Diaspora African Women’s Network

By Semhar Araia
January 12, 2012

This was originally posted on the Royal African Society's African Arguments Diaspora Debate Blog. Readers are welcome to post their comments here. 


Beyond the broad categorizations of the African diaspora and rhetorical questions posed by Dele Fatunla in his blog post, “What’s Diaspora Got To Do With It?”, he raises an important and timely question about what role the African diaspora plays and should play in supporting Africa’s growth.

Fatunla correctly lists remittances, tourism and brain drain as areas where diaspora have proven to have a critical impact in Africa, albeit sporadic at times.  These are the most recognizable ways in which diaspora relate with Africa.  They are not comparable to the experience of day-to-day living in Africa, but as a member of the diaspora that once relocated to my ancestral homeland of Eritrea for two years and currently spends half my time on the continent, I know there are additional ways Africans abroad are making an impact in Africa.

Before we explore those examples, it’s worth noting that Fatunla fails to define who exactly the diaspora is within the context of his analysis.  It is overly simplistic and dangerous to suggest they are “a group of people who by and large fled the continent when it was most in need, and returned when it least needs them”. The diaspora must be disaggregated into its many parts and identify what contributions they actually are providing.

To begin, the “African diaspora” is not monolithic.  We are a diverse, multifaceted & multigenerational demographic spanning every continent and socioeconomic status.  There are exhaustive studies by the World Bank, Migration Policy Institute, DFID and countless NGOs exploring this definition.  Many diaspora left home or were raised abroad for a variety of reasons, including war, conflict, insecurity or the lack of economic opportunity.  Yet we remain connected with our homelands.  Others grew up abroad and maintained a relationship with the continent by any means, either through regular visits, community language school or establishing transnational business ties.  Even more significant however are the emerging diaspora youth leaders raised abroad and seeking to forge deeper relationships with their homelands, as will be revealed later in this piece.

The other shortcoming with What’s Diaspora Got to Do With It is that it falls completely short on recognizing the diaspora’s added value – which is far beyond economic remittances and sporadic tourism.  Even though remittances continue to be the largest form of diaspora contributions, amounting to roughly $40 billion a year to support livelihoods and development, it is not the only form of significant deliverables from diaspora.

The last decade’s sudden explosion of technology, social media and new models for change has resulted in more contributions from the diaspora, particularly around long term development and advocacy.  Here are just a few examples:

1.      Promoting development:  Through innovation, broad based networks, and tried and true outreach, diaspora are taking their love for Africa and applying it with ingenuity for good.  Diaspora entrepreneurs and organizations are widening spaces in the continent for African-led development and growth. Initiatives such asVillages in Action, Shea Yeleen, Sierra Visions, Face Africa, and Akili Dada are just a few of the successful diaspora efforts launched in Africa with local communities.  With each example, these organizations were founded by diaspora who arrived to the States at a young age, or were educated abroad, or were raised entirely abroad.  The new face of diaspora and development is continuing to change.

2.      Support for humanitarian emergencies: When disaster strikes, Africa’s greatest resource has consistently proven to be its people.  Diaspora groups are a crucial lifeline to access those in need, by sending messages and delivering help.  The current drought ravaging East Africa spurred Africans on the continent and abroad into action.  Within weeks, Kenyans, South Africans, Nigerians, the broader Horn of Africa diaspora and more helped to raise millions of dollars for relief.  Somalia’s famine motivated Somalis abroad to relocate and help people most in need.  Efforts such as the Global Somali Response is one of many incredible examples of partnership and support.  Again, another organization founded by a next generation diaspora leader.

3.      Building bridges between Africans & non-Africans: Africa is not bound by its borders.  As Nigerian-American journalist Dayo Olopade calls it, Africa is the “Bright Continent”. Its people are a rich source of energy, life and innovation.  They are the bridges between countries and continents.  By celebrating our rich cultural heritage, diversity and histories, relationships are forged with foreigners, including those unable to visit the continent themselves. Photos and stories are shared in the halls of the diaspora community center.  Myths are dispelled. Messages are conveyed. And stereotypes are broken.



4.      Adding new layers to the African narrative: Stories of Africa’s development and its needs must be told by those on the continent first, but diaspora do help facilitate those stories. They add a deeper layer to Africa’s story and are an asset.  As diaspora groups grow in presence and participation, so too will these narratives. In addition to storytelling, diaspora owned businesses, faith based groups, community organizations, youth associations, and private enterprises are eager to carry Africa’s message to newcomers and supporters alike.

