Statement by Ms. Hope Sullivan Masters on the Hosting of the
9^th Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Washington D.C., August 6, 2012 - For several months, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation has been under news, twitter, and blog attacks by journalists and vocal “human rights organizations” who have used smear tactics and yellow journalism to undermine the upcoming Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit which will be held in the West Central African Country of Equatorial Guinea. Under the moral misnomer of a selfless mission focused on advancing “human rights” in the developing world, these organizations use the politics of destruction and cheap buzz-words to bring attention to themselves without fact checking or simple truth verification of their outrageous claims of ongoing abuse and corruption. These critics continuously harp about the same outdated news accounts, the same salacious and blasphemous statements about corruption and poor governance, and the same tawdry details of widely publicized legal matters concerning members of the family of the President of Equatorial Guinea, in particular, his young son Teodorin.

Personally, I had taken the position that I would remain silent amidst their misguided rants, as it is clear that they have no understanding of the purpose of the Leon H. Sullivan Summits. I learned many years ago that the learning curve is extraordinarily steep when you set out to re-educate misinformed individuals who are clearly hell-bent on throwing rocks at others. However, over the past few days, the architects of this campaign to destroy the 2012 Summit, chose to make their attacks personal, when they made the vile assertion that The Sullivan Summit, and I by extension, are destroying the reputation of my late father, a man who I not only loved as a devoted daughter, but a man who I believe possessed one of the most brilliant and progressive minds of the twentieth century.

Why Is Equatorial Guinea the host of the Summit?

This question has been asked and answered ad nauseum, but I will do so once again in the hopes that some might learn a bit more about the Leon H. Sullivan Summit, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, the emerging face of the African Diaspora and the all important coalition of African leadership which guides the Leon H. Sullivan Summit and the legacy of my late father.

The Leon H. Sullivan Summit is hosted in African countries, which are members of the African Union (AU). The AU serves as a vehicle whereby Africa can solve their own social and economic problems as well as other political issues and the many issues they face as a result of globalization. The African Union is Africa’s forum; it is a platform for the leaders of Africa, a unifying and strengthening coalition for the onward development and unification of Africa.

In January 2011, the President of Equatorial Guinea, OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was elected to the Presidency of the African Union. As such, it seems ironic at best that the individuals who harbor such anger and hatred of President Obiang are discounting the fact that he was chosen to lead this august body of nations by the other leaders of Africa.

For centuries, Africa has been exploited, denigrated, and treated as the habitat of people of inferior intellect. Through the process of independence, Africa and Africans have been able to reposition themselves and their nations as self-governing nations. Moreover, when the nations of Africa speak in one voice, in the great tradition of democracy that Africa has been encouraged to adopt across the board, the result of that process by many is considered unethical by those journalists and organizations who disagree with their leaderships.

It would appear that some would still like to be in the position of controlling the people and the resources of Africa. We can call their missions those of human rights or apply whatever label we might choose, to soften the denial of the voice of the African citizenry, but the truth lies in the blatant disrespect of the voice and choice of the African people. Today, through the advent of the internet and free access to make an impression on the opinions of others, there is a new threat to Africa, it is the threat of the opinionated albeit totally irrelevant journalists and bloggers who are armed only with an ax to grind and an arrogance which leads them to believe that they, more so than the African people, are better able to determine who should lead the nations of Africa.

This Summit might not occur in a country that others might choose, but it might very well be a teachable moment for some individuals to acknowledge the irony of their arrogance and an opportunity to finally accept the tenets of the lofty ideals of democracy – whether they agree with the result of the process or not. Democracy, and ultimately human rights, are rooted in the belief that the governed shall chose their own path, not a colonial master, and not a bitter angry blogger who has never set foot on the soil which he chooses to disrupt.

Some who now correctly refer to Leon Sullivan as a champion of human rights are the very same individuals who criticized him for his engagement in apartheid South Africa when he unleashed the powerful Sullivan Principles in the early 1970s.

Oddly enough, members of certain critical organizations have also made millions of dollars through their socially conscious investment strategies – a literal copycat of the work that my father was criticized so roundly for creating in the early 1980’s.

