Colorful outfits, African patterns, and soccer jerseys rocking the Cape Verdean flag’s blues and whites mix and mingle with excitement inside the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
Cabo Verde, a small country off the coast of West Africa, made an impressive start to its World Cup debut in Atlanta, drawing against former champion Spain 0-0. Officials here this week are trying to use this moment to create economic opportunities.
Colorful outfits, African patterns and soccer jerseys rocking the Cape Verdean flag’s blues and whites mix and mingle with excitement inside the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs.
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is an Atlanta Black business hub. It was founded on the site of the former headquarters of H.J. Russell & Company, honoring the legacy of Atlanta’s pioneering business icon, Herman J. Russell.
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is an entrepreneurial hub dedicated to Black businesses. It was founded on the site of the former headquarters of H.J. Russell & Company, honoring the legacy of Atlanta’s pioneering business icon, Herman J. Russell. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
Maria Gomes was born in Cabo Verde.
“I come here to support my team and support my people,” said Gomes.
She traveled from Massachusetts to watch Cabo Verde compete in its first World Cup tournament.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Gomes.
Maria Gomes was born in Cabo Verde. She traveled from Massachusetts to watch Cabo Verde compete in its first time World Cup tournament. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
She was one of hundreds who attended a business expo and community event geared towards leveraging the World Cup to build lasting economic partnerships. The event featured elected leaders and the President of Cabo Verde José Maria Neves, alongside his translator, Adelaide Lima.
“The idea is to bring, to attract people, investors, to come and see the opportunities, the existing possibilities. And take the advantage of them,” said Neves, according to his translator.
Cabo Verde’s annual GDP grew about 5% in the last year, fueled by tourism and its service economy, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Neves said he is looking forward to seeing the team compete in their first World Cup match.
“High expectations because the presence of Cabo Verde in this World Cup is not only in terms of football, but it opens other avenues for the country, for investments in the country,” said Neves, according to his translator.
The event featured elected leaders and the President of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, alongside his translator, Adelaide Lima. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
Cabo Verde gained independence from Portugal over 50 years ago. The young country is getting global spotlight through soccer, which officials see as a crucial component to its future economic success.
“It’s important because not often do people have an opportunity to learn about the island archipelago of Cabo Verde and ways in which they can create bridges, economic engines that can sustain us way after the World Cup,” said Damani Aaquil Medina is the co-founder of Deeply Rooted Press and the Baobab Teaching Institute.
Cabo Verde is trying to build more global partnerships to expand its economy and elevate its profile.
“Hopefully this event inspired others to build their own events, to do these type of cultural activations and business activations in a way that benefits us,” said Aaquil Medina.
Linia White of Paper Luxe Studios praised RICE for giving her the opportunity to sell her artwork during the event.
Linia White of Paper Luxe Studios. She praised RICE for giving her the opportunity to sell her artwork during the event. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
“To bring Cape Verde here, I mean, it’s just phenomenal. To see the culture, to meet the people, to have them experience my work as well, it means much. And hopefully, I made some good connections,” said White.
Georgia State Rep. Segun Adeyina attended and was a part of the group of legislators that presented a declaration to the Cabo Verde representatives.
“The president has come out, not just in support of the team, but in support of the diaspora. To make sure that we’re having the right conversations and doing business and promoting opportunities for the community,” said Adeyina.
State Rep. El-Mahdi Holly founded the nation’s first and only African Legislative Caucus, where he currently serves as co-chairman.
State Representatives also attended the event and presented a declaration to the Cabo Verde representatives. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
“We have the largest number of entrepreneurs, black entrepreneurs, throughout the country. And there’s such a large diaspora here. So that’s why it’s the center of who we are. I do believe that a lot of good things are gonna happen, especially with Cape Verde,” said Holly.
Jennifer Barbosa and her non-profit International Friends Alliance organized the event.
“I’m proud to be able to be a tool in positioning my country, because we have such a rich history, even though we are such a young country,” said Barbosa.
She is a first-generation Cape Verdean and an Atlanta business owner.
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is an Atlanta Black business hub. It was founded on the site of the former headquarters of H.J. Russell & Company, honoring the legacy of Atlanta’s pioneering business icon, Herman J. Russell. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
“Where we are positioned as a country with our 10 islands, the massive amount of sun, wind, ocean, and water energy, there is the technology access that we’re working on and building. There’s so much opportunity,” said Barbosa.
Her grandfather was an exporter, and Barbosa continues to build on her family’s legacy through her business, International Supply Partners, which is a government-certified procurement firm
“I wish he was here,” said Barbosa.
She said both economically and in the World Cup, Cabo Verde should not be underestimated.
