I am thrilled to share the incredible journey that has led us to this momentous occasion. Allow me to introduce myself; I am King Cleon Peoples, also known as “Panther,” the Founder and President of the Afrikanda Prosperity Empowerment Network (APEN). With immense pride and gratitude, I stand before you as a 20-year retired veteran of the United States Air Force (USAF).
Though I hail from Charleston, SC, my current home is in Southern Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. I am a firm believer in the power of education and have earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, as well as a Master of Science degree in Divinity Studies from Howard University.
My passion for Black history has spanned over three decades, and through my presentation entitled “From Africa to the White House,” I have had the honor of educating numerous communities about the authentic history of Black people in the United States. After retiring from the military in 2010, my commitment to uplifting the Black community has led me to actively support various initiatives and organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Blacks in Government (BIG), Black Lives Matter (BLM), National Action Network (NAN), Nation of Islam (NOI), and the National Advancement Association of Colored People (NAACP).
Throughout my life, I have been spiritually and culturally guided to address the socio-economic needs of Black people across the African Diaspora. Inspired by the teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Minister Malcolm X, I conceived the idea of the Peoples Empowerment Network (PEN). Over a period of ten years, a series of dreams and revelations enabled me to develop the intricate details of PEN, with its mission focused on educating, empowering, and encouraging Black individuals in the United States towards achieving social economic prosperity.
In 2019, I embarked on a transformative journey to the African countries of Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa during the momentous “Year of Our Return,” which marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to America. During a profound moment at the slave dungeon on Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal, I experienced a divine revelation. As a result, the organization’s name evolved from Peoples Empowerment Network to the Afrikanda Prosperity Empowerment Network, with an expanded mission to “educate, empower, and encourage Black peoples of the global African Diaspora towards achieving social economic prosperity.”
Today, as we gather as a united force under the banner of Afrikanda, we hold a responsibility to create positive change, not just for ourselves but for the entire global African Diaspora. Together, we can cultivate prosperity and empowerment by sharing knowledge, collaborating, and uplifting one another.
I extend my deepest gratitude for joining us on this journey. Let us embrace our shared vision, drawing strength from our history and heritage, as we work towards a brighter future for all.
With utmost dedication and hope,
