An Afternoon of Credit Union and Cooperative Economics

Boston – November 24th 2018 – 9am
London – November 24th 2018 – 2pm

London-based Afrikan Cooperative Union Credit Study Group led by Adotey Adotey Bing-Pappoe organized a teleconference discussion on credit unions and cooperative economics. The event took place at 336 Brixton Road in London SW9 7AA, UK. The guest speakers were Voury Ignegongba, AiB President, Shiranti Goonathilkaka, Director of Engagement and Experience at Village Financial Cooperative and H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihomobori-Quao, African Union Ambassador to the United States. The guest speakers made their presentation via a zoom link channel from their respective location: Boston, MA, Minneapolis, MN and Washington,DC. Mr. Ignegongba highlighted the New England Diaspora Credit Union model and its potential to empower an ecosystem of businesses in New England known as the Book of Lists. Ms. Goonathilkaka explained the Village Financial Cooperative model and its impacts on small loans and in intra-communities in Minneapolis.
Mr. Adotey Bing-Pappoe presented the ACU credit Union initiative and its strategy for growth in London and the UK. And finally, H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao talked about the importance of unity and gaining control of their financial destiny for Africans and presented the concept of the Diaspora Savings and Investments Account as a vehicle to build “Wakanda” zones on the Africa continent. The event ended with a Q&A session during which speakers entertained and addressed questions and comments.

The discussion opened up a number of possible avenues to explore in pushing the boundaries of African economic, political, cultural and psychological progress.

 

Timeline of Events – October 2018

TIMELINE of EVENTS OCTOBER 2018

The weeks since Africans in Boston hosted a conference call with African diaspora, on 10/10/2018 to discuss strategies for a grass root community mobilization towards the creation of a Diaspora Credit Union, significant steps have been taken to implement some recommendations made as seen in this timeline of events.

  • Past:

1.1 Thursday 10.11.2018

Proposed Road Map for Diaspora Credit Union published by Mr. Voury Ignegongba (President of Africans in Boston)   and Ms. Vivian Birchall (Executive Director of Africans in Boston) and uploaded on the Africans in Boston website as a public reference ( www.africansinboston.org/diaspora-credit-union).

Proposed Road Map sent to the African Union Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao

1.2 Friday 10.12.2018

African Union Diaspora Sixth Region General Conference Charter was received by Africans in Boston from the African Union Mission to the United States.

1.3 Saturday 10.13.2018

Proposed Road Map sent via email and other digital tools ( WhatsApp, Facebook Group page, AiB website etc …) to members of the Diaspora in New England.

2.0 Upcoming

2.1 Sunday 11.04.2018

African Diaspora are invited to a Meet & Greet in Newton Centre

AiB Ambassadors  have been assigned to answer questions and note/register suggestions. This is an opportunity to create informal in-person relationships.
Contact Voury Ignegongba ( v.ignegongba@africansinboston.org) or Vivian Birchall ( v.birchall@africansinboston.org) for location and time details.

AiB ambassadors are: Jeff Siaw, Ethel Kawesa, David Nnyanzi, Wilson Balinda, Ciro Njinyah, Levi Kedowide, Alex Inyagwa, Teye Adusu

2.2 November 17, 2018

Meeting to build team and brainstorm way forward

Time: 5pm – 8pm

Venue: Boston College

Auditorium Room: Cushing 001

235 Beacon Street, Cushing Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467


Agenda
:

  1. AiB Management structure: Board, Event Officer, IT Officer, Website Officer , Finance Officer, Marketing Officer, Communications Officer, Social Media Officer, Ambassadors
  2. Diaspora Credit Union management structure: Managing Director, Board, 5 Project managers, consultants, and regular meeting to move agenda forward and grow Diaspora Savings and Investments Account.

 

 

 

Roadmap for the creation of a Diaspora Credit Union

Road map for the creation of an African diaspora credit union

 

  1. Background:

                                          

Recognizing that financial institutions are one of the most heavily regulated institutions in the United States, Africans in Boston has taken a leap of faith and committed to steering the process for the creation of the first Diaspora Credit Union in New England.

This began when African Union Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, reached out to Africans in Boston, in August 2018, and requested the organization to mobilize and convene Africans in the New England area, for the creation of a Diaspora credit union, which would be a significant contribution to the United States economy, and at the same time serve specific financial needs of the African diaspora members in the region.

