Civil Rights Leader, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery< issued the following statement on the passing of Aretha Franklin:
"In addition to having an extraordinary voice, Aretha was a kind and God-fearing woman who loved her family, friends and community. My late wife and I were honored to have the icon come to Atlanta to sing for two benefit concerts for the Lowery Institute. I remember her singing her heart out for my 88th birthday celebration. We will miss her strong voice and infectious spirit, but songs like RESPECT and Say A Little Prayer will continue to keep our nation focused on achieving the dream her father, Rev. C. L. Franklin and others in the movement envisioned.
"On behalf of the Lowery family, we send our deepest condolences to the Franklin family."
Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
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The U.S. Delegation, led by Ambassador Troy Fitrell , Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, included the senior-most officials advancing U.S. commercial engagement across Africa: Massad Boulos , Senior Advisor for Africa Thomas Hardy , Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Constance Hamilton , Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Connor Coleman , Head of Investments and Chief of Staff, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Tamara Maxwell , Senior Vice President for Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States The record turnout made clear that both U.S. and African leaders share a strong commitment to significantly expanding trade and investment. The U.S. objective at the Summit was to secure key deals and commitments for U.S. companies and establish the conditions to boost U.S. exports and investment in Africa — advancing mutual prosperity in line with the Trump Administration’s Commercial Diploma...