African Diaspora Network

The African Diaspora network or ADN is a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit organization founded in 2010 to mobilize the intellectual, financial, and social capital of Africans and friends of Africa.[1] Based in Santa Clara, California, ADN convenes diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists to advance sustainable development across Africa and within Black communities.[1] Its largest programs include the African Diaspora Investment Symposium[2] (ADIS), Builders of Africa's Future,[3] and Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE).[4]

Almaz Negash is the founder of the African Diaspora Network (ADN).[5] She was appointed as one of the 12 founding members of President Biden's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States.[6]. Almaz Negash supports efforts to connect and empower Africans. [5]

Programs and initiatives

The African Diaspora Network is involved in organizing the African Diaspora Investment Symposium[7] or ADIS, which is a forum for advancing diaspora-driven development. Hosted in Silicon Valley and Washington DC, the symposium[8] highlights the creativity and entrepreneurial energy of Africans in the diaspora and their partners all over the world.

The African Diaspora Network has helped startups in healthcare, education, energy, and agriculture. [9]Since its launching, the program has supported African enterprises by offering business development training, mentorship, and access to networks.[10]

The ADN has launched its third group of participants in the Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) program.[11] This program is designed to strengthen Black-owned businesses, deliver mentorship, training, and networking support across the United States, aiming to promote economic empowerment and entrepreneurial growth. The latest cohort features ventures spanning diverse industries, including education, healthcare, finance, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.

The African Diaspora Innovation Fund is a program for innovation in Africa.[12][13] It is a collaboration between the ADN and Myriad USA, combining diaspora leadership with philanthropic expertise.[14] Entrepreneurs can receive up to $25,000 in funding to scale their solutions, it mostly addresses poverty alleviation, civic participation, education, healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.[15]

In 2024, this organization conducted the All-African Diaspora Education Summit in Ghana for students and brought in American educators.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Mission and Vision - African Diaspora Network". 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  2. ^ "African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS25)". GDC. 2025-04-18. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  3. ^ "Builders of Africa's Future (BAF) 2025 - ADN Enterprise Accelerator Application Portal". africandiaspora.smapply.io. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  4. ^ "Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship". 2025-01-14. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  5. ^ a b "Almaz Negash". African Diaspora Network. 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  6. ^ "Inaugural Members of the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  7. ^ "What is ADIS? - African Diaspora Network". 2020-02-24. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  8. ^ "Definition of Symposium". www.merriam-webster.com. 2025-11-12. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  9. ^ "Builders of Africa's Future – Overview - African Diaspora Network". 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  10. ^ "African Diaspora Network Elevates Ten Early Stage African Entrepreneurs with the Sixth Annual Builders of Africa's Future Award". www.prweb.com. African Diaspora Network. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  11. ^ Josep, Blessing (September 8, 2023). "ADN Unveils 11 African Entrepreneurs joining its third cohort of Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship program". MSME Africa.
  12. ^ "African Diaspora Innovation Fund (AfDIF) - African Diaspora Network". 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  13. ^ Ifeanyi, Gift (2025-06-04). "New Diaspora Innovation Fund to Award African Entrepreneurs up to $25,000 - naijapreneur™". Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  14. ^ "How Proximate and African Diaspora-Led Funds Are Transforming Global Philanthropy". Myriad USA. 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  15. ^ Adeyanju, Segun (2025-07-02). "African Diaspora Fund Offers $25k to Entrepreneurs". Entrepreneurng.com. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  16. ^ "300+ Educators Journey Back to Ghana for 2nd Biennial All-African Diaspora Educators Summit". a2mend.net. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  17. ^ admin (2025-11-16). "Economic Empowerment - African Diaspora Initiative". Retrieved 2025-11-24.
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