry Ibrahima, Ph.D., MSW, is an Assistant Professor at Northeastern Illinois University. Dr. Ibrahima’s research is focused on Indigenous social work, community-based grassroots development, international health policies, and maternal health behavior and practices. She is also actively involved in different programs that engage African immigrants and refugee communities in the greater Chicago area.

She is an executive board member at the African Diaspora Sixth Region Association of Illinois. Her publications include; Exploring Maternal Health in Ethiopia Using Indigenous Approaches: Policy and Practice Implications published in Research on Social Work Practice, 2021; Social Work in Africa: Decolonizing methodologies and approaches, published in International Social Work, 2019; and a book chapter entitled "Using Indigenous Approaches as a bridge between policies, interventions and the grassroots" in Global Social Work: Cutting Edge Issues and Critical Reflections (2020), edited by Bala Nikku. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), MSW at Addis Ababa University, and BA in Sociology and Social Administration at Addis Ababa University.

Dr. Andrea Evans (Interim Dean College of Education Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies at NEIU)

Dr. Andrea Evans

Interim Dean College of Education Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies at NEIU
https://www.neiu.edu/academics/carruthers-center

Speaker

Pastor Dr Jho Roni (Founder/President of Ministry ONE)

Pastor Dr Jho Roni

Founder/President of Ministry ONE

Pastor Dr Jho Roni … native of Chicago, IL. His education comprises of several institutions: Moody Bible Inst (MBI), Chicago State Univ (CSU), IIT, GMOR Theological Seminary, 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, a creator/author/producer: “COMING HOME” (collaborative project designed to promote “community” among the African Diaspora thru visual/digital/oratorical arts).
He is Founder/President, Ministry ONE Media and JXR Communications.

Mr. Olivier Kamanzi (Chairman at African Global Chamber of Commerce)

Mr. Olivier Kamanzi

Chairman at African Global Chamber of Commerce
https://www.africangcc.org

Host

Olivier Kamanzi is Capital markets expert, International Financial Sector Development Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, and Philanthropist. He is Co-Founder and Chairman of Africa Global Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Chicago. Kamanzi is 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 its headquarters in Chicago and its subsidiaries both in US and Africa. He is former Deputy CEO of Capital Market Authority of Rwanda, former Senior Investment Specialist of Citigroup (Citibank) and Executive employee at JPMorgan Chase. He is Founder and Chairman of The Olivier Kamanzi Foundation – a public charitable organization. Kamanzi is President of the Board of Saint Sabina Academy an affiliate to Saint Sabina Catholic Church based in Chicago, United States. Also, Kamanzi is currently ADDI Director Banking & Finance Sector and Chairman of ADIS Bank/ADIL Ltd.
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).
Mr. Kamanzi is current Doctorate Candidate in Philosophy Organizational Leadership and Entrepreneurship with specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He holds MBA in Finance from Ashford University, the Forbes School of Business in Iowa and a bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.
Mr. Kamanzi’s hobbies are running, reading, and serving the community by mentoring youth, providing financial literacy classes, and he teaches Stock Market Program to 8th Grade. He appeared in various radios, TV, and written medias including WVON Radio, BBC World Services, Voice of America, CNBC Africa, Reuters, Nation, East African, GhanaWeb, and many more. He has written multiples articles on AfCFTA, Covid-19, financial, and leadership matters.

Dr Ana Vicky Castillo (CEO of Afrolatinos Historical Society)

Dr Ana Vicky Castillo

CEO of Afrolatinos Historical Society

Speaker

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.

Hon. Dr. Harriet Lewis (Honorary Consul General at Honorary Consulate of Cabo Verde)

Hon. Dr. Harriet Lewis

Honorary Consul General at Honorary Consulate of Cabo Verde
http://www.caboverdeillinois.org

Speaker

Dr. Harriet Lewis was appointed to Honorary Consul for the Republic of Cabo Verde for the State of Illinois in the fall of 2018. In this capacity, she shares her knowledge of Cabo Verde with entities in Illinois to further the country's interests in various areas of development. She is a member of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners' Association.

