News & Highlights
Ambassador’s Reception & 12th Annual Winternational Embassy Showcase
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center | Washington, D.C. | December 2025
Dr. Malcolm attended the Ambassador’s Reception and the 12th Annual Winternational Embassy Showcase, convened by Diplomatic Liaison Jan Du Plain at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The program featured remarks from Allyson McKithen, Executive Director of the World Trade Center, and Kimberly Bassett, Secretary of State of Washington, D.C., and welcomed representatives from more than 70 embassies and over 8,000 guests. During the event, Dr. Malcolm engaged with leaders and diplomats from the Embassy of Jamaica, led by Minister for Trade Alecia Taylor, as well as the Embassies of Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Iraq, Ethiopia, Peru, and the League of Arab States. The showcase highlighted global arts, culture, trade, tourism, and diaspora communities through an immersive international marketplace celebrating cross-cultural exchange and diplomatic engagement.
African Peace & Security Architecture Policy Dialogue
African Union | Addis Ababa | December 2025
Mahlet Endale, our Multilateral Affair delegate, participated in a high-level policy dialogue on the future of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), convening senior policymakers, diplomats, and experts. The discussion examined gaps between existing peace and security frameworks and on-the-ground implementation across the continent. Engagement included leaders from the African Union High-Level Panel, the Institute for Security Studies, and the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Key themes included strengthening alignment between peace, security, and governance frameworks, improving early warning and response mechanisms, and advancing sustainable financing for AU-led peace operations.
Engagement with Dr. Karim El Aynaoui
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University | Rabat, Morocco | November 2025
Dr. Malcolm engaged in high-level academic and policy discussions in Rabat, Morocco, including a meeting with Dr. Karim El Aynaoui, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and President of the Policy Center for the New South. The discussions explored expanding exchange opportunities for American students, particularly those of African descent, as well as strengthening policy collaboration and future joint programming. Dialogue also focused on creating professional pathways for HBCU students, recent graduates, and emerging scholars preparing for leadership in global policy, advocacy, and diplomacy. Engagements with U.S. Consul General Marissa Scott and U.S. Mission representatives in Casablanca further reinforced shared priorities for advancing U.S.-Morocco cooperation and people-to-people exchange.
Engagement with the Embassy of Denmark to the United States
American University, School of International Service | November 2025
Dr. Malcolm engaged with H.E. Jesper Møller Sørensen, Ambassador of Denmark to the United States, during a convening at American University’s School of International Service focused on the future of the transatlantic partnership and European security. The engagement highlighted Denmark’s active role in promoting educational and cultural exchange, as well as cooperation between American universities and diplomatic missions. Discussions underscored shared priorities including climate change, international stability, and strengthening U.S.–European relations through academic and policy collaboration.
Engagement with Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés
Embassy of Chile | Washington, DC | November 2025
Dr. Malcolm engaged in discussion with H.E. Juan Valdes, Ambassador of Chile to the United States, on U.S.-Chile relations, regional dynamics, and economic and trade priorities. The exchange included dialogue on youth employability and workforce development, with a focus on strengthening pathways that align education, skills training, and labor market needs. The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts within Chile to address youth unemployment through enhanced training pipelines and education-to-workforce alignment that support long-term economic growth.
AI & Civil Society Innovation Panel
World Bank-IMF Meetings | Washington, DC | October 2025
At the World Bank–IMF Civil Society Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., The Collaborative contributed to a forward-looking session titled Engineering Redemptive Impact: AI-Driven Solutions for Civil Society’s Grand Challenges. The session advanced the conversation beyond theory, emphasizing actionable policy change and practical collaboration with World Bank stakeholders to strengthen civil society effectiveness. Discussions explored how AI agents and advanced data analytics can modernize fundraising, program execution, and impact measurement, addressing long-standing operational bottlenecks in the nonprofit sector. Dr. Letisha Malcolm served as a panelist and supported speaker coordination and communications with the CSPF team, helping ensure a cohesive and impactful convening. The session underscored the growing role of technology-enabled policy innovation in advancing scalable and measurable social impact.
UNGA Africa Open for Business Summit
New York City | September 2025
Dr. Malcolm served in the role of Head of Diplomatic Protocol, supporting high-level engagement and coordination. The convening brought together African leaders, diplomats, investors, and innovators to advance dialogue on trade, investment, and economic partnerships across the continent. Dr. Malcolm participated in the Invest DRC Roundtable and Ball, convened by Awakening Startup Hub, fostering connections among policymakers and private-sector stakeholders. The summit included an opportunity to engage with H.E. President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reinforcing the importance of diplomacy, protocol, and strategic relationship-building in global economic engagement.
