Our Work
LEGISLATIVE
INITIATIVES
Research. Consultation. Public education. Legislative development.
ADUD’s Legislative Initiatives brings together policy research, public education, community consultation, coalition engagement and responsible legislative development focused on African diaspora priorities and mutually beneficial United States–Africa engagement.
Overview
A Public-Policy and Legislative Platform.
African Diaspora United for Development develops policy proposals and facilitates informed, nonpartisan dialogue on issues affecting African diaspora communities, the United States and relationships between the United States and African countries.
The Legislative Initiatives provides a structured public home for ADUD’s policy priorities, research and policy papers, proposed legislation, public consultations, listening sessions, coalition engagement and material legislative developments.
ADUD’s current legislative package contains two independent proposals addressing different public-policy objectives: national recognition through the African Diaspora Heritage Month Act and a broader framework for United States–Africa–diaspora engagement through the U.S.–Africa Diaspora Strategic Partnership Act.
ADUD-developed legislative text is model or proposed language unless and until a Member of Congress formally introduces a measure. ADUD does not assign H.R. or S. numbers and does not represent proposed language as official congressional text before formal introduction.
Legislative Package
Two Independent Proposals.
The proposals address different policy needs and are designed to be reviewed on their own merits. Support for, participation in, or comment on one proposal does not imply a position on the other.
African Diaspora Heritage Month Act
ADUD’s proposed measure would establish a permanent national African Diaspora Heritage Month and provide a recurring framework for voluntary educational, cultural, civic, commemorative and community activities.
The proposal is intended to recognize both the distinct histories of African diaspora communities and the historical, cultural, familial, civic and international relationships connecting them.
- National recognition of African diaspora heritage and contributions.
- Voluntary educational, cultural and civic observance.
- Recognition of African American, African immigrant, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino and other diaspora histories.
- A framework that complements rather than replaces other national commemorations.
U.S.–Africa Diaspora Strategic Partnership Act
ADUD’s proposed Strategic Partnership Act would establish a durable framework for coordinated Federal engagement with African diaspora communities, African partners and relevant United States institutions.
The proposal addresses consultation, commercial diplomacy, trade and investment, institutional partnerships, education, science and technology, health cooperation, community engagement, professional exchange, accountability and congressional oversight.
- Representative consultation and interagency coordination.
- Trade, investment and commercial diplomacy.
- Education, workforce, science and technology partnerships.
- Health, humanitarian and community cooperation.
- Transparency, evaluation and congressional oversight.
Policy Priorities
Areas of Policy Focus.
ADUD’s legislative and policy work examines interconnected priorities affecting diaspora participation, United States–Africa relations, community wellbeing and accountable institutional cooperation.
Diaspora Consultation
Strengthening credible pathways for diverse African diaspora perspectives to inform public-policy dialogue.
Economic Partnership
Examining trade, entrepreneurship, investment, commercial diplomacy and shared-prosperity mechanisms.
Education & Exchange
Supporting educational partnerships, HBCU engagement, professional exchange and workforce development.
Health & Science
Strengthening responsible public-health, research, scientific and professional collaboration.
Technology & Infrastructure
Encouraging responsible technology, innovation and infrastructure partnerships.
Community Wellbeing
Considering policies affecting community capacity, humanitarian cooperation and social wellbeing.
Civic & Youth Leadership
Expanding informed civic participation, service, leadership and institutional engagement.
Accountability
Promoting measurable results, transparency, evaluation, safeguards and appropriate congressional oversight.
Research & Policy Papers
Evidence Before Advocacy.
ADUD uses research, policy analysis, stakeholder input and review of existing public authorities to inform its legislative work. Materials approved for public release will be made available through this section as the initiative develops.
Policy Research & Evidence
Research and evidence addressing diaspora communities, existing public programs, institutional gaps, opportunities and implementation considerations.
Policy Papers
Public-facing analyses explaining policy questions, potential approaches, tradeoffs, implementation considerations and recommendations.
Legislative Summaries
Accessible summaries explaining what proposed measures would do, how major provisions would operate and what issues remain subject to legislative review.
Consultation Findings
Appropriate summaries of public feedback, listening-session themes and stakeholder recommendations, with privacy and attribution controls where required.
Public Participation
Public Consultation & Expression of Interest
ADUD invites individuals, organizations, institutions, experts and interested stakeholders to review the legislative package and participate in an informed public consultation process.
Expressing interest, submitting comments, attending a consultation, joining a listening session or requesting information does not constitute endorsement of ADUD, either legislative proposal or any political candidate or party. Legislative endorsement requires a separate, affirmative action identifying the proposal or proposals being endorsed.
Public Engagement Initiatives
ADUD African Diaspora Policy and Civic Engagement Initiatives
The ADUD African Diaspora Policy and Civic Engagement Initiative provides the public-facing framework through which ADUD presents policy issues, facilitates dialogue, gathers stakeholder feedback and expands informed civic participation.
It creates multiple ways for people and institutions to engage without assuming that participation means agreement with ADUD’s policy positions or legislative proposals.
Review
Learn about the policy agenda, proposed legislation, supporting research and implementation questions.
Consult
Participate in public consultations, listening sessions and structured stakeholder discussions.
Contribute
Provide comments, technical observations, concerns, evidence or proposed improvements.
Choose
Independently decide whether to participate in coalition activity or affirmatively endorse either bill, both bills, or neither.
Coalition Support & Endorsements
Participation Without Presumption.
ADUD welcomes engagement from community organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions, businesses, professional associations, subject-matter experts and other stakeholders. Coalition participation and legislative endorsement are separate decisions.
Coalition Interest
Organizations may express interest in receiving information, participating in consultations, contributing expertise or exploring future coalition activity.
Legislative Endorsement
Organizations and individuals may separately choose to endorse the African Diaspora Heritage Month Act, the U.S.–Africa Diaspora Strategic Partnership Act, both proposals or neither.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the Initiatives.
Are these bills already laws?
No. ADUD’s legislative proposals are not laws. Proposed language must move through the congressional process before it can become Federal law.
Is ADUD a congressional sponsor?
No. ADUD may research, develop and present model legislative language, but only a Member of Congress may formally introduce a bill in the House or Senate.
Do I have to endorse the bills to participate?
No. Individuals and organizations may review the proposals, submit comments, raise concerns, suggest revisions or participate in consultations without endorsing either bill.
Can someone endorse only one proposal?
Yes. The two proposals are independent. A participant may support either proposal, both proposals or neither.
Does participation mean endorsement of ADUD?
No. Participation in consultation or coalition activity does not constitute an endorsement of ADUD as an organization.
Will the legislative proposals change?
They may. Public feedback, technical review, legal review and congressional consideration may result in revisions. Any official congressional text is determined through the applicable congressional process.
Legislative Updates
Follow Material Developments.
This section will provide verified updates concerning material developments in ADUD’s legislative initiatives, including authorized public consultations, public releases, congressional engagement and formal legislative actions where applicable.
ADUD distinguishes its own policy and legislative-development activities from official congressional actions and will not attribute sponsorship, endorsement or support to a public official or congressional office without an appropriate public record or authorization.
ADUD is developing and presenting a two-proposal African Diaspora legislative package for research, consultation, technical review and potential congressional consideration. Official congressional identifiers should be displayed only after formal introduction.
Participate
Review. Question. Contribute.
Effective public policy benefits from informed participation. ADUD welcomes substantive comments, technical perspectives, community experience and constructive disagreement as the legislative package develops.