Speakers

Demmellash was born in Ethiopia and experienced significant early losses, including two siblings due to civil war. Her mother fled to Kenya and then the U.S., working multiple jobs to save enough to bring Demmellash to Boston when she was 12. Demmellash later attended Harvard University, focusing on politics and participating in the Harvard African Students Association. There, she met Alex Forrester, with whom she shared concerns about urban poverty.

Epsy Campbell Barr (Costa Rica), a former Vice President of Costa Rica and Minister of Foreign Affairs. She was twice a congressional representative in the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica. She is an Afro-feminist and human rights and environmental activist. She is also the founder of the Center for Afro-descendant Women and the Afro-descendant Institute for Study, Research and Development, as well as the Black Parliament of the Americas. She is a researcher with dozens of publications on democracy, inclusion, women’s rights issues, the environment, and on issues of people of African descent and on racism and racial discrimination. She has delivered statements in States, universities, companies, seminars and conferences in various countries of the world. Ms. Campbell Barr has received various international awards for her struggles in favour of sustainable and inclusive societies. She has a Humanities PhD from the University of Brenau, Georgia, and is an economist with Master's Degrees in International Cooperation for Development and Advanced Techniques in Political Participation.

Kamil is a connectologist and global affairs expert who created a global platform that recognizes high achievers of African descent worldwide in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent to be observed from 2015 - 2024.MIPAD honorees are decision-makers in over 80 countries worldwide. Selected based on political clout, business acumen, social media following and humanitarian endeavors to lead the advancements for people of African descent worldwide. Kamil is a true embodiment of “Thinking Globally and Acting Locally,” he’s lived, schooled, worked and/or visited 30+ countries on 5 continents.