President Joe Biden of the United States has announced the inclusion of two Nigerian-Americans, Osagie Imasogie and Chinenye Joy Ogwumike, in his Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement.
This 12-person council is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing issues concerning the African diaspora and enhancing engagement with this global community.
The council comprises a diverse group of individuals, including prominent figures from various fields. Silvester Scott Beaman has been designated as the council’s chair, while other members include Mimi E. Alemayehou, Rosalind Brewer, Viola Davis, Helene D. Gayle, Patrick Hubert Gaspard, C.D. Glin, Almaz Negash, Ham K. Serunjogi, and Kevin Young.
Chinenye Joy Ogwumike, a 31-year-old Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star and ESPN basketball analyst, is one of the notable appointees. She gained recognition not only for her prowess on the basketball court but also for her humanitarian efforts. In 2014, alongside her sister, WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike, Chinenye initiated a UNICEF fundraiser in response to the kidnapping of the Chibok girls by the extremist group Boko Haram. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being one of the few full-time professional athletes who simultaneously maintain a full-time role in national sports media broadcasting. Her academic achievements include a degree in International Relations from Stanford University, where she benefited from the mentorship of Dr. Condoleezza Rice. In August 2020, she made history as the first Black woman to host a national daily sports talk radio show.
Osagie Imasogie, another appointee to the council, is an accomplished serial entrepreneur and serves as the Chairman of the Investment Bank and SEC/FINRA registered Broker-Dealer, Quoin Capital, and Quoin Advisors. He co-founded PIPV Capital, a private equity firm with a focus on the life sciences sector, with investments exceeding $1 billion in the industry. Imasogie’s extensive experience also includes the establishment of GlaxoSmithKline Ventures, where he served as the founding Vice President.
These appointments highlight the commitment of the Biden administration to engage with and leverage the expertise of the African diaspora in various fields. The inclusion of accomplished Nigerian-Americans like Osagie Imasogie and Chinenye Joy Ogwumike on the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement is expected to contribute significantly to the council’s mission and further strengthen U.S.-Africa relations.