Obituaries

To the family, friends, and cherished members of the African Diaspora Alliance and the larger, global African diaspora, we gather today with heavy hearts yet uplifted spirits to honour the life and legacy of a visionary, mentor, and brother—Dr. Malcolm Beech Sr, affectionately known to us all as Brother Malcolm.

In October 2018, Brother Malcolm together with Dr Shem Ochuodho, co-founded the African Diaspora Alliance under the African Union’s guiding light, driven by a bold vision: to weave unbreakable bonds of collaboration between the African diaspora and the continent. He saw AfDA not merely as an organization but as a bridge—a bridge spanning oceans, economies, cultures and generations. His dream was to transform bilateral trade, empower SMEs, and create a tapestry of shared prosperity where every African, whether on the continent or abroad, could thrive. Today, that bridge stands stronger because of his unwavering hands.

Brother Malcolm was a stalwart in every sense. His brilliance as an economist and strategist was matched only by his humility. He dispensed wisdom not as a lecturer but as a storyteller, always punctuating profound insights with his signature gentle humour. Whether guiding a nervous entrepreneur through their first business pitch or inspiring a room of seasoned leaders to think beyond borders, he did so with alacrity and patience that disarmed doubt and a quiet strength that turned challenges into opportunities. To him, no dream was too small, no obstacle too big.

His mentorship was a gift to us all. He believed deeply in the power of people—the farmers, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs and dreamers who make up the AfDA family. He often reminded us that unity is not uniformity, and that our strength lies in the diversity of our thought, culture, and ambition. Under his guidance, AfDA blossomed into a sanctuary for collaboration, where a tech startup in Nairobi could partner with a diaspora investor in New York, or a Ghanaian artisan could find markets in Atlanta. He taught us that business is not transactional—it is relational, rooted in trust and mutual upliftment.

Brother Malcolm’s vision was clear: a future where the African diaspora (including the Caribbean islands and beyond) and continental communities would stand as equals, co-creators, and kin. He rejected divisions of nationality, urging us instead to embrace a Pan-African identity. To him, we were not defined by where we came from, but by who we are: essentially, “We are not from Africa, but we are Africa itself, wherever we stand.” This often reminded us of words of legendary Kwame Nkurumah: “I am not African because I was born in Africa, but Africa was born in me”. Dr Beech’s legacy is etched into every partnership forged, every SME nurtured, and every young leader who now carries his torch forward.

To his family, we extend our deepest gratitude for sharing him with us. We know his love for you was the compass that guided his work and irreplaceable. To the AfDA community, let us honour him not with sorrow alone but with action. Let us build the cross-continental enterprises he envisioned. Let us mentor as he mentored—with patience, humour, and unwavering belief in the possible. There can be no greater honor to Bro Malcolm than to immortalise his love and passion in our hearts, and ensure that his vision to meaningfully connect global African diasporas with Africa becomes a reality in our lifetime.

Brother Malcolm saw the diaspora not as a footnote in Africa’s story, but as a pillar of its future. Today, we affirm that he is now a pillar in our collective history. Though he has transitioned from labour to reward, his spirit lives on in every handshake across the Atlantic, every business plan drafted, and every heart ignited by his example.

Rest in eternal peace, dear Brother. Your legacy lives on.

—The AfDA Family