This process for creating the credit union was launched at a public meeting with the H.E Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, held on September 6, 2018 at Boston University. In that meeting, she urged the African Diaspora to leverage their numbers to create a financial entity that would cater to the needs of the African Diaspora, and at the same time become a platform for investment on the continent of Africa.

This meeting was attended by over 50 African diaspora members, who expressed eagerness and enthusiasm to be a part of this project.

Following the launch, Africans in Boston held consultative meetings with H.E Amb Chihombori-Quao, Financial and banking experts, and groups of African Diaspora members who have been mobilizing funds for the creation of different financial initiatives, both formal and informal (social support). These meetings were aimed at understanding the banking sector, financial regulations, and identifying ways to integrate existing financial initiatives into one process for creating a single Diaspora Credit Union. The AiB  team also embarked on a grassroot campaign to raise awareness of the process in the community. This consultative process increased enthusiasm and questions among Africans in the diaspora and was the foundation for the public Conference call held on October 10, 2018.

 

  1. Africans in Boston Conference Call, October 10, 2018 at 7:30am-10:30am

This call was advertised on the various social media that AiB uses for most of its  communication, including the AiB website, facebook, What’sApp groups, to provide an opportunity for African diaspora members to participate in this grassroot initiative.  It was moderated by Voury Ignegongba (AiB President) and Vivian Birchall (AiB Executive Director).  Other people in attendance included Jeff Siaw, former AiB Executive Director, Mountaga Sar (President, Senegalese Organization of Massachusetts); Kobena Bonney (President, Ghana Association of Greater Boston), Dapo Olagbaju, Caroline Okello (CEO-Alpha Gold Africa- Digital Financial Management Services), David Mwai Ndegwa (Sahara Group and ADIG), Fatmata Jah, Ciro Njinyah, Alex Inyagwa, Salma Semakula, Honorable Will Mbah, City of Somerville Councilor , Aliya Seck (VP Senegalese Organization of Massachusetts), Libeyo Futila Matita, David Nnyanzi, Mthambuza (South Africa),  Ulrich Dossou and afew others whose names we did not capture.

All African diaspora members were urged to send their company and organizational details, profiles and events to the AiB team, to be uploaded on the Africans in Boston website, to create a data base, book of list, and central location for broadcasting African programs, initiatives and businesses.

 

  1. Proposed Diaspora Credit Union road map by Voury Ignegongba

The goal for the credit union project is to start in New England and replicate the model in other states in the USA and the rest of the World. A similar process is starting the United Kingdom and Africans in Boston is having conversations with partners in South Africa who have expressed interest in starting one in their community.

 

Phase 1: Mobilization and awareness

Phase 2: Contributions and board creation

Phase 3: Research

Phase 4: Diaspora credit union implementation or Bank acquisition

 

  1. Options for creating accounts- proposed and discussed 
  • PayPal account through AiB  –   https://www.africansinboston.org/diaspora-credit-union
  • Diaspora Savings & Investments Account with One United Bank (pending negotiation). With this option, a project manager would be assigned by the Bank, to meet and answer questions that the public might have. The goal is for diaspora members to open sub-accounts under this account with a code

 

  1. Concerns and Way Forward
  • It was unanimously agreed that the legality of the process should take precedence over all other things, to protect all involved from getting in trouble with the law, in this heavily regulated sector
  • It was unanimously agreed that the benefits of a credit union outweigh any possible negatives and all meeting participants expressed willingness to work with AiB to realize the dream for an African diaspora credit union.
  • It was discussed and agreed that AiB needs to provide a clear structure and communication that will be used in the grass root campaign for getting African diaspora involved
  • It was discussed and agreed to establish a Board of qualified and vetted individuals to provide oversight of the process for creating the credit union
  • It was discussed and agreed that this process would need critical mass to create the new financial entity, and all community leaders and individuals were requested to use their platforms to mobilize the African Diaspora.
  • Africans in Boston will continue working with Mr. David Ndegwa, whose group ( Sahara-ADIG) has already carried out research on the legal structure for creating a financial entity in the USA, to integrate that process into the main framework.
  • Some expressed concern about using the AiB’s Paypal account to collect individual contributions, and favored using an established financial entity/bank for that process. However, some also pointed out the possible inconvenience of opening accounts that did not have adequate branches through out New England. AiB will report on the next course of Action, after consultation with relevant people.
  • Participants were invited to join the AiB team as volunteers to work toward improving the AiB platform.
  • Jeff Siaw and Mr. Ciro Njinyah volunteered to help with the Credit Union initiative as needed.

