Welcome to the Economic Impact Conference & Workshop Papa Dia | Founder & Executive Director African Leadership Group On behalf of the African Leadership Group (ALG) planning and organizing committee, Board of Directors, and all our community members, we want to extend a heart-felt thank you for coming to Afrik Impact 2019. This year’s theme is Empowering the Next Generation for Economic Impact. We are celebrating accomplishments and success stories in our community. As always, you will see shining examples of African immigrants at their very best, contributing greatly to this nation, our state, and our local communities. This is what the world needs to see. This is what the world needs to know….. This is what ALG is all about!
Papa Dia’s Story | The formation of African Leadership Group (ALG) When I had an opportunity to come to the United States in 1998, I had one goal in mind; work and send money back to support the rest of my family in Senegal, West Africa. As 1 of 13 children, my family struggled to make ends meet; I was determined to do everything I could, to change the narrative. Like many immigrants, I was faced with some challenges. Back in Senegal, I studied law; however, I couldn’t continue on this path due to my limited English-speaking skills. I got a job at the Tattered Cover Bookstore and found myself studying all over again. My exposure to books and immersion in the world of literacy helped with my reading, writing, and speaking skills. After leaving the Tattered Cover Bookstore, I got a job as a bank teller, where I worked for the next 18 years. During my time at the bank, I learned about financial resources that were not readily accessible to the immigrant community, though they were necessary for successful integration. Information about government assistance was readily available, but nothing existed to help us achieve the American dream. During my time at the bank, I was approached by a lot of African Immigrants who had questions not only about banking but also about other challenges (education, legal, etc.) they faced in trying to integrate into the American culture. I would help them out the best I could, but this attracted dozens of to the bank each week. When the bank started to express concern, I knew it was time for me to create an outlet that will continue to help people outside of my workplace because as I looked around, there were no other entities/organizations that focused on helping skilled immigrants integrate. In 2006, the African Leadership Group was formed to facilitate the professional integration of African immigrants.
About the African Leadership Group The African Leadership Group (ALG) is a nonprofit organization based in the Denver- Metro area with a statewide agenda to help the African diaspora integrate and prosper by connecting cultures. ALG advocates for the entire African immigrant community—across national origin, tribes, and language to ensure continuous improvement to immigrants’ quality of life through Social, Educational and Economic Impact. African Leadership Group is a multi- faceted organization confronting and resolving a broad spectrum of issues facing our community. We focus on 3 primary impact areas: SOCIAL IMPACT - Helping families acculturate to America, in general and their local Colorado communities, specifically. This includes providing the knowledge, skills and relationships to effectively navigate systems to meet each family’s needs. EDUCATIONAL IMPACT - Ensuring every child has access to high quality educational options, and that families are able to choose the schools and programs that work best for their children. ECONOMIC IMPACT - Creating the conditions for families to prosper through employment and entrepreneurship, contribute to the local economy and invest substantially in Africa’s economic renewal. Learn more and stay engaged at: www.usalg.org
The Economic Impact Conference & Workshop Since its earliest days, ALG has worked to provide networking, career development, and economic advancement opportunities to its members. Recognizing the breadth and depth of professional expertise and experience within the African diaspora in Denver metro area, ALG works to connect members across industries and country backgrounds, while also providing opportunities to learn about high-growth industries in the local economy. The Economic Impact Conference & Workshops is an opportunity for attendees to gain knowledge about economic development and business opportunities both within the States and in the continent of Africa while also learning about funding opportunities. The morning session of the conference will include a panel discussion with expertise in finance, investment, and business development. In the afternoon session, attendees will engage one-on-one with the panelists and other economic development institutions.
About Afrik Impact Theme: “Empowering the Next Generation for Economic Impact” Mission: To celebrate the impact of the African Diaspora in Colorado and to honor our accomplishments. Purpose: With a focus on social, educational and economic impact, the African Leadership Group hosts a major community event to celebrate the impact of the African Diaspora in Colorado and to honor our accomplishments. The theme for this year’s event is to showcase the role African immigrants play in the economy and to also highlight the business opportunities that are available in the States and internationally. The objective of the Afrik Impact initiative is to have the State of Colorado issue a proclamation to make the Month of August the African Immigrant month.
Why Attend This Event? This event provides attendees a unique opportunity to experience the African diaspora in Colorado and witness the various committees in ALG and their involvements and impact in the community; as well as efforts in bringing the African Diaspora together. In addition, this event provides positive and prominent exposure to other civic leaders and elected officials within the state, across the country, and internationally. Participants become part of a network of dedicated and forward-looking professionals focused on becoming part of the solution while bridging the gap between the United States and Africa.
