Dear Friends,

I extend my warmest congratulations to the African Diaspora Network (ADN) on hosting the African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026 (ADIS26). For over 11 years, the ADN has championed the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit across Africa and within diaspora communities, including in Los Angeles. This year’s ADIS in Santa Clara, California reflects the evolving role of the African diaspora in shaping the next chapter of global innovation through the theme Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.

As the Mayor of Los Angeles, I am proud to reaffirm my longstanding support for the African Diaspora Network and its flagship convening, which serves as a critical platform for aligning capital, talent, and policy with long-term impact.

With the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the announcement of $2.5 billion in deals and commitments between U.S. and African partners in the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, convenings like this Symposium between the U.S. and Africa remain critical. ADN’s tireless facilitation of meaningful connections and efforts to equip diaspora communities with invaluable resources help sustain these important partnerships.

I commend the African Diaspora Network for its leadership and commitment to strengthening the economic, social, and people-to-people ties between the African diaspora and the world and I give my best wishes for a successful and impactful ADIS26.