Webster to Co-Host Celebration of Africa Virtual Summit May 27-29
May 21, 2021
Webster University is co-hosting a three-day celebration of the many cultures of Africa May 27-29. The Africa Day Virtual Summit will showcase the leaders, organizations and businesses that have positively contributed to the community of people who trace their heritage to Africa.
Three Webster University students and a Webster University professor will be among the featured speakers during the event. The event is open to the community and is free. Click here to register for the event, or read more about the event.
“Africa is an incredibly diverse continent that is home to 1.3 billion people who speak more than 15 languages in 54 countries, and yet in the United States, most people believe that anyone with roots from Africa will look, sound and act exactly the same,” said Brian Barlay, an international student at Webster University who is helping organize the event. “The purpose of this event is to show off the rich cultures and diversity of that region and also show how those cultures have contributed and enhanced so many other regions of the world, right down to St. Louis.”
According to the event’s website, “Africa Day-St. Louis is a day to celebrate the holistic aspects of the African culture in St. Louis and its relationship to the continent. AD-STL aims to highlight the improvement of businesses, organizations, and individuals that are leading the great effort to provide transformational and unconventional changes while promoting the wellbeing of the African agenda. In addition, AD-STL touches on the intersectionality of businesses here in St. Louis and their connection to the continent, as well as the individuals who have a keen interest in the advancement of African cultures.”
The event will start at 3 p.m. Central Time May 27, with a keynote speech from Lazarus O. Amayo, the Republic of Kenya’s ambassador to the United States. Before being appointed to the United States, he served as a representative in the United Nations, High Commissioner of Kenya to the United Kingdom, and as the Republic of Kenya’s representative to several international trade and commerce organizations. Before entering the diplomatic corps, he was the chief executive officer of Catering Levy Trustees, served as the assistant minister in the Republic of Kenya’s Ministry of Education, and was an elected member to the Republic of Kenya’s Parliament.
Other speakers include Webster University Professor Muthoni Musangali, who will discuss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the African immigrant community in the United States, along with Webster students Barlay, Igho Ikatitie and Yatina Katunga. Ikatitie will speak on panel titled “Educating and Empowering the Youth," Katunga will moderate the “Future of Art and Entertainment” discussion, and Barlay will moderator the panels “Weaving into the STL Ecosystem” and “Educating and Empowering the Youth.”
“Celebrating Africa Day-STL is a wonderful way to honor the experiences and contributions of the African community in Saint Louis particularly, and in the United States as a whole,” said Musangali, who serves as the chair of Webster University’s Department of Professional Counseling. “I hope that this year's celebration will be the beginning of a new tradition that we will keep alive for years to come. I am encouraged to see the support of many local partners and particularly excited that Webster University is a part of this great endeavor.”
Click here to register for the event. All times are Central Time.
Thursday, May 27
- 3 p.m. - Opening and Keynote address from H.E. Ambassador Lazarus O. Amayo
- 4 p.m. - Market Place
Friday, May 28: Innovation and Liberation
- 2 p.m. - Weaving into STL Ecosystem
- 3 p.m. - Educating and Empowering the Youth
- 3 p.m. - African and Love
- 4 p.m. - Cultivating the Community
- 5 p.m. - The Future of Arts and Entertainment
Friday, May 28: Health and Business
- 12 p.m. - Creating Sustainable Business Partnerships
- 12 p.m. - The impact of COVID in the African Immigrant community
- 12 p.m. - Cultivating a Silicon Valley for Immigrant Entrepreneurs in St. Louis
- 12 p.m. - All Things Money: Lesson Learned