Senators Kaine (D-VA) and Cornyn (R-TX) introduce bill for African Diaspora Heritage Month

U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and John Cornyn (R-TX), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently introduced a bipartisan bill for the formal designation of an African Diaspora Heritage Month.

The month, according to a release, will help to recognize the contributions made of the African diaspora, or the dispersion of people from their homeland, to the overall growth and prosperity of the United States. Currently, the month is celebrated by the diaspora community during September.

Since March of 2022, September has been designated as Virginia African Diaspora Heritage Month.

“The African diaspora has contributed so much to the fabric of our nation, local communities, and our economy,” Kaine said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to recognize this vibrant community’s achievements by designating a federal African Diaspora Heritage Month.”

Over 115,000 African immigrants currently reside in the Commonwealth, and bring in an estimated $205 million in international trade to the state through small and medium-sized businesses. Nationwide, there are approximately 50 million people comprised in the African Diaspora.

To read the full bill, click here.