The Diaspora Academy

Here's your sign to start 2025 with a strong dose of leadership and inspiration! Every February and October, we host #Diaspora101, our signature course designed specifically for diaspora leaders and allies. This year, we made a huge upgrade and converted the course into the Diaspora Leadership Program! 🌍💡 And - registration is OPEN today for our February 4-18, 2025 session! https://lnkd.in/gJTQ-ANK We’re helping diaspora changemakers step confidently into leadership, turn big ideas into actionable plans, and make a lasting impact. Regardless of where you are on your leadership or diaspora-focused journey, we will help you identify, define and design your diaspora goals, and gain clarity on ways you can meaningfully drive positive impact with and from a diaspora lens. DLP is perfect for you if you’re ready to: ✅ Gain leadership skills tailored for diaspora communities, ✅ Develop a clear vision and actionable strategy for your diaspora initiative or project, ✅ Build your voice, influence, and ability to inform, influence and inspire, ✅ Deepen your leadership skills through two private coaching sessions, and ✅ Connect with a global network of peers committed to making a difference. This course unlike #Diaspora101 - it's giving you much more than an introductory overview of diaspora impact. DLP will provide you with: ✨ Foundational learning of diaspora ecosystems and types of impact 🚀 Fundamental frameworks for successful leadership in the diaspora 💡 Strategies to identify and design your own diaspora initiative 🌍 Best practices for establishing partnerships with diasporas 💪🏾 Transformational growth through guided coaching and resources Enrollment is OPEN and open to all! For more details or information, you can find the full curriculum and expected outcomes on our website. 🎉 PLUS - you use our Early Bird discount for 20% OFF with promo code TDADLP until January 10! ⏰ So join us! Register today and be a part of the Diaspora Leadership Programs' 3rd cohort! Whether you are a member of a diaspora community, or an ally - you deserve the guidance, investment and support. It's my honor to support you on your diaspora leadership journey and I can't wait to see you there.

One of the most common questions we get at The Diaspora Academy is - I want to build something meaningful for the Diaspora, but where do I start? ✔️ How do we reach the right communities? ✔️ How do we design programs and services that people actually need? ✔️ How do we build long-term diaspora partnerships that go beyond one-time engagement? These are not small or easy questions! Working with the diaspora is critical and complex. Getting it right requires a diaspora-centric strategy that achieves your organizational goals and approaches diasporas as key stakeholders. That’s why we created the #DiasporaLeadershipProgram—to equip you with the skills and insights you need to make real, lasting impact. Just take it from Calvin, a former DLP participant: "The program’s contents were highly informative and included realistic and insightful data which has certainly added more value to my knowledge of Diaspora matters." 🌍 If you've been looking to start, to grow, to collaborate—this is your moment. Whether you're a diaspora leader or an ally, let’s do this work together. This training will be offered from February 4-18, 2025 - VIP packages are available! Join us today! https://lnkd.in/gacSiwcM #TDADiasporas #DLP #DiasporaEngagement #DiasporaPartnerships #DiasporaLeadership #Diaspora #Leadership #CreateTheSpaces #ImmigrantVoices #HomelandConnections #Community #Changemakers

Diaspora engagement and leadership requires diasporas and diaspora partners to have a clear mission, vision, programmatic framework and change goals. The framework you're applying when it comes to supporting and working with diasporas and transnational communities won't work without a diaspora-centric strategy. And chances are, you won't realize it until it's too late. You've launched your program, initiative or campaign and it's not aligning at all with the diasporas you wanted to reach. So what went wrong? Was it the program itself? Or the structure? Communications? It could be any one of those issues, or something else. But that's where we come in to make sure you don't experience this or lose precious time, money and resources! The The Diaspora Academy's #DiasporaLeadershipProgram is a 3-session training I'll be hosting from February 4-18. It is specifically designed to help develop and launch a long-term strategy for diaspora impact and partnership. The Diaspora Leadership Program will help you: ✅ Identify and refine your vision as a diaspora leader or partner, ✅ Develop clear, actionable goals for your diaspora-related initiative, and ✅ Navigate the unique challenges of your diaspora engagement priorities. Registration is open to all - including all diasporas and diaspora partners. Signup at: https://lnkd.in/g4Squuu8 See you there! Please share: Eiman Kheir Bashàïr Ahmed, PhD Elvina Quaison Fareed Zein Anmar Homeida Hassanatu Blake, PhD, MPH, MBA Larisa LARA, PhD Dr. Martin Russell Kingsley Aikins Almaz Negash Valentina Primo Adjoa Kyerematen, MS Kirstie Kwarteng, PhD Roberto Gil CANCEL COMAS Mikal Woldu, PhD Jennifer Brinkerhoff Asier Ansorena Iveren Ityoikaa, FIMC Ivana I. Natzinet Ghebrenegus Una Osili ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye (PhD) MR Rangaswami Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Dr. Menna Demessie Naomi Demsas Henok Yemane Angela Naa Afoley Odai Adwoa Ayesu Daniel Koroma Ajani Husbands Diana Konaté Yohannes Assefa Akindele Akinyemi Nneka Achapu Faisa Mohamed Amber Coleman-Mortley Verginie Touloumian #diaspora #diasporaengagement #dlp #leadership #purpose #impact #africa #africandiaspora #globaldiaspora

