THE MZUZAH/APHN Faces of Africa Conference 2025
About the MZUZAH/APHN Faces of Africa Conference 2025
It is an honor to welcome you to the Faces of Africa Conference 2025 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as we gather under the theme: “Come Back Home: Redefining Diasporans’ Role in Africa’s Healthcare Future.” This event represents a powerful moment of reflection and action, where the strength of the African diaspora meets the promise of sustainable, equitable healthcare systems across the continent. At the Bloomberg School, we are committed to advancing lifesaving solutions that address chronic and infectious disease prevention, nutrition, child survival, and beyond — in every corner of the world. But we know that progress is not made in isolation. It comes from forging strong partnerships, fostering innovative thinking, and empowering leaders to shape a better future. The African diaspora holds the potential to transform healthcare in Africa through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and a shared commitment to health equity.
Together, through this convergence, we can chart a course for a future where African nations not only address current challenges but also build resilient, innovative health systems that will serve generations to come. I am proud that Johns Hopkins can host this conversation, and I look forward to witnessing the impact of the ideas and collaborations formed here.
Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD ’79, ScM ’75, Dean Bloomberg School of Public Health
Theme: Come Back Home: Redefining Diasporans’ Role in Africa’s Healthcare Future.
'Mzuzah' means wealth creation in the most ethical, beautiful, innovative and sustaining way that engages the support of the creator of the universe.
This year, our conversations at the Mzuzah/APHN Convergence is being organized around the theme “Come Back Home: Redefining Diasporans’ Role in Africa’s Healthcare Future”. In order to address key Healthcare sustainability issues in Africa and other emerging countries, we must more deeply understand the current status quo—and how to disrupt it. There is no other way to do this than to engage with and be close to, the people and communities facing deep and persistent biases of all kinds. We’ll hear from community leaders, activists, social entrepreneurs, and innovators who bring a profound appreciation of our shared challenges and who have worked from within and side-by-side with communities to find solutions.
The MZUZAH/APHN Conference has invited partners and other innovators to a series of fluke dinners and happy hours during the program, a continuing platform for relaxed engagements to foster global social and environmental progress. Mzuzah/APHN Conference brings additional voices from across sectors and regions to Baltimore to participate in rich dialogue, forge connections, and seize on the energy sparked by the forum. The general public is also invited to join the event sessions and after-hours activities.
HOW TO ENGAGE
Use #sustainit@mzuzahafrica to share what you’re seeing and hearing on Twitter and Facebook, and to tweet with speakers.