African Americans, Pan African policy matters, and the development of the Black foreign policy constituency for Africa and the African Diaspora, 1930-1998

[...]a gulf continues to encourage more pervasive fracturing among groups interested in Africa and Caribbean foreign policy issues. Started in 1946, the Fulbright program, a U.S. government-sponsored, international exchange program, was designed to "increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and the people of other countries.8" Distinguished African American leaders who have served as fellows include Dr. Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University; Dr. John Hope Franklin, professor emeritus of history at Duke University; Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, executive director of the Black Leadership Network; and Dr. William Leo Hansberry, the late Howard University professor of history and founder of the African American Institute, now the Africa-America Institute. 9 African-American participation in the State Department represents a situation wrought with tremendous successes as well as very probing challenges. Salih Booker, senior fellow, director of Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and board member of the Association of Concerned Africa Scholars; Mora McLean, president of the African-American Institute; Ernest J.Wilson III, director of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland at College Park; and Mike Williams, chief of staff for Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Was.).19 This group gathered together for the purpose of discussing the impact of former President Bill Clinton's trip on U.S. policies toward Africa and the role of African Americans in helping to frame that policy. [...]if policies are to be effective and make the most efficient use of human, economic and other resources, they must be comprehensive and relevant to people of all class levels.