New book examines blacks and U.S. foreign policy

Ambassador Charles Stith, along with his coeditors from Boston University, Dr. Linda Heywood, Dr. Joshua C. Yesnowitz and Professor Allison Blakely, launched their new book African Americans in US Foreign Policy: From the era of Frederick Douglass to the Age of Obama at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. this week.

The book is an analysis on U.S. and African American history in terms of foreign policy. African Americans in U.S. Foreign Policy explores the reasons behind African American support for national diplomatic initiatives within the context of racial challenges and cultural practices that complicated and inspired policy choices. Because of contributions by African Americans new benchmarks in America’s bilateral relationships around the world were attained. Few other works explore African Americans’ influential roles as policy makers, cultural ambassadors and diplomats over this time period.

Among those scheduled to attend the event will be: Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas- Greenfield, former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D.MO), Rt. Hon. Michael Hastings (UK House of Lords), Newton Mayor Setti Warren, Association of African American Ambassadors President and former South African Ambassador during the Regan Administration Edward Perkins, former US Comptroller of the Currency Eugene Ludwig, and former USAID Administrator Alonzo Fulgham, among others.