Constituency for Africa Convenes Discussion on Increasing Black Peace Corps Volunteers

The Constituency for Africa (CFA)
The Constituency for Africa (CFA) presents the Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series on September 14, 2021 from 10am to 12noon EST.
16 August 2021
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Constituency for Africa (Washington, DC)

The Constituency for Africa (CFA) presents the Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series on September 14, 2021 from 10am to 12noon EST. The virtual event is themed 'Strategies for Increasing African-American Inclusion in the Peace Corps and International Careers'.

The discussion will cover the history and methods to addressing diversity and inclusion, and it's constraints; the role Peace Corps and other international experiences impacted successful careers; and, strategies recommended to progress in an international career.

CFA's President, Melvin Foote, who served in the Peace Corps in the early 70s in Eritrea and Ethiopia, outlined the purpose for this forum.  Said Foote, "It is widely known that the best way to access Foreign Service careers in the State Department, USAID and with other U.S. government agencies implementing the foreign policy agenda, is by having served in the Peace Corps.  Unfortunately, the numbers of African-Americans serving in the Peace Corps has always been extremely low.  Thus by organizing this forum, CFA is attempting to build a community of Blacks who served in the Peace Corps in order to have impact on U.S. policies in Africa, in the Caribbean and elsewhere around the world, and to form a support base for African-Americans who are serving, and to encourage other young people to consider going into the Peace Corps".

The event is pleased to welcome U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, delivering opening remarks. In addition, presenting special remarks from the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer community will include Aaron S. Williams, Former Director of the U. S. Peace Corps, Senior Advisor, Emeritus / International Development and Government Relations, RTI International, and Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the U. S. Department of State.

The program will also honor international service before the founding of the Peace Corps with a special 'Salute To Operations Crossroads Africa And The Role It Played As A Precursor To The Formation Of Peace Corps.' Rev. Jonathan Weaver, Pastor at Greater Mt Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church and Founder & President, Pan African Collective, will deliver the presentation.

There will be a panel discussion on 'Building a Community of Black RPCV: Recruitment, Challenges, and Opportunities'. The panelists include Dr. Howard Dodson, Sia Barbara Kamara, Hermence Matsotsa-Cross, and Marieme Foote, all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

Other remarks will be delivered by Melvin Foote, the Founder and CEO of Constituency for Africa; Glenn Blumhorst, President & CEO of the National Peace Corps Association; Dr. Darlene Grant, Senior Advisor to National Peace Corps Director; and Eldridge (Skip) Gilbert. The moderator for the program will be Dr. Anthony (Tony) Pinder.

To participate in the free virtual event, please register at https://bit.ly/CFA_BPCV_2021.

Follow the conversation using the hashtag #CfaBpcv2021.

For more information, please contact Clintandra Thompson, czt@hotmail.com.

ABOUT CONSTITUENCY FOR AFRICA

The Constituency for Africa was founded in 1990 in Washington, DC, when a group of concerned Africanists, interested citizens and Africa-focused organizations developed a strategy to build organized support for Africa in the United States. CFA was charged with educating the U.S. public about Africa and U.S. policy on Africa; mobilizing an activist Constituency for Africa; and fostering cooperation among a broad-based coalition of American, African and international organizations, and individuals committed to the progress and empowerment of Africa and African people.

CFA also founded and sponsors the annual Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series which is held in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Legislative Week each September. The series honors the late U.S. Commerce Secretary for his exemplary accomplishments in building strategic political, economic and cultural linkages between the United States and Africa. More than 1,000 concerned individuals and organizational representatives attend each year, in order to gain valuable information and build strategic linkages to tackle African and American challenges, issues and concerns.

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