Bio – Nana One

Diallo "NANAONE" Sumbry

Discover the transformative journey of Diallo Sumbry, an award-winning cultural ambassador, entrepreneur, and Ghana’s first African American Tourism Ambassador, now enstooled as Nkosuohene (Chief of Development) of Nyame Bekyere.

As the Founder and President of the Adinkra Group, Diallo Sumbry is on a lifelong quest to help people of African descent reconnect with their ancestral heritage, while also promoting the prosperity of African citizens.

Diallo Sumbry, also known as Nana Kwabena Duku I, is President & CEO of The Adinkra Group, an African cultural resource company connecting the African diaspora to the continent through cultural exchange, small business development, investment, and repatriation initiatives. In 2018, he became the first African American appointed U.S. Ambassador for Tourism to Ghana, playing a pivotal role in the historic Year of Return campaign.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Diallo Sumbry is a dynamic cultural ambassador and diaspora engagement specialist committed to advancing African-centered development through tourism, education, and community building. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and an honorary Washingtonian who spent his formative and adult years in Washington, DC, Diallo’s journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to identity, heritage, and service.

As the Founder of The Adinkra Group, he has played a central role in connecting the global African diaspora to the cultural, historical, and economic vibrancy of Ghana. His leadership and vision have positioned him as a thought leader in diaspora tourism, culminating in his service as President of the African American Association of Ghana (AAAG) in 2023 and 2024. In recognition of his commitment to sustainable development and community advancement, he was enstooled as Nkosuohene (Development Chief) of Nyame Bekyere in Ghana’s Eastern Region.

Diallo is also a proud husband, father, and doting grandfather, grounding his public work in a strong foundation of family and community.

DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT

At the heart of Diallo Sumbry’s work is a lifelong commitment to reconnecting Africans in the diaspora with the continent. One of his most impactful contributions is the development of Birthright Journeys, a signature program of The Adinkra Group. This deeply immersive cultural experience is designed to guide African Americans and others in the diaspora through a transformative journey of reconnection, healing, and cultural reclamation in Ghana. More than a tour, Birthright Journeys has become a flagship model of intentional, identity-affirming travel that restores ancestral links and strengthens global Black unity.
Diallo has also been instrumental in executing key programs aligned with Ghana’s Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives. Through strategic partnerships—including those with the NAACP and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.—he has helped bring hundreds of travelers to Ghana to explore their ancestral roots and deepen ties with their heritage.
As the co-visionary behind the African Ancestry Family Reunion programs, Diallo has helped facilitate ancestral reconnection across West Africa. Notably spearheading Sierra Leone’s program of eligibility for citizenship for individuals whose DNA results trace to Sierra Leonean ethnic groups, further opening pathways for repatriation and belonging.

Further strengthening diaspora collaboration, he is co-developer of the Triangle Offense Program, a strategic initiative that forges purposeful partnerships between the African diaspora, African governments, and the private sector. This model goes beyond symbolic engagement and produces measurable cultural, economic, and social outcomes—building a future rooted in shared values, legacy, and progress.

CULTURAL LEADERSHIP

In his traditional leadership role as Nkosuohene of Nyame Bekyere, Diallo has championed initiatives that reflect a deep commitment to cultural preservation and socioeconomic development. His construction of a three-story Nyame Bekyere Community Center and Library in the Eastern Region of Ghana demonstrates his belief in infrastructure as a catalyst for growth. The facility functions as an educational hub, a workforce development site—especially for hospitality professionals—and a multipurpose event space that generates income, and serves as a gathering spot for the local community.
Through the KAZI initiative, Diallo has expanded the training and capacity-building landscape in Ghana by preparing tour guides, hospitality professionals, and repatriation specialists to deliver high-quality, culturally grounded visitor experiences. These efforts are vital to enhancing Ghana’s status as a top destination for African diaspora tourism.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND GROWTH

By building bridges between African Americans and Ghana through innovative partnerships and programmatic initiatives, Diallo continues to generate both economic opportunity and cultural affirmation. His work remains rooted in a vision of a globally connected Africa led by its people—on the continent and across the diaspora.
As the creator of impactful tourism and cultural exchange initiatives, Diallo Sumbry has consistently leveraged entrepreneurship as a tool for transformation. His company, The Adinkra Group, is a leader in cultural tourism and has created unique experiences that blend history, art, education, and community.
As a creative entrepreneur, Diallo has developed platforms to amplify African culture worldwide, using business as a vehicle for cultural preservation and global engagement. His ventures include:

Oasis Beach Resort, a growing tourism and lifestyle destination in Ghana;
Chateau Nana Willene, a strategic partner in cultural hospitality;
The Black Star Center, a hub for cultural production, artistic exchange, and community collaboration;