Dear Friends and Colleagues,

In this challenging year, I am humbled by the incredible goodwill and support of our global community as we celebrate two major milestones: the 10th anniversary of African Diaspora Network and the sixth annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium. ADN has brought together countless individuals from all walks of life for a common cause: to uplift the continent of Africa and the communities in which we live. We are delighted to announce the launch of ADIS2021 to continue to connect our network from all parts of the world.

In 2016, we launched African Diaspora Investment Symposium to bring together Africans, diasporans, and friends of Africa for knowledge-sharing and collaborative action. This watershed year presents myriad transformations, among them, the convergence of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement that have surfaced deep social and economic gaps across the globe. Addressing global needs and concerns, from equity in health care, education, and access to capital, has always been an integral part of our mission. We have faith and trust in our global community to work together to address these complex social and economic challenges. Together, we can hone our strengths, embrace our differences, and create opportunities with and for one another.

Among my takeaways from this year are the agility and commitment of our community as we pivot ADIS2021 to a monthly online series. Our theme, “Leapfrogging Africa: Healthcare, Education, Connectivity, and Finance,” seeks to reimagine pathways toward Africa’s acceleration and development. From July 2020 to January 2021, we will bring you seasoned leaders and experts in their field to cover timely topics and foster deep discussion on opportunities, challenges, and stories of collaboration across the globe. We are energized by the results of our online engagement through this year’s African Diaspora Network Impact & Innovation Series, virtually hosting over 500 people of whom 60% were new attendees. With great optimism in our adaptation, we are excited to engage you and invite you to register for ADIS2021.

Sincerely,