Get The Scoop On The Upcoming Global Series: "Mending Divides," Launching to Connect Women of African Descent Worldwide

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Global Series Launches to Connect Women of African Descent Worldwide

Mending Divides: A Journey to Solidarity Debuts June 14, 2025 with keynote Dr. June Soomer current member and former Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. 

In alignment with the United Nations’ Second International Decade for People of African Descent, the African American Public Policy & Advocacy Group proudly announces the launch of Mending Divides – A Journey to Solidarity: Mending Historic Divides Between Women of African Descent. The inaugural session of this global discussion series will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM EDT / 1500 hrs UTC.

This landmark initiative aims to bring together women of African descent from across the diaspora to confront historical and cultural divides and co-create a shared path toward solidarity visibility, and in support of the  work of UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, and aligned with the African Union’s 2025 theme—“Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”—the series serves as a platform for dialogue, healing, and transformative action.

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Keynote Speaker:

The session will be inaugurated by The Honorable Ambassador Dr. June Soomer, current member and former Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. Dr. Soomer brings over 30 years of leadership in diplomacy, education, development, and reparatory justice, and her voice will set the tone for this powerful international dialogue.

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Session I Theme:

“Who Am I to You and Why Does It Matter?”

An exploration of identity, perception, and how women of African descent can strengthen solidarity across borders and cultures.

Article On Mending Divides:
A Journey to Solidarity Continues
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Article On Mending Divides: A Journey to Solidarity Continues Below...

Event Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025

⏰ Time: 11:00 AM EDT | 1500 hrs UTC

🎤 Visionary and Facilitator: Reverend Lori Person-Baynard, CEO, African American Public Policy & Advocacy Group📚 Featured Speaker and Author : Unzip My Skin by Tsitsi Michelle Zawaira, CEO of Masiv LLC💬 Interactive Dialogue: Guided story-sharing and vision-building discussions💻 Register: Mending Divides Registration Form🆓 Admission: Free 

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Meet the Organizers and Contributors:

• Reverend Lori Person-Baynard is the founder and CEO of the African American Public Policy & Advocacy Group, and the visionary leader behind Mending Divides. She brings decades of experience in community engagement, public policy, and spiritual leadership to this transformative initiative.

• Fiona Baynard, Project Manager and Program Director at the African American Public Policy & Advocacy Group, contributes global insight and local expertise, blending her background in international studies and refugee support with youth development and systems-thinking.

• Tsitsi Michelle Zawaira, CEO of Masiv LLC and author of Unzip My Skin, brings a bold voice to the conversation. Through storytelling and advocacy rooted in cultural identity, her work challenges perceptions of dual identity and promotes healing through narrative power.

• Barbara Horne, Technical Consultant for the series, is the founder of TheoryInAction.tools and Ngaage.tools, and a longtime advocate for equity and justice, and Impact Technology. She also serves on the board of Athletes United for Peace, an NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC.

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Why Now:

As Black Communities  commemorate Juneteenth—a powerful symbol of Black freedom, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for justice—Mending Divides creates a necessary and healing space to confront the enduring legacies of enslavement and colonialism. This series stands in solidarity with the United Nations’ Second International Decade for People of African Descent and supports the vital work of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. It also aligns with the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” by uplifting the leadership and voices of women across the diaspora to help secure full human rights, advance reparatory justice, and build global solidarity for present and future generations.

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A Call to Action:

Mending Divides is more than a series—it’s a movement to bridge gaps, build trust, and inform global policy. Recommendations and insights from the series will be shared with the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, amplifying grassroots voices in international human rights efforts.

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For media inquiries, speaker interviews, or partnership opportunities:

📧 Contact Lori Person-Baynard at aappadvocacy@gmail.com

Join Us. Listen. Learn. Heal. Unite.

Let’s mend the divides—for ourselves, for our communities, and for the generations to come.

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