Happy New Year, friends! As we welcome 2025, our The Diaspora Academy team is reflecting on how important it is for all of us to stay connected to the moments that matter most - by finding and building community. That’s why we created the TDA 2025 Diaspora Calendar—a free resource to help us all stay informed and aligned with the global diaspora community which you can find at https://lnkd.in/gGSZBZBC. We see diaspora communities connecting or remaining connected to their ancestral cultures and homelands by holding key diaspora events, convenings, and holidays - both in their adopted and ancestral homelands. These moments may look different among diasporas, but they are universal in their goal: to find community, preserve culture, and be recognized and included as part of the fabric of their ancestral and adopted homelands. This calendar is a thoughtful, comprehensive listing of diaspora moments that reflect history, culture, and aspirations. Inside, you’ll find: ✅ Key holidays celebrated by diaspora communities worldwide ✅ International conferences and events to build connections ✅ National diaspora days from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Jamaica, and more This calendar represents the importance of staying intentional and organized as we create spaces for ourselves and others in the year ahead. It’s our gift to you—a way to start 2025 with purpose and clarity. We hope you'll grab your copy and join me in making this year one of inspiration, connection, and action. Let’s celebrate what makes our diaspora communities so extraordinary. 🌍✨ Here’s to an impactful 2025! ❤️ #diaspora #diasporaengagement #diasporaconference #diasporaimpact #diasporaphilanthropy #Africa #Asia #LatinAmerica #Europe #Arab #Caribbean #US

If you're interested in learning more about diaspora issues and finding opportunities to grow with diasporas, check out the TDA Diaspora Express, a newsletter where we share global diaspora insights, resources, and stories for all of us doing the work to make a difference in the diaspora. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gG9j-zNp You'll get updates from our CEO Semhar Araia on diaspora news you can use, opportunities to grow, and ideas to inspire your next big move. Whether you’re building something new, running an initiative, or just looking for fresh perspectives, this newsletter is for you. Ready to join? Subscribe here 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/gG9j-zNp #TDADiasporas #CreateTheSpaces #DiasporaLeadership #DiasporaEngagement #GlobalChangemakers #Development #Business #Newsletter #International #Diaspora #Africa #Asia #LatinAmerica #Europe #Caribbean #Asia

Friends, it's time for our Black Friday sale and we are absolutely giving you the best diaspora opportunity to take advantage of right away! 🚨 Get 50% off all of our diaspora leadership courses, including our signature 3-week course, Diaspora 101: From Ideas to Impact, which I teach live February 4-18, 2025! 🤯 We're also offering our entire Diaspora Starter courses catalog, available on January 1, 2025, with classes such as: - What Is The Diaspora and Why Does It Matter? - Unlocking the Power of Diaspora Journeys - Identifying Your Target Audience - Understanding Effective Diaspora Engagement - Diaspora Advocacy: Creating Your Agenda for Impact - Diaspora Giving & Philanthropy: Strategies for Effective Diaspora Impact   💰Use the promo code TDABF50 to get 50% off here: https://lnkd.in/g-WF8jmA 💪🏾 Entering our second year, we are more committed than ever to elevating the role of diasporas in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. As global populations navigate issues such as climate change, inequality, conflict and sustainable development, diasporas remain central to crafting solutions. 🙋🏾♀️Our courses are designed to equip participants with practical frameworks and insights to lead impactful initiatives. 🌍 Signup today and kickoff the New Year with a stronger commitment to your diaspora engagement strategies: https://lnkd.in/g-WF8jmA #TDADiasporas #CreateTheSpaces #DiasporaLeadership #DiasporaEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #SocialImpact #blackfriday #blackfridaysale #Diaspora #diasporaleadership #global #courses #onlinecourses #leadership #socialimpact #thediasporaacademy

