Chairman's Profile

Dr. Sylvester Okere is a prominent African diaspora business and political leader in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, renowned for his extensive experience in public and private safety services, investigations, and international consulting. He combines nearly four decades of expertise to facilitate trade, ensure security, and advocate for the African and Caribbean communities in the United States and abroad.

Professional Career

With a background of serving nearly two decades in the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kano State Command, Dr. Okere transitioned his expertise to the private sector. He is the founder and president of two multi-faceted, global award-winning firms based in Washington D.C. and Maryland:

• Champion Investigations & Security Consulting Services LLC: A firm specializing in licensed private security, private investigation, and executive protection.
• Strategic Groups USA LLC: Offering comprehensive services in business intelligence, due diligence, and political consulting.

Dr. Okere is a Certified Institutional Protection Manager (CIPM I, II) from the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection. In recognition of his expertise, he was appointed a "Visiting Scholar" at George Mason University in 2015. He is also an Ambassador for the World Association of Detectives (WAD) and an approved vendor with the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM).

Advocacy and Community Leadership

A dedicated leader committed to empowering and uniting the African diaspora, Dr. Okere has spearheaded several key initiatives and organizations:

• Okere Sylvester Soccer & Youth Development Foundation (OSSYDEF): As founder and chairman, this pilot initiative aims to empower, train, and connect youth with local and international opportunities through soccer as a way to give back to the community.