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One of the most promising gatherings of Pan-African world leaders in recent memory was announced last week in Baltimore at the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore.
“I am delighted to be in Baltimore to announce that the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) is poised to convene one of the great global gatherings of Black people of the century in this city,” said Dr. Ron Daniels, IBW’s president, during a press conference at the church.
The five-day event, April 19-23, which is the fifth State of the Black World Conference, will take place in Baltimore, marking a return to the roots and origins of IBW in 1994. Before discussing the remarkable history of IBW, Dr. Daniels read a statement from Dr. Julius Garvey, the event’s honorary chair and the son of the renowned Marcus Garvey, who was unable to attend the press conference.
“It is important that African civilization norms and prescriptions for sustainable development be formalized and structured as we repair the damage caused by the last 500 years of European materialism, industrialization and oppressive dehumanization,” Dr. Garvey said in the statement.
“Topics to be discussed include the unification of the continent via rail, road, airways, language and customs union to facilitate the African continental free trade agreement.”
Also on the expansive agenda, Garvey noted is “Climate change, environmental pollution and reparations for the ravages caused by the slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, and the Bretton Woods consensus. Invited guests include many heads of state of African and Caribbean countries, political leaders, civil rights and human rights activists.”
Dr. Daniels then cited that a veritable who’s who of leaders and activists already committed to participate at the conference, including the Nana Addo Danka Akufo-Addo, President, Republic of Ghana, Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Francia Marquez, Vice-President, Colombia and Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada have been invited and are expected to confirm. Hon. P. J. Patterson, the longest serving Prime Minister of Jamaica and the Caribbean a global statesman has already confirmed. Dr. Daniels was especially effusive about the attendance of Ms. Marquez, “She is the first Afro-Colombian vice president in the country’s history.” Another highlight of the conference is the tribute to the late Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, featuring commentary from current Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.
Other notables listed as panelists or presenters, are actor/activist Danny Glover, Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of CARICOM Reparations Committee, and Marc Morial, president/CEO, National Urban League, Dr. George Fraser, President and CEO, FraserNET, Kamm Howard, Founder/Director, Reparations United, and among the invited guests are Bakari Kitwana, Executive Director of Rap Sessions, and Jasiri X, Co-Founder/CEO, IHood Media, to provide insight on the current developments in Hip Hop and the Black Liberation Movement.
Joining Dr. Daniels at the press conference was public relations standout Carolyn McClair, IBW board member Kareem A. Aziz, author and film promoter Haki Ammi, Wayne Stokely, and Rev. Dr. Robert R.A. Turner, pastor of the church hosting the press conference. “I am excited about this conference and I hope that many of you attend what I believe is a pivotal moment in our history and I can’t wait to see the success of this 5-day affair.”
“All roads lead to Baltimore for the State of the Black World Conference V,” Dr. Daniels repeated, and that destination culminates on April 19-23 at the Baltimore Convention Center and Hilton Inner Harbor Hotel. For conference updates information, registration & schedule of events, visit IBW21.org. Early registration ends April 1, 2023.
