Odunde 2021: Focus on Business

Leaders from throughout the African Diaspora will participate in the 2021 Odunde Festival, to discuss business and the preservation of the cultures of the Global African Diaspora. Odunde, which means “Happy New Year” in the Yoruba language, was founded 46 years ago by Iya Lois Fernandez, who transitioned in 2017. Due to the continuing pandemic, all festival activities will be virtual as they were in 2020.
Odunde will present two business roundtables as it does each year: The African Business Roundtable and the Caribbean Business Roundtable. Unknown to many, Philadelphia has a long and productive trade relationship with Africa. It is estimated that trade from African countries to the Philadelphia ports is in excess of $10 billion annually. As always, the focus of the roundtables is on developing a global African marketplace through international trade within the Global African Diaspora.
The African Business Roundtable, scheduled for 3:00 PM, Friday, June 11, will introduce you to the many trades and investment opportunities in the West African countries of Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Sudan. Moderated by former US Ambassador to Nigeria Dr. Robin R. Sanders, the panel of distinguished guests includes Ambassador Mahamadou Nimaga of Mali, Ambassador Sidique Abor-Barr Wai of Sierra Leone, Ambassador Inza Camara of Ivory Coast, and Elsidieg Abashera, a Philadelphia-based Sudanese economist. Akunna Cook, the US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs is the keynote speaker.
The Caribbean Business Roundtable, scheduled for Noon, Saturday, June 12, will focus on trade opportunities with Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Grenada. It will be moderated by Donahue Bailey, Pennsylvania chair of the Jamaican Diaspora Northeast United States Region. Panelists include Ambassador Dr. Thelma Phillip-Browne of St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada Ambassador Dr. Denis Antoine, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, and Shane Angus, Manager of Knowledge Services for Jamaica Promotions Corporation.
All programs will be live-streamed on Facebook @odundefestival and YouTube @odundefestival. For more information call, 267-320-4364 or email odundefestival@gmail.com.
B. PHL Innovation Fest Content Submission
Deadline Extended
The B. PHL Innovation Fest is an annual three-day innovation event that promotes Philadelphia as a place to live and work and works to create meaningful connections locally and globally between people and organizations doing innovative work. The fest will take place from Wednesday, September 29 to Friday, October 1, 2021, and will include both virtual and in-person events. The deadline to submit content proposals has been extended to 12 midnight, Sunday, June 6. This is a great way to promote your new business idea, program, or organization.
The B. PHL Fest 2021 theme is “Rising Through Collaboration.” Tracks include Collaboration & Partnerships, Diversity & Perspectives, and Rebound & Growth. The fest features content presentations from a diverse array of leaders, influencers, and change-makers in business, science, engineering, non-profits, entertainment, and more. Organizers are looking for content that will highlight how working together will invite, inspire and motivate attendees to collaborate to innovate, ignite action, push conventional thinking aside and approach issues in new ways. Presentations can include an individual or group participating in panels, workshops, exhibits, fireside chats, lightning talks, podcasts, social events, and performances. For more details and to submit your event application visit https://www.bphlfest.com/event/a0063279-7aa6-42ae-9ccc-712577ada0f9/websitePage:23fcecb8-5d62-47bb-9a78-1fe2f323c82d.