 

Vivian Birchall  ( AiB Executive Director) and Voury Ignegongba ( AiB President) 

10/11/2018

 

 

 

2018 Diaspora Global Health Catalyst Summit at Harvard Medical School

 

Africans in Boston actively participated in the recently concluded Global Health Summit. The president of the organization, Voury Ignegongba, and members of the management team, Jeff Siaw ( AiB Executive Director) and Vivian Birchall ( AiB Public Relations Manager), were speakers at the Summit.

Voury and Vivian were panelists at the “Diaspora United & Turning brain drain to global health gain,” also called the “Wakanda” Panel.  The panel concentrated on exploring and promoting the widespread science and technology innovation initiatives among the African diaspora community that aim to advance transnational communication and circulation of knowledge and resources

Jeff, the Executive Director, was part of Sunday’s panel, at which he discussed the role of the youth in the Diaspora. He shared with the audience the various strategies Africans in Boston is implementing to engage today’s youth in the Diaspora and how youth can still make an impact even though they are outside the shores of the continent. Through the 30 plus college initiative and signature events, “Hakuna Sunday” and “ADnet series”, Africans in Boston will be able to mobilize diasporans and have conversations about topics that affect the lives of Africans.

It was great to share the platform with fellow Africans in the diaspora, who are using their individual platforms to do great work for their constituents and for continental Africa.

 As Africans in Boston, we look forward to continuing to tap into this diversity, to collaborate with members, and various partners, to find solutions to challenges that mother Africa is facing in the areas of healthcare, innovation and technology.

   

AD Net: The Diaspora and the Digital Economy – April 4th 2018

Africans in Boston hosted its first AD Net series event of the year on  April 4, 2018, at the Cambridge Innovation Center, under the theme “The Diaspora and the Digital Economy.” The guest speakers were African Diaspora innovators who shared applications – Oja Express (Easing e-commerce between African grocers and clients), and OWO- Pazima (A block based digital economy aimed at removing limitations of border, high cost transactions and sub optimal contracts, among others).

The event engaged over 60 participants, including caterers,  in conversations about the application of digital technologies to make the business, financial and family life of the diaspora, simpler, more convenient an competitive  in this digital economy.

 

  

March For Freedom Against Slavery in Libya and Beyond

 
Coalition of organizations and supporters that is uniting the citizens of Massachusetts, civil society leaders, and all those who are against the enslavement of African migrants in Libya and beyond …

 

Boston, Massachusetts – Saturday, December 16th 2017 !

Africans in Boston led a coalition of organizations and engaged citizens to denounce the situation of African migrants in Libya and beyond by marching in Boston on Saturday, December 16th 2017. The event was part of  number of strategies to bring awareness around the issue and to propose solutions !

Link:  www.marchforfreedom.us

The following manifesto was drafted and signed by all participants of the march:

The Preamble:

The ‘March for Freedom’ is an inclusive social movement formed from a coalition of organizations and supporters that is uniting the citizens of Massachusetts, civil society leaders, and all those who are against the enslavement of African migrants in Libya and beyond. The ‘March for Freedom’ movement is based in Boston, MA., we organize our communities, mobilize our supporters and raise awareness through all forms of media in order to pressure those with the power to  remedy the Slavery situation into   action.

It has been established that African migrants are currently being enslaved and traded by criminal elements operating in Libya and these unfortunate souls have been the victims of barbaric forms of abuse in many locations along the Mediterranean Sea. We, the organizers and supporters of the ‘March for Freedom’ strongly condemn the practice of slavery and advocate for a world free of slavery.

The enslavement of Africans in Libya and beyond is a human rights issue that violates the following UN conventions:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its Article 4 states, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms;”

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in its Article 8 states, “No one shall be held in slavery; slavery and the slave-trade in all their forms shall be prohibited,” “No one shall be held in servitude,” and “No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory  labor;”

Our Goal:

We, the coalition of organizers and supporters of the ‘March for Freedom’, have set a goal to eradicate slavery in all its forms, bring all culprits of the slave trade to justice, address the root causes driving the slave trade and provide the much-needed support to the victims of the modern-day slave   trade.