Master Of Ceremony | Fathia Schwartzenberger Fathia was born and raised in Morocco. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from IBN Toufail University in Morocco. Fathia speaks 3 languages (French, English and Arabic) and over a dozen of different dialects. Fathia is a Sales Professional. She loves to hike, bike and cook. Fathia has been an active member of the African Leadership Group. She graduated from the 5th Cohort of Public Speaking Class on April 2, 2019.
Keynote Speaker | Geta Asfaw | President, Addis & Company/Ababa & Company Geta Asfaw is a native of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He moved to the United States at the age of 18 to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. He has earned 3 college degrees, including an AA, BA, and MA. Geta and his wife Janice have 3 grown children named Elias, Desta and Abraham. Two of the children are involved in the family business and the other is an attorney with a Law Firm in Denver, Colorado. Today, Geta is the owner of many McDonald’s restaurants and has a number of real estate investments throughout the Denver Metro Area. Geta has recognized the need to help the community, the city and beyond. He created the “Asfaw Family Foundation International” to serve as a vehicle to give back to the communities in which he has served for about 30 years. One of these programs is the “Arches of Hope Bicycle Giveaway”, which provides about 300 new bicycles and helmets to worthy elementary school students every Christmas season. As of this year, the foundation gave over 4000 bicycles. The foundation also provides tuition assistance and other important benefits to school children in East Africa. In addition, the Aim High Scholarships program provides financial assistance and laptops to African American male students. This program is designed to help increase the number of African American males on college campuses. As of this year, the foundation provided over 100 scholarships. Geta has also lent his time to being involved with non-profit organizations as well as serving in board member and advisory positions. Some of the organizations he has served include The Ronald McDonald House Charity, University of Colorado Athletic Mentor Program, The Better Business Bureau (BBB), The Black Chamber of Commerce, Executive Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), Urban Peak, City Park Alliance, and Denver Kids Incorporated. Geta has been honored to receive awards and recognition from over 35 organizations for his community participation and service and financial contributions that include: NAACP “Caring and Sharing” Award, The American Red Cross Award, 100 Black Men of America Award “Entrepreneur of the Year”, Urban Spectrum “An African-American who Makes a Difference” Award, Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce “Entrepreneur of the Year”, Colorado Council of Mediators & Meditations “Peace in the Community” Award, Joint Effort Community Sports, the Denver City Council “Outstanding Community Service” Award. Geta also is in the Colorado Black Leadership Profile as one of the “Who’s Who” among Colorado’s outstanding leaders. His service and achievements have been featured in many newspapers, magazines and on television including national magazines such as Jet, Ebony, and Essence as an example of franchisee commitment to community service. He also appeared in the McDonald’s TV advertising based on the “My McDonald’s” national campaign. Geta’s service has also been featured in a number of media outlets including NBC 9, ABC 7, Fox 13, The Denver Post, The Rocky Mountain News, University of Washington “The Columns”, The Urban Spectrum News, McDonald’s “Earth Effort Global News”, The Washington Profile News, University of Washington “Viewpoint”, and the University of Colorado Denver Advocates Newspaper, and more.
Brian Vogt | President and CEO, Denver Botanic Gardens Brian Vogt has been CEO of Denver Botanic Gardens since April 2007. In that time, attendance has grown to over 1.3 million per year, programs have been launched to address access to food in urban areas, a comprehensive diversity and inclusion project has been integrated into daily activity, the Center for Global Initiatives was launched focusing on plant research and crop genetics, and an exhibit program has curated works by legends such as Henry Moore, Dale Chihuly and Alexander Calder. Under his leadership, over $110 million have been raised and more than 60 construction projects have been completed including the Mordecai Children’s Garden, a parking complex, the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center, the Greenhouse Complex, the Science Pyramid, Ellipse Garden, Steppe Garden, Sensory Garden and Hive Garden Bistro. The capstone project of the Master Development Plan, the Freyer – Newman Center, is under construction. Previous professional experience includes three Cabinet positions for the State of Colorado and President of the South Metro Chamber of Commerce. Vogt serves as President of the Board of the American Public Gardens Association and as Board Treasurer for Plant Select. He was awarded the 2019 Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal for leadership in environmental protection and quality of life from the Garden Club of America. He is an active participant with many civic organizations in the Denver area and speaks frequently on intentional culture, regeneration, adaptation and leadership. He holds a BA in Classical Antiquity from the University of Colorado.
