January 28, 2025
Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself and Ms. Jacobs) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
To establish the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the African Diaspora Council Act
.
Sec. 2. Advisory council on African diaspora engagement in the united states
(a) Establishment
There shall be established by the Secretary of State an advisory council within the Department of State to be known as the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States
(in this section referred to as the Advisory Council
).
(b) Membership
(1) In general
The Advisory Council shall consist of not more than 12 members, appointed by the Secretary of State, who are representatives of and reflect the diversity of the African diaspora from African American and African immigrant communities, including individuals who have distinguished themselves in government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based activities. Appointments to the Advisory Council shall be made without regard to political affiliation. The Secretary of State shall consult with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives during the process of selecting representatives to the Advisory Council.
(2) Terms
Each member of the Advisory Council shall serve a 2-year term, without compensation or reimbursement.
(3) Chair
The Secretary of State shall designate a member of the Advisory Council to serve as Chair of the Advisory Council.
(4) Executive director
The Secretary of State shall designate a senior officer or employee of the Department of State to serve as Executive Director of the Advisory Council.
(c) Functions
(1) In general
The Advisory Council shall advise the President, through the Secretary of State, on strengthening connections between the United States Government and the African diaspora in the United States.
(2) Information, analysis, and recommendations
In advising the President under paragraph (1), the Advisory Council shall provide information, analysis, and recommendations that address the following:
(A)
Strategies to advance equity and opportunity for African diaspora communities, including through efforts coordinated by the Domestic Policy Council under Executive Order 13985 (5 U.S.C. 601 note; relating to advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the Federal Government).
(B)
Ways to support the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
(C)
Programs and initiatives—
(i)
to strengthen cultural, social, political, and economic ties between African communities, the African diaspora, and the United States, such as the Young African Leaders Initiative; and
(ii)
to address challenges and opportunities to advance inclusion, belonging, and public awareness of the diversity, accomplishments, culture, and history of the African diaspora.
(D)
Programs and initiatives, such as the International Visitor Leadership Program, to expand educational exchange programs between Africa and the United States.
(E)
Programs and initiatives to increase public- and private-sector collaboration and community involvement in improving the socioeconomic well-being of African diaspora communities.
(F)
Programs and initiatives, such as Prosper Africa, to increase participation of members of the African diaspora in the United States with regard to trade, investment, economic growth, and development programs relating to Africa.
(G)
Such other topics the Secretary of State considers relevant.
(d) Funding; administrative support
The Secretary of State shall provide funding and administrative support for the Advisory Council, to the extent permitted by law and using amounts otherwise appropriated to the Department of State.
(e) Meetings
The Advisory Council shall meet on a quarterly basis or more frequently as necessary.
(f) Congressional engagement
The Advisory Council shall brief the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives after each plenary session.