Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. and The State University of Bahia Announce A Historic Business and Policy Exchange in Brazil

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Weldon J. Rougeau, President of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) announced today he and Dr. Ivete do Sacramento, President of the State University of Bahia (UNEB), have joined efforts to convene the first-ever African American – Afro Brazilian Business and Policy Summit in Salvador, Bahia this Spring.

The Summit is scheduled for April 15 – 17, 2004, at the Hotel Pestana Bahia in Salvador, Brazil--a city recognized as the cultural capital of Brazil and home to the largest population of people of African descent outside of sub-Saharan African. An estimated 70-million Brazilians are of African descent. Entitled, “Promoting Pathways to Social and Economic Inclusion,” the summit seeks to promote inclusion and economic prosperity for African descendants in Brazil and the U.S. through a cross-cultural exchange that brings together Afro-Brazilian and African American leaders from the business, policy, academic and cultural arenas.

“This is a major step in strengthening the business and cultural relationships we are developing with the people of Brazil,” said Mr. Rougeau. “We recognize the tremendous amount of untapped potential in this densely-populated country and we believe it would be a mistake to underestimate the benefits of matching their businesses and consumers with those in America,” he continued.

The UNEB/CBCF Summit seeks to accomplish three primary objectives: 1) to match African American business leaders with American and Brazilian corporate representatives and Afro Brazilian entrepreneurs in an effort to spur economic development; 2) to facilitate an information exchange between policy and non-profits leaders in Brazil and the U.S. in support of the social and economic inclusion in Brazil; and, 3) to promote a cultural exchange using the arts as a platform to highlight the common roots and aspirations of Afro-descendants in the Americas.

The Summit will also include a Congressional Delegation led by Congressman William J. Jefferson, the Co-Chair of the Brazilian Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Delegation will include key members of the Congressional Black Caucus who have an interest in international affairs, economic development and trade.

“There are great trade and investment opportunities in Brazil,” said Congressman William J. Jefferson who Chairs the CBCF Board of Directors. “Based on these growth markets and the cultural synergies between the two cultures, we are very excited about this opportunity. It will open doors and aid in the establishment of many mutually-beneficial relationships,” he added. In addition, Afro-descendants in Brazil and the U.S. share many commonalities and many differences. The Summit seeks to explore these issues through an extended discussion of pressing social and economic policy issues. Leading academics will offer their insight and share possible solutions through a substantive dialogue.

Dr. Ivete do Sacramento, President of the State University of Bahia said, “The State University of Bahia is pleased to promote this discussion on social and economic inclusion in our country,” she said. “Brazilian and African descendant leaders in the Americas, experts in economic development, public policy, academics, and politics will convene for the first time, with the mutual goal of connecting with one another, and solidifying these important relationships,” she added.

CBCF is urging business owners interested in participating in the business exchange to contact Brian Woolfolk by phone at or E-Mail (202) 547-9505 and brian@mattoxwoolfolk.com to obtain an application to participate in the Summit.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes collaboration among academic, community and business leaders in an effort to effect positive and sustainable change for Afro-descendents in the United States and around the globe.

# # #

 

The CBCF serves as a nonpartisan, policy-oriented catalyst to educate future leaders and promote collaboration among community and business leaders, minority-focused organizational leaders, and organized labor to effect positive and substantive change in the African American community.