The criticism of my father at that time, as is their criticism of me in mine, was his insistence on working within the framework of Africa to assist in the evolution of what is now a free South Africa. My father did not agree with those who believed that solutions could be achieved by ignoring the issues that exist. At that time there were calls for a complete economic embargo against the Republic of South Africa in an effort to literally “starve” the nation into submission to democracy. My father believed that starving the system would only lead to violence and bloodshed at desperation. It would meet the resolve of pride and fear and would not help bring about change within that system; to the contrary, he knew that it would only be through economic engagement with that system that the people of South Africa would be able to participate in their economy and ultimately in the global economy. In the process of defending his beliefs my father was roundly criticized and many so-called “human rights” organizations chastised him relentlessly for his insistence on corporate disobedience rather than total divestment. It was this concept, which has now created the entire cottage industry of Corporate Social Responsibility, the basis upon which the UN Millennium Compact and the Calvert Principles were based on.

The legacy of Leon Sullivan is one that does not run away from challenges, controversies, or criticism. The fact is that organizations, which are created with the spirit of destruction, such as the ones who make their livelihoods bashing others even as they attempt to build records of improvements and reform, are the very same organizations that must create and maintain controversy in order to survive.

Freedom of speech is a wonderful right that we share, but it must be balanced with truth and verification of facts. It is appalling to read about the blatant untruths that are being perpetrated by journalists and these isolated and disassociated tiny pseudo-organizations to make inflammatory and tortuous claims about others, without any effort or inclination to actually come on the ground to Equatorial Guinea to verify their statements.

The truth is that President Obiang has modernized his country and has implemented major political reforms. As I look around Equatorial Guinea, it appears the entire country is a worksite in which capital and technology from around the world participate without discrimination – and which provides tens of thousands of jobs for the people of Equatorial Guinea in the process. The US State Department states as follows about the most recent elections in EG: International elections observers reported that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner.

President Obiang has elected voluntarily, to comply with the rules and obligations of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). These rules govern the use of resources provided by oil, natural gas, and other extractive industries. As of today, there are those critics of the Leon Sullivan Summit who sat on the Board of Directors during the same time period when President Obiang chose to voluntarily comply with their standards. If these critics wish, they are more than welcome to attend the Summit and see for themselves the advancements made by President Obiang for his country.

I urge these critics to make better use of their time writing positive stories about Africa, and reporting truthfully on the legacies of fearless men, particularly those whose wisdom is in no small part the basis upon which they find their daily incomes.

THE SUMMIT OFFICE

WASHINGTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

World Leaders, Blockbuster Idols and Academia Powerhouses to Convene in August for the Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit to build partnerships for Africa

Washington D.C., July 26th, 2012 – Global leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America, powerhouse intellectuals from the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world, NBA players, Emmy Award winning musicians and superstars from Hollywood, Nollywood, and Bollywood, and Grammy Award winning actors from the US and the Caribbean will be gathering for the star-studded 9th Leon H. Sullivan Summit, in the colorful city of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea at the invitation of His Excellency Obiang Nguema-Mbasogo. Beginning on August 20, the Summit will be a worldwide gathering of the African Diaspora under the theme of ‘Africa Rising’.

“Africa is where you will find the greatest opportunities in the entire world ” said Mrs. Hope Sullivan Masters, President of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. She went on to say, “The Sullivan Summit has always been the place where incalculable opportunities are introduced to the vast reserve of untapped innovative ideas and concepts of Africa. The enthusiastic feedback that we are receiving from all across the world about this Ninth Sullivan Summit is so impassioned and full of energy that the fusions which are about to occur in Malabo will result in a historic new chapter in Africa’s renaissance.” Hope Masters elaborated further, “ when the wealth of Africa is harnessed in a way where the African people will finally benefit from their own land you will have a “game-changing” situation which will fundamentally change the way the entire world regards Africa. This is the underlying mission of this Summit and the theme this year which is Africa Rising.”

With more than 4000 delegates expected to attend, Heads of State from across the world, blockbuster superstars and international musicians, the 9th Leon H. Sullivan Summit will prove to be a ground breaking event for Equatoguineans and all Africans alike.

“We will have a concert with performances by international superstars planned for the entire country and our Summit delegates. The Heads of State will announce a set of Sullivan Resolutions, which will disclose an urgent stratagem to ensure economic empowerment and human development for the nations of Africa. These Sullivan Resolutions will be a clear articulation to the world that the leaders of Africa are fully and completely committed to lead the global dialog on Africa, forged by the leaders of Africa themselves, to ensure the onward development of Africa while ensuring the rights and dignity of African people in the process.” said Sullivan-Masters.

