Bridging The Gap Event: Meet the Distinguished Panelists
A DUNIA Magazine Event
An Evening With Isaiah Washington
Bridging The Gap: Conversations between Africans & African Americans
August 31, 2013
Intrigue Event Center, 95 Crestridge Drive, Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Guest of Honor
Award-winning Actor Isaiah Washington
Whether in his professional life as an actor and producer or his personal role as a husband, father and humanitarian, Isaiah Washington passionately commits himself to all ventures. As an actor, critics have lauded Isaiah’s ability to effortlessly disappear into each role; allowing the audience to become acquainted with the multifaceted nature of the character.
Isaiah Washington is a recipient of several awards, both National and International, including; 2 NAACP Image Awards, Planet Africa’s 2009 Marcus Garvey Memorial Award, The Daily Voice 2009 Hope Award, Oliver Hill Foundation’s 2009 Speakers Award, The African Achievement 2009 Philanthropy Award, National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in America Diamond Award, 2009 Who’s Who In Los Angeles, and more. Isaiah Washington will become the first African American to lead an Africa/South Korean Alliance designed to rebuild the infrastructure of Sierra Leone with his new company HIRA INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC overseeing a multi-million dollar investment fund.
He was the Master of Ceremonies for the first White House Summit on Malaria to fight the deadly disease in 15 African countries. He attended the 63rd United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September 2008 as an advisor to President Ernest Bai Koroma of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Following this event, President Koroma traveled to Washington, D.C. and announced that Washington would be granted full citizenship of Sierra Leone. Isaiah Washington’s historical citizenship was finalized on April 26, 2010, making him the first person ever (African American specifically) to receive full African citizenship based on DNA.
In a 2012 interview with Mr Washington, Dunia Magazine asked, “Should African Americans be interested in Africa?”
Mr Washington replied, “Some African Americans don’t want to wake up from the slumber they were put in some 400 years ago. Some of them don’t want to be called Africans, but black. What’s black? Do they know that there’s no country called black? African Americans should be interested in having a better understanding of Africa and its people; and in finding some answers. Then we can all begin to have a dialogue and then a relationship. That’s why I enjoy what I am doing.”
Full interview: Off-screen & Unscripted with Award Winning Actor ISAIAH WASHINGTON
Isaiah Washington stars in Blue Caprice. Movie trailer
Website: The Gondobay Manga Foundation
Master of Ceremony
Chris Cooper
Lifestyle & Procrastination Expert Chris Cooper is one of the most dynamic, engaging and accomplished authors, coaches, trainers and speakers in America. With three academic degrees, numerous professional certifications, book smarts and street smarts this young man of vision, passion and charisma has done it all! From being the youngest Senior Manager ever with a major Fortune 100 Company to starting three businesses, to running with the bulls in Spain and even Walking on Fire, Chris’ life has indeed been and continues to be an exciting adventure.
Chris’ recent accolades include being named Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, being featured in The IMPRINT Magazine as “Young & Relentless”, being featured in Dunia International Magazine, being featured on the UNCF Empower ME Tour, The AT&T 28 Days Movers & Shakers Campaign, being named one of Power 30 under 30, and being named one of GXL Magazine’s Most Influential People.
Chris has worked and consulted for over 55 Fortune 500 Companies saving them millions of dollars and has transferred that success to his own practice in which he achieves outstanding results for his clients by implementing a customized need-focused approach utilizing best-in-class coaching tools and techniques. His no-nonsense process and system gets results! Website: Chriscooperlive.com
Mistress of Ceremony & Panelist
Helen Anagho–Beny
Ms. Anagho–Beny is a bilingual native of Cameroon, Central West Africa who greatly appreciates, and promotes, Africa, its people, businesses, cultures, education and healthcare. Ms. Anagho–Beny has avidly pursued charitable projects that benefit the neediest of citizens, particularly the youngest among us. She has traveled, and lived, extensively throughout North America and the globe. She has three children and is married to a retired U.S. Air Force officer of Sudanese–American decent.
Ms. Anagho–Beny possesses 15 years of retail management experience; she has successfully managed stores that generated more than $2M in revenues, annually. During this same period, she was routinely lauded by senior high–end retail managers/designers as a superb salesperson, skilled administrator, organizer, adept leader and personable mentor.
After she left the commercial retail sector in pursuit of other challenges and professional growth, Ms. Anagho–Beny threw herself into activities that enhance people’s lives. She has consistently and unfailingly volunteered her time to the communities in which her family has lived and the schools therein. Over the years, her superfluous contributions to academic institutions have tremendously enriched the lives of youngsters as well as their parents. She now tutors and assists French, language arts, reading and math classes at elementary and middle schools in her school district.
As a local area advocate and organizer, Ms. Anagho–Beny has served as the Centerville–Washington Diversity Council (CWDC) Community Projects Chairperson. She has been instrumental in promoting a community that is inclusive and culturally, plus ethnically, diverse. Her ambassadorial and community outreach skills are second–to–none. In late–2010, Ms. Anagho–Beny participated in CWDC’s first–ever, and well–televised/–attended, “Voices and Stories” event. Along with three other individuals, she entertainingly celebrated the art of storytelling and her unique world experiences.
Ms. Anagho–Beny is the co–founder of the Global Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, a nonprofit organization focused on youth leadership and the belief that culture is borderless. In addition, Ms. Anagho–Beny recently launched two businesses: 1. Origins Express Travels, LLC, an online travel agency focusing on travels to Africa; and 2. Origins Expo, an ambitious venture that facilitates investment and cultural and spiritual exchanges in the aforementioned continent.
