Passing of My Dear Friend...Dikembe Mutombo

It was with great sadness that I learned the news about the passing of my long-time dear friend Dikembe.  I met him many years ago when he was in the early stages of expanding his longtime dream -- building an affordable, accessible hospital in Kinshasa, the capital of his beloved home country - Democratic Republic of Congo. I knew him best from our humanitarian work connections, than his prowess on the basketball court (of course anyone who loves basketball, like I do as well, would have to marvel at that too!).  I traveled across the mighty Congo River to see the hospital in the early years, as a guest of Dikembe, when I was serving as United States Ambassador to Republic of Congo. (It was actually crossing this difficult River, between the Kinshasa-Brazzaville capitals, where we first met). From that point forward, I always helped whenever I could and advocated for his humanitarian work, as well as his goal to have a state-of-the art hospital in Kinshasa, in honor of the special place both his Mum and Dad held in his heart. Actually, it was his Mum's and Dad's health challenges that inspired Dikembe's commitment to not only building a hospital, but his Foundation. We remained good friends all these years -- from attending dinners at his home and on several occasions as his guest at his Foundation's annual awards dinner in Atlanta. My Mom, too, was an avid basketball fan (my love of the game came from her), so he invited me to bring her to one of his Nets games (when the Nets were still in New Jersey). When he called on the late Secretary Colin Powell at the State Department, he had me come with him, and I continue to thank him to this day for recommending me to the advisory board of the UN-week global issues summit called Concordia, on which I continue to serve.

I have not been able to write anything until today as I was hit so hard by the loss of this larger-than-life personality, who was a wonderful gem for the world, one of the best of Africa and America, a wonderful husband, son, and father, and a wonderful friend to me for so many years. My heart goes out to Rose and the family as well as his longtime wonderful assistant Sharon. 

Dikembe may you rest in eternal peace... your laugh and your big smile I will always remember, along with you always, always calling me "my ambassador," I will always be just that! It is an endearment I will always treasure as I will our friendship. Rest well my friend. 

#DikemeMutombo, #Dikembe, #DRC, #FEEEDS, #CEO-FEEEDS, #AmbSanders

Sanders' Blog Bits: January - March 2024

 Sanders' Blog Bits: January - March 2024

Our new format over last 18 months is to convert to a 'Blog Bits," format of issues we are involved in through the year. When feasible and warranted, the longer more traditional blog articles that The Africa Post, prepared in the past will appear. Entries are in ascending order:

March 2024:

--  Amb. Sanders was invited to attend the CFR session "In Conversation" with 4 former USG National Security Advisors: Tom Donilon, Stephen Hadley, Condolezza Rice, and Susan Rice. #USGNSC #USG #CEOFEEEDS #USGNationalSecurityAdvisors #SecRice, #AmbRice, #AmbSanders

--  Dr. Sanders was invited to a key security briefing by the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) on how the agency is addressing new
threats, strategic defense competition between the United States, China, and
Russia, and how emerging technology is shifting the defense landscape.
#NGA #China #Russia #US #technology #nationalsecurity

-- -- Dr. Sanders was invited to attend the UN Economic Commission on Africa's flagship Conference of Ministers. The focus of the 3-day event was transitioning African economies. #UNEconomicCommissionAfrica #CEOFEEEDS #AfricaEconomy

-- Amb. Sanders attended the recognition dinner for Ugandan Royal Highness
Sylvia Nagginda Luswata. The dinner focused on the importance of African
culture in society, and the key role of Her Highness' organization, and women
overall, in ensuring cultures’ legacies and future roles are nurtured and protected.
#Uganda #AfricaCulture #AfricaWomen #CEOFEEEDS

-- As a Board Mentor, member of the London-based Criticaleye organization, Dr.
Sanders has contributed to several of their articles and interviews on key issues
related to leadership and boards. See articles:  

      

1. Global Economic Outlook 2024: https://www.linkedin.com/.../ambassador-dr-robin-renee...

2. Making the Leap from Executive to NED: https://www.linkedin.com/.../ambassador-dr-robin-renee...

3. Putting ESG at the Heart of Your Strategy: https://www.linkedin.com/.../ambassador-dr-robin-renee...

#Global2024Outlook #ExectoNED; #CEOFEEEDS. 