The Sullivan Summit has also undertaken a full-scale renovation of a large orphanage in Malabo which will be re-dedicated during the Summit week; and they will be hosting the Inaugural Leon H. Sullivan Exhibition Basketball game featuring athletes from the NBA, the Canadian Basketball League, and well as from various leagues across Europe and Africa in addition to the bilateral and multilateral discussions among world leaders which will take place during the week-long Summit.

Historically the Sullivan Summits have been responsible for enacting significant change on the continent, and the Summits have been the only international forums in which former U.S. Presidents such as President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush have attended while in office.

More information can be found at www.sullivansummit.org or www.thesullivanfoundation.org

For more information, please contact:

Aly Ramji Adel Nur
Director of Business, Africa Vice President of External Affairs
(p) (202) 736-2239 (p) (202) 736-2239
[email protected] [email protected]

THE SUMMIT OFFICE

WASHINGTON

Statement by The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation on the Death of President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana

It is with deep regret that the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation passes its condolences to the Family of President John Atta Mills and to the people of the Republic of Ghana. President Atta Mills has in the past demonstrated considerable good will and warmth toward the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan.

His words and actions reflect the basis of the Global Sullivan Principles, in which he clearly articulated the role of corporate responsibility and the manner in which all Ghanaians should be treated, with equality, fairness and dignity.

Late President Atta Mills will be remembered as an advocate of good governance and transparency for the Republic of Ghana and one who was an ardent figure for the need for improved Human Rights across Africa. His efforts to improve the lives of Ghanaians were actions that our Foundation respects and admires, and practices through its work in Africa.

We wish the best to the people of Ghana during this period of mourning and we know that the country is able to continue its practice of good governance at a time during which Ghana is undertaking its presidential elections.

With deep condolences

Hope Sullivan Masters

July 14, 2012

Anywhere in the world, the sound that binds us is the laughter of children playing.

We, as a species of human beings, need to figure out how to extend the grace and the optimism of a child – the ability to retain a melody in our minds and make it harmonize with the melody of our counterparts.

I am watching four children play a game in Malabo on a warm Saturday evening in July. They play enthusiastically, as children will, under the light provided by just the moon and the setting sun. They are playing a game of “catch” with a rag filled with sand tied and knotted closed with a piece of string. The player who drops the prize the least gets to wear the “medal” – the sign of victory. The “medal” in this game of catch is an aged white robe with a pattern of red roses, which glistens like rare silk under the light of the moon.

And now, the sun has finally set and just my memories of so many Saturday nights in

Mount Airy, the neighborhood where I grew up in Philadelphia, somebody’s mother has rustled the kids home and under one roof with family – away from the complications that nightfall brings.

I don’t know what the drill is once the little ones get inside, but I would bet that the roles that we each took in my childhood home, and that of my friends, are the same in theirs.

Even without walls, once the mother declares the day is done; the day is done. Even without indoor plumbing, a bath is had. Even without electricity, there is a time when Mother says, “that’s enough…go to bed…”

Even without a doorbell or a phone, there is a time when playtime is over and your friends go home; no more calls, no more visits to the door requesting “playtime”. Get in the bed… Now…

The family of Man, a species of too many tribes and dialects, operates the same, regardless of how we adorn our lives.

I have experienced love for people who speak a language I cannot understand. But what I have learned from my complete lack of knowing what they are saying to me is that joy is joy, laughter is laughter, love is love, and family is family.

THE SUMMIT OFFICE

WASHINGTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sullivan Summit IX to Host the Global Youth Innovation Network Forum in Equatorial Guinea, Creating Economic Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs and Leaders.

Washington D.C., July 6^th, 2012 – In response to the youth-led Arab Spring, African Heads of State have accelerated the 2009-2018 “Decade of Youth Action Plan” at the African Union 2011 Summit, which was held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. With high youth unemployment seen as an impending threat to stability in Africa (AU, 2011), solutions to create opportunity are highly regarded and welcomed by African Statesmen.

In that perspective, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation in conjunction with Phelps Stokes, the global education and leadership advocacy organization, will host the Global Youth Innovation Network Forum during the 9^th Sullivan Summit, from August 20-24, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

The Forum, through the integration of the Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) will convene more than 60 young entrepreneurs and leaders from over 30 countries to share practices to develop evidence-based, sustainable, and cost-effective entrepreneurship and leadership programs and policies that address the root causes of African youth unemployment while increasing the opportunities of young people to obtain jobs and start successful businesses.