Jena Marie Griswold | Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Marie Griswold is Colorado’s 39th Secretary of State. She is the youngest Secretary of State in the United States and the first Democratic woman to be elected to the position. Griswold grew up in a working-class family in rural Colorado and was the first person in her family to attend a four-year college and then law school. She has practiced international anti-corruption law and worked as a voter protection attorney, where she made sure Coloradans were able to participate in our democracy. Griswold served under John Hickenlooper as the Director of the Governor’s DC Office, advocating on behalf of Colorado in D.C. and was instrumental in bringing back hundreds of millions of relief dollars to help the Colorado communities hit by the 2013 flood. Before her election to Colorado Secretary of State, Griswold ran her own small business, a legal practice in Louisville. Griswold holds a B.A. in Politics and Spanish Literature from Whitman College and a J.D from University of Pennsylvania Law School.
PANELIST MODERATOR Rosy Aburto McDonough | Director - Colorado Minority Business Office Rosy Aburto McDonough has been a business consultant and mentor throughout her professional career. McDonough has extensive experience as an independent consultant for the Colorado SBDC office in the Disaster Recovery, Connect2DOT, and general financial consulting programs state-wide. She is also an affiliate faculty at Regis University Dual Language Program, where she teaches strategic management, business sustainability, and accounting. She is the former Associate Director of the Denver Metro SBDC and lead finance consultant and trainer in the areas of strategic management and operations, financial analysis and funding sources, personal and business credit, and business development. She facilitated Leading Edge Programs, financial literacy, QuickBooks, and principles of accounting courses for various SBDC’s throughout the state. Rosy achieved her bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science (Applied Mathematics) at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Her graduating dissertation was Risk Management. Rosy completed an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and International Business at the University of Colorado at Denver. She has entrepreneurial spirit and as a result has owned several businesses throughout her life. Her latest initiative, a credit reporting agency serving the mortgage lending and property management industries nation-wide in the U.S., and various Latin American markets. Her banking experience includes community development, specialty/minority markets, corporate relations, credit analysis, lending, and business banking. Rosy was born and raised in Mexico providing her with a deep sense of biculturalism. She spends most of her free time with her three girls and husband. Her home is a tri-lingual and culturally diverse household with special interest in learning languages and diverse Chinese and Latin cultures and traditions. Paul Bergman | Director of Denver U.S. Export Assistance Center Colorado & Wyoming Paul is the Director of the U. S. Export Assistance Center in Denver serving the States of Colorado & Wyoming. He has worked for the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce for forty-five years. Before arriving in Denver, Paul was the Commercial Attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania. He was in charge of the commercial relations between the United States and Romania and traveled extensively throughout Eastern Europe during this time. He was the first U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officer of the U. S. Department of Commerce in Bucharest. He has worked in and visited over thirty-five countries. Paul is on the World Trade Center of Denver’s Board and its Executive Committee and the Chairperson of the Board of Advisors for the University of Denver’s Office of Globalization. He completed three terms as President of International Trade Association of Colorado and served two terms on the Advisory Board for the State of Colorado on International Trade. He also has served on the Board of Advisors for the Foreign Trade Zone, Denver and Governor of Colorado’s Task Force on Latin America. Paul served as Acting Regional Director for the Southwest Network covering the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Wyoming and Colorado. He also served as Acting Senior Commercial Officer in Tel Aviv, Israel; Accra, Ghana; and Lagos, Nigeria. He led the first State of Colorado Trade Mission to China and Japan in 1985. Paul has served as an adjunct professor of international business for the MBA and undergraduate programs at Regis University. He has served as Chairman of the International Department and adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix. He has taught at the Rocky Mountain Institute for Foreign Trade and Finance, Red Rocks Community College, Emily Griffith Opportunity School, and the University of Colorado at Denver. Paul has served as an assistant basketball coach at Jesuit Arrupe High School. Also coached at Regis Jesuit H.S. and Most Precious Blood Grade School. He was Varsity Head Boy’s Coach at Bishop Machebeuf Catholic H.S. A 1971 graduate of Regis College in Denver, Paul received a Master’s Degree in International Management from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix, Arizona in 1973.
