Global Black Economic Forum

Last updated
Global Black Economic Forum
Formation2017
FounderRichelieu Dennis
CEO and President
Alphonso David
Website gbef.com

The Global Black Economic Forum is an international organization focused on issues at the intersection of economic and racial justice, specifically with regard to the Black diaspora. [1] Founded by entrepreneur Richelieu Dennis and headed by lawyer Alphonso David as its president and CEO, it hosts summits, trains leaders and institutions, and conducts policy research and advocacy. It also frequently collaborates with other organizations, such as U.S. News & World Report, on new initiatives and programs. [2] [3]

Contents

History

The Global Black Economic Forum was founded in 2017 in order to provide awareness of and collectively organize "the worldwide economic power that exists in the diaspora." [4]

The organization has been focused on four key areas of impact: [5]

  1. The future of work
  2. Wealth
  3. Health
  4. Democracy

Essence Festival

Every year, the Global Black Economic Forum hosted a several-day convention at the Essence Festival of Culture. [6] Programming is varied, though usually includes "an intensive series of conversations and activations designed to create policy solutions for Black people around the globe." In 2023, Kamala Harris, Janet Yellen, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and many other members of the Biden-Harris administration participated, as well as Justin Bibb. [7] [8] [9] In 2024, Native Land Pod, Francia Márquez, and Oley Dibba-Wadda led conversations on stage. [10] In 2025, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ron Kirk, Aletha Maybank, and many other speakers were in attendance. [11]

Other programing includes Queer Space, a party and celebration for Black LGBTQ individuals, as well as a Business Summit. [12] [13]

Prior to the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture, the Global Black Economic Forum and SisterSong led a four-city tour across the United States to gather community members in anticipation of the festival. [14]

Collaborations

U.S. News & World Report

In 2024, the Global Black Economic Forum announced a partnership with U.S. News & World Report in order to create content, programming, and leadership building toward goals having to do with equity. [15] The collaboration began with a panel discussion, led by David, at the State of Equity in America forum in Washington, D.C. that June. [16]

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

In 2024, the Global Black Economic Forum partnered with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on Ojo Asé: Black Women Answering the Call, in order to acknowledge and honor Black women involved in votings rights campaigns across the United States, as well as train and mobilize community members to protect election infrastructure ahead of the 2024 United States elections. [17] [18]

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation

In 2023, the Global Black Economic Forum and Essence Ventures donated $300,000 to the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation, an organization dedicated to nurturing leadership in women across Africa. [19]

National Minority Supplier Development Council

In 2023, the Global Black Economic Forum announced a partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council to promote, train, and connect businesses from underrepresented communities. [20]

When We All Vote

In 2024, the Global Black Economic Forum collaborated with the Essence Festival of Culture and Michelle Obama's When We All Vote initiative in order to recruit 10,000 volunteers, or "Essence Voting Squad members," as well as register thousands of people to vote and education millions on voting rights, ballots, and pressing issues. [21]

References

  1. "Where Politics Meets Culture – Here's What To Expect At This Year's Global Black Economic Forum". Essence. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  2. Burleigh, Emma. "The CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum says we're 'asking the wrong questions' when it comes to DEI". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  3. "Op-Ed: The Fear Of Large Groups Of Black Men Voting For Trump Was Wrong And Misplaced". Essence. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  4. Umontuen, Itoro N. (2023-07-08). "#EssenceFest: Global Black Economic Forum seeks to build wealth across the diaspora". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  5. "The People's Davos: How the Global Black Economic Forum is Shaping a New Vision for the Future of Democracy". Harvard ALI Social Impact Review. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  6. Clapp, Jake (2025-06-29). "Essence Fest 2025 fills New Orleans convention center with markets, interviews and more". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  7. "Led By Vice President Kamala Harris, Senior Biden-Harris Administration Officials Are Set To Join The Global Black Economic Forum At The 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture". Essence. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  8. "RECAP: Mayor Bibb's Attendance at the Global Black Economic Forum | City of Cleveland Ohio". www.clevelandohio.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  9. "Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a Fireside Chat with Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Global Black Economic Forum". United States Mission to the United Nations. 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  10. "EFOC 2024: Native Land Pod Hosts Confront Conservative Attacks On Black Women At Global Black Economic Forum". Essence. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  11. "Global Black Economic Forum Comes to ESSENCE - Biz New Orleans". 2025-07-03. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  12. "Queer Space Is Back: A Celebration Of Black LGBTQ+ Power And Community At ESSENCE Fest". Essence. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  13. U.S. News Staff (2024-10-28). "Watch: Dispatches From the Global Black Economic Forum". U.S. News.
  14. "Black Joy And Justice : SisterSong And The Global Black Economic Forum Launch 'Road To ESSENCE' Tour". Essence. 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  15. "The Global Black Economic Forum And U.S. News Announce New Partnership To Advance Equity And Economic Opportunity". Essence. 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  16. "U.S. News and the Global Black Economic Forum Announce Partnership to Advance Equity and Economic Opportunity for All". WRBL.
  17. "Answering The Call: 15 Black Women Leading The Fight For Voting Rights Protection". Essence. 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  18. Press (2024-02-29). "The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Global Black Economic Forum Announce Partnership to Protect Freedom to Vote For Black Communities Nationwide". Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  19. Umontuen, Itoro N. (2023-07-08). "#EssenceFest: Global Black Economic Forum seeks to build wealth across the diaspora". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  20. "Global Black Economic Forum and National Minority Supplier Development Council launch new partnership". Al Día News. 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  21. "Global Black Economic Forum And Michelle Obama's When We All Vote Announce Voter Engagement Partnership". Essence. 2024-06-29. Retrieved 2025-07-03.