Founding Vision of USA for ACFR

The decline in women’s executive leadership in politics, particularly across the Global Greater Washington region and Côte d'Ivoire, was a critical turning point that led to the creation of USA for ACFR in 2025 by Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha. Recognizing the urgent need to reverse this trend, Dr. Djaha—a distinguished political scientist and renowned social impact leader—envisioned an initiative that would not only advocate for inclusive political leadership and diplomacy but also serve as a platform for empowering American and Ivorian women leaders to rise, lead, and shape policy at the highest levels. USA for ACFR is a bold response to this urgent challenge.

USA for ACFR will be founded as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, with a bold mission: to mobilize millions of Americans and U.S. residents by 2050 in support of the transformative work of the African Council on Foreign Relations (ACFR). At its core, the organization seeks to redefine USA–Africa relations through shared leadership, strategic partnerships, and civic engagement.

Establishing USA for ACFR was not merely an institutional endeavor—it was deeply personal. It reflected Dr. Djaha’s lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and the empowerment of marginalized voices. The decline in women’s executive leadership in politics was not just a statistic, but a call to action—a signal that new models of engagement, education, and advocacy were urgently needed.

The founding of USA for ACFR was not just a response to political underrepresentation—it was a call to action. It emerged from a deep belief that inclusive governance, especially the full participation of women in executive political roles, is essential to building a just, equitable, and sustainable future. Through initiatives such as the International Conference of African First Ladies on Women Leadership, the Côte d’Ivoire–USA Foundation, and the Women’s Political Education Program, USA for ACFR is actively reshaping the narrative and creating pathways for women to lead with dignity, vision, and impact.

Equally, the organization was born out of a growing frustration with the excessive arrogance and exclusionary practices of male-dominated political systems, which have historically sidelined women’s voices, dismissed their leadership potential, and perpetuated cycles of inequality. USA for ACFR stands as a direct challenge to these norms—an institution committed to restoring balance, amplifying women’s leadership, and building a future where power is shared, not hoarded.

“We cannot build a just and inclusive world without women at the highest levels of political leadership. USA for ACFR is not just an organization—it is a movement to restore balance, amplify voices, and co-create a future where African and American communities lead together.”
— Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha, Founder & Executive Chair

Guided by a philosophy of co-creation and leadership, rather than imposition and dictatorship, USA for ACFR stands as a bridge between continents, communities, and generations—amplifying voices, fostering civic engagement, and shaping a shared future of opportunity and leadership.

— Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha Founder & Executive Chair, USA for ACFR

Founding President & Executive Chair, USA for ACFR

Global Chair, African Council on Foreign Relations