African Union Leader Endorses ‘African Village’ in Atlanta

The leading official of theAfrican Union in the United States has endorsed the development of an “African Village” that would serve as a commercial and educational center on 540 acres in Fulton County.

Amina Salum Ali, who holds the official title of ambassador and is the African Union’s permanent representative inWashington, endorsed the project at a meeting at theAfrica World Museum and Center, 135 Peachtree St., on April 30.

Tunde Adetunji, a Nigerian chieftain and president and CEO of the USA Africa – Bridging the Gap and Building the Bridge initiative, is organizing support for the project, which is titled the Africa Heritage Foundation project. He also is organizing a conference in October to be held in Atlanta promoting African trade and investment opportunities.

In November of last year, Mr. Adetunji attended the 1st Pan African Cultural Congress of the African Union in Addis Abba, Ethiopia, where he announced the plans for the village and conference. He also presented a letter from former Secretary of State Cathy Cox endorsing Mr. Adetunji’s activities and a Georgia flag.

Ms. Salum Ali said that she thought the village would provide Americans an opportunity to learn about African cultures and stimulate economic development through trade and tourism both in the U.S. and on the African continent.She also endorsed the upcoming trade and business conference.

According to plans for the village, each of the 53 member nations of the African Union would have 10 acres on which to represent themselves.

Also attending the meeting, which additionally served as a 10th anniversary of the museum, were Joe Beasley, a civil rights activist representing the Rainbow Push Coalition; Isaac Farris, president and CEO, The King Center; Joe Johnson, director of Fulton County Housing and Community Development Authority; William Settle, Delta Air Lines Inc.’s program manager for its Global Diversity Talent Acquisition and Retention program, and Atlanta City CouncilmenKwanza Hall and James Maddox.

Each individual spoke in favor of the project and its objectives.

The conference also has been formally endorsed in official letters by U.S. Rep. John Lewis ofGeorgia’s 5th district; Gov. Sonny Perdue; Secretary of State Karen Handel; Mayor Shirley Franklin; Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta, U.S. congressman and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; Jorge Fernandez, vice president, Global Commerce Economic Development at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Thomas W. Dortch Jr., chairman emeritus, 100 Black Men of America Inc.

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