Brain gain company celebrates African heritage in New York
Shamin Chibba
23 September 2015
This Heritage Day, Africa's myriad cultures will be celebrated in New York City
when brain gain company Homecoming Revolution hosts its annual Speed Meet in
the Big Apple. The gathering is held in affiliation with Brand South Africa.
Captains of industry, African professionals, celebrities and media will meet for
the two-day event, which starts with a VIP Heritage Day dinner at the trendy Kaia
Wine Bar in Manhattan on 24 September. This is followed by a full-day interactive
networking event at the Thomson Reuters headquarters in Times Square on 25
September.
Among the invited guests are South Africa's consulate-general Thulisile Nkosi;
media executive Alex Okosi; Brand South Africa board member Thebe Ikalafeng;
Paralympic footballer Ibrahima Diallo; artist Ibiyinka Alao; and fashion designer
Farai Simoyi.
Angel Jones, the chief executive of Homecoming Revolution, said the Speed
Meet aimed to inspire Africans living in
the US to come home. It would show them
that the continent was full of opportunity. "We feel incredibly privileged to be
playing such an important role in building our continent's prosperity. The 'Africa
Rising' dream can only be fulfilled if there is a significant brain gain on the
continent.
"There are amazing opportunities on the continent, from jobs to investments to
entrepreneurial ventures. Now is the time for global Africans to fulfil their destiny
of success and significance."
Speed Meet New York will introduce Africans living in the US to top employers
back home, as well as provide advice on returning, property investment and
relocation.
The gathering in New York follows Speed Meet Jozi, which took place in August.
At that event, former South African president Thabo Mbeki called on the African
diaspora to return.
Brand South Africa has entered into an agreement with Homecoming Revolution
in order to leverage opportunities for its
Global South Africans (GSA) programme.
The agreement, which consists of a number of engagement platforms, including the
Speed Meet, will provide exposure for the GSA programme, and assist with growing
the network.
For more information on this and Homecoming Revolution's other global events
visit the
organisation's website.
Homecoming Revolution hosts its Speed Meet in New York on 24 September 2015, looking to entice Africans living in the US to come home. (Image: Homecoming Revolution)
