May 12, 2014

Danny Glover: TransAfrica's Board Will Meet with Various Groups Before Selecting a New President

By Frederick H. Lowe

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from TheNorthStarNews.com

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Actor Danny Glover, who is chairman of the TransAfrica Forum, said the organization's leadership will meet with various groups nationwide before naming a new president to replace Nicole C. Lee, who announced her resignation on Friday after eight years on the job.

"It is not going to be just the board making the decision," Glover told an audience of  200 to 300 on Sunday at the University of Chicago. "We have to determine more about the organization and its direction. There are 150 million black people in Latin and South America, and we have to determine our relationship with them."

He made his comments during a question and answer session at the school's Annual Public Lecture, which was sponsored by the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture.

In a prepared statement, Dr. Sylvia Hill, a TransAfrica Forum board member and an architect of the Free South Africa Movement, confirmed both Glover's and the board's intentions.

"Before engaging a new president, the board of directors will embark upon a consultation process with our many partners on the renewed vision of the work of TransAfrica Forum," Hill said.  "In the short term, the organization's focus will be to preserve the history of TransAfrica, the Free South Africa Movement and the Arthur Ashe Library collection for future scholars and generations. This preservation is important to ensure that the work of many will included in the historical record of Pan-Africanism and international solidarity."

TransAfrica Forum, which is based in Washington, D.C., is the oldest African-American foreign-policy organization. It was founded in 1977 after being inspired by South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. The 38 year-old Lee said she is leaving the organization to pursue other interests.

"Leading TransAfrica has been a privilege of a lifetime," Lee said. "I continue to be humbled by the dedication of our members, community, and the founders of this historic organization. TransAfrica continues to stand for diversity in foreign affairs and justice for the Africa and Diaspora. These ideals have inspired me and generations of young people to stay engaged on issues impacting the globe."