February 2024:

-- Ambassador Sanders attended Gallup's Center for Black Voices (CBV) Program, as part of her Black History Month activities. The event was opened by Gallup's CEO, with Gallup's CBV Director present key data. The event focused on CBV data and polling on life experiences in the U.S. Other notable attendees included students from Morgan State University (MSU), Howard University, as well as MSU's Career Center Associate Director. #Gallup #MSU #CenterForBlackVoices #CEOFEEEDS

January 2024:

-- Amb. Sanders attended a CFR policy session on “The Future of China and
China-U.S. Relations” & highlights of the Biden-Xi meeting as part of “A
Conversation With Liu Jianchao”, Minister, International Department, Central
Committee, Communist Party of China. #USChina, #BidenXi, #AmbSanders,
#CEOFEEEDS, #CFR

 -- Amb. Sanders attended the joint World Bank & Center for Global Development
session entitled “2024 Global Economy: Turning a Corner?” The session focused
on both challenges and prospects such as: the world economy facing a turbulent
period: growth projected to remain subdued in 2024; tight monetary policy;
restrictive credit; financial stress; climate disasters; and a weaker Chinese
economy. This is concurrent and/or on top of current escalating Middle East
conflict. #2024EconomicOutlook #WorldBank, #CFGD, #AmbSanders,
#CEOFEEEDS

 -- Amb. Sanders participated in the Brooking's Institute's "Foresight Africa 2024 Launch," seminar on Africa's 2024 economic and growth outlook. This includes a further slowdown as a result of high inflation, severe currency depreciations, heavy debt burdens, and more climate change-driven environment, weather and food security challenges (NB: 2023 already was the hottest year on record). All this keeping in mind still in 2024, the Continent will still be the fastest growing region in the world, with the youngest population in the world. Despite this outlook, there are a number of pluses such as a thriving entrepreneurial and innovative framework -- all points Amb. Sanders wrote about in her noteworthy 2014 book: "The Rise of Africa's Small and Medium Size Businesses: Spurring Development and Growing the Middle Class” (Foreword & Introductions by Amb. Andrew Young and Aliko Dangote). #AfricaEconomy2024, #Brookings, #AmbSanders, #CEOFEEEDS, #Innovation, #Entrepreneurship, #AfricaSMEs

-- Amb. Sanders was invited to attend the Washington, DC dinner and discussion
between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and China's new
Ambassador to the United States. #USChina, #USNationalSecurityAdvisor,
#ChinaAmbassador, #CEOFEEEDS, #AmbSanders

-- Amb. Sanders invited to attend the Council on Foreign Relations dinner with
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the new Chinese Ambassador to
the U.S. #CFR, #USChina

A FEEEDS Series BlogBit

Sanders' Blog Bits: October - December 2023

Sanders' Blog Bits (entries are in ascending order):

November-December 2023:

 --Dr. Sanders attended the Foreign Policy Magazine's session on "Takeaways from the Biden-Xi Meeting” on the sidelines of the November 17, 2023, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in California. Analysis underscores the U.S. and China mended some fences such as on return to US-China military communications, some cooperation on AI, help on reducing phentenol precursors, and respecting each other as competitors. 

#Biden #Xi #BidenXi #APECSummit2023 #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

 --Amb Sanders attended DC's World Trade Center event hosted by African Ambassadors to the United States for the new Presidential African Diaspora Advisory Council. #PresidentialCouncil #AfricaDiaspora

 --Ambassador Sanders, as former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, joined hundreds of esteemed guests, including former Director of Nigeria's Bank of Industry attending the wedding of WNBA star & ESPN Anchor Chiney Ogwumike.

