About D2I

The Diaspora Diversity Institute (D2I) is a research, education, and cultural exchange collaborative that focuses on understanding how heritage and ancestry influences the lifestyles, rituals, and community development practices of people of African ancestry on the African continent and throughout the global African diaspora.  Using best practices in community engagement, training, cultural immersion programming, and strategy implementation,  D2I helps community members participate in community economic development initiatives that also help participants identify or co-create affirming personal and community narratives.  

The work of the Diaspora Diversity Institute(D2I) is predominately grouped into the following five categories:

Heritage, Education, Advisory, Research, & Travel

Heritage & Culture

Cultural immersion and our culture change support services, promote greater appreciation, understanding and celebration of the diverse narratives that highlight the rich heritage, homelands, and growth potential coming out of the collective African heritage and ancestral journey.

Education

Education services is uniquely positioned to convert D2I research, field experience, and related best practices into curricula that supports the community engagement and community development work of D2I and its affiliates.

Advisory

Advisory services provide training, coaching, program facilitation, and evaluation services to leaders and community members involved in community economic development, workforce development, leadership development, and trauma informed community programming.  The primary goal is to help community members build the capacity and experience needed to fulfill their community economic development goals.

Research

Participatory Research and program evaluation services focus primarily on understanding the functions and perceptions of citizenship and participation in community economic development throughout Africa and the African Diaspora.   A related point of inquiry focuses on how these functions and perceptions influence participation in community economic development opportunities. 

Travel

D2I Adventure & Heritage travel serves two primary functions:
(1) conduct four (4) annual Adventure and Heritage immersion tours that explore the amazing people, places, and ritual practices from across the African continent and African Diaspora. 
(2) Support the travel needs and interest of those persons seeking opportunities to use their professional skills and training to work on community economic development initiatives within specified communities .