Cathy Kramer | Program Manager, Connect2DOT Cathy Kramer is the Statewide Program Manager for Connect2DOT and owner of Caddis LLC, a business and marketing consulting firm specializing in small business program development and support services for companies in the transportation industry. She has 25 years of marketing and management consulting experience, working with a range of clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. She provides strategic direction to corporations and government agencies regarding market analysis, corporate positioning, brand strategy, integrated marketing planning, proposal writing, supplier diversity, and small business program management. She has been directly responsible for more than 50 national and international client accounts and is often asked to provide keynote presentations and training at national organizations and events. Cathy has been a consultant to CDOT for 12 years providing technical assistance to DBE/ESB firms and supporting the development and outreach of CDOT’s DBE/ESB Programs. In 2008, Cathy was part of the team that conducted the CDOT Disparity Study which was used to determine the need for remedial programs based upon racial and gender discrimination in state highway construction contracting. As a result, she assisted CDOT staff in restructuring the DBE/ESB Programs and determining the 2013 – 2015 FHWA Overall Annual DBE Goal. She has an extensive understanding of CDOT contracting and project delivery methods and has assisted hundreds of firms in marketing their services to CDOT. Prior to starting her own business, Cathy was a Senior Systems Analyst for a Washington D.C. management consulting company where she managed large-scale federal financial and procurement software implementations at the Library of Congress, US Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce, and the Louisville Water Company. She consulted with clients to re-engineer workflow procedures, define system requirements, and streamline business processes. Cathy is currently the Program Manager for Connect2DOT, managing the partnership between CDOT and the Colorado Small Business Development Centers and assisting with business consulting, training, outreach, and technical support to contractors and consultants through 14 centers across the state. Cathy received a B.A. from Michigan State University. Cathy is available for consulting through the Denver Metro SBDC in downtown Denver, as well as by virtual appointment statewide. Amanda Fong | Relationship Management Team Leader, Partnerships Office, Power Africa Amanda Fong is a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She joined USAID in 2008 and has since served mostly abroad, in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Mozambique, with short stints in Washington DC. Amanda joined the Power Africa team in May 2019 as the Relationship Management Team Leader, focusing on how Power Africa can work effectively with private sector partners to achieve increase access to energy in SubSaharan Africa. In her various positions with USAID, she has designed and managed a variety of technical portfolios, including in trade, agriculture, business enabling environment, energy, and private provision of water. Amanda works closely with stakeholders in the US Government, host country governments, and American and foreign companies to promote activities that increase economic growth and job creation. Before joining USAID, Amanda served as a Peace Corp Volunteer in northern Cameroon and lived in Beijing, China. Amanda has a BA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird School of Global Management. She is married with two children and still considers herself a newcomer to Colorado Springs.
Adrina Gibson | OED Director of the Division of Small Business, City and County of Denver Adrina Gibson is the Director of the Division of Small Business Opportunity (DSBO) where she oversees DSBO’s outreach, certification, compliance, reporting and programming that helps create and foster a more equitable playing field on public contracts for small and disadvantaged firms. Prior to joining DSBO, Gibson worked at the Regional Transportation District (RTD) as the Manager of the Small Business Office, whereby she committed 12 years to economic development, civil rights, community activism, and capacity growth of small and disadvantaged businesses. Adrina served in a variety of positions within the Small Business Office of RTD’s Civil Rights Division, including as a manager, consultant and contractor. Adrina brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for small, minority and women owned businesses through implementing program initiatives, federal reporting, advocating, promoting diversity and inclusion, and eliminating barriers to opportunities through contracting. Within OED, Gibson leads a growing team of 16 staff that support the growth, capacity and sustainability of small, minority and disadvantaged businesses. DSBO encourages the utilization of small and disadvantaged businesses on construction projects, professional services projects, and procurement of covered goods and services, as well as participation on Denver International Airport concessionaire opportunities. The team oversees nearly $100 million worth of city contracts that are awarded annually to certified businesses. A Colorado native, Gibson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Regis University. Alioune Ndiaye | Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations Alioune Ndiaye is a lecturer in Political science and international relations at the School of Applied Politics at the University of Sherbrooke, Canada. His research covers Africa’s politics and economy, as well as its economic relations with emerging powers. He has published “Africa in India’s foreign policy” in 2013, and “Nigeria under Buhari, between economic diversification and social federalism” in 2018. Additionally, he serves as a trainer in Geopolitics at the Canadian Foreign Service Institute and as a trainer in Political leadership for Friedrich Ebert foundation in Senegal. Alioune Ndiaye also appears as a guest analyst on African politics and international relations for several media outlets, including BBC Africa, Le Point, Africa 24. Faly Diallo | Regional Finance Officer World Bank Finance & Accounting
clients and governments.
