FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrating Heritage and Leadership: The Festival of the Diaspora Showcases the African Diaspora’s Global Contributions and Inspires Innovation
MEDELLÍN, Colombia (Feb. 10, 2025) — The Festival of the Diaspora announces Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dòwòti Désir will be a featured panelist at this year’s esteemed event, taking place February 13–16, 2025, in Medellín, Colombia. Globally recognized as a cultural ambassador, human rights advocate, and spiritual leader, Queen Mother Dr. Désir will lend her unique perspective to two compelling panels: “Spotlight on Haiti” and “Perspectives on the Benefits of Learning from the Diaspora.” These sessions promise to deliver insightful discussions on heritage, leadership, and innovation.
“The Festival of the Diaspora is an extraordinary platform for connecting communities, sharing ideas, and celebrating the richness of our collective heritage,” said Cordell Carter, founder of the Festival. “This year’s focus on Haiti highlights its unparalleled contributions to the global tapestry and serves as a call to action for fostering leadership and innovation.”
“Haiti’s contributions to global culture, geopolitical strategies of liberation, and dignity in the face of retribution are unparalleled,” said Queen Mother Dr. Dòwòti Désir. “I am honored to join these conversations and discuss how we can amplify and strengthen Haitian voices worldwide.”
Queen Mother Dr. Désir, a visionary leader, cultural diplomat, and Founder and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Corps Agoodjié of the African Diaspora, brings decades of advocacy for cultural preservation, human rights, and economic empowerment. Her participation will elevate the dialogue surrounding Haiti’s legacy and global impact.
The “Spotlight on Haiti” panel will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Girardot Salon on the lobby level of the Intercontinental Hotel Medellín. This engaging 55-minute session will celebrate Haiti’s profound cultural legacy while exploring actionable strategies to elevate Haitian leadership and innovation on the global stage.
She will be joined by:
• Dr. Guerda Nicolas, a renowned psychologist and researcher specializing in culturally responsive mental health interventions for immigrant families and communities of color.
• Marvel Joseph, an advocate for economic development and leadership within Black communities, representing the National Black Economic Conference (NBEC).
• Moderator Reginald Canal, President of the Fortis Lux Sports & Entertainment Division and a staunch advocate for financial empowerment and educational equity.
In addition, Queen Mother Dr. Désir will participate in the “Perspectives on the Benefits of Learning from the Diaspora” panel, moderated by Dr. Warren Simmons, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Foundation and former Executive Director of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform (AISR). She will share the stage with Dr. Tonija Hope, Director of the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University.
This discussion will highlight the value of learning from the diaspora’s diverse experiences and insights, focusing on how global perspectives fuel creativity, sustainability, and community engagement to address contemporary challenges.
The South American Attaché of the Royal Palace of the African Diaspora, Emmanuel Chery-Estriplet, underscored the Palace’s commitment to fostering transnational cooperation and empowering emerging leaders. Through the Palace’s sponsorship, several Afro-Colombians have been awarded scholarships to attend the Festival of the Diaspora. As part of their participation, these awardees will be empowered to develop impactful projects centered on repatriation issues, advancing the mission of the Royal Palace under the guidance and vision of Queen Mother Dr. Désir.
The Festival of the Diaspora is a premier global event celebrating the heritage, resilience, and ingenuity of diasporic communities. Over four dynamic days, more than 200 leaders from across the Americas and beyond will participate in thought-provoking panels, immersive workshops, and cultural celebrations designed to inspire collaboration, innovation, and community empowerment.
Set in Medellín—a city celebrated for its innovation and vibrant Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and migrant communities—this year’s festival provides an ideal platform for exploring culture, diversity, and progress.
For more information about the Festival of the Diaspora, its programming, and ticket purchases, visit www.festivalofthediaspora.org.
About the Festival of the Diaspora
Founded by Cordell Carter, the Festival of the Diaspora is a global nonprofit platform dedicated to promoting, inter-cultural dialogue, and the strengthening of communities with a sense of belonging. Since 2023, its management has been led by Casa Innovation, a nonprofit organization founded and directed by Maria Velasquez. Casa Innovation works tirelessly to create opportunities and enhance the capacities of underestimated social entrepreneurs in Colombia and Latin America, with the mission of inspiring and empowering emerging leaders. It is the primary partner of the Festival of the Diaspora. For more information about the Festival of the Diaspora and Casa Innovation, our programming, and ticket purchases, visit www.festivalofthediaspora.org and www.casainnovation.org.
About Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dòwòti Désir
Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dòwòti Désir, the Kpodjito of the Royal Palace of the African Diaspora and the first Haitian-born Queen Mother enthroned on the African continent, is an internationally recognized cultural diplomat, human rights advocate, and interfaith leader. She serves as the Ambassador-at-Large of the High Council of Kings of Bénin and Founder of the Imperial Corps Agoodjié of the African Diaspora, a leadership initiative empowering woman of African descent. A Manbo Asogwe in Haitian Vodou and founder of The AfroAtlanticTheologies & Treaties Institute, Dr. Désir is dedicated to interfaith dialog, cultural preservation, social justice, and fostering transnational African connections. Her extensive work spans academia, activism, and artistic curation, including serving as a UNESCO Desk Review Expert and publishing groundbreaking works on Afro-Atlantic memory and liberation theology. For more information, visit www.queenmotherdowoti.org.
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