Location: George Washington University, Washington, DC (Held during ADIS 2025)
The tenth anniversary of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium will culminate in a grand celebration honoring African excellence, heritage, and culture. The event will gather artists, vendors, designers, musicians, individuals and community leaders to celebrate African culture at its roots and through its influence in the United States and around the world. Attendees will immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of experiences, featuring culinary delights across the diaspora, engaging in storytelling and live performance that reflects the diverse and vibrant African tradition. This collective jubilee aims to uplift, engage, and highlight the creative and innovative spirit of the African diaspora and our communal bonds across seas and continents.
Executive Director, Silicon Valley African Film Festival
Chike C. Nwoffiah
Executive Director, Silicon Valley African Film Festival
Chike Nwoffiah is an educator, multi-sector investor and media executive. He is an award winning film and theater producer and director with over 50 productions to his credit. He is the founding director of Silicon Valley African Film Festival and president of Rhesus Media Group.
Nwoffiah is a past president of Mountain View Television (KMVT Channel 15) and former Arts Advisory Commissioner for the San Diego International Airport. He presently serves on the President’s Community Advisory Council of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and boards of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Ashinaga USA, Precious Kids Foundation and Pavillion Afriques at the Cannes Film Festival. He was a contributing author to the critically acclaimed book “Black Cultural Traffic – Crossroads in Global Performance and Popular Culture” edited by Stanford University professors Harry Elam, Jr. and Kennel Jackson and the 2021 book “Cinemas Africanos contemporâneos – abordagens críticas” / “Contemporary African cinemas – critical approaches” by Brazilian film scholars Ana Camila Esteves & Jusciele Oliveira.
Nwoffiah is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley, a member of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and a 2021 Creative Ambassador for the City of San Jose, California. He was inducted into the Silicon Valley Black Legends Hall of Fame in 2021 for a distinguished and outstanding career in the arts, music, theater, television, and movies and enhancing the lives of people in the Black Community. In 2022, he was awarded the Cornerstone of the Arts Award by the City of San Jose for his enduring leadership in the advancement of arts and culture in San Jose. In March 2023, the African Diaspora Network honored him with its African Diaspora Luminaire Award, an award that celebrates individuals who have made exceptional contributions and demonstrated commitment to advance the African continent and the communities in which we live.
Denim Richards
Founder/CEO, Opulent Entertainment Group, Actor, producer
Denim Richards
Founder/CEO, Opulent Entertainment Group, Actor, producer
Denim Richards is a dynamic and captivating speaker with over 10 years of experience, combining authenticity and passion to inspire audiences worldwide. With a unique ability to connect through storytelling and personal insights, he empowers listeners to embrace resilience, purpose, and creativity. His engaging presence leaves a lasting impact, motivating individuals to unlock their fullest potential.
Ivy M. Tettegah
Creative Director, ILorm
Ivy M. Tettegah
Creative Director, ILorm
Ivy M. Tettegah is a multidisciplinary creator—an engineer by training and a storyteller by heart. As the founder and Creative Director of ILORM Studio, Ivy blends the precision of performance and automation engineering with a passion for the timeless craft of fabric development and garment making. Drawing from Ghanaian heritage, ILORM becomes a canvas for reimagining tradition in global design contexts. Ivy believes clothing carries memory, meaning, and economic power—and through this lens, uses fashion as a force for socio-economic upliftment, cultural continuity, and international collaboration.
ILORM Studio acts as a conduit—amplifying African craftsmanship, supporting sustainable fashion ecosystems, and challenging how the world engages with cultural identity in design. Ivy’s work invites a reimagining of Africa’s creative legacy within a future-facing global economy.
Deidre White
CEO, Pyxera Global
Deidre White
CEO, Pyxera Global
Deirdre White is a globally recognized leader in building multi-sector partnerships to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Since joining PYXERA Global in 2002, the organization has transformed into the leading organization for convening and maximizing social impact through strong and strategic partnerships. Widely cited as a thought leader at the intersection of international development and corporate citizenship, Deirdre is a member of the Board of Directors for the Coalition for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Development (CREED), on the Advisory Council for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and on the Leadership Council of Better World Leadership. She previously served on the Advisory Board of MIT Ideas Global Challenge and the MIT PKG Public Service Center, and on the Boards of Directors for IMPACT 2030, Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA), and the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy.
Deirdre’s expertise spans private, public, and social sector experiences. She began her career in the private sector, working with Welt International, a niche consultancy engaged in non-conventional means (barter and countertrade) of financing international trade ventures. She later expanded her private sector experience as a Senior Manager in the Public Sector Practice at Arthur D. Little, Inc., leading post-privatization restructuring efforts for large manufacturing enterprises in Russia and Ukraine. She also led projects focused on strategy and organization for USAID, the US Trade and Development Agency, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, along with numerous government agencies across Eurasia. In addition, Deirdre served as an organizational development advisor to several of the largest Eurasian private firms.
Sahel Group
Sahel Group
SAHEL is a band that interprets musical genres influenced by African culture around the world. Performing Senegalese Mbalax, Samba, Funana, Salsa , Zouk, Reggae, and more; Sahel’s music is blended colors of culture on the canvas of African rhythms.
Through its international, multi-lingual, music selection, Sahel seeks to build cultural bridges and raise awareness through the rejuvenating power of African-based musical styles. Sahel will call you to the dance floor while connecting you to the rhythms, spirit, languages and cultures from which the music was born.
Created by its multilingual lead vocalist and band leader, Jean-Francis Varre, Sahel is inspired by tradition and dedicated to the progress of music that moves the world. A Sahel performance promises a high-energy, global dance party experience and a magical, melodic journey from Africa, around the Caribbean, through the Americas and home to Africa again. No passport required–no boundaries.
Versatile Soundzz
Versatile Soundzz
Versatile Soundzz directed by Malari Moore is a vibrant musical collective specializing in traditional West African music from Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Ghana. Blending the rich rhythms and melodies of these cultures with contemporary sounds, the group delivers captivating performances and hands-on workshops. Through music education for youth and adults, Versatile Soundzz fosters cultural pride, artistic expression, and community connection across generations.
Thompson Yao Avornyotse
CEO/ Master Weaver, T.Y.KENTE
Thompson Yao Avornyotse
CEO/ Master Weaver, T.Y.KENTE
Thompson Yao Avornyotse is my name, a Managing Director and owner of T.Y Kente Weaving Enterprise. I also occupy the office of Chief Executive Officer for T.Y Kente Travel and Tours. I crossed the age of fifty.
I am very dedicated, honest and an outspoken person who makes sure a committee development is assure.
Over the years, I played vital roles towards improvement of Akpokofe and the entire Agotime traditional area which I see to be my responsibility as a citizen.