Dr. Lewis has an extensive background and expertise spanning over two decades in the community and economic development sectors. She welcomes the opportunity to speak to any firm or group interested in learning more about the country for travel and investment.

Hon. Charif Hachim (Honorary Consul at Republic of Comoros)

Hon. Charif Hachim

Honorary Consul at Republic of Comoros
https://www.comorosconsulatechicago.org

Speaker

In 2013 the U.S. State Department confirmed Mr. Hachim as the new Honorary Consul General of Comoros in Chicago. A few months earlier, the Comorian Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Ikililou Dhoinine, had formally informed the U.S. government of its intention to appoint Mr. Hachim as the first Honorary Consul General of Comoros in Chicago.

The Honorable Charif Hachim is the perfect person to promote, cultivate and sustain a relationship between Comoros and the Midwest Region of the United States due to his business background, as well as his passion and understanding for both cultures.

In addition to his status as Honorary Consul General, Mr. Hachim works full time as a Business Manager in the public sector. He is in complete compliance with the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

HM

Hon. Sylvere Malonga

Hon Consul General at Republic of Congo
Hon. Befekadu Retta (Hon. Consul General)

Hon. Befekadu Retta

Hon. Consul General
Mr. Jonathan Jackson (Spokesperson at Rainbow Push Coalition)

Mr. Jonathan Jackson

Spokesperson at Rainbow Push Coalition
https://www.rainbowpush.org/

Speaker

Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, Sqr., (Senior Adviser at Rainbow Push Coalition)

Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, Sqr.,

Senior Adviser at Rainbow Push Coalition
https://www.rainbowpush.org/

Speaker

Mr. Kwame Raoul (Attorney General at State of Illinois)

Mr. Kwame Raoul

Attorney General at State of Illinois

Guest Speaker

Ambassador Dr. Sameh Abdoul-Enein (Consul General at Republic of Egypt)

Ambassador Dr. Sameh Abdoul-Enein

Consul General at Republic of Egypt

Speaker

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze (Permanent Representative of AU to the US. at African Union Mission to the US)

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze

Permanent Representative of AU to the US. at African Union Mission to the US
https://au.int/mission-usa

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.

Judge Lionel Jean Baptiste (Circuit Court Judge at Circuit Court of Cook County of Illinois)

Judge Lionel Jean Baptiste

Circuit Court Judge at Circuit Court of Cook County of Illinois

Speaker

Attorney Amber Johns (Principal & Vice-Chair at A.JOHNS GLOBAL & AGCC)

Attorney Amber Johns

Principal & Vice-Chair at A.JOHNS GLOBAL & AGCC
https://ajohnsglobal.com/

Speaker

Amber M. Johns is a Principal at A.Johns Global, and her practice focuses on international business strategy and compliance. Ms. Johns advises companies on international corporate structuring and compliance. She specializes in developing international operation strategies and compliance programs for multinational companies, particularly between the United States, Europe, and Africa.

Her diverse range of experience has given her extensive practice in dealing with data privacy law such and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as well as other international laws, in addition to industry-specific compliance issues in manufacturing, real estate development, technology, consumer products, and oil and gas. She has also had extensive experience in negotiation and managing international investments and development projects in Ghana and South Africa and distribution and purchase agreements for U.S. companies with offices in France and the U.K.

Ms. Johns is fluent in French, serves on the Boards of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce and Henry Booth House. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Black Women Lawyers Association, the Cook County Bar Association. She is involved with the French American Chamber of Commerce, the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago, and is an Advisor for the African Business Portal.

Prior to A.Johns Global, Ms. Johns was the General Counsel and Data Protection Officer at Akur8, S.A.S., a Principal at Jackson Corporate Law Offices, and an associate In-House Counsel for the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation (WCDC). She holds two Bachelors of Arts degrees in French and International Relations from the University of California, Berkeley and she received her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and her Law and Business Certificate from Vanderbilt University Law School. She received her master’s in law (L.L.M.) in Business and Trade Law at the John Marshall Law School. And in 2020 was certified as an information privacy professional for Europe (CIPP/E) and certified information privacy manager (CIPP) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.