Momodou Lamin Bah, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States, addressed the 55th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus on Friday, 18 September 2026, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, telling the audience that the Government of The Gambia recognizes Haley’s work as the country joins the Haley family and the international diaspora in commemorating Roots at 50. The government is rebranding the Roots Homecoming festival and plans to relaunch the event soon.
He encouraged African Americans to look beyond cultural and heritage visits and consider investment opportunities in The Gambia and across the continent.
Invited by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Ambassador Bah joined policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders and civil society representatives for discussions under the theme “Roots at 50 and Beyond: Narrative, Diplomacy and Economic Empowerment of the Diaspora.” The gathering examined approaches to strengthening the United States–Africa partnership and issues affecting African Americans and the global Black community.
In his remarks, Ambassador Bah acknowledged the Alex Haley family’s contribution to global awareness of The Gambia. Reflecting on the transatlantic slave trade, he said its legacy continues to shape the continent’s development: “Our strong human capital was taken, and that continues to affect us to this day.”
Ambassador Bah also highlighted the role of Gambian griots, oral historians who preserved history through accurate narration across generations and helped enrich Haley’s book. He said Roots brought The Gambia and its river to global prominence. Before 1976, the country rarely appeared in international headlines except during its uncommon multiparty elections. “Roots changed that,” he said. “People began asking where The Gambia was located and where the River Kambi Bolong flowed from.” The work, he added, gave the world a deeper understanding of the country and drew journalists seeking to verify the narrative.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore paid tribute to the Haley family and urged African Americans to persevere. He honored the memory of Africans who entered the United States through Annapolis’s dock, noting that City Dock hosts the memorial to Kunta Kinteh and Alex Haley. Governor Moore disclosed plans for a convergence at the dock where enslaved Africans first arrived, to pay special tribute to the Haley family for illuminating the sorrows of slavery. He acknowledged those who contributed to eventual freedom.
Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York emphasized unity, growth, and the political strength of the Congressional Black Caucus, noting its role in shaping federal policy, supporting economic investment, and defending essential social programs. He paid tribute to the Haley family for the cultural, historical, and genealogical impact of Roots: The Saga of an American Family, saying the legacy of Kunta Kinteh continues to resonate with African Americans.
Members of the Alex Haley family and hundreds of African Americans attended the conference to honor their heritage.
