Africa’s growing geopolitical importance is reshaping global dynamics in ways that increasingly affect the United States at home. As the continent emerges as a major driver of economic growth, innovation, and demographic expansion, its role in global trade, energy security, supply chains, and diplomatic influence continues to expand. At the same time, increased engagement by global powers—including China and Russia—has elevated Africa’s strategic significance for U.S. foreign policy and national security.
Understanding Africa’s political and economic trajectory is therefore not only a matter of international relations, but one that directly connects to American competitiveness, workforce development, economic opportunity, and global leadership. Through this conversation, TNWAC seeks to highlight why Africa matters to Tennessee and how global developments increasingly shape domestic realities.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2026 I 11:00am-1:00pm
* Luncheon Event *
Venue:
Bass Berry & Sims – 21 Platform Way S, Suite 3500, Nashville, TN 37203
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Featured Speaker: Chidi Blyden (CEO and Principal at Culturally Bound)
Ms. Chidi Blyden (chee-dee, blī-den), is an accomplished executive leader and former U.S. foreign policy advisor whose expertise bridges national security, defense, economic development, and international policy. As Principal of Culturally Bound Consulting, she leverages over two decades of transformative leadership to deliver actionable advice and strategies that address Africa’s complex challenges and unlock its potential by leveraging Africa’s Diaspora and culture.
Prior to creating Culturally Bound, Ms. Blyden was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) where she oversaw the daily management of the agency’s mission to advance transformative projects in infrastructure, economic empowerment, and community development. She chaired the Investment Management Committee, responsible for MCC’s $1B in annual investments, providing recommendations to the CEO on MCC’s $8 billion portfolio of active programs.
Ms. Blyden served in the Biden-Harris administration Pentagon, most recently as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for African Affairs. She managed the Department of Defense’s relationships with 53 African nations and played a pivotal role in rethinking the U.S.- Africa defense relations securing and administering nearly $1 billion in funding for security cooperation, cybersecurity, maritime security, humanitarian and disaster relief, defense institution building and partnership exercises.
With over 15 years of government service, Ms. Blyden served in the Obama Administration as the Special Assistant and Africa Peacekeeping Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, overseeing defense policy for East and Central African countries, and served as the Department of Defense’s lead for the President’s African Leaders’ Summit in 2013 and 2022. Her tenure also included advising the House Armed Services Committee on African nations and the Western Hemisphere’s defense and security priorities from 2019-2021, as well as her role at the National Defense University’s Africa Center for Strategic Studies from 2008-2012.
A socio-cultural expert on Africa’s conflicts and development issues, Ms. Blyden’s work centers on the cultural underpinnings of policy, development and community-driven security and strategy in African contexts. As the first Africa Director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), she led the creation and implementation of culture-specific training for the Nigerian Armed Forces focused on minimizing civilian harm during the Boko Haram crisis in 2017-2018.
Beyond her governmental roles, Ms. Blyden is a passionate mentor and advocate for women and young leaders, especially in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented. She is renowned for her ethical leadership and her unwavering commitment to uplifting others within the national security and defense sectors. Her impactful public service has earned her several accolades, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service (x2), the “Trailblazer Award” from the Black Professionals in International Affairs Association, the “Selfless Service” Award by the African Defense Attachés Association, and “Aggie Impact” Award from the Black Former Students Network at Texas A&M University.
Ms. Blyden has also contributed to academia as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University in the Security Studies Program and is a regular lecturer at esteemed institutions, including Harvard, Texas A&M Bush School for Government and Public Service, the National Defense University, and international institutions. She is a Political Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, and served on the Board and Leadership Council for Memunatu Magazine. She is a member of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security, Women in International Security and sits on the Board of Directors of the Sitar Arts Center, the Women Foreign Policy Group and the National Board of the World Affairs Councils of America.
A graduate of Texas A&M University (BSc, Sociology) and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University (MSc., Conflict Analysis, and Resolution), Ms. Blyden was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and traces her heritage to Sierra Leone. She is fluent in English and Krio, with conversational proficiency in Pidgin and French.
