By Okon Ekpenyong

The second Black History Festival begins today, February 15, and runs through 19th, 2023, in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Strengthening US-Africa ties and consolidating the Diaspora’s heritage will be the themes for this year’s festival.

Initially launched on December 16, 2022, in Accra, Ghana, its mission is to continue building a stronger relationship between the USA Government and the African Union member states. The event will attract high-profile corporations, institutions, and experts in various fields of study.  

Young Africa Media Center (YAMC) and other partners will present the Black History Festival as a joint effort of the Bureau for International Development, Exchanges and Commerce (BIDEC) and Young Africa Media Center (BIDEC). 

The event is taking place at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel; stakeholders will have the opportunity to celebrate Africa’s heritage, arts, culture, trade, leadership, and innovation within American history.

Former President of the National Bar Association, Judge Carlos E Moore, was one of the notable speakers at the BHF 2022. It has over 80 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Africa, Morocco, and the Caribbean representing over 67,000 members. 

Organizers will bring together business leaders, technological experts, artists, culture experts, and policymakers in the United States and Africa to facilitate and promote issues. 

The 2023 festival will also look to work toward ensuring that African Nations’ interests and values align with those of the rest of the world; for example, “it will help us not only to strengthen our relationship but also point a nation in the direction of success,” organizers said.  

There will be ambassadors from African Union member countries, officials, and representatives of the United States Government attending the festival, as well as representatives of African government agencies that are involved in trade, investment, and export, African and American corporations, alums of the US-Africa Exchange program for entrepreneurship and leadership, and diaspora organizations.

There will also be a surprise Hollywood star and producer, the Mayor of Accra, Ghana, the Ambassador of Ghana to the USA, and others speaking at Columbus’ event this year.

During the United States-Africa leaders summit on December 13-15, 2022, President Joe Biden invited leaders from across the African continent to Washington, D.C. In his speech, the President said, “Africa’s success is the world’s success.” 

It is, therefore, crucial to re-evaluate some African Nations’ policies to determine what works or does not. In addition to evaluating existing relationships with resource organizations and other stakeholders, if we want to see things turn around in Africa? 

• Day 1: Innovation and Digital Transformation Day“ on Wednesday, February 15, 2023
• Day 2: Diaspora, History, Heritage, and Culture Day on Thursday, February 16, 2023
• Day 3: US-Africa Trade and Development Forum on Friday, February 17, 2023
• Day 1-3: Business Expo Wednesday to Friday
• Day 4: Black History Makers Awards on Saturday, February 18, 2023

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