Culturally Bound CEO Chidi Blyden Advocates for AIDA, Linking Culture and Commerce at African Diaspora Day on the Hill

Culturally Bound CEO Chidi Blyden delivered remarks at the African Diaspora Day on the Hill, emphasizing the role of culture and advocating for the promise of the African Diaspora Investment and Development Act (AIDA). The event, held at the U.S. Capitol, convened lawmakers, diplomats, private sector leaders, creatives, and diaspora investors for a high-level policy forum dedicated to bridging culture, policy, and commerce during African Diaspora Month.

Blyden opened her remarks with the trailer for Amazing Grace: YorubaWorlds, a groundbreaking new film by award-winning Haitian American director Raynald Leconte. She praised the film as a timely reminder that “culture is infrastructure”—a force that shapes identity, drives innovation, and connects generations across continents.

The film chronicles the untold journeys of the Yorùbá people and other African communities who endured the earliest and most brutal transatlantic crossings from Africa to Brazil beginning in 1533. Featuring African Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, diaspora elders, spiritual leaders, scholars, and artists, Amazing Grace: YorubaWorlds positions Yoruba culture as a “river that never rests”—a force that continues to shape Afro-Brazilian history and global Afro-culture.

Blyden drew from this narrative to underscore the role of cultural heritage as an engine of prosperity. “Where culture travels, commerce follows,” she affirmed, stressing that investing in creative industries and honoring diaspora heritage are not merely cultural acts but economic ones. By strengthening trust and opening new trade pathways, culture itself becomes infrastructure for markets and prosperity.

Blyden commended Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Rep. Jonathan J. Jackson (D-IL) for introducing and advocating for the African Diaspora Investment and Development Act (AIDA). This landmark legislation harnesses the economic power of African and Caribbean diaspora communities to drive sustainable development, reduce remittance costs, and align U.S. foreign policy with grassroots investment.  Calling remittances “development finance,” Blyden reinforced her commitment through Culturally Bound to advance storytelling, diaspora connections, and cultural solutions across sectors in Africa and beyond.  

The event was organized by the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in partnership with the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) and Congressional Black Associates (CBA) to strengthen U.S.–Africa ties, champion policy, and highlight the power of the diaspora.

Culturally Bound's Mission

As the CEO of Culturally Bound, a consulting firm specializing in Africa-focused business development, Blyden brings deep expertise to help American businesses navigate the complexities of cross-cultural partnerships. The firm serves as a bridge between American business acumen and African market opportunities, ensuring that partnerships are not only profitable but also culturally sensitive and sustainable.  

To learn more about how Culturally Bound can help your business explore opportunities in African markets, contact us today. Our team of experts is ready to guide you through every step of the international expansion process.