USA Africa Global Chamber of Commerce Announces Onboarding and Inauguration Ceremony in Eastlake, Ohio

The USA Africa Global Chamber of Commerce Announces Onboarding and Inauguration Ceremony in Eastlake, Ohio

“The Transatlantic Bridge: Redefining Global Commerce through Strategic Diplomacy and Education”

CLEVELAND, OH, August 25, 2026

The USA Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (USAGCC) is pleased to announce its Onboarding and Inauguration Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST at Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, 35000 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake, OH 44095.

The event will bring together incoming board members, Chamber members, investors, civic and government leaders, diplomats, educators, trade professionals, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders committed to strengthening economic and institutional relationships among the United States, Africa, and global markets. The ceremony will formally welcome and onboard new members, recognize organizational leadership, strengthen member engagement, and establish a strategic framework for USAGCC’s next phase of growth and international engagement.

Event Theme and Keynote Speaker
The ceremony will be held under the theme “The Transatlantic Bridge: Redefining Global Commerce through Strategic Diplomacy and Education.” The theme reflects USAGCC’s vision of building sustainable economic bridges across the Atlantic through trade, investment, diplomacy, education, innovation, workforce development, and strategic partnerships.

The keynote address will be delivered by The Rt. Hon. Dr. Phillip S. Phinn (Ph.D.), President General/UN Chief Representative, New York. Dr. Phinn will address the role of diplomacy, education, international cooperation, and strategic partnerships in strengthening global commerce and transatlantic economic relationships.

Strategic Priorities
The Onboarding and Inauguration Ceremony is designed not only as a ceremonial occasion, but also as a platform for advancing USAGCC’s major priorities. These include strengthening economic integration and market access between the United States and Africa; promoting bilateral engagement among businesses, governments, diplomatic institutions, and chambers of commerce; aligning workforce and education initiatives with the needs of international commerce; expanding digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, financial technology, and technology-enabled commerce; promoting collaborative research and innovation in agriculture, clean energy, healthcare, technology, and education; and ensuring that members have access to the relationships, knowledge, resources, and networks needed to participate effectively in the Chamber’s mission.

The program will also highlight U.S. federal and Ohio-based trade and economic-development resources. Discussions will include the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS), the Ohio Department of Development’s Global Markets Division, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE). These resources can assist Ohio businesses pursuing international markets while creating opportunities for African businesses seeking U.S. partners, investors, distributors, buyers, and service providers.

Diaspora Investment, Knowledge Transfer and Global Trade
USAGCC recognizes the Nigerian and broader African diaspora as an important resource for knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, and economic development. Diaspora professionals contribute expertise across agribusiness, renewable energy, healthcare, technology, finance, education, manufacturing, governance, and international business. Through educational exchanges, business partnerships, trade missions, advisory initiatives, and investment platforms, the Chamber seeks to facilitate the movement of knowledge, capital, technology, and expertise between the United States and African markets.

USAGCC also seeks to strengthen transatlantic trade corridors connecting Ohio and other U.S. business centers with major African commercial markets. Through partnerships with chambers of commerce, government agencies, universities, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and industry organizations, USAGCC will help businesses identify opportunities, establish relationships, navigate international markets, and develop sustainable cross-border ventures.

The ceremony therefore represents an important milestone in USAGCC’s development as a trusted platform connecting markets, people, capital, knowledge, institutions, and opportunities across the United States, Africa, and the global community.

Event Details
Event: USA Africa Global Chamber of Commerce Onboarding & Inauguration Ceremony

Theme: The Transatlantic Bridge: Redefining Global Commerce through Strategic Diplomacy and Education

Keynote Speaker: The Rt. Hon. Dr. Phillip S. Phinn (Ph.D.), President General/UN Chief
Representative, New York

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST

Venue: Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, 35000 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake, OH 44095

Format: Hybrid, with in-person and virtual participation.

The event is particularly relevant to USAGCC board members, current and prospective Chamber members, entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, investors, importers and exporters, agricultural leaders, government and civic officials, diplomats, international trade representatives, higher-education and workforce-development leaders, technology professionals, and community and economic-development organizations. Registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available through USAGCC.

USAGCC Leadership, Board and Event Committees
The complete leadership and committee roster includes:
1. Dr. Anita McKaney, Chairman, USAGCC Board of Directors
2. Mr. Anthony M. Okoro, President, USAGCC Board of Directors
3. Dr. Isiaka Olayinka Busari, Secretary, USAGCC Board of Directors
4. Dr. Tomesha D. Walker, Vice President, Internal Affairs
5. Mr. Johnniewales Adeniyi, Treasurer
6. Dr. Lecent Josephs, Vice President, External Affairs
7. Mr. Daniel Akpan, Director General
8. Mr. Victor Chukwudelunzu, Member and Legal Adviser
9. Mr. Charles Ekanem, Member, Agriculture, Technology and Innovation
10. Mr. Leon Contreras, Member and Chairman, Health Initiative, Policy and Advocacy
11. Amb. James Dassin, Member and Co-Chair, Agriculture, Technology and Innovation
12. Pastor Jimmy Olulami, Member and Chair, Agriculture, Innovation and Technology; Chairman, Inauguration and Onboarding Event Planning Committee
13. Dr. Richard Njoku, Member and Co-Chair, Fundraising and Partnership
14. Dr. Olubusayo C. Eniyansoro, Member and Co-Chair, Women and Youth Development Committee
15. Dr. James Mercy Obatunmibi, Member, Inauguration and Onboarding Event Planning Committee
16. Mrs. Mary Orelaru Oyalowa, Member, Inauguration and Onboarding Event Planning Committee; Chairman, Fundraising and Event Committee
17. Mr. Solomon Diobo, Member, Trade and Investment Committee
18. Stephen Harunna, Member, Agricultural, Technology and Innovation Committee
19. Kola Ale, Member, Agricultural, Technology and Innovation Committee
20. Richie Thornton, Member, Agricultural, Technology and Innovation Committee

This removes the duplicate entry for Pastor Jimmy while preserving both of his responsibilities. The original draft also specifically identifies Pastor Jimmy, Mrs. Mary Orelaru Oyalowa, and Dr. James Mercy Obatunmibi as members of the Event Planning structure.

About USAGCC
The USA Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (USAGCC) is a nonprofit business advocacy and economic-development organization committed to strengthening commercial, educational, diplomatic, and investment relationships among the United States, Africa, and global communities. The Chamber connects businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, institutions, agricultural leaders, educators, and policymakers with opportunities that promote trade expansion, investment, innovation, workforce development, and sustainable economic growth.

With a growing international presence connecting the United States with Lagos, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; and other global communities, USAGCC seeks to serve as a trusted transatlantic platform for businesses and institutions pursuing cross-border opportunities.

Media and Organization Contact
• USA Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (USAGCC)

U.S. Headquarters: 3100 E 45th Street, Suite 222, Cleveland, OH 44127, USA

Phone: (216) 441-4412 | Fax: (216) 441-9812

Email: info@usagcc.org | Website: www.usagcc.org

• Nigeria Office: 4 Alimosho Road, off Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, Nigeria | +234 804 827 163 / +234 803 058 5873 | usagccnigeria@gmail.com

• Kenya Office: P.O. Box 2408-00202, Uhuru Gardens, Langata Road, Nairobi, Kenya | 0794313311 | kenyachapter@usagcc.org.