African Ancestry – Diversity, Adversity, Royalty and Inclusion in Global Community Advancement Activities

The New York and Southern California Local Sections along with the ACS International Affiliate of Nigeria submitted a joint proposal for an LSAC/DEIR grant which was approved and funded by the LSAC Committee. The major action items of the proposal are celebration of Black Heritage in February 2024, Hispanic Heritage in September-October 2024 and promotion of STEM education/research amongst high school and college students belonging to underrepresented communities, especially female students. Also included is the interaction between the Nigerian and USA students through discussions, debates and cultural exchange in order to get to know the advances in STEM each country is making. The proposal also contributes to enhanced interaction between the two local sections of ACS.

The Nigerian Affiliate is organizing a summit on African Heritage under the stewardship and coordination of Prof. Joshua Obaleye, Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, located in Kwara State of Nigeria. He is also a member of the ACS Senior Chemists Committee along with the grant proposal's other twoco-applicants Mary Virginia Orna of New York and Krishna Kallury of Southern California. Founded in 1976, University of Ilorin is the largest University in Nigeria and has roughly equal distribution of female (49%) and male (51%) students. There is great emphasis on STEM education and research in this University. The event features three presentations by experts:

• Africa's contribution to innovations in Science and Medicine, not well publicized around the world
• The role of Royalty and its contributions to the Black Race - a remedy for upheaval encountered in the world
• Understanding the African ancestry and its relevance to the world community in the 21st century

In addition, the event also features a cultural dance show.

Black heritage celebration events are also planned by the New York and Southern California local sections and are notified in separate ACS Event Hub sites.

Event Address

• 1515 P.M.B. Ilorin, Kwara , Nigeria 240101

Speakers Prof. Joshua Obaleye, Organizer & Coordinator, Title of Presentation: Welcome speech and overview of summit

• Prof. Obaleye, Chair of ACS Nigeria Chapter; ACS Unilorin Student Chapter Advisor and Faculty Member, Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Prof. (Mrs) Omolara Oluwaniyi, Director, Quality Assurance, University of Ilorin, Title of presentation: Africa's Gift: Unwrapping Africa's overlooked Scientific and Medical Innovation

Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, Unilorin Council Member, Title: Cultural Dance Show by University of Ilorin dancers, Directed by Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye

Dr. Olubunmi Atolani, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Title: Royalty in Diversity of the Black Race: A Panacea for Global Cataclysm