The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation and Phelps Stokes, in partnership with the Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) commit to lift 5000 youth from around the world out of poverty by 2015. The goal will be achieved through leadership and entrepreneurship training, workforce development, funding, and exposure to business prospects as well as small to medium-scale businesses.

“Investing in young people is key to enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, boosting economies and reducing rural-to-urban migration in Africa… youth have enormous potential for the innovation and risk-taking that is often at the core of growth and development, particularly in agriculture,” said Pape Samb, CEO of Phelps Stokes.

The 9^th Leon H. Sullivan Summit will attract more than 4,000 participants from the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, and will address matters related to Food Security, Agricultural Sustainability, Human Rights, Trade and Regional Integration and Youth Employment. More than 150 organizations and governments are expected to attend the 9^th Leon Sullivan Summit and invest in young entrepreneurs so that they can improve their lives, contribute to their communities, and become successful professionals..

“The continent’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and only by creating a platform in which they can adequately engage, inspire and enrich others, will they be able to create social and economic dynamism necessary for Africa to truly experience its rise as a global economic player,” stated Ms. Hope Sullivan Masters, President and CEO of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation.

More information can be found at www.sullivansummit.org

Press Release Announcing Partnership with Global Youth Innovation Network - view

Rev. Leon Sullivan
Interviewed in Philadelphia, PA
May 1996

EXCERPT ON THE ROOT OF REVEREND SULLIVAN’S DRIVE

The one day I went to where my mother was running the elevator. It was the Security Building downtown. She ran the elevator there for years and years and years; it was a job.

And on Saturdays she would have me to come and sit and wait for her until time for her to get off. Guess she just wanted to keep me out of trouble because during those times, weekends, trouble began to arise in the community— kids getting hurt.

Right across the street, there was a place that advertised Coke; a great big Coca-Cola sign. I decided one day when I got myself a nickel, I was going to go over there and buy myself a Coke. So I got myself my little nickel, one day, and she was riding up and down. She didn’t know I was going to do it, and I walked across the street and looked around, put my nickel on the counter, sat down and said, “I wanna Coke.”

I had my nickel, and I was getting my Coke. And this man came, white man, I can see him today. His eyes were blazing, his face got red, and he said, “Stand on your feet, black boy, you can’t sit down here!”

That was my first real confrontation with segregation from black and white. A little black boy and big white man: you can’t sit down here son.

Well I decided, and I was only about eight years old, that I was gonna stand against that kind of thing the rest of my life. It had to be ended, and from that time on I began to do things standing on my feet.

There were places I found where you couldn’t eat because you were black. You had to, had to go to the side, get what you wanted. You couldn’t eat it inside, couldn’t sit down.

So I went to places where I knew they didn’t want me. By the time I was eight, nine, ten, twelve years old, it almost became a mission with me. Finding places where I knew they didn’t want me and I would go in. I remember one place on Washington Street, I think it’s Quarrier and Washington, I can’t get my streets quite straight. There was a place called Greasy Spoon where they had these great big hamburgers, and I call then West Virginia donuts, the best donuts in the world.

I go to London and I ask if you have any West Virginia donuts, they’re the best donuts in the world. But I went into this Greasy Spoon, I guess I was then about eleven maybe twelve, can’t keep track, and I knew I was gonna be thrown out. I just knew what was gonna happen, so that was a part of it you know. Stand on your feet black boy.

So I said I want a hamburger and I want a coke. The man said “You get out of here you can’t, you sitting down. Get out of here! You know colored don’t come in here. Yeah well, go around to the other side, we’ll give it to you.

So I remember that because I was learning American History, and I went to the middle of that Greasy Spoon restaurant, people sitting all around, and reciting the Preamble to the Constitution.

“All men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” People looked and I had memorized the whole preamble. As a matter of fact, I knew the Constitution pretty well. I got things fast. And I stood and recited the Preamble and everybody stood up and applauded. Man came around and took my hand and sat me down at a stool on the counter, and he said “Anybody who can recite that kind of stuff deserves a hamburger and a coke.”

He gave me a big hamburger and coke and a great big West Virginia donut, and I said, “How much do I owe you?” I didn’t have any money. He said, “Anybody who can recite that stuff doesn’t have to pay. It’s free.”

