Press Briefing: Johnnie Carson, U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation

The Africa Regional Media Hub, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Public Affairs and works to connect U.S. policy makers and experts with media in sub-Saharan Africa. As part of the Office of International Media Engagement, we work in collaboration with Public Affairs offices at U.S. Embassies throughout Africa.The Africa Hub conducts and arranges interviews and media briefings with U.S. officials on regional and multilateral policy issues with media in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa Hub events are interactive, using available technology, and provide an opportunity for the African media to interact directly with U.S. officials. The Africa Hub produces content, such as video and audio podcasts and transcripts, for placement with African television and radio broadcasters and other media.

Africa Regional Media Hub

Digital Press Briefing: Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation

MEDIA ADVISORY | February 23 Digital Press Briefing with Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation EVENT: Please join us on Thursday, February 23, 2023, for a digital press briefing with Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation. Ambassador Carson will discuss his recent high-level engagements with African leaders on the margins of the AU Summit and his plans to continue his important dialogues with members of civil society and the business community. After brief remarks, Ambassador Carson will take questions from participating journalists.DETAILS:Speaker: 	 Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation Date: 		 Thursday, February 23, 2023Time: 	 10:00 Johannesburg | 09:00 Abuja | 8:00 GMT | 03:00 Washington Language: 	 English    Ground rules: The briefing will be on the record     Login info: 	 To be provided upon RSVP.   Twitter: Join the conversation #AFHubPress and follow us on @AfricaMediaHub. BIOGRAPHY Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit ImplementationAmbassador Johnnie Carson was appointed as the Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation in December 2022. Formerly, he served as the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs from May 2009 to March 2013. Prior to this he was the national intelligence officer for Africa at the National Intelligence Council, after serving as the senior vice president of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. (2003-2006).Ambassador Carson's 37-year foreign service career includes ambassadorships to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994); and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (1997-1999). Earlier in his career he had assignments in Portugal (1982-1986), Botswana (1986-1990), Mozambique (1975-1978), and Nigeria (1969-1971). He has also served as desk officer in the Africa section at State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (1971-1974); Staff Officer for the Secretary of State (1978-1979), and Staff Director for the Africa Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives (1979-1982).Before joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Carson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania from 1965-1968. He has a bachelor's in history and political science from Drake University and a master's in international relations from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies at the University of London.Ambassador Carson is the recipient of several Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State and a Meritorious Service Award from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The Centers for Disease Control presented him with its highest award, "Champion of Prevention Award," for his leadership in directing the U.S. Government's HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Kenya.LOGISTICS:   <ul><li>Participants should log in to join the briefing 10 minutes early. </li><li>Participants will be asked to type in their name, press affiliation, and location. </li><li>The speaker will give brief opening remarks, and then the moderator will open the floor to questions. </li><li>Participants will be instructed to type their questions or indicate to the moderator in the chat that they wish to ask a live question. Journalists may also submit written questions in advance when registering on Eventbrite or via e-mail to afmediahub@state.gov. </li><li>If you experience technical difficulties during the briefing, you may send an e-mail to afmediahub@state.gov to alert the moderator to any issues.</li></ul>

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