Whats good coli fam,
I was scrolling through here earlier and saw a post that got me thinking. First off, I know there’s always debate on here—FBA vs diaspora, who should work with who, etc.—but this ain’t about that. This isn’t about giving anything up or replacing anything that's already pushing for. Just wanted to throw out an idea and see what y’all think.
So, I’m currently based in Africa, from the DMV originally. (HUSL) and now I work around the tourism and development space, and lately I’ve been thinking more and more about how other communities get direct support from the U.S. to develop ties with their ancestral homelands and wonder if an argument can be made for FBAs and Americans of African descent to collaborate on something similar. This all came about when I was reading about someone commenting on the aid for Israel (which I have no comment on and this post isn't about) and how besides defense, it goes to development, research, and building infrastructure and the funding is tied to their historical connection to the land and the U.S.’s long-term alliance.
So that got me thinking:
Why couldn’t Americans of African Descent and FBAs (AAD/FBA to make it shorter) make a similar argument for support to build in Africa?
I’m not talking about handouts or symbolic stuff. I mean a real strategy with two sides:
1. A government office or department focused on connecting AAD/FBA with African development opportunities. It could offer funding, business incentives, land agreements, cultural exchange programs, even roles within federal agencies related to Africa policy, commerce, or diplomacy. That’s jobs, influence, and structure.
2. Private Black-owned businesses using that support to invest in real projects—construction, health care, agriculture, education, tech. Projects that are owned and run by us, with impact on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why?
For us, the benefits are real. It could open up new markets, create jobs, and let people who want to explore opportunities abroad do so with structure. And those who stay in the U.S. would still benefit from the economic ties, employment, and federal hiring that would come out of it. For the U.S., it strengthens relationships with African nations, builds soft power, and keeps the economic benefits cycling back into the American system (taxes, trade, exports).
How?
Democrats could back it as a form of equity and diaspora engagement. Republicans could back it as an alternative foreign policy tool that’s more cost-effective than traditional aid models. And the money wouldn’t have to come out of thin air—just reallocated from parts of the foreign aid budget that aren’t delivering long-term returns
Again, I’m not saying this replaces anything we’re already owed or fighting for. But it could be another front in the strategy. One more lane.
What do y’all think—realistic or nah? Would Congress ever go for something like this? What’s missing to make it move?
With everything happening in the world right now, we all need to diversify our options—and this is the kind of play that could get broad support and offer folks a whole new lane. Imagine something like a U.S.-funded “birthright” trip for Black young professionals—a two-week experience that’s part cultural reconnection, part business exploration, and part low-key diplomatic mission repping America abroad.
The closest thing I’ve seen to this is the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which brings young African leaders to the U.S., but there’s nothing big on the other side—bringing Black Americans to Africa with backing. Maybe some private initiatives or HBCU study abroad stuff, but nothing on a national level that’s framed around ownership and long-term investment.
Appreciate any real feedback. Sorry for the wall of text. Just enjoying some free time. Anyways. I’ll looking into this more. Just wondering if it has legs.
Thanks for coming to my Tedros Talk.
I was scrolling through here earlier and saw a post that got me thinking. First off, I know there’s always debate on here—FBA vs diaspora, who should work with who, etc.—but this ain’t about that. This isn’t about giving anything up or replacing anything that's already pushing for. Just wanted to throw out an idea and see what y’all think.
So, I’m currently based in Africa, from the DMV originally. (HUSL) and now I work around the tourism and development space, and lately I’ve been thinking more and more about how other communities get direct support from the U.S. to develop ties with their ancestral homelands and wonder if an argument can be made for FBAs and Americans of African descent to collaborate on something similar. This all came about when I was reading about someone commenting on the aid for Israel (which I have no comment on and this post isn't about) and how besides defense, it goes to development, research, and building infrastructure and the funding is tied to their historical connection to the land and the U.S.’s long-term alliance.
So that got me thinking:
Why couldn’t Americans of African Descent and FBAs (AAD/FBA to make it shorter) make a similar argument for support to build in Africa?
I’m not talking about handouts or symbolic stuff. I mean a real strategy with two sides:
1. A government office or department focused on connecting AAD/FBA with African development opportunities. It could offer funding, business incentives, land agreements, cultural exchange programs, even roles within federal agencies related to Africa policy, commerce, or diplomacy. That’s jobs, influence, and structure.
2. Private Black-owned businesses using that support to invest in real projects—construction, health care, agriculture, education, tech. Projects that are owned and run by us, with impact on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why?
For us, the benefits are real. It could open up new markets, create jobs, and let people who want to explore opportunities abroad do so with structure. And those who stay in the U.S. would still benefit from the economic ties, employment, and federal hiring that would come out of it. For the U.S., it strengthens relationships with African nations, builds soft power, and keeps the economic benefits cycling back into the American system (taxes, trade, exports).
How?
Democrats could back it as a form of equity and diaspora engagement. Republicans could back it as an alternative foreign policy tool that’s more cost-effective than traditional aid models. And the money wouldn’t have to come out of thin air—just reallocated from parts of the foreign aid budget that aren’t delivering long-term returns
Again, I’m not saying this replaces anything we’re already owed or fighting for. But it could be another front in the strategy. One more lane.
What do y’all think—realistic or nah? Would Congress ever go for something like this? What’s missing to make it move?
With everything happening in the world right now, we all need to diversify our options—and this is the kind of play that could get broad support and offer folks a whole new lane. Imagine something like a U.S.-funded “birthright” trip for Black young professionals—a two-week experience that’s part cultural reconnection, part business exploration, and part low-key diplomatic mission repping America abroad.
The closest thing I’ve seen to this is the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which brings young African leaders to the U.S., but there’s nothing big on the other side—bringing Black Americans to Africa with backing. Maybe some private initiatives or HBCU study abroad stuff, but nothing on a national level that’s framed around ownership and long-term investment.
Appreciate any real feedback. Sorry for the wall of text. Just enjoying some free time. Anyways. I’ll looking into this more. Just wondering if it has legs.
Thanks for coming to my Tedros Talk.
