Political and Business Leaders Call for Engagement of Global Diaspora

Conference to build a global voice for collaboration and coalition development among the U.S., African Nations, and the Greater Diaspora.

Building Better Bridges - Swahili Village, Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Washington, DC, March 25, 2021 – As Africa's continent-wide free trade area becomes open for business, The Made Man Foundation (TMM) is hosting a series of international gatherings to discuss ways to maximize new and unprecedented opportunities. The series of events are part of TMM's "100 Days of Action" campaign focused on building a global coalition among African nations and the worldwide diaspora.

Although delayed by the pandemic, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement has just gone into full effect this year. The AfCFTA covers a population of 1.3 billion people across Africa who comprise $3.4 trillion in gross domestic product. The value of the new agreement can't be overstated: The World Bank has declared it has the potential to lift 30 million Africans out of poverty, restore the continent's economic and public health, and boost member nations' self-reliance and ability to increase political stability and security.

"The coming years are going to offer great potential for Africa," says Dr. Ky Dele, international relations strategist, lead organizer and Founder of Made Man Foundation. "However, maximizing this potential requires engagement by the world community and we must start building those bridges now."

To that end, TMM is hosting "Building Better Bridges: United States, African Nations and the Greater Diaspora" where representatives of African and Caribbean nations, U.S. political institutions, industry, and populations of African descent will discuss ways to increase cooperation. Topics will include engaging the current U.S. administration to expand trade with Caribbean and African companies; increasing dialog between U.S. international policy makers, and African nations and diasporas; reducing the gap in bilateral government and multilateral organization contracts obligated to Black-owned firms; and overcoming challenges onset by the pandemic.

The "invitation only" event will be held at Swahili Village's DC location, known as The Consulate, a fine dining African restaurant, social and cultural space for programming that fosters Africa-to-the-world engagement located in the heart of DC's power-dining corridor. Swahili Village is a brand that outside its fine dining experience, is creating a cultural enlightenment bridge between the African home continent and the rest of the world - one city at a time. With each location, it supports, educates and enlightens that city and community the truths about the African culture and history through food and diversified opportunities.

MEDIA:  For journalists interested in Africa, business, free trade, and the global economy, you are cordially invited to join the first of these virtual events on March 31 in Washington, DC. Please register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-better-bridges-afcfta-and-the-new-africa-tickets-148378703697 or contact Jan Du Plain at janduplain@gmail.com or call 202-486-7004.

What: Building Better Bridges: United States, African Nations & the Greater Diaspora

Facilitators: Dr. Ky Dele - Founder, The Made Man Foundation

Felix Chevalier, Founder and Partner, Cooke Chevalier, PLLC

Hosts: His Excellency Dr. Barfour Adjei-Barwuah, Ambassador of Ghana to the United States

HIs Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States

Co-Hosts: Reverend Dr. George E. Holmes - Served and Assisted 4 US Presidents, National Clergy Leadership Network; Jason Martin - Principal/Managing Partner MCCG International; Charles Debow Vice President, National Black Chambers of Commerce; Dr. Tommie Thompson President, Bazillio Cob Associate; Dr. Charles Olawole- Principal, Graffiti Consulting Inc.

When: Wednesday, March 31, 2021

5:00-6:00 pm Virtual Press Conference* (To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-better-bridges-afcfta-and-the-new-africa-tickets-148378703697 or contact Jan Du Plain at 202.486.7004; janduplain@gmail.com)

6:00-9:00 pm Live Event. By invitation only.  Ambassador and VIP guests. (No media)

Where: Swahili Village Bar & Grill | 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 | Visit www.theconsulatedc.com to step into the Swahili Village. Contact Mr Ike Nwaneri - 301.841.0012 or marketing@zendglobal.com for all inquiries regarding Swahili Village

Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, current president of the Republic of Kenya, participated in a special ribbon- cutting opening ceremony for the Swahili Village last year in March, 2020.

Sponsors | Supporters| Partners include: Swahili Village; ZENDHealth.com and Peachtree medical supplies ; National Black Chambers of Commerce; Diaspora Africa Forum; Empire Group NYC; Embassy of Ghana, Washington DC; Embassy of Liberia, Washington DC; Embassy of Mali, Washington DC; MCCG International; Onaps Advisory Bluffajo Cosmetics Inc; IBS Management & Consultancy Services, LLC; Graffiti Consulting Inc.; Bazilio Cobb Associates; Cooke Chevalier, PLLC; ZEND Global Marketing; KRUZRTech.com; Robotic Sterilizers

NOTICE: The in-person event will follow CDC guidelines and participants are required to wear protective face coverings. Masks will be provided if necessary. Peachtree Medical Supplies is sponsoring rapid Covid tests to all guests. The restaurant has installed an FDA Approved ventilator air purifier.

*VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE: A virtual one-hour press conference scheduled for 5 pm-6 pm. Interviews available with Ambassadors, government officials, dignitaries, principal owners at Swahili Village downstairs in showroom - limited time for interviews. RSVP to Jan Du Plain at 202-486-7004 or janduplain@gmail.com

**The Free Trade area, founded in 2018, with trade commencing as of January 1, 2021, was created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement among 54 of the 55 African Union nations. The free-trade area is the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.

***Accra, Ghana serves as the Secretariat of AfCFTA and was commissioned and handed over to the AU by the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo on August 17, 2020 in Accra.

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