Bridging the Divides: Crafting Strong Partnerships and Innovation Solutions with Africa

Chidi Blyden's career spans leadership in US defense, international development, and as a prominent expert on African affairs. Her professional and personal experiences revealed a critical need for voices that could bridge the cultural, political, and economic divides between Africa and the world. She founded Culturally Bound to offer the transformative impact of local knowledge, diaspora expertise, and inclusive strategies when forging ties between businesses, governments, and institutions who wish to work together in this global space.

"At Culturally Bound, we believe Africa is not hard—it’s complex. It is a continent rich in culture, opportunity, and resilience, but one that demands nuanced expertise to navigate effectively. Our story began with a recognition: despite Africa's vast potential, there remains a significant gap in understanding how to work within its complexities to foster meaningful, sustainable growth." - Culturallybound.com

Chidi Blyden is the Principal Officer of the CBG, providing tailored solutions to foster sustainable growth, strengthen governance, and empower local institutions across Africa. She founded Culturally Bound after serving as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Millennium Challenge Corporation. She also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

This event is co-sponsored by the Varner International Business Institute at Illinois State University, Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC) and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University.