AAEA Participates In Rainbow/Push Wall Street Project

The Rainbow/Push Coalition Wall Street Project 11th Annual Conference focused on the subprime crisis. And in characteristic style Rev Jesse Jackson said he wants lending institutions to, “Restructure loans, don’t repossess homes.” This year's Wall Street Project Conference, themed "New Congress, New Opportunities: Expanding the Economic Agenda," specifically considered the environment in the financial and credit markets. The conference also featured extremely informative panels on energy and Africa. The conference was held Jan. 6-9, 2008, at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.

One panel AFRICA, THE LAST ECONOMIC FRONTIER: THE ROLE OF THE DIASPORA, focused on the role the Diaspora can play in Africa's economic resurgence and growth. While foreign investors and governments and major and minor corporations across all sectors are actively engaging and reaping the benefits of doing business with and in Africa, the Diaspora is still significantly absent. Business opportunities are growing in not only the obvious industries like oil and gas and other natural resources, but also in energy, telecommunications, technology, entertainment (movies and music), construction, financial services, hospitality/tourism, insurance, and trade. Africa's tremendous economic growth merits attention and participation from its Diaspora, especially African Americans who should not overlook investment opportunities. Panelists included Mr. Fredrick Amos Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Hughes Hospitality; Tom Iseghohi, GMD/CEO of Transcorp; Ambassador Zd Muburi-Muita, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations; Euvin Naidoo, President & CEO, South African Chamber of Commerce in America.

Another panel, ENERGY POLICY SESSION: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES, discussed emerging trends in the development of alternatives to fossil fuels. The panel examinee the options that appear most viable as well as identified business and investment opportunities that merit investigation by minority entrepreneurs interested in the energy sector. Panelists included: D'Juan Hernandez, President & CEO, Sun Energy Group; John Quincy Moaning, CEO & President, Blue Diamond Ventures, Inc.; Frank Stewart, President, AABE National.