Engagement with the Embassy of Morocco
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco | Washington, D.C. | September 2025
Dr. Malcolm engaged in a meeting with Consular Atika Karom focused on strengthening collaboration between the Embassy and The Collaborative through exchange initiatives, policy dialogue, and educational programming. Conversations emphasized opportunities to deepen bilateral engagement while expanding pathways for youth and emerging leaders to participate in global exchange and diplomacy. This engagement reflects The Collaborative’s commitment to fostering sustained international partnerships that promote cross-cultural understanding and institutional cooperation.
Embassy Engagement: Baltimore Students Explore Burkina Faso’s History, Culture, and Diplomacy
Embassy of Burkina Faso | Washington, DC | August 2025
Students from Baltimore participated in an immersive educational experience at the Embassy of Burkina Faso through a collaborative initiative supported by The Collaborative and organized in partnership with Expanding Boundaries International. During the visit, students demonstrated their knowledge of Burkina Faso’s history, culture, heritage sites, tribal groups, cuisine, education system, and economic landscape through presentations and dialogue with His Excellency Ambassador Kassoum Coulibaly and embassy staff. The engagement offered firsthand exposure to diplomacy and international affairs while deepening students’ global awareness and cross-cultural understanding. The visit reflects The Collaborative’s commitment to expanding educational access and cultivating early global citizenship among youth leaders.
Youth Leadership, Advocacy & Global Citizenship Forum
UNESCO Center for Peace | Washington, DC| July 2025
Dr. Malcolm was invited to address more than 200 youth leaders representing over 50 countries at The Catholic University of America on the role of youth leadership, ethical example-setting, and advocacy in advancing peace and global cooperation. The invitation was extended by Mr. Guy Djoken, Chairman of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Clubs, Centers & Associations and Executive Director of the UNESCO Center for Peace. The engagement reinforced UNESCO’s mission to place human dignity at the center of public life and to cultivate a culture of peace through education, science, culture, and communication, aligning with The Collaborative’s commitment to developing globally engaged youth leaders.
Engagement with H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone
Embassy of Sierra Leone | Maryland, USA | July 2025
At the invitation of the Embassy of Sierra Leone, Dr. Malcolm had the honor of engaging with Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, during her official visit to Maryland. Her visit included diplomatic, civic, and cultural engagements, highlighted by a formal dinner where she received a Mayoral Proclamation from the City of New Carrollton recognizing her global advocacy as a Champion of Women and Girls. Dr. Bio was also honored at the JMB North America Dinner of Appreciation, Excellence, and Elegance for her leadership in advancing women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and socio-economic development in Sierra Leone. The engagement reflected the growing role of diaspora diplomacy in strengthening international partnerships, cultural exchange, and global recognition of African leadership.
Engagement with Ambassador Alfredo Fabião Nuvunga
Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique | Washington, D.C. | June 2025
Dr. Malcolm was invited to engage with His Excellency Ambassador Alfredo Fabião Nuvunga at the Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique to discuss advancing diplomatic, economic, and political cooperation. The engagement centered on promoting mutual interests, safeguarding national priorities, and strengthening bilateral relationships across economic, political, and cultural spheres. The dialogue also highlighted the role of diplomatic missions in supporting citizens and fostering inclusive engagement between governments, institutions, and diaspora communities. The engagement was organized by the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Organization.
Multiple Engagements with the Nigerian Community
Capitol Hill & Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria | Washington, D.C. | June 2025
In June 2025, Dr. Malcolm participated in multiple engagements with His Excellency Ambassador Samson Itegboje, beginning with the Nigerian Physician Advocacy Group (NPAG) Day on the Hill, which advanced policy dialogue on immigration and the critical role of international medical graduates in addressing U.S. healthcare workforce shortages. Later that month, Dr. Malcolm attended a cultural engagement at the Embassy of Nigeria, underscoring the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening diaspora ties and bilateral understanding. At the close of the month, Dr. Malcolm was invited by Ambassador Itegboje to a private meeting with Mr. Chukudi Nwachukwu Igboeli, Minister (Head of Education), and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alabi-Orukpe, Minister Counselor (Trade & Investment), to discuss educational pathways amid U.S. visa constraints and economic development opportunities for Nigerian and broader African diaspora communities in the DMV and Nigeria, including leveraging cultural platforms for sustainable engagement.
