Special Guest:
H.E Ambassador Dr. Arikana Chihombori Quao
African Union Ambassador to
the United States
Host:
Kwabena Boateng
Founder/Co-president
African Diaspora Nation
organizinGforAfrica.today
Message from Aya Chebbi
Pan-Africanism is about equality, dignity and respect for all Africans and today is a moment of reflection about our political, economic, geographical and spiritual aspirations; today is also about honoring the contribution of women who fought side by side with men in the liberation movement; this is about honoring African people, people power, organizers, activists, movements and communities who continue to be resilient and empowered; this is about you and I and what we can achieve together for our continent. The Africa we want is about our collective responsibility and how we can reclaim spaces for youth in decision making, leadership and development. Happy African Liberation Day!!
ABOUT AYA CHEBBI
Aya Chebbi (African Union Youth Envoy @African Union)
Aya Chebbi, an award-winning Pan-African feminist. She is the first African Union Youth Envoy and the youngest diplomat at the African Union Commission Chairperson’s Cabinet.
She is the founder of multiple platforms such as Youth Programme of Holistic Empowerment Mentoring (Y-PHEM) coaching the next generation to be positive change agents, Afrika Youth Movement (AYM), one of Africa’s largest Pan-African youth-led movements and Afresist, a youth leadership program and multimedia platform documenting youth work in Africa.
She served on the Board of Directors of CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the World Refugee Council and Oxfam Independent Commission on Sexual Misconduct.
Chebbi became a world renowned blogger during 2010/2011 Tunisia’s Revolution running Proudly Tunisian. Her blogs were published at OpenDemocracy and Al-Jazeera among others. Since then, she has been traveling across the African continent to support and train thousands of social movement leaders
ABOUT CLAIRE CLOTTEY
​
Claire Clottey is an international award winning broadcast journalist, creating written, audio and digital content inspired by her passion for culture and commitment to #inform #entertain and #inspire diverse audiences.
Charming. Confident. Caring. Claire brings meaning to many positive words that begin with 'C'. Well know in the community for her charitable work and ability to engage integenerational audiences in sensitive socio-political discussions, Claire has become a well sought after public speaker, leading #TheConversation at a range of reputable events.
Bridging the gap between the African and Caribbean diaspora, Claire is a vibrant leader, a community champion communicating the social, emotional and cultural needs of children, young people and the community. Her warmth, energy and empathy are undoubtedly the reason she is such a hit with anyone who crosses her path.
She represents a largely underrepresented population of educated urban professionals
Raina Turner currently serves as Executive Director of Sustainable Community Solutions Network, managing a network of 2000 individuals and organizations dedicated to sustainable development in communities across the African diaspora. Raina’s passion for creating healthy sustainable communities, locally and abroad, shifted her career focus from merely advertising the issues to engaging in global research for local solution generation, relationship development and increasing community members’ self-sufficiency.
Formerly serving as Director of Community Engagement and Entrepreneurship at the Center for Civic Innovation, her experience leading social entrepreneurship accelerators, has proven to complement the community engagement work domestically and abroad. Raina’s critical expertise in strategic planning, cultural diplomacy and sustainability, combined with her love of travel has afforded her the opportunity to study and travel abroad in China, Colombia, Congo
ABOUT RAINA TURNER
​
Raina Turner currently serves as Executive Director of Sustainable Community Solutions Network, managing a network of 2000 individuals and organizations dedicated to sustainable development in communities across the African diaspora. Raina’s passion for creating healthy sustainable communities, locally and abroad, shifted her career focus from merely advertising the issues to engaging in global research for local solution generation, relationship development and increasing community members’ self-sufficiency.
Formerly serving as Director of Community Engagement and Entrepreneurship at the Center for Civic Innovation, her experience leading social entrepreneurship accelerators, has proven to complement the community engagement work domestically and abroad. Raina’s critical expertise in strategic planning, cultural diplomacy and sustainability, combined with her love of travel has afforded her the opportunity to study and travel abroad in China, Colombia, Congo
ABOUT RAINA TURNER
​
Kwabena is Founder/Co-President of African Diaspora Nation and host of the Reconcile Africa Show. His purpose is to use his life and all he is/will ever be gifted with to serve his highest value and commitment – to help build a pan-African and pan-human nation of people who embody the identity of a guiding light for a global renaissance of Love in action. He is passionate about the holistic health of all and unfailingly gives a positive touch to the hearts, minds and bodies of all he comes in contact with.
Originating from Ghana, Kwabena has had the opportunity to serve in roles of increasing responsibility and maturity from his days as a Chaplain and Academic Excellence Chair of the Florida A&M University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers; member of the Florida A&M University Campus Ministry Board, Recording Secretary of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and Member of the Diversity Oversight Committee at the Chevron Oak Point Plant in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As an Oil and Gas professional for 15 years(2002 - 2017), he served in roles of increasing responsibility as an Instrumentation, Automation and Electrical Engineer –starting from the Chevron Oakpoint Plant in New Orleans through the Chevron Energy Technology Center in Houston, the Chevron Southern Africa Strategic Business Unit in Angola, Chevron Sasol Escravos Gas to Liquids Project in Nigeria, Instrumentation, Automation and Electrical Team Advisor at the Chevron/NNPC JV, Lagos Nigeria, Control Systems Advisor, Operations Support in Escravos, Nigeria.
An expatriate, technology evangelist, program manager and missionary in all these roles, Kwabena loved the idea and mission of working himself out of his jobs through empowerment of Africans – Angolans and Nigerians – in the Instrumentation, Automation and Electrical disciplines of service.
He has experience managing capital projects to a cumulative tune of about 30million dollars
Above all things, Kwabena’ s ethos is grounded in the foundational belief that since we are called to Love, our true identity is Love and life truly begins when we are restored to loving selfless beings.
Kwabena is married to the lovely Akua Wednesdayborn Boateng – a mother, singer/songwriter , former Miss Howard University (USA) and college recruiter for Howard University and Dillard University. Akua also worked with the Children's Defense Fund as a Program Specialist in New Orleans, La. They have four children.
ABOUT KWABENA BOATENG