People & Lifestyle
Adjoa Andoh and Jimmy Akingbola to deliver Keynotes at The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA) Sankofa Summit
The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA) Foundation today announced keynote speakers, theme and partners for the HACSA Sankofa Summit to be held at Columbia University, New York on October 9th and 10th, 2024. The summit, designed to inspire dialogue, foster collaboration, celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Africa, will be themed Inspiring the Youth – Healing Communities.
The Sankofa Summit is HACSA’s flagship event, dedicated to showcasing excellence in the African Diaspora and celebrating Africa’s rich history, heritage and culture. The summit will see diverse participants from across the globe including investors, experts and enthusiasts, government leaders, opinion and thought leaders, creatives, captains of industry, academics, students and influencers. The summit serves to facilitate meaningful debate on crosscutting issues that concern communities both in Africa and the Diaspora.
This year’s Summit, the first to be held in New York, will host 10 panels and 50+ speakers including Ghanaian/ British director, actress and writer, Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Nigerian/ British actor and producer Jimmy Akingbola (Bel Air), traditional Ghanaian leader, His Majesty Notse, Nii Nortey Owuo IV, former Premier of Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, UK Member of Parliament for Clapham and Brixton Hill, Bell Ribeiro Addy MP, Togolese entrepreneur, Claude Grunitzky, and Jamaican-American Goldman Sachs alum and Google vice president Gavin Leo-Rhynie.
UNESCO, Acosta Institute, Delta Airlines, and Kowri serve as official partners of the event.
Ambassador Johanna Svanikier, founder and president of HACSA commented “The HACSA Sankofa Summit is more than just a conference; it is an opportunity to learn more about Africa, a celebration of African heritage and culture and a call to action for those who wish to contribute to the continent’s progress. We are honoured to welcome such an esteemed roster of speakers to debate, challenge and collaborate on Africa’s future.”
Adjoa Andoh commented “I have been honoured to be a patron of The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA) Foundation for several years now. I support this women-led, international, nonprofit, NGO, headquartered in Ghana to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Why? Because the invitation to discover more of the continent’s history; to celebrate and challenge where we sit now with ourselves and the wider world; and the invitation to educate and innovate with partners to secure a future for our youth, and particularly our women and girls, is important to me. The two-day New York HACSA Sankofa summit offers the opportunity to listen to profound thinkers, movers and shakers from all disciplines, to discuss, to laugh, to mourn, and to share strategy and delight with one another; an offer to all those in the diaspora of African heritage, along with on-continent Africans and all our allies and supporters worldwide. As a child of Ghanaian/British parents, I am so looking forward to being a part of this conversation in October!
Jimmy Akingbola commented ‘I am honoured to be a patron of HACSA, the amazing and important work they do around inspiring the youth speaks to my heart and spirit. As a British born Nigerian, I can’t wait to be part of an event that’s dedicated to bringing us all together from around the world, showcasing excellence in the African Diaspora and celebrating Africa’s rich history, heritage and culture.’
The HACSA Sankofa Summit will take place in New York on October 9th and 10th, 2024.
About the HACSA Foundation
The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA) Foundation is an international, non-profit, NGO and CSO headquartered in Ghana. HACSA is registered in Ghana, the Caribbean and in the USA as a 501(c)(3) organization. HACSA fosters socioeconomic transformation and progress through advocacy, education, innovation and collaboration within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Its mission is to preserve and promote African heritage and culture, empower girls and women and develop youth leadership and skills. HACSA links people wishing to learn more about Africa, investors and people of African descent in the diaspora with each other and to the African continent, through the HACSA Sankofa Network, Sankofa Young Leaders Fellowship (SYLF) and its flagship event, the HACSA Sankofa Summit. The Summit is a unique and inspiring Africa celebration, learning, homecoming and networking experience connecting speakers and participants with public, private, and civil society actors and networks within Africa and the diaspora.
