The African Diaspora

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." - Audre Lorde

Top left to right: Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Marcus Garvey, Olaudah Equiano

Bottom left to right: Mary Seacole, Muhammad Ali, Audre Lorde

The African Diaspora is the voluntary and involuntary movement of Africans and their descendants to various parts of the world. This took millions of people from Western and Central Africa to different regions throughout the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. So includes but is not limited to African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, Black Canadians, Black British.

The African Diaspora has contributed to the economic wealth and development of many countries through social, cultural, political activism and business innovation.

Many organizations have been established to try to tap into this vast human resource of knowledge, expertise, innovative ideas and capital. So as to further develop the level of cooperation and collaboration between professionals, businesses, institutions and governments.

One such organization with a focus mainly on the Caribbean diaspora is the ICCP The International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals

To mobilize and bring together Caribbean Professionals across national and regional boundaries to share information, knowledge, resources and expertise through collaboration, partnerships, and individual initiatives for the mutual benefit of its membership and the Caribbean peoples and nations.

The International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals (ICCP) is a not-for-profit corporation with representation in the Caribbean and Latin America, North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The Consortium is a membership organization of professionals, business leaders, and affiliate organizations. ICCP has offices in Jamaica, W.I., the U.S.A., recently incorporated a chapter in the United Kingdom, and is in the final stage of incorporating a chapter in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (ICCP-SVG). 

• To maintain and regularly update a computerized database of Caribbean professionals and organizations. 
• To foster and sustain strong linkages between Caribbean professionals in the Diaspora and professionals, organizations, and governments in the Caribbean. 
• To foster the participation of Caribbean professionals throughout the Caribbean Diaspora in sustainable economic development. 
• To seek out information on an ongoing basis for consultancy (& employment) opportunities available in the Caribbean and in relationship to the Caribbean Diaspora. 
• To advocate for and broker the employment of Caribbean professionals & Experts affiliated with ICCP in consultancy opportunities. 
• To contribute to the sustainability of the corporation by having the affiliated members contribute a donation to the organization (may include upon the receipt of successful connection) 
• Information clearing house. 
• Conduct studies, research and activities relating to the Caribbean and the Caribbean Diaspora. 

The Corporation is a membership supported organization. Individuals and corporations are required to register as affiliated members of the corporation and to give the corporation a copy of their curriculum vitae and/or a corporate capability document. 

They must also give ICCP permission to advocate with third parties for the utilization of the services of the member. When such consultancy possibilities exist, the organization will immediately contact members to see if they are interested and are available to provide the service. 

1. Social and entrepreneurship networking. 
2. Opportunity to be engaged in community development projects and activities. 
3. Employment opportunities – job placements on ICCP website as well as referrals. 
4. Internship opportunities 
5. Mentoring opportunities 
6. Opportunity to participate in conferences, seminars, symposiums, and workshops. 
7. Special discounts to ICCP events 

If you are interested in becoming an ICCP member or affiliate, details are available on the ICCP website