The Global Exchange: Unlocking Wealth & Opportunity Across the Diaspora
THE GLOBAL EXCHANGE
Hosted by the T.D. Jakes Foundation, a division of the T.D. Jakes Group, The Global Exchange is an intimate, invitation-only gathering of influential business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, policymakers, and cultural architects committed to strengthening connections between Africa and the global diaspora.
Set against the backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, this curated experience creates space for meaningful dialogue, strategic relationship building, and cross-continental collaboration. This year’s gathering moves beyond conversation toward action, surfacing the partnerships, opportunities, and shared commitments that can help define the next era of Black global leadership.
Through conversations centered on economic opportunity, investment, innovation, leadership, and impact, guests will hear from leaders bringing distinct perspectives on building stronger bridges between Africa and the diaspora.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Kelley Cornish, President & CEO, T.D. Jakes Foundation
From Partnership to Progress: Building Sustainable Impact in Ghana
Kelley Cornish in conversation with Dr. Grace Opuni-Darko and Rev. Jonathan Yaw Gyamfi Darko, Grace Compassion Global Foundation
A conversation examining how purpose-driven partnerships, healthcare, education, faith, and local leadership can work together to create sustainable opportunity and measurable community impact in Ghana.
Deal Architecture: Building the New Black Commerce Between Africa and America
Moderated by Jim Anderson
Featuring John Burns and Felecia Hatcher
A forward-looking discussion on what it takes to move diaspora engagement from connection to commerce, investment, ownership, and long-term operating partnerships. The conversation will explore capital, trusted local relationships, market understanding, cultural fluency, and the infrastructure necessary to build successfully across borders.
Beyond Potential: Capital, Narrative and the Future of African Opportunity
Moderated by Jim Anderson
Featuring Akunna Cook
AA forward-looking conversation about why Africa's economic opportunity is still too often undervalued, how narrative and perception influence capital flows, and what must change across policy, investment and the diaspora to move from talking about Africa's potential to deploying capital into African markets and industries.
Cook's perspective spans diplomacy, economic policy and investment as Founder & CEO of Next Narrative Africa, whose $50 million fund is designed to finance narrative-shifting film and television content produced in Africa.
The afternoon will also include intentional networking and conversation designed to foster new relationships among leaders across sectors and continents. The formal program begins with networking at 2:00 PM, followed by opening remarks and featured conversations through 4:30 PM.