Since 1719

Louisiana: The U.S. Gateway to the Sixth Region.

Louisiana’s African roots shape its food, music, language and traditions. The Louisiana Africa Council builds on that shared heritage through culture and commerce.

Become a Member See the 2027 Season

Our African Roots

Becoming Louisiana Speaker Series - The Africans

Speaker: Chancellor John K. Pierre.

Presented by: Friends of the Old State Capitol and Friends of the Louisiana State Archives.

Video source: Louisiana Secretary of State · Watch on YouTube ↗

The Idea

Shared roots. Common ground.

Africa’s global diaspora is known as the Sixth Region. Louisiana’s African and Creole roots give it a meaningful place in that global community.

What We Do

Culture opens the door.

Louisiana and Africa share 300 years of history. The Council builds on that common ground.

Convene

We host Council sessions on both sides of the Atlantic, from Louisiana to Africa, where members, partners and guests meet face to face.

Connect

We make introductions among members based on shared interests across our six segments.

Continue

We keep members informed and invited throughout the year, so conversations can continue after each gathering.

Our Segments

Six ways in.

Where we lead

Culture Is Global Currency™

Connecting Louisiana and Africa through tourism, cuisine, music, festivals and heritage.

Energy & Industry

Powering Both Shores™

Connecting Louisiana energy expertise with African markets, offshore services and workforce training.

Investment & Trade

Investing Across Shores™

Bringing business owners, investors and financing partners together around trade and investment.

Agriculture

Shared Table™

Connecting farmers, food producers, buyers and researchers through agriculture, food technology and shared culinary traditions.

Sports

Playing Beyond the Field™

Connecting athletes, teams, universities and sports businesses through competition, education and leadership.

The Diaspora

The Sixth Region: LouisiAfrica™

Connecting Africa’s global diaspora with Louisiana and the Americas.

The 2027 Season

Where members meet.

Venue details, programs and member invitations are shared as each gathering is confirmed.

Date	Gathering	Location	Status
January 22–23	Washington Mardi Gras	Washington, DC	Council hosted
February	Carnival in New Orleans	New Orleans, Louisiana	Planned
May 11–13	Paris in Spring	Paris, France	Council hosted
July 3	The Durban July	Durban, South Africa	Planned
October 11–15	African Energy Week	Cape Town, South Africa	International event
Fall 2027	Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange	To be announced	Date & location TBD

Please confirm details with the Council before making travel arrangements.

Track Record

We know how to produce the room.

The Council is built on years of relationships between Louisiana, Africa and the diaspora.

2026 · Paris

Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange

Founding Partner of the 2026 Exchange.

Powering Both Shores panel at the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in Paris — Powering Both Shores

Two panelists seated on stage, one speaking into a microphone — Panel dialogue

Two seated panelists, one speaking into a microphone — Perspectives from the panel

USA Rice presentation to attendees at the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in Paris — Agriculture & commerce

Exchange attendees standing before the Culture Is Global Currency presentation — Culture Is Global Currency

Ryan Haynie speaking beside Senator Regina Barrow at the Exchange — Ryan K. Haynie & Senator Regina Barrow

View 23 more photos from the 2026 Paris Exchange

29 moments from the 2026 Exchange · 6 highlights above

Attendees seated in the conference room facing the Exchange stage — Inside the working Exchange

Two Exchange participants in conversation at the venue — Introductions in action

Two participants talking beside the presentation screen after a session — Conversations that continue

Four Exchange participants posing together at the Paris venue — Connections across shores

A group of six Exchange participants posing together at the Paris venue — Shared purpose

Three Exchange attendees holding a framed artwork of an accordionist — Celebrating Louisiana culture

Participants seated at a table, one smiling during the Exchange — Around the table

An Exchange participant seated at a table in a suit and red tie — Faces of the Exchange

A participant seated at a table with a hat beside him — Before the next session

Two participants smiling in conversation at a table — A shared conversation

A participant listening during a conversation at the table — Listening and learning

Two participants talking beside the conference room windows — New introductions

Six participants posing together at the Exchange venue — Meeting across shores

Seven participants standing together in the hotel corridor — Building a network

Three participants posing together at the venue — Connections in Paris

Participants talking beside the stage after a session — Beyond the panel

Two participants in conversation at the venue — Exchanging ideas

Participants gathered in a small group for conversation — Small group connections

Three participants posing together beside the blue curtains — Across communities

Exchange attendees connecting in conversation — Relationships across shores

The Sixth Region presentation on screen at the Exchange — The Sixth Region

Participants listening to the opening session — Opening conversations

Exchange stage with Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange and African Energy Chamber branding — Built on Synergy

2025

Louisiana–Liberia Leadership MOU

Established during Councilwoman Lady Brown’s term as President of the Louisiana Police Jury Association Black Caucus.

2013

Building African connections

Regular travel to the continent, building relationships across African nations.

Membership

Take your seat.

Membership is your place at the Council’s gatherings throughout the year. Contact us for rates.

Individual

For individuals and consultants

One seat at each Council gathering
Introductions at gatherings
Member updates and invitations

Become a Member

Business

For companies and firms

Seats for your team at each gathering
Introductions matched to your goals
First notice for delegations

Become a Member

Partner

For long-term partners

Seats for your team at each gathering
Recognition at Council events
A hosting role at one gathering

Become a Partner

Terms and fees are provided in writing before enrollment.

President

Lady Fontenette Brown

President, Louisiana Africa Council · Founder, Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange

A Louisiana native, Lady Fontenette Brown has built connections across Africa since 2013 and founded the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in 2026.

Born in New Orleans and raised in Jeanerette, Lady Fontenette Brown grew up in a family that traded with West Africa. Her parents ran an international import and export business in New Orleans, and her mother served on the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Agricultural Consultative Committee.

Ryan K. Haynie

Vice Chair

Channel Andrews

Legal Counsel

Calvin Mills Jr.

Technology & Innovation Advisor

Voices from the 2026 Exchange

“The Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange was a valuable opportunity to connect with leaders, entrepreneurs, and institutions committed to strengthening economic ties between Louisiana, the United States, Europe and Africa.
I particularly appreciated the quality of the conversations and the openness to exploring concrete opportunities in trade, investment, and cross-border business. Participating in the “Investing Across Shores” panel also gave me the opportunity to share Nomaban’s perspective on the challenges businesses face when making international payments in regulated currency markets.
Beyond the discussions, the Exchange created meaningful connections that I look forward to developing into long-term partnerships between our respective ecosystems.”

Steve FogueCEONomaban

“It was an absolute pleasure working with you and your team on such a fantastic event. The atmosphere throughout the hotel was truly special, something we rarely get to experience, and seeing all the smiles on our guests' faces was simply MAGICAL!”

Jason GalouEvent CoordinatorParis Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel

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