1. Year in Review: The Africa Society in 2013
During the year 2013 The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa was joining together
the delegates, youth, and constituents from across the world, to create a great understanding of
the policies and histories of Africa and Africa itself.
Keep reading and you are going to see a brief overview of the imperative updates and events of
Africa Society.
February 26, 2013- Election Update and New Constitution of Kenya
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs
The U.S. Department of The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, joined up with the
U.S. Department of Sate's Bureau of African Affairs, to sponsor a forum named, "Calling on the
Kenyan Diaspora: Kenya Decision 2013-What Have You Done for Kenya's Tomorrow Today
Campaign". Donald Teitelbaum is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and he
headed the Forum, which was presented at the Department of State on Tuesday, February 26th.
The upcoming Presidential Elections and the Kenyan Diaspora were the topics of debate. The
Kenyan Diaspora's role representatives are, or will play in the long run of Kenya. The chance to
discuss Kenya's U.S. policy, and to figure out exactly what Diaspora reps can and are doing in
order to encourage a peaceful and affluent Kenya is exactly what this exchange offered..
The United States initiatives to help Kenya build "strong intuitions, not individuals", was
outlined by Deputy Assistant Secretary Teitelbaum.The Director of the Office of East Africa
Affairs is Steve Walker, and the "key element for elections" is voter education according to him.
Steve asked guests when it comes to voter/civic education was there any way the Diaspora may
help. The improvement the country has made ever since the elections of 2007 because of the
Kenyan government was praised by Deputy Assistant Secretary Teitelbaum. Lots of participants
displayed their optimism concerning an outcome that is peaceful, and asked for the people of
Kenya to get assistance from the courts rather than street violence to get justice.
Steve Walker, Director of East Africa Affairs, and Bernadette Paolo, President and CEO, of The
Africa Society
Reception Honoring Ambassador Johnnie Carson-February 26, 2013
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ambassador is Johnnie Carson and The
Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa organized a reception for him. The honorary
host of the function was congresswoman Karen Bass, who is actually Ranking Member of the
Africa Subcommittee. Dignitaries like Members of Congress such as Chair of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee Rep Ed Royce, along with Representatives Keith Ellison, Gregory Meeks,
and Charlie Rangel filled up the reception with statements that were complimentary. Several
African Ambassadors from the Diplomatic Corps, the Special Assistant to the President Johnny
Isakson, and the Senior Director for African Affairs on the staff for the National Security showed

2. up at the event. Later on Ambassador Johnnie Carson gave a speech to show his admiration and
was presented with an achievement award.
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson
Assistant Secretary Carson with Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman, House Foreign Affairs
Committee
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson with Grant T. Harris, Special Assistant to the President and
Senior Director for African Affairs
Congresswoman Karen Bass
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson and Congresswoman Karen Bass with Representatives of the
African Diplomatic Corps
Discussion with African Poets and Writers (MaazaMengiste) - March 21, 2013
As part of the partnership of the Conversation with African Poets and Writers program, an author
by the name Ms. MaazaMengiste was hosted by The Africa Society of the National Summit on
Africa in conjuction with the Africa and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress.
The Library of Congress, Middle Eastern Division reading room was where the function
happened. Betrayal, loyalty, and the trials and tribulations of a father and 2 sons who are dealing
with the aftermath of the Ethiopian revolution is what Ms. Mengiste's brand new book called
"Beneath the Lions Gaze" is all about, which she read some excerpts from. The book is based on
a true story of the unsightly situation her family experienced during the actual revolution in
Ethiopia in the year 1974. Additionally, Ms. Mengiste discussed a project she has coming up,
which is a brand-new book on what happened during the revolution through the eyes of ladies
living in Ethiopia in the war..
Ms. MaazaMengiste
Conversation with African Poets and Writers Series (OmekongoDibinga)-April 2, 2013
OmekongoDibinga is a Poet/Spoken word artist who was hosted by the Africa Society along
with the Africa and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress, which was a part of the
Conversation with African Writers and Poets program. On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 the event
happened at the Library of Congress. A few spoken word pieces Mr. Dibinga authored himself
were performed by him, and then he briefly discussed the initiatives he had went on and his
career choice. What he spent a little more time talking about was the conflict minerals in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and the way they're associated with the United States' cell phone
utilization. One of OmekongoDibinga's many published literatures is called "Up stander's Guide
to an Outstanding Life", which is his most recent one. Inside the book, Mr. Dibinga discusses 7
steps that each and every activist needs to follow to achieve greatness.
Mr. OmekongoDibinga

