Jacobs, Kamlager-Dove Introduce Legislation to Institutionalize African Diaspora Advisory Council
Congresswomen Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) introduced a bill to codify the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States, ensuring the Council is not a one-off initiative but an important asset that continues to be utilized by future administrations.
Congresswoman Jacobs, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said: “The African diaspora in the United States is a special, and often untapped, resource as we continue rebuilding and strengthening our relationship with the African continent. That’s why it’s so important that we codify the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement and make permanent the pathway for direct and robust dialogue between the African diaspora and U.S. officials. As we work to tackle our shared challenges and promising opportunities, the African diaspora’s strong ties and deep knowledge will be invaluable.”
“The African diaspora in Los Angeles and across the U.S.—from recent immigrants to the descendants of enslaved Black Americans—are leading advocates for a strong U.S.-Africa relationship,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “These communities have pioneered U.S.-African partnerships in trade, education, climate, sports, and the arts, and are our greatest asset when it comes to enhancing ties with the continent. The President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement is a long overdue recognition of the critical role our diaspora plays in advancing common interests and addressing shared challenges. Codifying this initiative affirms the U.S.’s continued commitment to bolstering mutually beneficial relationships with the African continent.”
Full text of this legislation can be found here.
ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AFRICAN DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES:
The establishment of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement was a deliverable announced during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The Council advises the President, through the Secretary of State, on issues involving the African diaspora and U.S.-Africa ties in an effort to enhance dialogue between United States officials and the African diaspora. In July, the Council conducted its first visit to the continent to strengthen ties between the United States and Nigeria through diaspora-led initiatives. A list of the Council’s inaugural members can be found here.