When legendary Moroccan explorer, Estevanico, was celebrated in New York, USA

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States of America (USA), Ambassador Youssef Amrani, has said at the 3rd International Estevanico Conference held as part of the Black History Month in New York, USA on Friday, February 21, 2025, that America, from centuries past had always had mutually beneficial relationships with Morocco and Africa as a whole.

The Conference, which had as its theme “Tracing the Footsteps of a Remarkable African Explorer: The Atlantic Connection,” had participants from Morocco and different parts of the U.S, especially scholars, researchers, diplomats, students and other stakeholders. It took place at the Center for the Arts, College of Staten Island (CSI) of the City University of New York (CUNY).

The Moroccan Envoy, who gave the Keynote Address at the Conference on the topic: “The Transatlantic Initiative and the Evolving African American Relations,” spoke glowingly of Mustafa Al-Azamouri, better known as Estevanico, the first African to cross the Atlantic and explore the Americas, noting that since that voyage in the 16th Century, relationships between Morocco and the U.S, and between Africa and the U.S have continued to grow.

He noted that just as Estevanico blazed the trail through the Atlantic in the 16th Century, the new Royal Atlantic Initiative led by King Mohammed VI of Morocco is another visionary endeavor aimed at forging stronger mutually beneficial relationships between Morocco and Africa on the one hand and America and other parts of the world.

He said that just as Estevanico braved all odds to hoist the flag of Morocco and Africa on U.S soil centuries ago, King Mohammed VI is now leading the way to establish a new trans Atlantic corridor that would result in shared prosperity for all stakeholders, stressing that already an ambitious port project and a major Gas Pipeline project, among other major infrastructures are springing up to advance the Royal vision.

Ambassador Amrani reminded his audience that Morocco-U.S relations had come a long way, from when Morocco was the first country to recognize the U.S as an independent nation, to the first and still subsisting Peace and Friendship treaty, entered into by both countries dating back several centuries.

He stressed that the resilience and leadership exhibited by Estevanico centuries ago are still evident today and that as the great explorer made lasting impact in his day, using the Atlantic corridor to bring trade, cultural exchange, medical (healing) skills, diplomacy and more to America, the Royal Atlantic Initiative was opening up an even more monumental and more sophisticated realm of partnership.

In his opening remarks at the event, Dr. Abdeslem El Idris, a Professor of Neuroscience at CSI/CUNY and a Co-founder of the Estevanico International Conference said the goal of the event “is to shed light on the extraordinary yet often overlooked story of Estevanico, a pivotal figure in early transatlantic history, and to use the lessons from his stories and apply them to the modern context.”

He noted that the program for this year, was focusing attention on “the role of Africans in American society, both historically and in the present day. From Estevanico’s early explorations to the countless contributions of African Americans in every facet of life – art, science, politics, and culture – we recognize the indelible impact of African heritage on the fabric of the Americas.”

Dr. El Idris further pointed out that “the Transatlantic Initiative proposed by His Majesty, King Mohamed VI , which seeks to strengthen ties between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, is a vital part of this conversation. By fostering dialogue and collaboration across continents, we honor the legacy of figures like Estevanico, who embodied the spirit of connection and exchange long before the term “globalization” was coined.”

Consul General of Morocco in New York, Ambassador Abdelkader Jamoussi, who is also a Co-founder of the Conference, in his introductory remarks and overview, pointed out that this edition of the program, sets out to achieve three major objectives.

The first, he said, is to commemorate the Black History Month and through it honor and amplify the voices of the pathfinders who paved the way for the progress and enlightenment of today. The second, the Envoy said, is to explore further, the extraordinary life and legacy of Estevanico during the age of exploration, and how the exploits of the iconic explorer impacted Europe and the Americas.

The third objective, Ambassador Jamoussi, who incidentally has done considerable research work and writing on Estevanico said, is to draw attention to, and examine in some detail, the evolving dynamics of African-American and Moroccan-American relationships within the framework of the Royal Transatlantic Initiative of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

One of the highpoints of the Conference was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Hassan II University of Casablanca, represented by Dr. Samira Rguibi, a Professor of English and Chair of the English Studies Department, and the College of Staten Island of CUNY, represented by its president, Dr. Timothy Lynch. The agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation and academic exchange between the two institutions.

Earlier, Dr. Wilma Jones, Director, CSI’s Center for Teaching, Learning and Professional Development, and a member of the Planning Committee, had welcomed participants to the College, while Dr. Lynch, a Historian by training, while also welcoming participants, confirmed that Morocco and the US have had close and mutually rewarding relationships in the past 250 years.

He also noted that besides the partnership the College was entering into with Hassan II University, that the College had entered other rich and rewarding relationships with other Moroccan institutions, and looked forward to a trip to the North African country.

The stimulating technical session of the Conference witnessed well researched presentations by Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, a Professor at the University of Arizona on “Homo Atlanticus: The Career and Legacy of Estevanico de Dorantes”; Dr. Chouaib Halifi on “Perception of ‘Estevanico’s Story’ in Moroccan Culture and Society”; Dr. John T. Wing of CSI on “The Shifting Frontiers Between Iberia and North Africa”; Dr. Paul Schneider on “Estevanico: A Cultural Bridge in Indigenous North America” and Dr. Taoufik Jaafari of the Universite Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco on “Estevanico: A Preliminary Bibliography.”

Dr. Ephraim Isaac, the founder and first Professor of the Harvard University’s Department of African and Afro-American Studies spoke on “Africa’s Cultural and Historical Narratives on a Global Stage.”

The Ethiopian-born polyglot harped on why the study of Black History is important, citing the need to redress the damage done by some professors and scholars who have over time gone to great lengths to denigrate, degrade and even deny African history and civilization. Prof. Isaac then insisted that rather than observing just one month as Black History Month, the study and celebration of Black History and civilization should be an all year-round affair.

He commended Morocco and the CSI for their efforts to promote Black History and civilization, especially through the study of the life and legacies of Estevanico and other trendsetting Blacks.

There were also citations and proclamations from different political leaders in acknowledgement of the Black History Month, the historic nature of the Conference and heroic exploits of Estevanico.

Among the other dignitaries that graced the Conference, which started with a Dinner for guests by the Consulate General of The Kingdom of Morocco in New York at the Wall Street Grill Restaurant on Thursday, February 20, 2025 were some Consuls General of African and some some non African countries in New York, Professor Kathy Carver, a Dallas-based Moroccan-born scientist and activist, Elaine Marchi and representatives of the sponsors of the program, including Royal Air Maroc, OCP and CSI/CUNY.

Besides representatives of the Senators and other political office holders that presented Proclamations and Citations at the Conference proper on Friday, February 21, 2025, there was also present, the first African-American Public Administrator in Staten Island, Commissioner Edwina Francis Martin of Richmond County, who also presented a Proclamation at the historic event.

The program was rounded off with an exhibition of art works celebrating the legendary Morocco-born explorer by the painter Abdelkarim Alazhar from Azemmour, the hometown of Estevanico, and by another Moroccan artist based in New York, Abdelilah Ennassef.