WASHINGTON, D.C., January 11, 2024 — The President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (PAC-ADE), under the leadership of the U.S. Department of State and in collaboration with the Global Engagement Center (GEC) and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), announced today that a delegation of Sports Envoys and U.S. officials will travel to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on January 11 for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, Africa’s largest sporting event.
“The delegation, harnessing the strength of the African diaspora, will showcase U.S. investments in Côte d’Ivoire and strengthen cultural and economic ties between African communities, the global African diaspora, and the United States,” the State Department announced in a press release.
The delegation includes:
- Chinenye Ogwumike, PAC-ADE Member, Two-Time WNBA All-Star and ESPN Host
- Lisa Leslie, Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and Basketball Hall of Famer
- Crystal Dunn, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Star
- Daniel Kimmage, Principal Deputy Coordinator, GEC
- Deniece Laurent-Mantey, Executive Director, PAC-ADE
In Abidjan the delegation will engage government officials, international partners, civil society, and Ivoirian youth, leveraging the unifying power of sports to strengthen ties between Americans and our African partners.
Announced by President Biden and Secretary Blinken in September 2023, PAC-ADE provides invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between the United States and Africa, and also promotes trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the United States and Africa.
“The United States extends best wishes to the 24 teams competing for the Africa Cup of Nations’ championship,” the State Department press release noted.
The Africa Cup of Nations showcases the best footballers across the continent as 24 nations battle it out over four weeks for the biggest prize in African football.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, January 13, 2024 as the when hosts Ivory Coast takes on Guinea-Bissau.
