ATLANTA, GEORGIA: PR Newswire reported that close to 3,000 attendees at the National Business League’s 124th National Black Business Conference in Atlanta heard encouraging words from keynote speaker and Liberian President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The historic event on September 3, 2024, in collaboration with the National Alliance for Black Business and co-founders, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, and the World Conference of Mayors, focused on heightening economic partnerships and collaborative efforts between Black American businesses and African countries.
With a particular emphasis on Liberia, Boakai’s appearance added significant value by identifying the direct line back to the Business League’s founder, Booker T. Washington, who played a vital role in Liberia’s history.
When the African nation was threatened with being acquired by European colonial forces in 1907, Liberia leaned on the Tuskegee University founder to intervene.
Washington was able to stop foreign entities, secure Liberia’s survival, and create the foundation for Pan-Africanist relations.
Boakai highlighted how collaboration with Liberia, the Pan-African community and the private U.S. sector will heighten economic opportunity.
He also called for stronger economic ties to help expand opportunities for Black businesses globally.
According to the Liberian Observer, the president and CEO of the National Business League, Dr. Kenneth Harris, celebrated the success of the conference, labeling it as coming full circle.
“This occasion is important because 40 years ago, the World Conference of Mayors hosted its first conference in Monrovia, Liberia. And now it’s coming full circle,” Harris said.
“So, should I say, since we went home first, now Liberia is coming to the United States to continue the work that was started 40 years ago, except now, we are focused on black businesses?”
