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What is the Black History Festival?

The Black History Festival is a unique initiative dedicated to commemorating the enduring relationship between the governments, the private sector, industries, civil society, and the people of Africa, the Americas and the African Diaspora.

The Black History Festival aims at celebrating strong ties between Governments, the Private Sector and the Peoples of Africa and the Americas, through their profound influence of exchange programs between these bilateral partners and honouring their contributions.

The primary objective is to reinforce and rediscover the long-standing connections, fostering collaboration and alignment of shared interests between Africa, the Americas and other bilateral partners with an emphasis on developing and promoting trade, cultural values and history.

Our Vision

To reinforce and rediscover the long-standing connections, fostering collaboration and alignment of shared interests between Africa, the Americas and other bilateral partners with an emphasis on developing and promoting trade, cultural values and history.

Our Mission

To serve as a platform for honoring the rich history of the people of Africans, Americans and people of African Descent, their achievements, impact and contribution to global development while promoting indigenous brands, and innovations as a means to inspire culture, leadership, business, and knowledge exchange between Africa and its Diaspora.

Our Objectives

Historical Recognition and Celebration

The core essence of the festival lies in highlighting the positive and influential aspects of black history, shedding light on the accomplishments that may have been historically overlooked or marginalized. It seeks to break down stereotypes and promote a more comprehensive perspective on the historical narrative, fostering a sense of pride and empowerment within the black community, Africans, African Americans, and people of African descent globally.

Promotion of Bilateral Relations and Collaboration

The Black History Festival serves as a dynamic platform for the promotion of bilateral relations and collaborations, fostering a spirit of cooperation and alignment of shared interests among Governments, Private Sectors, and the diverse populations of Africa and the Americas. At the heart of this initiative is a focus on enhancing ties through various channels, including trade, cultural values, and a recognition of historical connections.

Inspiration for Leadership and Innovation

One of the festival’s key objectives is to showcase exemplary leaders and innovators with African heritage, emphasizing their achievements and contributions across various fields. By highlighting these success stories, the festival aims to provide role models for the youth, demonstrating that leadership and innovation know no boundaries and are achievable regardless of one’s background. This narrative encourages young black individuals in Africa to dream big, aspire to greatness, and believe in their capacity to effect positive change.

Showcasing Indigenous Brands:

Another key objective is to promote and showcase indigenous brands, innovations, and cultural richness, creating a platform for global visibility and business opportunities. Attending the Black History Festival offers a remarkable opportunity to witness the showcasing of Indigenous and innovative African youth brands. This aspect of the festival is designed to not only celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of young individuals in Africa but also to provide them with a platform for global visibility and lucrative business opportunities.

Cultural Exchange:

The aspect of Cultural Exchange at the Black History Festival serves as a dynamic and enriching platform that actively facilitates the exchange of cultural values, traditions, and contemporary practices among Africa, the Americas, and the African Diaspora.

Creative Economy, Technology and Innovation

The creative economy’s fusion with technology and innovation is revolutionizing arts, media, and entertainment. The inclusion of this convergence in the Festival enables artistic expressions, streamlines production, expands global reach, and enhances audience engagement. Digital platforms and emerging technologies like AI and VR are driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering inclusivity, making the creative economy a key driver of the economies of Africa, the Caribbean and America today.

Thematic Focus

  • Cultural & Heritage Advancement
  • Trade Facilitation & Investment Promotion
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Bilateral Relations and Diplomacy
  • Creative Economy, Technology and Innovation.

Background

The commemoration of Black History in the Americas and other parts of the world offers a valuable occasion to honor their significant achievements and multifaceted contributions to global socioeconomic development.

The Bureau for the International Development, Exchanges and Commerce (BIDEC), the African Union and some member states, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean Countries (OECS), the Federal Government of the United States, One Voice Consortium and other partners intend to utilize this platform to underscore the history and accomplishments of African Americans, serving as a source of inspiration for leadership, culture, business, and knowledge exchange across continents.

Today, cross-cultural business exchanges are made feasible by the African Union’s promotion of business and trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Several business interventions such as; the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA), Prosper Africa, Trade Africa, Development Finance Corporation, US African Development Foundation (USADF), and the Doing Business in Africa Campaigns driven through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have all been key drivers of this movement.

We anticipate that this initiative will provide a novel platform for expanding and enhancing Africa, Americas and Diaspora relations, encompassing facets of history, trade, arts, culture, media, and contemporary business practices.

We firmly believe it will generate opportunities for Africans and people of African Descent globally, to bolster the confidence of young black individuals, and catalyze their involvement in shaping the future of the continent.

Leaders and experts in trade, sectors, technology, media, arts, culture, and governance in Africa and the Americas would facilitate and speak for the various segregated activities of the initiative. Entrepreneurs and business owners worldwide would exhibit their brands and attend B2B sessions.