Constituency for Africa

STANLEY L. STRAUGHTER ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CONSTITUENCY FOR AFRICA

October 6, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Stanley L. Straughter was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Constituency for Africa (CFA) at the conclusion of CFA’s 2009 Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series in Washington, D.C.  He graciously accepted this position and stated that he is extremely proud to follow in the footsteps of Congressman Ronald V. Dellums, Mayor David N. Dinkins and Ambassador Andrew Young respectively.  Mr. Straughter had previously served as CFA’s Treasurer and brings to CFA a stellar background in legislative affairs, financial management, and non-profit fundraising as well as civic responsibility.  He is affiliated with Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio and Associates, (TCBA), the largest African-American owned accounting firm in the United States.  He is also a Special Advisor to both the Opportunities Industrialization Centers, International (OICI) and the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH) and has more than thirty years experience in international development.

Chairman Straughter has lived and worked in many countries on the continents of Africa, Central Asia, the Caribbean and Russia.  As a finance specialist, he has provided services to foreign governments in governance and transparency by working with finance ministers and provided advice and counsel to governments on trade policy and foreign direct investments.  He speaks French and has considerable working experience with bi-lateral and multi-lateral financial development entities such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), African Development Bank (AfDB), African Development Foundation (ADF), Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotion Services (ECIPS), U.S. Trade and Development Administration (TDA), the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

He is actively involved with many international organizations and in particular is the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Guinea.  He was also appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia to Chair the Mayor’s Commission for African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and is a Founding Member of the Jamaican Trade Council of Greater Philadelphia.  He is also a Board Member of the Global Interdependence Center.  He frequently serves as a Senior Advisor and Consultant to both large and small organizations within the public and private sectors as well as non-profit entities.  He is also the immediate past Coordinator of the African American Unity Caucus (AAUC).

The Constituency for Africa is a 19-year old non-profit 501(c)3 advocacy organization whose vision is to create an educated U.S. public that is well informed about Africa and U.S. policy toward Africa.  CFA’s mission is to mobilize and foster increased cooperation and coordination among a broad-based coalition of American, African and international organizations and individuals committed to the progress and empowerment of Africa and African people.  Melvin P. Foote is the President and CEO of the Constituency for Africa and for more information about CFA, please visit our website at www.cfanet.org.

On April 29, 2009, Johnnie Carson, the Obama Administration’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ambassador Carson has a long and distinguished record of foreign service and public service.

Ambassador Carson served as the National Intelligence Officer for Africa on the National Intelligence Council. And he has held ambassadorships to Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. In addition, he was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Drake University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies at the University of London.

Please click on the link below to read Ambassador Carson’s remarks before the committee.

Ambassador Johnnie Carson’s Confirmation Hearing Remarks

CFA President Foote in Nigeria

President Foote in Egbedore Village in Nigeria

The President of the Constituency for Africa, Melvin P. Foote, recently gave an Inaugural lecture in Nigeria entitled, “Prospects for Africa with Barack Obama as the African President”. Please click here to read the entire lecture:

CFA President’s Inaugural Lecture in Nigeria

Constituency for Africa (CFA) Board Member, Dr. Chinua Akukwe, recently published an intriguing article called, “Obama Administration and Africa: Great Expectations, Practical Realities. Please click below to read the entire article.

http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3295.cfm