By HBCU Green Fund
The HBCU Green Fund, led by founder Felicia Davis, marked Black History Month with a week-long women’s economic development trade mission to Senegal, bringing together 22 elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and businesswomen to strengthen commercial, cultural, and humanitarian ties with the region. The delegation — which included GA State Rep. Rhonda Burnough (District 77, Clayton County), Forest Park Mayor Angelyne Butler, and Palmetto Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith — received a warm welcome from Yene Mayor Massamba Mbengue, featuring a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and an ocean boat race, showcasing the strengthening Sister City bond between Forest Park and Yene.
“We are honored to bring this extraordinary group of women leaders to Senegal, strengthening the Sister City relationship between our communities and establishing real opportunities for collaboration,” said Davis, who established HBCU Green Fund offices Forest Park and Yene. “We are here to open doors for business partnerships, innovation, and sharing sustainable solutions that uplift communities. Together, we can drive economic growth and prove that when women join forces, they create unstoppable momentum for a better future.”
During the festivities Mayor Butler presented Mayor Mbengue with a proclamation reaffirming their commitment to a Sister City relationship that fosters cultural, economic, and educational exchange. The proclamation recognized the earlier visit of Mayor Mbengue to Forest Park.
A rigorous itinerary that blended cultural immersion with strategic meetings was designed for the group by HBCU Green Fund’s Africa director, Cheikhou Thiome. The delegation toured schools, health clinics, and the HBCU Green Fund English & STEM Education Center where they donated educational materials, medical supplies, and hygiene products. They also visited historical and environmental sites, including Gorée Island’s House of Slaves and the Door of No Return, a solemn memorial to the victims of the transatlantic slave trade; La ferme des 4 chemins (the 4 paths farm), a women-led farm; and they observed the devastating impacts of climate change, from plastic waste on beaches to severe coastal erosion threatening local villages.
“One highlight was meeting the African Women who were in management positions-especially those working at the Port and Water department,” said Representative Burnough. “Savannah, Georgia’s Port ranks as the 4th Busiest in the United States and in my district, the Clayton County Water Authority has won many awards. These agencies provide partnership opportunities with the Port in our Sister City Yen.”
Mayor Butler adds, “As the second-largest logistics center in the Southeast, Forest Park is uniquely positioned to connect local students to hands-on training and economic opportunities both nationally and globally. The HBCU Green Fund already sends students to Senegal to exchange knowledge. Building on that foundation, I look forward to creating a reciprocal program where students from Georgia can study logistics at the Port in Yene, while students from Senegal gain experience at the Gillem Logistics Center.”
The delegation engaged in discussions with several high-level officials and business leaders, coordinated by esteemed Senegalese stateswoman and former Minister of State and Minister of Labor and Environment, Innocence Ntap Ndiaye. Officials included:
- Daouda Ngom, Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition.
- Fode Fall, Secretary General, Ministry of Environment
- Amadou Massar Sarr, President of SATS
- Fulgence de Guenon, DP World Commercial Director
- Wore Ndiaye Kandji, Technical Adviser, Ministry of Armed Forces
- Aida Diop, President, Women in Mining Senegal
- Mariama Diallo, Secretary General, Union of Employees Senegal
- Fatou Diene, Commercial Director, Africa Global Logistics
“It was purpose-affirming to engage with DP World’s representatives and explore how their billion-dollar project in Yene is creating new opportunities,” said Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith. “With their logistics center in Palmetto, this conversation strengthened my commitment to understanding their local impact and exploring strategic collaborations to position our community as a key player in global logistics.”
Mayor Butler noted that government agencies often discard surplus equipment and supplies. She mentioned an old Forest Park water buffalo trailer slated for disposal that could be repurposed to provide drinking water in areas without access. Others suggested partnering with nonprofits and businesses like DP World to redirect such resources to villages in need, promoting sustainability while reducing costs.
The delegation included other distinguished leaders such as former US Virgin Islands State Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory; environmental specialist, May Adams Cornwall; Tandeka LLC CEO, Letetia Daniels Jackson; and Green is Lyf CEO, Yvonne Shade Jones, among others. Notably, no government funds were extended for any expenses on this trip.
“This trade mission marks the expansion of our Senegal operations, which already includes our annual Eco Spring Break,” adds Illai Kenney, managing director of HBCU Green Fund. “On March 6, we’re taking HBCU students to Senegal where they’ll plant trees and clean beaches alongside local villagers. It’s about helping vulnerable communities and also an opportunity for students to give back while learning, leading, and shaping the future of global sustainability.”
HBCU Green Fund is dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability at HBCUs and their surrounding communities. Its fellows program empowers students with training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in renewable energy, urban agriculture, and sustainable transit. The West Atlanta Project focuses on climate resilience in local communities. Through its Africa Initiatives, the organization supports young climate leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, by providing microgrants and resources to develop community-based climate solutions. For more information, visit hbcugreenfund.org.