A Movement Returns
In 2012, a powerful movement began. In 2026, we return to Verona, the very place where our seeds were first sown. This reunion is more than a conference; it is a true homecoming for the global African community to celebrate our growth and shared history.
The Ubuntu Spirit
We are breaking away from rigid hierarchies to embrace the “Village Square.” Our circular seating serves as a psychological anchor, fostering the spirit of Ubuntu: I am because we are. This intentional layout ensures every voice is heard and every connection is authentic.
A Visionary Future
Join us as we bridge twelve years of evolution into a bold new vision. By gathering in the heart of Italy, we are transforming our collective experience into a lasting legacy. Be part of this journey as we redefine the diaspora experience and shape the path ahead.
Day 1: The Foundation – Grounding ourselves in our shared history.
The Genesis (5:00 PM): We return to Sala Africa, the birthplace of our journey. Hear from Obehi Ewanfoh on the evolution of WeDiasporan and the launch of our Annual Storytelling Competition.
The Council: Engaging dialogues with Verona’s City Council, local African leadership, and the Comboni Missionary.
The Welcome Dinner (9:00 PM): An exclusive Afro-Italian fusion culinary experience. (VIP & Full-Access only)
Day 2: The Experience – Healing and reclaiming the lens with Cinema.
Rebel & Jango: Act 1
On the colonized Caribbean island of Dominica, Rebel and Jango inherit the unfinished revolution that claimed their parents’ lives.
As colonial rule tightens, the two lovers take up resistance in their own ways, confronting the personal cost of building freedom in the land that raised them.
Director – Jade B. Leatham.
Jade Leatham is a Dominica-raised writer and director who believes that stories reach people faster than policies ever will. Guided by this motto, her work centers on nation-building, cultural pride, and reclaiming Caribbean narratives from the margins.
Ancestral Healing: A profound session at the African Museum with Rev. Gloria Ogunbadejo, addressing the spiritual and historical weight of the diaspora.
The Hidden Heritage Tour: A curated walk through Verona (including the Arena and St. Zeno’s), revealing the “Hidden African Presence” in European history.
The Diaspora Lens: An evening of cinema featuring Lola by Ugochukwu Joseph Ubaka and Rebel and Jango by Jade Leatham, followed by a live theatrical performance and Director’s Q&A.
LOLA
In the heart of Lagos, brilliant fifteen-year-old Lola sees her dreams of becoming an engineer destroyed after she is raped and impregnated by her biological father.
Trapped by restrictive laws that deny her a safe termination, her path mirrors that of a neighbor facing a life-threatening pregnancy, highlighting a systemic failure that criminalizes reproductive healthcare.
Director – Ubaka Joseph.
Ugochukwu Joseph Ubaka is a Nigerian filmmaker forged in conviction, not convention. A champion of alternative cinema, he stands at the edge of form and freedom—telling stories that refuse to be comfortable, silent, or predictable. His work interrogates power, memory, womanhood, and justice, pushing Nigerian cinema beyond spectacle into purpose.
Day 3: The Future – Planting seeds for the generations to come.
Closing Reflection: A facilitated session on future-proofing the African Diaspora. What do we carry forward?
Verona Taste & Wine: A celebratory Aperitivo and wine tasting to toast to our “New Beginning.”
Final Send-off: Farewell ceremony and presentation of Certificates of Participation.
More questions about this trip?
A Journey through African Heritage & the Global Diaspora Experience. Dates: May 8–10, 2026. Location: Verona, Italy, The City of the “Full Circle”