5.      Helping to shape Western & regional foreign policy agendas and offering models of civic participation:  New advocacy groups, civic associations and diaspora networks have also flourished in the West, particularly around conflict resolution, networking and economic trade with the continent.  Assuming diaspora apply effective advocacy strategies, they can help shape foreign policy priorities and shift analyses for Africa’s betterment.  Governments, organizations and decisionmakers recognize this power and potential of the African diaspora. They understand that beyond their wallets, diaspora are legitimate stakeholders in Africa’s future.  The African Union has already declared the African diaspora as the Sixth Region of the AU.  The United States, United Kingdom, and various African countries have also created initiatives and opportunities to engage with diaspora directly.

I agree with Fatunla’s premise that more investment must be made in Africa’s leaders on the continent to create the next generation of Adichies, Okollahs, Iewalas, and yes The Elders.

But having worked for and traveled with The Elders myself, and having had the chance to learn from African leaders in the diaspora, I can personally attest to the power and notion of Ubuntu: I am because you are.  It is clear that diaspora have quite a lot to do with Africa because Africa has quite a lot to do with the diaspora.

Semhar Araia is founder & executive director of DAWN, the Diaspora African Women’s Network.

December 28, 2011

Dear Friends, 

It's been a very long six months for DAWN. Certainly far too long since we sent our last newsletter! When I returned from Kenya in late July, I became immersed with my work at Oxfam around the massive emergency in East Africa, where 13 million people across five east African countries have been facing the worst drought in sixty years and millions in southern Somalia were suffering from famine, both which still continue to this day. 

Like so many other African diaspora, I found myself personally and professionally pulled between my life here and the needs there. I couldn't focus on much else and the crisis became all I could think about. My heart and mind were heavy with the massive needs of 13 million people.  As a result, DAWN had to switch gears and we laid low with our outreach and marketing while our programs continued. 

I realized that for real change and impact, my heart and attention must continue with DAWN and the diaspora, fully and completely. That's why I've decided to leave my policy work in DC and make it official.  We are finally becoming a full time non-profit organization and will expand nationally in the new year.

As of January 2012, I'll be based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, home to one of the largest Horn of Africa and Liberian diaspora communities in the United States, and continue building DAWN's foundation. Our DC chapter will continue and we look forward to starting chapters in other cities, like New York and San Francisco.  

As I read this month's special newsletter, I'm very proud of DAWN's accomplishments and thankful to be around so many strong women. In five months, we were featured in more media, we launched a new event for our Twitter friends, presented at a major conference, and held two community service project fundraisers ! All the while celebrating our fourth birthday!I thank you for believing in us and supporting DAWN over the years. 

If you would like to help us with our expansion, as a volunteer, advisor, or future donor, please contact us at info@dawners.org!  2012 is the year for more great things to come and we are ready for it!  Like our saying goes, we must be Fearless in Our Excellence!

Thank you,

Semhar Araia 
Executive Director and Founder of DAWN 

The original posting of this blog can be found here at The Source Magazine's Politics Blog Page.

January 6, 2011 - The buzz in Washington on Africa these days is growing, so I had to wonder what would happen in Hip-Hop to reflect that – musically and culturally. Please believe that with anything “Africa” I turn to my girls at the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) to make sense of my politics. So when I needed someone to give me the business about the biggest story this week – Sudan – I reached out to DAWN Founder and Executive Director, Semhar Araia. My sista specializes in conflict resolution, international law, humanitarian affairs and the development of effective advocacy and organizing strategies for Africa policymaking. Hell yeah.

Ms. Araia had this to share about Sudan in the context of Hip-Hop activism:

The first time I met Emmanuel Jal was five years ago when he came to Capitol Hill to share the release of the film “War Child”, which documented his travels from Sudan as a child.  Soft spoken and careful with his words, he shared an incredible story of his life as a child soldier, who narrowly escaped death and found his way to freedom.  Today, he’s a global superstar, rapping his way for Africa and its people and for his beloved country Sudan's quest for peace. 

What peace you ask?  Well this weekend, Sudan is set to hold a landmark referendum that will determine if the southern half of the country will break away and secede to become a new state. Just days away from this historic event, Jal debuted his new single telling the whole world that “We Want Peace” for Sudan.  From the heart of Africa to the bright lights of New York and Hollywood, Jal has called on the most influential celebrity activists to draw attention to Sudan including, Alicia Keys, George Clooney, former head of the United Nations Kofi Annan,  and Former US President Jimmy Carter.  

After a deadly 20 year war between North and the South Sudan, where two million people were killed and four million were uprooted from their homes, both sides agreed to commit to peace and let the people speak for themselves on the fate of their country. Jal was about seven years old when he suddenly found himself a victim to this – running for his life and being forced to become a child soldier.

So this weekend’s referendum is a pivotal moment for the future of Sudan and Africa. After years of insecurity, struggle, and bloodshed, the country’s 44 million residents are holding on to the hope and promise of peace but all to weary of the reality of war. This weekend, the entire world will be watching Sudan.

Will you?

By Semhar Araia

Photo By Kemi Davies