Global hub launched to connect Welsh communities in the USA
A new global hub has been launched to connect Welsh communities and networks with businesses in the United States of America.
GlobalWelsh, the non-profit Welsh organisation, hopes to collaborate and bring about opportunities for people to reconnect with each other, Wales and other Welsh people globally.
It will be led by Bridgend born, automotive veteran Jan Griffiths, together with a team of successful Welsh diaspora and will support the hub’s activities virtually and on the ground.
The virtual hub will be focused on growing and connecting the business network in the USA with opportunities for mutual growth between members both home and away.
There’s almost two million people in the United States with Welsh ancestry alone and GlobalWelsh will aim to connect business leaders and networks in Cardiff to those in Detroit.
GlobalWelsh USA host, Jan Griffiths moved to the USA in 1985 and after a successful career she was recognised as one of Automotive News’ Top 100 Leading Women in the industry and went on to found Gravitas Detroit, a company committed to preparing leaders for the future in the auto industry.
Passionate
Initially, the hub will be focusing on providing guidance for Welsh businesses who are looking to expand into the USA and it’s hoped the stateside connection will create cultural awareness between the two countries.
Jan Griffiths said: “I’ve spent over 30 years living and working in the USA in the automotive industry.
“Over the years I’ve met many Welsh people who, like me, have been searching for a way to reconnect and give back to Wales, GlobalWelsh is the conduit for us to do exactly that.”
The rest of the USA based team all have Welsh roots, including Dave Richards from Aberdare, David Powell from Swansea, Gareth Hughes from the Rhymney Valley, Huw Webber from Cwmtwrch Isaf and Roger King who graduated from the University of South Wales.
Walter May, founder and CEO of GlobalWelsh, said: “The USA-based diaspora presents a big, if not the biggest, opportunity for Wales when it comes to diaspora engagement.
“We share a unique and rich migrational history with the Americas. There is a tremendous amount of great work being done socially and culturally to bring people together and celebrate their Welsh roots all over the USA but when it comes to business we haven’t even scratched the surface yet.”
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There is way more people in America of Welsh ancestry than 2million. The 20 most common names in America prove this. The problem however is the fact that the Americans are taught that Wales is in England, so they assume being Welsh makes you English. Most put English down on the census because of it. This is the same reason why so many influential Welsh Americans are passed of as English.
Great news! Anything to encourage cultural & trade links between both Wales and America is good. The Welsh largely go under the radar in United States even though our impact on American society & democracy is huge. from numerous presidents with Welsh ancestry to the existence of Hollywood itself that was created on land gifted to the people by Welshman Griffith Griffith, who coincidentally also built the iconic Sunset Boulevard. No doubt Tory Troll Andrew RT Davies & Welsh Conservatives will say this is a waste of time & money as done when they criticised Welsh Government setting up regional… Read more »
This should be great to attract American tourists to Wales and benefit the Welsh economy. Wales could learn a lot from the Irish.