As we work through this moment of racial reckoning in the U.S. - I'm frequently asked by foreign policy orgs/professionals for "concrete steps" to move from statements of solidarity for diversity & inclusion to measurable actions - a thread.
While it's infuriating that people - purportedly of good conscience - needed to see George Floyd suffocated by police in order to self-examine - it nonetheless offers an opportunity to pivot.
The statements of solidarity made by NGOs/Think Tanks were affirming 1st steps - that should not be dismissed. But what BIPOC communities need is the removal of barriers to opportunity, fair pay and equitable treatment - in short: jobs and justice.
Taking this moment to share gratitude for some of the people & orgs that embraced, expanded, and helped me grow in #2019 - starting w/ @ChrisFomunyoh and the wonderful teams @NDI@ndiafrica & @IRIglobal@IRI_Africa for the IEOM #Nigeria
No better way to end the year than the way in which we began...with gratitude! My sincere public thanks to all who've made my life better in this space and beyond, including: the wonderful folks @NDI, @NDIWomen@ndielections - who brought me to Haiti & Lebanon this year
and have me poised to join the Election Monitoring Mission in #Nigeria in February 2019! @ChrisFomunyoh; also thanking my beloved @emilize and @nicolerowsell who's friendship and support made those journeys possible! And @amandaep916 for her kindness in cheering me on!
Sincere thanks as well to the wonderful team @CSISDiversity@NewAmerica@icapaa@BetterLifeLab for their commitment to diversity & inclusion; and recognizing the gifts that we all bring to bear to this world!
It's Finally Here!!! The inaugural episode of the On Africa podcast, feat. Amb. Johnnie Carson on Zimbabwe's recent Presidential Elections and their aftermath. We hope you'll listen, like, & retweet; then subscribe & rate our iTunes launch this weekend! soundcloud.com/user-105520469…