President Joe Biden has appointed Chipper Cash CEO Ham Serunjogi to his African Diaspora Engagement Advisory Council.
Serunjogi will join eleven renowned members, including Nigerian-Americans Osagie Imasogie and Chinenye Joy Ogwumike.
The White House announced Ham Serunjogi as one of the council’s inaugural 12 members the next day. At the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Vice President Kamala Harris pledged to establish the Council. Discussion between U.S. officials and the African Diaspora is our primary purpose.
In the 21st century US-Africa connection, the statement stressed the importance of the African Diaspora, which includes African Americans and African immigrants. This society, which includes ancestors of enslaved Black Americans, has long supported Africa and her people, strengthening US-Africa relations.
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The President’s Advisory Council on Engaging the African Diaspora
The White House announced the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement’s composition and selection criteria. This Council, established by Executive Order 14089, has up to 12 Secretary of State-appointed members.
The Council includes respected figures from government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based organisations. Their expertise should help improve US-African cultural, social, political, and economic relations.
Chipper Cash CEO Ham Serunjogi responds
In response to his appointment, African fintech giant co-founder Ham Serunjogi thanked him on social media:
I am honored to be chosen to the Inaugural President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the US by Secretary of State Blinken and 11 other prominent leaders. I’m excited to advise President Biden on subjects like strengthening Africa-US relations, trade and investment, and educational exchanges.
For Serunjogi, representing the African Diaspora in the Biden-Harris administration is a unique opportunity to give back to the country and strengthen ties between the U.S. and African communities, domestically and internationally. He acknowledged the lasting impact of this responsibility and honour and looked forward to working with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Blinken.
Others on Council
The White House has named other Council members, including Delaware’s Silvester Scott Beaman as Chair and Washington, D.C.’s Mimi E. Alemayehou as Member. Rosalind Brewer, Viola Davis, Helene D. Gayle, Patrick Hubert Gaspard, C.D. Glin, Osagie Imasogie, Almaz Negash, Chinenye Joy Ogwumike, and Kevin Young from Washington, D.C. are also on the Council.
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Challenges Ahead
In completing its objective, the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement is expected to face many challenges:
Achieving Balance: African American and African immigrant communities have different demands and goals, making it challenging to balance their interests. Addressing these disparities while uniting is difficult.
Applying Policy Recommendations: Making well-intentioned suggestions into actionable policies is difficult. For the Council’s findings to impact U.S.-Africa ties, officials and agencies must work together.
Meeting Global Changes: The shifting nature of global politics, economy, and interactions is challenging. Global events can dramatically affect U.S.-Africa ties. Thus, the Council must adapt and respond.
Resource Allocation: Educational exchanges and economic progress demand capital and logistics. These must be managed carefully and creatively to maximise impact within budget restrictions and conflicting national goals.