As many of us know, these are challenging and uncertain times for many immigrant and diaspora communities in the United States, particularly those from the Global South. Like many of you, we've been reflecting deeply on our core values, priorities, and how we can create more spaces for joy and connection in our lives. When one reflects on the diaspora experience, it is the strength, creativity and resilience of diaspora communities that most stands out. How, time and again, diasporas overcome challenges through creativity, collaboration, and strength. It reminded us of one of the most powerful assets diasporas hold: 💪🏾 Community. At The Diaspora Academy, we believe in the extraordinary potential of community, and we're thrilled to share a new resource designed to help you tap into that power. "The Ultimate Diaspora Community Building Guide" offers 100 ideas to strengthen connections, create meaningful impact, and build a foundation for lasting change. We created this resource specifically to remind diasporas of their superpower and all the ways they can mobilize their community - for connection, restoration, and impact 📥 Download your copy here: https://lnkd.in/gta3ZG5E Let’s use the strength of our communities to create the spaces we’ve always needed. #TDADiasporas #CommunityBuilding #DiasporaLeadership #SocialImpact #CreateTheSpaces #Africa #Diasppra #DiasporaEngagement #Impact #Entrepreneurship

Our CEO Semhar Araia is featured in The Africa Report on her leadership and experience in diaspora engagement. Dubbed "Washington's diaspora whisperer", Semhar's journey and commitment to amplifying diaspora impact is more common and relatable to more global audiences than you might think. Diaspora policy and diaspora engagement may feel like a new concept to you, but diaspora communities are incredibly powerful drivers of local and global development. Don't believe us? Look at the sheer size of diaspora communities by population alone. Globally, the IOM - UN Migration agency reports there are 280 million international migrants worldwide. Notice, this is only referring to first-generation migrants. When you factor in second-generation children and multi-generational descendants, this number increases exponentially. In the US, second-generation Americans now make up at least 36 million people, hailing from African, Arab, Asian, Latino, Caribbean and European diaspora communities. This reflects the growing existence and influence of diasporas in shaping policy outcomes, economic growth, culture and public opinion. Whether you're in the public or private sector, tech, health, media, or any other industry, it’s essential to recognize that diaspora communities are integral to your audience and market. Failing to engage with them means missing critical voices and opportunities for impact. Take a moment to reflect on your organization’s goals: 1) Are you identifying and including diaspora stakeholders as a part of your market, constituency, or target audience? 2) Are you creating opportunities and incentives to raise awareness and generate support or interest from diasporas? 3) Are you intentionally including the perspectives of diasporas in your marketing and communications strategy? Now is the time to revisit your goals and include diasporas as a part of your strategy. The Diaspora Academy is here for you - whether you're at an institution or you're an individual interested in diaspora engagement. It's the honor of my life to amplify diaspora impact and support diaspora changemakers and allies interested in elevating diaspora engagement. https://lnkd.in/gKtqQnkm

You want to learn about Africa then cover the whole of Africa! Point. Blank. Period. This piece by Semhar Araia the CEO of #TheDiasporaAcademy resonated so much with what I have been thinking for the longest time. Just the other day I was presenting an amazing entrepreneurship project by one of my clients to an advertising agency, to see if any of their clients would want to be partners. The response was '...Our clients are only interested in Sub-saharan Africa.." They were impressed with everything else but just did not like the inclusion of North Africa. Now keep in mind the percentage breakdown for participation on this Entrepreneur Philanthropic projects is as follows: 14% North Africa 42% West Africa 4% Central Africa 30% East Africa 10% Southern Africa In addition to this, the industries that are covered are 22% Digital & Consumer Services, 20% Agriculture, 14% Energy & Environment, 16% Healthcare, 18% Retail & Manufacturing and 10% Science and Education. Not to mention that these entrepreneurs that are part of this amazing Philanthropic Entrepreneurship Project have got some of the brightest minds in Africa and collectively in the past few years have raised $252 million in revenue. And the only feedback we could get was "... Our clients are only interested in Sub-Saharan Africa..." Look in fairness the agency is allowed to have the policies that they want. I personally think it was a great loss for them, but what concerns me more is that this is the general mentality when it comes to how we view Africa, even as Africans living and working in Africa. And all sectors are actually at fault investment, education, agriculture, finance, policy making and even the creative and cultural sector. We are missing out on so much potential revenue across all key sectors if this does not change, as well as missing out on having the most meaningful cultural experiences if we limit ourselves to focusing on the "two Africas". Because truly that's what is happening now, Africa is consistently divided into Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. Except of course when it comes to AFCON we include everyone and look at the record breaking numbers that brings in and the comradery that it fosters across the continent. Talk less of some of the wonderful ideas and businesses that can be fostered if this were to become a reality. And yes there are so many limitations I am fully aware of this but perhaps for once we need to look at the opportunities and possibilities and truly start to imagine Africa in a whole different light! As you can tell Semhar's post really got my mind going and I hope that it does the same for you.... #Africa #SheSpeaksAfrica