Celebrating Diaspora Connect: NABU & Lipaworld Unite for Literacy and Financial Inclusion

We were proud to host Diaspora Connect in collaboration with Lipaworld at NeueHouse. The event brought together changemakers, thought leaders, and innovators to explore solutions for empowering the African diaspora through literacy and financial inclusion. With around 144 attendees, the evening was a celebration of collective action and innovation, showcasing the power of partnerships to drive meaningful change. Together, we explored the intersection of literacy and economic empowerment, highlighting the importance of accessible resources and inclusive systems for the diaspora community.

The event opened with a compelling keynote by Claude Grunitzky, founder of The Equity Alliance, who addressed the challenges of financial inclusion for women and people of color. His talk highlighted the importance of creating equitable systems and emphasized the role of collaboration in driving impactful change.

A dynamic panel followed, featuring:

• Camille Park, NABU’s incoming CEO, who shared NABU’s vision for tackling the global literacy crisis and empowering communities through mother-tongue storybooks.
• Jonathan Katende, CEO of Lipaworld, who explored how financial ecosystems can support diaspora communities and enable cross-border collaboration.
• Damilola Adebesin, Head of Marketing at Cowry, who discussed the importance of inclusive financial solutions and their impact on economic growth.

The panelists shared personal insights, practical solutions, and bold visions for the future, sparking conversations on how literacy and financial inclusion can work hand-in-hand to transform lives.

The partnership between NABU and Lipaworld is a testament to the power of collaboration. Together, these organizations are creating pathways to address critical challenges within the diaspora and African communities:

NABU is driving global literacy transformation by delivering mother-tongue storybooks to children worldwide. By focusing on culturally relevant and accessible content, NABU ensures that children have the tools to read, learn, and succeed.

Lipaworld is revolutionizing financial inclusion, providing diaspora communities with secure platforms to manage their finances, support initiatives like NABU, and contribute to education-driven change.

This collaboration is more than a partnership, it’s a movement to create sustainable opportunities for individuals and communities alike.

Diaspora Connect wasn’t just an event; it was the beginning of a journey to empower the African diaspora through literacy and financial inclusion. Together, NABU and Lipaworld are working to scale their impact, reach more communities, and inspire systemic change.

Missed the event? You can still join the movement! Here’s how:

• Learn about NABU’s mission and how we’re transforming literacy: Explore NABU.
• Support our work through Lipaworld, enabling access to education and resources: Donate via Lipaworld.
• Support us directly by contributing to the cause, helping us continue providing free access to mother-tongue literacy resources: Donate to NABU
• Stay connected and join us at future events to be part of this global movement.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Lipaworld, Cowry, the Watson Institute, and the Western Union Foundation for making this incredible event possible. Your support were instrumental in bringing Diaspora Connect to life and driving meaningful conversations around literacy and financial inclusion for the African diaspora.

Together, we’re creating a brighter, more empowered future!