RAHAMA WRIGHT FOUNDER & CEO OF SHEA YELEEN DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE 2nd U.S. AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM

Rahama Wright discussed the important role women and Diaspora led businesses have in US/Africa trade engagement Shea Yeleen, today announced its participation in the 2nd U.S.-Africa Business Forum, which was hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies on Wednesday, September 21^st in New York City at the Plaza Hotel. During the forum, Ms. Wright spoke about her experience working as an entrepreneur, being part of the inaugural President's Advisory Council on Doing Business In Africa (PAC/DBIA) and how it was an opportunity to elevate the role of women, youth, and Diaspora led business. Additionally, announced during the forum was Ms. Wright’s reappointment to serve another two-year term on the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. PAC-DBIA members – representing small, medium, and large companies from a variety of industry sectors – advise the President, through the Secretary of Commerce, on ways to strengthen commercial engagement between the United States and Africa. “Shea Yeleen is a perfect example of how US/Africa trade policy can benefit small businesses that have a social mission,” said Rahama Wright. “I am excited to share our company mission with stakeholders within the business community. Additionally, through my re-appointment on the advisory council, I will continue the work to improve trade engagement between the US and Africa.” At the Forum, world leaders, including President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Michael R. Bloomberg and African heads of state, met with private sector CEOs from the U.S. and Africa to examine the partnerships and innovations that have led to deepened business relationships and exciting potential for growth. The interactive sessions focused on a variety of key issues that impact U.S. – African partnerships, including economic diversification and regional integration, entrepreneurship and bottom-up innovation, and the continent’s digital future. Shea Yeleen is a social impact business that creates high-quality natural and organic skincare products that create living wages for women in Ghana. Shea Yeleen works hand in hand with women cooperatives members providing them with training, production facilities, and access to capital to develop value added products. The company works with 800 women in Northern Ghana. Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities and our nation’s workers. The department touches the daily lives of the American people in many ways, with a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, environmental stewardship, and statistical research and analysis.