Mr. Faly Diallo is an International Consultant specialized in Corporate Strategy,Private and Development Financing. He brings sound technical skills, business acumen, competencies and proven expertise in Finance, Accounting, Client and Advisory Services. Over his distinguished career he has held various senior level positions with leading firms in the Banking, Audit, Accounting & Consulting industry including the World Bank Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, British American Tobacco and Ecobank, providing a broad range of cutting edge and tailored advisory services to a variety of private companies, institutional
In addition, Mr. Diallo has founded several companies in Senegal in diverse fields and is passionate about African SMEs because of their ability to challenge large multinational companies and their potential to disrupt entire sectors of the economy by finding solutions adapted to local realities. Mr. Diallo holds a BA in Finance and Audit from SupDeCo Dakar (Senegal) and an MBA from University Paris Dauphine (France).
8:30 AM 9:25 AM 9:30 AM 9:35 AM 9:40 AM 9:45 AM 9:50 AM 10:50 AM 11:20 AM 12:00 PM 12:20 PM 2:00 PM
Breakfast | Networking Emcee - Fathia Schwartzenberger Welcome Remarks | Brian Vogt Papa Dia | About ALG Secretary of State | Jena Marie Griswold Moderator | Rosy Aburto McDonough | Panelist Introduction Panel Discussion Q&A Lunch Keynote Speaker | Geta Asfaw Breakout Exhibitor Fair Closing
EXHIBITORS:
Be sure to visit these exhibitors SPONSOR BOOTHS/TABLES Bank of the West Colorado Secretary of State Energy Africa African Leadership Group (ALG) African Chamber of Commerce, Colorado USA Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade - Minority Business Office
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Climb Higher Colorado Daniels Foundation Denver Foundation Donnell Kay Foundation Gates Family Foundation Rose Community Foundation Walton Family Foundation We also thank the following for their extraordinary support
PLATINUM TABLE SPONSOR Walton Family Foundation DaVita GOLD TABLE SPONSORS Thiry O’Leary Foundation SILVER TABLE SPONSORS Extraction Oil & Gas Lori Collier Events SPECIFIC EVENT DAY TABLE SPONSORS Africa Investor Connect Bank of the West Colorado Early College Denver Botanic Gardens First Bank Office of Economic Development & International Trade - Minority Business Office Rose Community Foundation
EVENT SPONSORS Africa Investor Connect Law Office of Andrew L. Younkins, LLC Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center Bank of the West Brokers Guild Brooks Immigration LLC City of Lakewood Colorado Children’s Campaign Colorado Early College Colorado Succeeds Concorde Career College DaVita Denver Botanic Gardens Denver Digest Denver Glam Events Denver Urban Spectrum EIS Solutions Inc. Energy Africa Conference Extraction Oil & Gas First Bank Fwd.US | I Stand With Immigrants Havana Sign Jeroyaf Accounting & Tax Services Lucy Coffee Lori Collier Events MidwestOne Bank National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Okunade, LLP Office of Economic Development & International Trade – Minority Business Office Office of International and Immigrant Affairs Owusu Realty Ready Colorado Rocky Mountain Welcome Center Rose Community Foundation Stanley British Primary School Thiry O’Leary Foundation Unite for Literacy Universal Lending Corporation Vega Collegiate Academy Visit Aurora Walton Family Foundation
Dear ALG Family & Friends, We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks for your support and for attending our Economic Impact Conference & Workshop. The planning & organizing committee of the African Leadership Group (ALG) would like to invite you to join us at our 4th Annual Afrik Impact Gala, to be held on August 10th, at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. WHO: All are invited and encouraged to attend | Dress to impress WHAT: A community celebration and demonstration of accomplishments TIME: 5pm - 10pm WHERE: Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Blvd, Aurora PRICE: $75, visit www.usalg.org We are excited to announce that our featured speakers will be the Honorable Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia. Mrs Sirleaf is the first woman to lead the UNDP’s Regional Bureau of Africa and a 2011 Nobel Prize for Peace winner. She is an influential economist for the World Bank, Citibank, and other international financial institutions. We would be honored to have you join us at this year’s celebration. Sincerely, Papa M. Dia, Founder & Executive Director, African Leadership Group Thank you for attending our 4th Annual Afrik Impact 2019 Celebration! We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the generosity of our guests, volunteers, sponsors, donors, exhibitors and Denver Botanic Gardens’ staff for making this event happen! You can reach out to us on our website: www.usalg.org African Leadership Group (ALG)