President Abdoulaye Wade of the Republic of Senegal designated more than 80 African-American leaders as Goodwill Ambassadors for the African Renaissance during the historic 3rd World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures, among whom were 15 Members of the National Conference of Black Mayors.
The Goodwill Ambassadors will foster stronger ties between African-Americans, Africa, and the global Diaspora by expanding cultural and scientific ties, trade and investment, and social and human development. They will also advance the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, endorsed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 to eliminate extreme poverty, ensure primary education for all children, empower women and girls, reduce maternal and child deaths, combat AIDS and other deadly diseases, and forge a global partnership for development.
President Wade said: “I thank these distinguished leaders for stepping forward to promote the African Renaissance to convey the unity of Africa and the Diaspora worldwide and the contributions of black cultures to humanity, leading to the formation of the United States of Africa in 2017, as agreed by the African Union.”
The US delegation of more than 100 individuals arrived in the capital city on December 9, many of whom were traveling to the African continent for the first time, and initially observed an Africa vastly different from the negative images projected by the media. Opening ceremonies with various heads of state were held on December 11 at the African Renaissance Monument, formally dedicated this past April on Senegal’s National Day to commemorate its 50th anniversary of independence from France. Standing at 50 meters overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the bronze statue of an African man, woman and child is the tallest in the world. The Monument echoed the vision of the Festival: a new vision of Africa as free, proud, creative, optimistic, and open to the world.
The Festival also featured roundtable discussions and forums that emphasized dialogue between elected officials, scholars, intellectuals, historians, scientists, journalists and leaders in the arts. The Festival’s guest of honor was Brazil, which has one of the largest Black populations in the world, and was recognized for its rich artistic cross-pollination and cultural diversity.
“The World Festival of Black Arts was a great experience that gave each of us the opportunity to meet with other leaders throughout the world. The culture of Africa reflects a humble beginning that we must never forget as we continue to raise up our people,” said NCBM Vice President Ron L. Davis, Mayor of Prichard, Alabama.
Mayor Davis, who also serves as the President of the World Conference of Mayors, delivered a special address during a closed session with the US delegation and President Wade along with members of the Senegalese Mayors Association held at the Presidential Palace. At the conclusion of the session, NCBM Vice President Hilliard Hampton, Mayor of Inkster, Michigan, presented President Wade with a special gift on behalf of the National Conference of Black Mayors. While in Senegal, the delegation visited Goree Island, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in commemoration of the painful history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade; and site of the heart-wrenching “Door of No Return.”
One of the key objectives of the Festival was to raise the awareness of youth to their African heritage and the great contribution of Black people to global civilization, as well as their role in today’s renaissance of Africa. To that end, the National Conference of Black Mayors presented the idea of convening an International Youth Congress in Dakar, Senegal. U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, Hon. Marcia Bernicat pledged her full support to ensure the success of the proposed Congress during a meeting with the NCBM Member Mayors.
“We are tremendously blessed to have the opportunity not only to serve our nation’s leaders, but also the world’s. You don’t know what is in your hand when you consider areas of good governance, technology and training,” said NCBM Executive Director Vanessa R. Williams. “It is our goal to build strong partnerships with the 734 Senegalese Mayors. We can glean so much from each other. This historical event has proven instrumental in the progressive development of bridging the gap between African people and African Americans.”
Other participating NCBM Members were Mayor Dwight Jones (Richmond, Virginia), Mayor James Walls (District Heights, Maryland), Mayor Michael Blunt (Chesilhurst, New Jersey), Mayor Bruce Mount (Eatonville, Florida); Mayor James Valley (West Helena, Arkansas), Mayor Xzavier Montgomery Wright (Brentwood, Maryland), Mayor Gail Parker Carter (Glenarden, Maryland), Mayor Jim McGowan (Union Springs, Alabama) and Mayor Thomas Masters (Riviera Beach, Florida).
Among the other U.S. delegates were Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey; Kansas State Representative Barbara Ballard; Professor and Historian Dr. Leonard Jeffries, City University of New York; actor Richard Gant; musician Randy Weston; Professor Emeritus Lewis Shelby, Clark Atlanta University; Dr. Runoko Rashidi, noted historian; Mississippi State Senator Frazier Hillman; New York State Senator Bill Perkins; Wayne Watson, president, Chicago State University; and Ron Himes, founder/director of the Saint Louis Black Repertory Theater.
