ABOUT US
E-mail: bbangoura@upliftingafrica.org
Bangoura has nearly three decades of experience in broadcast journalism, both in his native Guinea and the United States. Bangoura began his career in 1992, as a reporter, for Radio Television Guineenne (RTG), covering politics, sports and diplomatic affairs. In 1994, he came to the U.S. to study world affairs and broadcasting. He then joined the French branch of Voice of America, as a broadcast journalist, where he remained for two years.
Bangoura subsequently became an Independent Producer for the Office of Broadcast Support at the U.S. Department of State, where he filed numerous feature stories, including a documentary on the history and perspective of African Americans in the United States, as well as the “Process of Electing an American President.” His stories were widely distributed by the American Embassy Television Network (AETN) and aired in many African nations, including Senegal, Mali, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, and Burkina Faso.
Bangoura has interviewed numerous world leaders, including Presidents Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Alpha Condé of Guinea, Festus Mogae of Bostwana and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. In the U.S. he has interviewed former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and National Security Adviser to President Obama, Susan Rice, among other top U.S. officials. Bangoura has also covered every presidential election in the U.S. since year 2000 and broadcasting the results to Africa.
A graduate of the Institute of World Affairs and Columbia School of Broadcasting, Bangoura holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in History and Philosophy from University of Conakry, Guinea.
Ambassador Charles Egenti, Director of the Africa Program, Africa
E-mail: cgenti@upliftingafrica.org
Charles Egenti is the Director of the Uplifting Africa Program. He was born in Africa and earned his degree in Urban & Regional Planning in 2003. He is a powerful business leader whose entrepreneurial instincts and clarity of vision have carried multiple companies through rapid and continuous growth. Charles is an experienced professional in management, marketing, and project and site management. Charles has worked for Nitware Solutions Ltd, The Third Party Media Company Ltd, Clecon Construction & Oil Company, Thomadef Investment Ltd and G & M Secured.
As a dynamic public presenter, Charles transmits key concepts in business innovation supported by smart adoption of technology- with emphasis on revenue opportunities and impact, efficiency, enhanced customers experience, and new business opportunities. He has traveled extensively and provides the strategic vision and collaborative leadership skills to further opportunities and trends for Global activities.
Charles has been selected as a Special Envoy of the Secretary General for a new treaty on Universal Education for UNESCO. The multilateral treaty will include many African nations in order to fulfill a new mandate for universal education and projects in Africa.
Charles’ major focus as Director for Africa is to further efforts in developing strategic relationships with international businesses and to promote economic growth in the continent of Africa. He is directing new important research addressing current issues that African nations are experiencing. The Africa Program's research team provides new solutions to problems confronting Africa – health, armed conflict, poverty, climate related issues, etc. - in such a way that will Uplift Africa.
Charles Egenti was invited to participate in the BRICS Conference in South Africa and also to the Centennial Celebration for Nelson Mandela. At both events, Charles represented the Uplifting Africa Program and was able to both participate and discuss important issues that are affecting Africa economically, politically and socially. He is currently spearheading the new Uplifting Africa Report with Director Ben Bangoura and looks forward to securing support for the new program.
Princess Philomena Desmond, Director of the Africa Program
E-mail: pdesmond@upliftingafrica.org
Philomena Desmond is the Director of the Uplifting Africa Program. Princess Philomena Desmond is an esteemed International Consultant specializing in Trade and Investment Business Development, Government Relations, and Diplomacy. With over two decades of experience, she fosters US-Africa trade and investment, providing invaluable advice to investors and companies seeking opportunities in Africa.
Desmond excels in building strategic partnerships between US and African investors and corporations, with a proven track record in various sectors including infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, financial services, healthcare, and education. She was pivotal as a Senior Consultant for Businesswomen Network on International Business, leading international product strategy, brand development, and market entry implementation. Notably, she was instrumental in advocating for the passage of the Africa Growth and Opportunities (AGOA) Act into law during the Clinton administration and was personally invited by President Clinton to witness the signing of the AGOA Bill into law at the White House.
Desmond boasts extensive in-country experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in regions such as ECOWAS, COMESA, and SADC. She has held directorial positions in several esteemed companies and serves as a volunteer consultant to various organizations promoting business and governance in Africa.
In addition to her corporate endeavors, Desmond is deeply engaged in political activism. She has held significant roles in numerous presidential campaigns, including those of President Biden, Secretary Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, and Vice President Al Gore. Her dedication to political engagement and community service underscores her commitment to effecting positive change both locally and internationally.
Educated in Microbiology and Business/Public Administration, Desmond continues to leverage her academic background and extensive experience to drive impactful initiatives in trade, investment, and political advocacy on the global stage.
Dr. Gerard Janco
President
President@upliftingafrica.org
Ambassador Charles Egenti
Director, Uplifting Africa (AFRICA)
Ben Bangoura
Director, Uplifting Africa (USA)
Princess Philomena Desmond
Director, Uplifting Africa, African Diaspora
Christina Petrakis
Director, Uplifting Africa (New York)
Michael Cooper
Vice President, Director of Development
Director@upliftingafrica.org
Mark Farr
Vice President
Charles Sills
Senior Director, Environmental Program
Ralph Winnie, Jr.
VP, Global Development
Jan DuPlain
Honorary Board Member
CEO & President of Du Plain Global Enterprises, Inc
Dr. Samir Witta, MD
Director of the Humanitarian Program
Tatiana Samarskaya-Vozniouk
Artistic & Cultural Representative
Dean Sergei Andronikov
Director of International Education
Drew Barrett
Director of Tourism/Travel Marketing
Len Yurovsky
Artist, Senior International Art Advisor
Daniel Emblidge, III
Assistant Director, Uplifting Africa
Nadiira Haybe
Assistant Director, Uplifting Africa