Event Speakers
& Panelists
Get ready to be inspired! These trailblazers are lighting up the stage with powerful stories, game-changing insights, and a shared passion for Africa's global rise.
Prof. Aliko Songolo
Professor & Chairman of the All African Convention 2026
Hon. Samia Yaba Nkrumah
Ghanaian Politician & Founder of Kwame Nkrumah Foundation
Colin Redd
Director of Sales, Bay State Banner
Dr. Richard L. O'Bryant, PhD
Chief Belonging Officer & Director, Northeastern University
Dr. Tony Menelik Van Der Meer
Professor Africana Studies Department, University of Massachusetts
Prof. Nana James Small
Renowned activist scholar, Lecturer, and organizational consultant
Mr. Wilfred N. Mbah
City Councilman of Somerville
Hon. Will Onuoha
Executive Director for Fair Housing and Equity (Boston Mayor's Office)
Mr. Emmanuel Kulu Jr.
African Historian / Author / Founder AAARIA
Mr. Rowan Philp
Founder Ultrasound Consultants International
Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju‑Smart
Senior Presidential Advisor & Public‑Policy Leader
Dr. Osho Asishana
Cardiac Surgeon / Heart and lung transplant surgeon / Health Services Researcher, Harvard Medical School, MGH
Andre Stark
Emmy-Winning Writer & Producer, Multi-media Mogul, Associate Publisher at The Bay State Banner
Prof. Lee Makowski
Professor & Co-Founder Ghana Northeastern Innovation Initiative
Marc Alain Boucicault
Founder of Banj — Innovation Leader in Haiti
Dr. Soul Brown
Researcher, Writer & Advocate
Louis Elisa, II
Government Executive & Civil Emergency Planning Leader
Nichelle N. Purvis-Donnell
Executive Director, Neighborhood Network Center | Community Advocate | Civic Leader
Mr. Pious Ali
City Councilor of Portland, Maine | Community Builder & National Voice for Immigrant Leadership
Kobina DeGraft Johnson
Entrepreneur / Media Consultant / Ghanaian filmmaker, Founder of Anibok Studios
Alex Cheung
Director at Venture Café Cambridge — Empowering Founders, Growing Ecosystems, Sparking Serendipity
Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson
President of Roxbury Community College
DR. Rita Kiki Edozie
Professor of Global Governance / Political Scientist / Economist / Author
Kolawole Elisah Akinmuyiwa
Reality, Media and Marketing
Ms. Mireille Tushiminina
Founder African Festivals of Boston / Expert in Conflict Resolution, Gender Issues, Governance and Business Strategist / Philanthropist
Dr. Ishmael Kwawununu
Security & Emergency Management Specialist | Homeland Security Scholar | Diaspora Thought Leader
Joyce Dodzi Larnyoh
International Education Consultant | Country Director | Inclusive Education Specialist | International Trainer
Dr. Josh Nwozor
Vice President of NABA Boston Chapter / Lecturer, Bentley University
Dr. James R. Whitley
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Rev. Kevin Peterson
Founder New Democracy Coalition / Reconciliation Project / Chair Boston People's Reparations Commission
Dr. Teguo Daniel Djoyum
Neurophysiologist & Health Innovator
Chief Ambrose Ojimba of Uli
Traditional Leader & Advocate for Community Development
Dr. Chidi C. Achebe
Physician Executive / CEO African Integrated Development Enterprise (AIDE)
Dr. Boris Houenou
Economist | Investor | Entrepreneur | Author
Very Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso
Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana
Mr. Judson Wendell Addy
APSS Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Bro. Joel Mackall
Award-Winning Educator & Project Developer, Author, Photographer and Designer
Bishop Johnny Riley Jr.
Global Advocate | Faith Leader | Community Strategist
Lynneese Duckwiley
Educator and Visionary — Bes & Beset Leland Jackson Foundation Inc
Mr. Nehme Gerges Melhem
President & Group Executive Chairman
Ishmael Shaheed
Chess for Change Community Organizer & Author
Olakunle Jaiyesimi
Biomedical Scientist, Metabolomist, Pharmacist, Entrepreneur
Mr. Godwin Nnanna
Journalist, Community Organizer, Communications Consultant
Brother Jeffrey
Director and Supervisor, Torchlight Community Engagement and Outreach
Imam Abdulqadir Farah
Imam of Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center
Mr. Edosa Osemwegie
Founder of DiasporaMass / Cultural Strategist / Community Advocate / Creative Visionary
Kwasi Addo-Yobo
Ghanaian Diplomat, Attorney, Founder Bridges of Justice
Dr. Samsel Kenston
Physician / Biomedical Scientist / Public Health Leader / Educator
Hon. Ken Asafo-Adjei
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Ghana in Worcester, Massachusetts — Public Servant | Governance Advocate | Distinguished Speaker
Minister Randy Muhammad
The Nation of Islam Muhammad Mosque No.11 — Founder and Executive Director of Torch Light Recovery Inc.
Mr. Maceo Crowder
Professional Athlete Boxer / Personal Trainer / Entrepreneur / Community Leader
Mr. Michael Aflakpui
Health Care Entrepreneur & Biotech Scientist
Mr. Grayton Madzinga
Head of Africa and Diaspora Investment Initiatives, 17 Asset Management
Enoch N. Allotey
Attorney | Health Technology Strategist | Policy & Innovation Leader
Dr. Hayden Frederick-Clarke
Founder & CEO, BlackPrint Education Consulting
Ms. Florence Dennis
CEO | Entrepreneur | Philanthropist
Bernard Bulwer
Cardiovascular Ultrasound Expert | Author & Researcher | Global Health Educator
Br. Abdullah Adil Fernandes
Entrepreneur | CEO Cvworld.global | Islamic Dawa
Kadia Ouellette, M.Eng., M.Sc.
Founder & Principal, Trust Life Sciences
Harry Akligoh
Biomedical Scientist | Entrepreneur | PhD Candidate Northeastern University
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