#NBA #WNBA #ESPN #ChineyOgwumike #Nigeria #NigeriaBankofIndustry

 --As Director of Smarter Grid International (SGI), a solar energy company in Nigeria, Dr. Sanders will attend the UN Global Compact sessions on COP28. #SGI, #ClimateChange #SolarEnergy #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

 --As part of COP28, Dr. Sanders was invited to the Foreign Policy Magazine's forum on COP28 issues such as solutions for a warming planet, which had a focus on the powerful impact of collaborative efforts across various levels of governance and civil society. #COP28 #ClimateChange

 -- Amb. Sanders attended the Corporate Council of Africa's (CCA) 30th Anniversary Celebrations, which focused on highlighting the various key leaders who both created, developed and grew the organization to what it is today - one of the leading entities building and maintaining US-Africa business ties and relations. #CCA #USAfrica #CorporateCouncilofAfrica

 --As a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Amb. Sanders attended CFR's China session featuring Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who discussed the evolving U.S.-China relationship, the strategic opportunities and challenges it presents, and the narrative on power and cooperation in the 21st century. #CFR #CouncilofForeignRelations #USChina #NicholasBurns

October 2023:

 -- Amb. Sanders, in her advisory role with RFG Foundation which focuses, assists, provides internships, and scholarship to the next generation of students studying international affairs and global issues, will participate in key programming and help lead key development events for the 2023 RFG Fellows being held at the Nigerian Embassy under the auspices of Nigeria's first female Ambassador to the U.S., Her Excellency Ambassador (Mrs.) Uzoma Emenike. The focus on education and providing leadership to the next generation is a key pillar of importance for both Ambassador Emenike and Ambassador Sanders. #Education #Leadership #Nigeria #AmbassadorEmenike #AmbSanders #NigerianEmbassy 

-- Dr. Sanders' invited to participate in Foreign Policy Magazine’s "Her Power" event that brought together leading women in foreign policy, business, government, academia and the private sector to discuss issues revolving evolving careers, and leadership in all sectors of the workforce. #FPMagazine, #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders #Leadership #Workforce

 -- Dr. Sanders is featured in the 2023 Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report, quantifying Americans’ attitudes toward businesses and the impact they have on personal lives and society more generally. In the report, 63% of Americans said businesses have an extremely or somewhat positive impact on people’s lives, up from 55% in 2022. Americans still draw a clear distinction between big and small businesses, with small businesses (85%) seen as twice as likely to have a positive effect on people’s lives than big businesses (42%). Sanders' comments are on page 27 of the full data report - The Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report, can be accessed here:

 http://www.gallup.com/analytics/512066/bentley-business-in-society.aspx 

#Gallup #BentleyUniversity #WorkAttitudes #SmallLargeBusinesses #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders 

 -- Dr. Sanders was invited to the 2023 Fall Sessions of the IMF held in Morocco, participating virtually. Key sessions attended by Dr. Sanders were on global financial & GDP growth pictures, creating a more even playing field for non-Western economies, women entrepreneurs, financing for startups, sustainable development issues, an Africa brief, etc. #2023IMFMeetings #StateofGlobalEconomicGrowth #WomenEntrepreneurs

September 2023:

-- Amb. Sanders attended key global & Africa events as part of UN week:

As a UNGlobal Compact member, her focus was on climate change, biodiversity and climate-smart small businesses and innovation.

As a senior advisor for the Concordia Global Issues Summit, Amb. Sanders attended summit sessions with Presidents of Turkey, Paraguay, Ecquador & Montenegro, and leading international business leaders from the US and across the globe.

#UNGlobalCompact #Concordia #AmbSanders #CEOFEEEDS #ClimateChange #SMEs

-- Dr. Sanders attended the following Foreign Policy (FP) Magazine UNGA 78 events focused on several of FEEEDS key areas:  FP Energy Forum, FP Tech Forum, and Live Taping of Global Reboot

#FP #Energy #Tech #GlobalIssues #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

 -- As part of the Sub-Saharan Africa Business & Investment Summit UN Program, Ambassador Sanders led 3 sessions at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, focusing on energy issues and innovation (new projects around solar energy), climate change, US-Africa trade issues and how to further advance these efforts, Internet access issues, and importance of ensuring more value addition for Africa project, and strengthening inter-Africa trade. #AfricaTrade #AfricaInternet #climatechange #Nigeria #InvestinAfrica

 A FEEEDS Series BlogBit

Blog Bits: Early September - Late August 2023

September 2023

-- Amb. Sanders attended key global & Africa events as part of 2023 UN Week:

As a UNGlobal Compact member, her focus was on climate change, biodiversity and climate-smart small businesses and innovation.