Panelist
Darcy F Ogandaga
Mr Ogandaga born in Paris, France is an Author and a Global Media Strategist; CEO and Founder of TheLawsOfTheInternet.com. He has impacted more than 500,000 people in the last 24 months via social media, offering live training through his courses, coaching programs and books.
Panelist
Heine Nzumafor
Mr Heine Nzumafor (R) and Mr Robert E Leach (L)
Heine Nzumafor is founder and CEO of PrivyMo. PrivyMo is an app for iPhone and Android that allows users to earn points (SmartPoints) for making audio, video calls, chatting and inviting others. They can redeem points by entering into raffles for a chance to win prizes or by getting discounts from business sponsors. PrivyMo is currently in Beta version.
Heine served for 7 years as US Army Signal (Telecommunications) Officer, resigning his commission in August 2011, to focus on PrivyMo. He is a visionary, and an inclusive leader. His last assignment was with the 385th Military Police Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia, as the battalion Signal Officer (S6), responsible for the communications readiness and support for the battalion. He planned and led the pre-deployment communications training for four Companies that deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. He previously served in Korea from June 2005 to July 2008 holding several positions with the 304th Signal Battalion; Extension node Platoon Leader, responsible for providing wartime communication services and support, Battalion Radio Officer in charge of communications planning and training, Battle Captain responsible for management of the battalion network, and Operations Officer responsible for garrison and tactical training and readiness of over 350 Soldiers.
His military education includes Signal Officer Basic Course (SOBC), Signal Captains Career Course (SCCC), Network Nodal Management Course, and S6 Course. Before joining the military in 2004, Heine obtained a BS in Electrical Engineering from SUNY (State University of New York) at Stony Brook in 1999 and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York, in 2002. He also obtained a Certificate in Wireless Communication and worked as a Teaching Assistant and Adjunct Lecturer for three courses – Electronics I / II and Wireless Communications Lab.
PrivyMO also a proud sponsor of DUNIA Mag’s Bridging The Gap event
Panelist
Ada Anagho-Brown
Ada Anagho Brown is a native of Cameroon who moved to the United States as a young girl in 1975. She is the third child of the current Chief of Ngwo , Cameroon.
Over the years, she has dedicated her life to promoting the continent of Africa. For several years she worked with a non-profit African organization dedicated to giving back to the US children through music and culture. For the past three years, she has organized trips to Cameroon with African Americans who traced their DNA to Cameroon. Collectively, she has facilitated the travel of over 160 individuals.
Last year she started a company called Roots to Glory Tours. Roots to Glory Tours is a company dedicated to “Bridging the Gap” between the US and Africa, culturally and spiritually.
In addition to her work as a stay home mom, she is also the Chair of the organizing committee for the Pan African Festival (Panafest) held in downtown Silver Spring. She is currently a board member of the All Cameroonian Cultural Development Foundation. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art. Website: www.rootstoglory.com
Panelist
Dr Harry Akoh
Mrs Anagho-Beny, Dr Harry Asana and Mrs Anagho-Brown
Harry Akoh is an Associate Professor of History and Law in the Social Science Division at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. His most recent publication How a Country Treats its Citizens (2009) explored the use of the U.S. jurisdiction to try aliens for torts committed overseas in violation of international law. This includes cases litigated in the U.S. for human rights violations originating from Africa. In April 2013 he served as a presenter and panelist in a conference organized by the United States Institute of Peace in collaboration with AMSC on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Lessons from the Kingian Theory. Akoh graduated with a Ph.D. from Georgia State University in 2009. He attended the University of Cape Town Law School in South Africa where he received the A. W. Mellon Award. He completed a bachelor degree from the University of Buea, Cameroon in West Africa. Harry is married to Evelyn and they have two children Amara and Asana Jr.
Together let us hold our leaders accountable. For more information order my book: ‘How a Country Treats its Citizens No Longer Exclusive Domestic Concern’ visit www.amazon.com; www.barnesandnoble.com; www.borders.co.uk
Panelist
Bunmi Jinadu
Global humanitarian and innovative businessman, Bunmi Jinadu devotes his entire self to giving back to the community. As the founder and president of Interglobe Concepts Inc., Bunmi is forging ahead and entering as a global force into the Africa market.
Born in Nigeria and schooled at Prior Park Prep School in England, Jinadu had an opportunity to see many parts of the world at a young age. And with his energetic spirit and thirst for opportunity, he moved to the US in 1996 after attending the Paul Valery University in Montpelier, France. It was during his first year in the states that Bunmi formed the beginnings of his global enterprise, Interglobe Concepts.
Stemming from his love of music and sports, two things he refers to as a universal language between Africa and US and rich and poor, Jinadu has launched Music Mix Africa. This monthly series is a cultural exchange that brings US R&B artist to West Africa. He chooses the musicians, such as the first one Lloyd, based on their similar backgrounds and their desire to address the world their lyrics.
Particularly close to Bunmi’s heart, the series is a first step in bridging the gap between the two cultures. His purpose through Interglobe and Licensed2Heal is to help those in need and show them “we haven’t forgotten our roots. I came from those same communities and villages in Africa, with no water and light, and by chance was given the window of opportunity.”
He plans to achieve this purpose through arts, sports and music. His current step into the emerging economy and class of West Africa is proof. Managing personal branding of soccer legend Samson Siasia and his clothing line SiaOne as well as bringing US artists to their forum, he is showing the world that “arts and issues can commingle rather than be segregated as improper strangers.”
Next up for Bunmi Jinadu will be Interglobe Film, Media and Talent, all designed for a positive impact and giving back to his Motherland. For right now, he continues to plant seeds through events and projects both individually and collectively.
“I am, you are, we are, licensed 2 heal…” – Bunmi Jinadu
MORE ABOUT EVENT
