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Village Dialogue On “Uniting The African Diaspora” Makes Inroads In Miami

MIAMI – Representatives were from as near as The Bahamas to as far as Rwanda and Nigeria for Miami-Dade County’s Black Affairs Advisory Board’s “Village Dialogue on “Uniting the African Diaspora” held Friday, February 19th in the Miami-Dade Commission Chambers.

The televised event presented panel members the opportunity to hold an honest discussion on the state of relations between the diverse groups which comprise those of African descent in Miami-Dade County.

“The BAAB’s intent for this Village Dialogue was to discuss the status of those of African descent; explore methods of collaboration and cooperation between the diverse groups and examining methods of addressing disparities while pursuing the common goal of social and economic parity,” said event chair Priscilla Dames-Blake who serves as vice chair of the Black Affairs Advisory Board and is CEO of Wingspan Seminars, Inc.

Representatives discussed the concept of “linked fate” which implies that Americans of African descent have certain commonalities which should translate into collaboration as opposed to separation. Invited panelists included: Consul General Ralph Latortue (Haiti); Consul Lynnith Braynen (The Bahamas); Mr. Wesley Kirtin (representing the Republic of Guyana); Consul General Laura-Marie West (Trinidad & Tobago); Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro (Miami-Dade Public Schools and representing Nigeria); and Dinizulu Gene Tinnie from the Kuumba Artists Collective. Mr. Desmond Alufohai, Senior Trade Developer with Miami-Dade County’s International Trade Consortium served as moderator.

Dr. Larry Capp, Executive Director of the Office of Community Advocacy and Mrs. Priscilla Dames-Blake moderated the Civic Engagement segment which featured attorney Marlon Hill; Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce CEO, Bill Diggs; Dr. Sandra Thompson, president of Florida Memorial University and Marliene Bastien, noted activist and executive director of Haitian Women of Miami.


L-R: D. J. Fabien (BAAB); Dr. Larry Capp (Office of Community Advocacy); Bill Diggs (Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce); Dr. Sandra Thompson (Florida Memorial University); Priscilla Dames-Blake (BAAB); Retha Boone-Fye (BAAB) Attorney Marlon Hill and Desmond Alufohai (International Trade Consortium).

“Village Dialogues” are on-going effort by the Black Affairs Advisory Board and community-based organizations to bring issues confronting the Black World Community to the forefront and to seek viable solutions.

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