Then I kept going back and sitting down, and they served me. But from then on, I had to pay, had to pay for the hamburger, the donuts, and the cokes, so after a while I stopped going. I didn’t have the money.

But I would go to libraries we had. They were segregated libraries. You know Charleston was as segregated as some of the deep southern cities in many ways. The libraries were segregated.

We had a little library at Garnett where I read books and all that kind of thing. But the big library was for whites only so I would go there to and eventually they let me in.

At first I had to sit outside. Then eventually, I found that if you persisted somehow people would open the door and let you in. I was standing back, and Franklin Roosevelt said all you need to fear is fear itself.

Much of the problem we face sometime is fear so when I overcame that, I found I could do many things. So then I would go into uh ice cream stores and do this same thing and after a while I just went any place I wanted. I guess they said here comes this little boy, this crazy boy, just let him come in. But it became an obsession, and a mission from the time that man said stand on your feet.

If that man had not said stand on your feet I don’t think I would have fought South Africa, because I wouldn’t have had the incentive in the early days to stand against oppression, what I call evil, and what I call wrong. And these are the things that became apart of my ministry throughout the rest of my life, but those were the beginning days those beginning times.

The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Applauds President Barack Obama for his extraordinary new partnership challenging the pandemic of chronic hunger in Africa

President Obama, USAID Administrator Dr. Raj Shah, The Chairman of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Daniel Yohannes, along with the Chairman of the African Union, President Yayi Boni of Benin, President Mills of Ghana, President Kikwete of Tanzania, and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia made a bold stride to make food security a priority for the tens of thousands of children dying from the agony of starvation, the incalculable loss of life that continues to mount despite the fact that Africa holds most of the worlds unused arable land.

Citing the fact that just 50 years ago Africa was an exporter of food, Obama stressed that today, and Africa is importing food to feed the people of the Continent, a reality that is both unreasonable and irrational.

Obama announced a new alliance for food security and nutrition to bring together the world community to bring an international focus on developing the agricultural potential of Africa.

Further, Obama stressed that transformation in even the most challenging environments in Africa is possible by making tough reforms and attracting new investments. The donor community, Obama stressed, must focus on the future plans for reform of the nations of Africa – a forward looking articulation of US-African policy which urges the private sector, from small to large multinationals to small African cooperatives, NGOs, and civil society groups to agree to make concrete and continuing commitments to align theses sectors with the forward growth of African economies.

As the single largest donor of aid in the Horn of Africa, President Obama also referenced the importance of focusing development efforts on providing trade and investment in countries where people lack dignity and self sufficiency, clearly declaring the moral authority of permitting the principles of human rights and corporate social responsibility in our efforts to lift people out of poverty – not by providing a hand out – but providing a hand up.

Obama stated,” when tens of thousands of children die from the agony of starvation… that sends us a message that we still have a lot of work to do. It’s unacceptable. It’s an outrage. It’s an affront to who owe are.”

The Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit, a Summit of world leaders will gather this August 20 – 24, 2012 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea under the theme “Africa Rising”. The overriding theme of the Summit, which is chaired by 2012 World Food Prize Honoree, former President of Ghana, John A. Kufuor, will be human rights in an increasingly global society.

The Upcoming Sullivan Summit is expected to be attended by upwards of 4000 delegates from across the US and Africa. Summit host President Obiang has indicated he is inviting all 54 African Presidents to attend the Sullivan Summit in the fully equipped and tourist ready new city of Malabo in Equatorial Guinea which was built to create a state of the art platform for the Summits of the African Union, the continent wide organization of African leaders. In recent years, President Obiang has made significant reforms in his country and the Central African region stressing the importance of democratic ideals and creating an enabling environment for new investment and sustainable development.

President Obiang stepped down several months ago as Chairman of the African Union and passed his leadership post to President Yayi Boni of Benin.

THE SUMMIT OFFICE

WASHINGTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Ghanaian President, John Kufuor Challenges International Corporations to Work Towards Improving Their Standards in Africa

View Kufuor’s Challenge

Washington D.C., May 16, 2012 – The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation calls upon all international companies that operate in Africa to improve their standards and investments in the development of the continent. By launching the “100 Days of Change” campaign, the Foundation is voicing the inequalities related to doing business in Africa, and the dishonorable practices conducted by foreign companies on African soil. The challenge to corporations is to create resolutions for sustainable change and present those resolutions at the Sullivan Summit IX, which will be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from August 20-24^th, 2012. The Foundation will also celebrate those corporations whose business practices are exceptionally supporting the development of Africa.

