I am extremely pleased to present the Final Report of the 2009 Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series that was held September 18-26, 2009 in Washington, D.C. The Ronald H. Brown (RHB) African Affairs Series is planned and organized by the Constituency for Africa (CFA) each year in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Annual Legislative Conference. The purpose of the Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series is to: (1) educate, inform and engage the American public on critical challenges, issues and concerns facing Africa; (2) help link Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and their staff to African challenges, issues and concerns; and (3) promote a pro-active and sustainable U.S.-Africa foreign policy agenda.
This year, the Constituency for Africa (CFA) partnered again with the Washington Office of the African Union (AU) to organize and present the Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series. The 2009 RHB Series focused on how the African Diaspora can participate and support the African Union’s Sixth Region initiative. Accordingly, this year’s theme was entitled “Issues, Opportunities and Strategies for Building a Constituency for Africa in the United States.” The Co-Chairpersons named for this year’s RHB Series were Ambassador Amina Salum Ali, the African Union’s Permanent Representative to the United States and Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (D-CA).
The Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series, named after the late Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown, acknowledges the significant contributions he made for forging U.S. ties with Africa. Mr. Ron Brown opened doors to the recognition of the importance of a U.S.-Africa relationship, highlighting trade and investment opportunities, and traveling to Africa and supporting organizations seeking to educate, advocate and build strategic ties with Africa. Both Americans and Africans owe a deep debt of gratitude for his visionary efforts.

On a sad note, this year marked the passing of the Constituency for Africa’s Vice Chairman, the Honorable Jack F. Kemp in May 2009. CFA wishes to sustain his legacy of trade and investment opportunities between America and Africa in naming the annual trade and investment roundtable held during each RHB Series in his honor.

CFA is a 501(c)3 non-partisan organization and its Board of Directors reflect some of the most respected voices on African affairs. For more than nineteen years, CFA has worked tirelessly to educate Americans about critical challenges affecting Africa, and to encourage a strong public and private partnerships that address issues and concerns on the continent. The United States has a tremendous opportunity to strengthen U.S. partnerships with Africa and CFA seeks to encourage the Obama administration to build upon the substantive progress made during the eight years of the Bush administration in formulating and executing a robust U.S. foreign policy towards Africa.

express my sincere appreciation to CFA’s strategic partners and sponsors in helping to make this year’s Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series a tremendous success. We truly hope that our mission merits your continued support and financial assistance in years to come!

Melvin P. Foote
President & CEO

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.

Stan Straughter (CFA Board Member), Greg Simpkins (VP Sullivan Foundation), Mel Foote (CFA President & CEO), Jeannine B. Scott (Sr VP Africare and AAUC Coordinator), Ambassador Johnnie Carson (Assistant Secretary for African Affairs), Dr. Gwen Mikell (Georgetown University), and Dr. Badi Foster (President, Phelps Stokes Foundation)

On June 23, 2009, the Constituency for Africa (CFA) and the African American Unity Caucus (AAUC) hosted a policy briefing with the new Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson. Please click on the link below for the CFA/AAUC Statement Regarding the Event.

CFA/AAUC Policy Briefing with Ambassador Carson

Please click on the link below for the remarks of Dr. Gwendolyn Mikell of Georgetown University in response to Ambassador Carson’s comments at the policy briefing.

Response by Dr. Gwendolyn Mikell of Georgetown University

Jack Kemp

On May 2, 2009, the Constituency for Africa’s Vice Chair, Jack Kemp, passed away after a battle with cancer. Mr. Kemp was an accomplished leader and very involved in African affairs. He also served on CFA’s Board of Directors for nearly 20 years. Please click on the link below to the read the statement from CFA’s Board of Directors

CFA Statement on Passing Away of Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp with the CFA Board members

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

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