Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropy Partners with the Alliance at the Vatican to Launch Harambeans Global Summit

Photo: Left to Right, Jonathan Oppenheimer, Cardinal Peter Turkson, Irene Pritzker, Kwami Williams H'14 and Okendo Lewis-Gayle at Harambeans Vatican Forum V

Oppenheimer Generations and Harambe Forge a Strategic Alliance

Vatican—Jonathan Oppenheimer, Executive Chairman of Oppenheimer Generations, has unveiled a strategic partnership with the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, marking a significant step in redefining Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. The collaboration was announced at the fifth biennial Harambeans Rome Forum, a high-profile gathering held at the Vatican in September. Representing the global interests of the Oppenheimer family, the partnership seeks to catalyze innovation and leadership across the continent.

The Inaugural Harambeans Global Summit: A New Platform for Growth

Central to the partnership is the inaugural Harambeans Global Summit, scheduled to take place from February 28 to March 1, 2020, in Franschhoek, South Africa. Speaking at the Rome Forum, Oppenheimer highlighted the importance of this initiative: “The fabric of society that makes sustainable development possible is the promotion and creation of leaders. Harambe identifies a group of entrepreneurs and empowers them to achieve success. Our hope is that this partnership will provide a platform to combine our resources with these extraordinary entrepreneurs, enabling them to make a global impact. Africa’s challenges demand not just three, five, or seven Harambeans—we need thousands.”

Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropy: Investing in Africa’s Future

Bridget Fury, Head of Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropy, accompanied Oppenheimer on his first Harambean “Romecoming.” The philanthropy arm focuses on youth development, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership, among other areas. “We are particularly excited about youth development and job creation,” Fury noted. “Harambe is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change, with its alliance of African diaspora from prestigious institutions. The informal nature of this network fosters an environment where transformative ideas can flourish.”

A Global Hub for Market-Creating Innovation

The Global Summit is expected to become a key fixture in the Harambean calendar, joining other high-profile gatherings at Bretton Woods, the Vatican, and the British Parliament. Okendo Lewis-Gayle, the Founder of Harambeans, described the summit’s aspirations: “We are honored to launch our inaugural Summit in South Africa in partnership with a family as historic and impactful as the Oppenheimers. I believe our Franschhoek Summit will grow into the Davos of market-creating innovation in Africa. The Pope’s blessing for Harambeans here at the Vatican affirms the magnitude of our mission.”

Building Bridges: North-South and South-South Collaborations

Jonathan Oppenheimer underscored the necessity of fostering partnerships both within and beyond the continent. “The African dimension is vital,” he said. “It’s one thing to have donor and sponsor communities in the North supporting an ecosystem in the South, but that model is not sustainable forever. Bringing North-South and South-South partnerships to the table is crucial. Each gathering sparks an extraordinary multiplication of ideas, uniting established figures in South Africa with participants from other economic hubs across Africa. This collective exchange amplifies impact and widens the community of like-minded, driven individuals.”

Broadening Access: A Global Invitation to Innovators and Investors

For the first time, the Global Summit will welcome entrepreneurs and investors from outside the Harambeans network, signaling a broader ambition to foster new connections and unlock opportunities for collaboration.

For more information or to request an invitation, visit www.harambeans.com/globalsummit.

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