“It’s time for the international community to understand that Africa cannot be taken for granted. We as Africans cannot stand by as our riches, our land, and most of all, our dignity are taken from us, especially for the clear motive of profit above the preservation of basic human rights,” said the Summit IX Chairman, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.

Kufuor went on to say, “Although there are various injustices, there are also numerous companies doing good, and we wish to highlight them as role models.”

Over the course of the “100 Days of Change” campaign, the Sullivan Foundation, through tweets (#100daysofchange, Twitter handle @SullivanFound), Facebook (www.facebook.com/SullivanFoundation), and the Sullivan Foundation website (www.sullivansummit.org) will present the opportunity for individuals, Non-profits, and NGO’s to blog, to share photos, and to speak out with numerous Heads of States and CEO’s at Sullivan Summit IX. This Summit stands as a unique venue for communicating and drawing on the economic inequalities created by corporations on African soil; we will focus on ten distinct industries operating on the continent.

Ms. Hope Sullivan Masters, the President and CEO of the Foundation stated, “This is an opportunity for foreign firms working in Africa to demonstrate their solutions for building enabling environments in the communities of which they have taken advantage. Created by my late father, the Global Sullivan Principles, stand as a tool for human rights, the basis for corporate social responsibility, and will be a platform to command the equality Africans deserve.”

Summit Chairman H.E. Kufuor has written a statement to world leaders and CEO’s of international firms inviting them to attend the Summit and to partake in the 100 Days of Change campaign. His announcement, released today and found on the Summit website, is the call to action for those who have questioned the need for change and for those who have questioned the issue of Human Rights and good governance in Africa.

“Africa is seen today as the new investment destination of the entire world, however we must be cognizant that Africans are not taken advantage of in the process. We know the endless economic opportunities that the continent has to offer, but we cannot afford to taint the continent by remaining naïve to clear injustices,” said Summit Chairman H.E. John Kufuor.

The Leon H. Sullivan Summit, an initiative of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was the first internationally recognized Summit of world leaders, convened on African soil, by a non-governmental private foundation. Held biennially in an African nation, the Summits have hosted high-level U.S. Government officials, including former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as former U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Since 1991, more than 20,000 people from the United States and across Africa have attended the Summits and more than $180 billion of debt relief from developed nations has been forgiven through the work of the Summits. More information can be found at www.SullivanSummit.org.

For Media Inquiries, please contact [email protected] 202-736-2239

My Dear Friends and Family,

This coming August in the city of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the Leon H. Sullivan Summit will gather a remarkable group of world leaders, chief executive officers, pioneers, and regular, everyday people just like you and me. In fact, the Sullivan Summit is often referred to as “The People’s Summit” because, unlike every other Summit of nations and world leaders, anyone can attend the Sullivan Summit to participate in dialog with the men and women who are shaping the policies and practices that will give rise to Africa’s future.

Together we will examine how the world is becoming ever more rapidly digital, mobile, virtual, and personal; yet remote and impersonal. Our greatest challenge as members of this globalized society – what do these changes mean for our leaders and what will they mean for people like you and me? And perhaps most importantly, how can we protect the infirmed, the poor, the defenseless, and the isolated from a society moving faster and faster away from their grasp?

Technology and globalization have created a phenomenon that is accelerating profound shifts in the way we communicate, conduct business, govern, innovate, and become competitive. At the Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit, we will learn from each other about managing change, and we will explore how the public and the private sectors can manage a changing society while not leaving our most vulnerable members behind without hope and without a way to rise.

At the Ninth Leon H. Sullivan Summit we will benefit from the collective wisdom of our leaders and our peers as we innovate in these uncertain times. The leaders of Africa, and indeed the entire world, are all challenged to use the capabilities of this age to drive a world economy that will benefit all.

There is a Continent waiting to be developed! Join us on the most exciting journey of this Century, the journey of Africa Rising.

See you in Malabo.

One love,

We’ve been very busy here at the Sullivan Foundation. Over the past few months, our entire staff has been diligently working on some amazing projects. In the coming days, we will be making a huge announcement! Stay tuned and always remember, Africa is Rising.