As a senior advisor for the Concordia Global Issues Summit, Amb. Sanders attended summit sessions with Presidents of Turkey, Paraguay, Ecquador & Montenegro, and leading international business leaders from the US and across the globe. #UNGlobalCompact #Concordia #AmbSanders #CEOFEEEDS #ClimateChange #SMEs

-- Dr. Sanders attended the following Foreign Policy (FP) Magazine UNGA 78 events focused on several of FEEEDS key areas:  FP Energy Forum, FP Tech Forum, and Live Taping of Global Reboot. #FP #Energy #Tech #GlobalIssues #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

-- As part of the Sub-Saharan Africa Business & Investment Summit UN Program, Ambassador Sanders led 3 sessions at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York focused on energy issues and innovation (new projects around solar energy), climate change, US-Africa trade issues and how to further advance these efforts, Internet access issues, and importance of ensuring more value addition for Africa project, and strengthening inter-Africa trade. #AfricaTrade, #AfricaInternet, #climatechange, #Nigeria, #InvestinAfrica

August 2023

-- Sanders attended key West Africa policy brief and discussion on the growing number of coups in the region, with prestigious Africa Policy Group under the auspices of George Washington University

-- Under FE3DS, LLC, CEO-Sanders, as Chairwoman of USTR's Trade Advisory Council on Africa (aka TACA) participatged in briefing, discussion, and timing of the upcoming US-Africa AGOA Ministerial, which will take place in Johnanessburg, South Africa in November 2023

 

Blog-bits : Part One for Second Half of 2023: FEEEDS-Gallup 10th Anniversary Policy Forum - Keynoter USUN Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield

-       

July 2023

-- 2023 was the tenth year of the FEEEDS-Gallup Policy Forum. An annual event held for policy-focused organizations, agencies, academics, think tanks, diplomats, and individuals and was the brain-child of then Gallup's World Poll Managing Partner (now-CEO) Jon Clifton, and FEEEDS CEO Ambassador Robin Sanders. The 10-media partner has been Allafrica.com. Below follows Africa.com press release on the 10th anniversary event, and key highlights for the 2023 event, whose keynote speaker was United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield. The scene setter for the event was done by Gallup's Chairman of the Board, Jim Clifton, and Ambassador Sanders.

AllAfrica.Com Press Release:
Gallup and FEEEDS have held the Gallup-FEEEDS Policy Forum for the last 10 years at Gallup’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In special recognition of the 10th anniversary of this important platform the Policy Forum is honored to have as its 10th anniversary keynote speaker the Honorable Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations. This year’s event takes place on July 13 in Washington, DC.

The Policy Forum has chosen a pivotal and timely theme for its 10th Anniversary event “The Role of Multilateralism in Today's World,” which will also be the focus of the Ambassador’s remarks.

This year’s program is special in so many ways as the Forum always pulls in its past and present partners, along with attracting new ones.

The idea for the Policy Forum was the brainchild of Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders and Gallup CEO Jon Clifton 10 years ago as they both believe in the role and connection of policy and data. In addition, they sought to expose and provide opportunities for diverse and multicultural audiences to hear policy makers first hand, coupled with exposure to data on the global and domestic issues of the day covered by the Gallup World Poll.

CEO Clifton was previously Managing Partner of the Gallup World Poll, and Sanders served prior as U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Republic of Congo & at the National Security Council.

The event continues to focus on these goals with its yearly themes, high-level speakers, and longstanding audiences and partners. This year’s program also will include a fireside chat between Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Gallup Board Chairman Jim Clifton.

This year’s Forum will also be a recognition of many of those past partners – from allAfrica.com (all 10 years), the International Development Institute, U.S. Trade, US-Africa Trade, World Trade Center-Atlanta, UPAC, African Caribbean Business Center, and GB Group Global, Strategic Groups USA, to name a few, and always welcomes new faces, and new partners.

Since its inception, the event is held in July, and this special 10th session, with the Honorable Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, will be as well.

See article here for further details: https://lnkd.in/dYueRCd