ADN Featured in Silicon Valley Community Foundation Campaign to Amplify Black Leadership
Support ADN!
Less than 10% of total US philanthropic dollars fund people of color-led organizations. Black-led organizations (BLOs) usually face greater challenges– have smaller revenues, reserves, and staff. Often, BLOs receive far fewer large or unrestricted grants. This is why SVCF crafted a Black-led organization Giving Guide, which features ADN and 49 other outstanding Black-led Organizations in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Help us fight these disparities and support ADN directly at www.africandiasporanetwork.org or through a SVCF donor-advised fund at siliconvalleycf.org/community-impact/organizations/racial-justice.
“Funders need to let go of misconceptions and biases surrounding the capacities of BLOs, and trust in the abilities of these organizations to do their work.” – SVCF’s President & CEO, Nicole Taylor.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation is committed to amplifying and building the capacity of Black-led Organizations and the voices of their leaders. Unconscious bias and structural racism mean that BLOs have less access to capital and capacity-strengthening support, a disparity that is only exacerbated by COVID-19.
ABOUT US
ADN is a nonprofit organization that harnesses and engages the intellectual, financial, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial capacity of Africans and friends of Africa in support of economic and social development across Africa. Since 2010, the African Diaspora Network established its brand as a convener for the African and African diaspora community. We provide captivating virtual and physical forums to accelerate access to resources, partnerships, knowledge sharing, and advanced investment opportunities.
We envision the African Diaspora Network as a go-to resource, strategic partner, and thought leader guiding and organizing social entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and leaders in their ambitions to create positive change for the African continent and the communities in which we live.
Why Support ADN Through Silicon Valley Community Foundation?
ADN is distinguished by our recognition that purposeful contributions to the development of Africa are not limited by location and residence. Assets in place include a thriving network of over 8,000 Africans and friends of Africa, renowned convenings, and partnerships with elite investors, corporations, funders, entrepreneurs, and professionals, and an established ecosystem through our community to launch ideas into action, test them and scale innovations that succeed. Our programs and conferences encourage a strong global network through the following key characteristics:
Raising Visibility of African and Diaspora Innovators
Through Builders of Africa’s Future Awards Program, ADN celebrates innovation and impact in early-stage African enterprises, successfully mentoring and introducing over 40 African enterprises to Silicon Valley investors and funders in the last four years. The BAF Awards serve to showcase and award entrepreneurs who are running early-stage for-profit and not-for-profits that are addressing Africa’s unique needs through technology or differentiated business models.
Expanding Economic Pathways
Builders of America’s Future, a new initiative of African Diaspora Network, is an enterprise accelerator program designed to strengthen, energize, and support small businesses and nonprofit organizations led by African diasporans and African-Americans based in the United States. Adapted from the Builders of Africa’s Future program that celebrates innovation and impact among early-stage African enterprises, Builders of America’s Future identifies 10-15 Black business leaders catalyzing an array of sustainable solutions to poverty across multiple sectors at the local and national level.
Igniting Black-led Initiatives & Collaborations
For six years running, the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS) emboldens participants to take action and to optimize opportunities to network, collaborate, and develop intentional partnerships. ADIS centers Africa’s greatest demographic assets – youth and women – and encourages representation from Africans, Diasporans, and friends of Africa to create new opportunities for change.
Celebrating Inclusive Cultures & Communities
Building community is at the heart of our work. You will find a welcoming, familial culture at ADN. Our participants are approachable and actively willing to engage in conversation. We encourage a spirit of celebration through interweaving live entertainment of African music and dance.
ADN Board of Directors (left to right): Agnieszka Winkler, Founder, Winkler Group, Ndeye Makalou, Commercial Director, Roche, Josh Ghaim, Ph.D. Founder and Managing Partner – IgniteGB Inc, Almaz Negash, Founder of ADN & Executive Director, Twum Djin, Goodwater Capital, Duncan Goldie-Scot, Musoni Kenya, Ltd. Not pictured: Innocent Shumba, Partner, Ernst & Young, San Jose