3. Americas-Africa Business Forum: New Commercial Partnerships for Economic Growth-April
16, 2013
The Organization of American States (OAS), along with the government of Trinidad and
Tobago, organized the "Americas-Africa Business Forum: New Commercial Partnership for
Economic Growth," on April 18, in Washington, DC.
The Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin; the Secretary General of the
Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa, SindosoNgwenya, and the Secretary General
of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza inaugurated the event. African and American diplomats,
officials, and entrepreneurs were in attendance, and several of them included the Prime Minister
of Haiti, Laurent Lamothe; the Minister of Finance of Panama, Frank De Lima; the Prime
Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, KamlaPersad-Bissessar; the Minister of Finance of
Mozambique, Manuel Chang.
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, KamlaPersad-Bissessar and the Secretary General
of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza
Africa Society’s Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series Paid tribute to Chinua Achebe,
Featuring Professor Ali Mazrui on April 25, 2013 at the Embassy of Federal Republic of Nigeria
The late Chinua-Achebe is the most recognized African writer, and was memorialized by
Professor Ali Mazrui, who's yet another famous African author, on April 25th on Thursday
evening, at the Embassy of Federal Republic of Nigeria in Washington, DC. The Nigerian born
Cinua Achebe made great contributions, which were also showcased by his excellency Dr.
AdebowaleAdefuye, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Dr. JohnnettaBetsch
Cole, Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African art.
On behalf of the Board of Directors remarks were given by Dr. Leroy P. Gross, M.D, M.P.H.,
President and CEO of Inomed Inc., and Africa Society Board Member. The Africa Society's
President & CEO Bernadette B. Paolo, Esq., was the Mistress of Ceremony. Ms. Anna
Mwalagho (a Kenya born writer and poet) was also included in the tribute, which Chevron
sponsored..
Left: Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Director of the National African Art Museum with Professor Ali
Mazrui
Professor Mazrui with Bernadette B. Paolo, Esq. President & CEO, The Africa Society
Ambassador Dr. AdebowaleAdefuye, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria
Inaugural Meeting of The Africa Society Youth Committee- May 16, 2013
The Inaugural Meeting of The Africa Society Youth Committee was held by The Africa Society
of the National Summit on Africa, on a Thursday, May 16th, 2013. Introducing the newly

4. developed Youth Advisory Committee, and also offering a networking platform for young
African professionals was the objective of the Chevron sponsored affair called "Empowering
Youth for Africa's Future". Speaking to leadership of The Africa Society on essential issues is
the mission of this Committee, and these issues include things like programming and community
relations, planning, and also to engage youthful professionals in Africa-related activities and
policies.
The Ambassador to the United States of America from the Republic of Benin, CyrilleOguin;
Assistant Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for West Africa-Office of Public Diplomacy and
Public Affairs, Mr. David Gilmore; and Assistant Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for West
Africa Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, United States Department of State,
Bureau of African Affairs, Ms. Jaclyn Cole Adkins were some of the special speakers who spoke
in this function..
The Africa Society's President & CEO, Bernadette Paolo in the news, gave the opening
comments. A review of the purpose of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was later supplied
by Morgan McClain, Private Capital Group for Africa, Program Analyst, Chika Umeadi and
USAID, Chikablogs.com.
Right after the special attendees for the evening provided their thoughts and experiences,
numerous questions and answers followed. Overall, it was a program that many people attended,
and accomplished goals.
Bernadette Paolo, Esq. President & CEO, The Africa Society
Mr. David Gilmore, Director, Office of Public Affairs and Diplomacy & Jaclyn Cole Adkins,
Assistant Public Diplomacy Desk officer for West Africa, U.S. Department of State
Mr. David Gilmore, Ms. Jaclyn Cole Adkins, His Excellency CyrilleOguin, Ambassador to the
United States from the Republic of Benin and Ms. Bernadette Paolo