Our Demands:

We, the coalition of organizers and supporters of the ‘March for Freedom’, demand for all parties, International Organizations including the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, Multi­ national corporations, the governments of the United States of America , all other Governments and their elected officials to increase efforts to condemn the practice of slavery, bring to justice all individuals engaged to justice, implement local, national and international strategies to resolve the root causes of economic migrants and provide substantial support for the  victims.

Our Pledge

We, the coalition of organizations and supporters signed below, hereby pledge our solidarity to the Manifesto of the ‘March for Freedom’, and agree to:

  • Work within the agreed ‘March for Freedom’ organizational structure and by-laws.
  • Remain vigilant in our efforts to monitor, pressure and hold to account all actors in the slave trade as we progress towards our
  • Maintain inclusive, professional & innovative branding for the ‘March for Freedom’.
  • Advocate tirelessly for those affected by Slavery.

We, the coalition of organizers and supporters of the ‘March for Freedom’, now and forever march for Freedom, Equality and Justice for all.

 

    

AiB inks new partnership with Wave

Boston, Massachusetts – 11.30.2017

On Nov 20th 2017 , AiB  Executive  Director Jeff Siaw sat down with Wave Ghana Director Of Growth Jessica  Wamala to discuss partnering up to support Africans in the diaspora. The conversation centered around remittances and  how the wave app could make that process fast and cheap for Africans in the US, Canada an the UK.

Wave  is an App that helps send money to Ghana, Kenya. Uganda and Tanzania. Within thirty seconds the recipient can pick up the money at a mobile money location in their home country. In Ghana recipients must be MTN or Tigo users to be able to receive the money transferred.

Today over 100,000 diasporans choose wave to send money to Africa since competitors like Western Union, Moneygram and Vigo charge the sender a higher fee.

Wave will be giving first time users a $5 bonus when they use the Africans in Boston promo code “AiB” during the process of their first money transfer.

Dinner with Mayors and members of Parliament from G5 Sahel countries

Dinner in Cambridge with Mayors and members of Parliament from G5 Sahel countries ( Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania) and with Cambridge Police Commissioner Dr. Branville G. Bard, Jr. and Parents Forum founder Eve Sullivan and AiB President Voury Ignegongba

Cambridge, Massachusetts – Tuesday, November 7th 2017

As part of the State Department International Visitor Leadership Program: Empowering Communities to Combat Violent Extremism, Mayors from G5 Sahel countries ( Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania) were invited at a house dinner in Cambridge, Massachusetts hosted by Parents Forum founder Eve Sullivan and co-hosted by AiB President Voury Ignegongba. Cambridge Police Commissioner Dr. Branville G. Bard made a brief appearance to meet the representatives from Africa.

The dinner’s agenda was to foster cultural understandings and bridge the Gap between Africans and the World through strategic development and educational initiatives.

 

 

AiB Executives attend CAF America Diaspora Summit in Washington, DC

   
Washington,DC – Thursday November 2nd 2017 to Friday November 3rd 2017

AiB President Voury Ignegongba and AiB Executive Director Jeff Siaw attended the CAF America Diaspora Summit in the nation’s capital from Thursday November 2nd 2017 to Friday November 3rd 2017 ! The summit was organized by CAF America in partnership with Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies African Studies Center represented by research associate and lecturer Daivi Rodima-Taylor.

Founded in 1992, Charities Aid Foundation of America ( CAF America) is a US 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to make giving internationally safe, easy, and effective for US donors. To accomplish this mission, CAF America streamlines the global grantmaking process, reducing risk, reputational exposure and administrative burden, while at the same time enabling its clients to make strategic, cost effective, and tax-advantages grants. CAF America provides global reach as a member of the CAF Global Alliance, with offices and partner organizations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, Russia, Bulgaria, South Africa and Brazil. CAF America makes an average of 1,500 grants annually, totaling more than $300 million since 2001 alone, to legitimate organizations in over 90 countries around the world. CAF America works with many types of donors including individuals, corporations, and foundations, offering a wide array of international grantmaking and advisory services.

The event brought together a broad array of Diaspora organizations to explore different models and partnerships to further advance their respective agendas!

    

Kinga Ile – Vice President, Thought Leadership and Communications, CAF America
Jeff Siaw – AiB Executive Director
Voury Ignegongba AiB President