Last night was my daughter Autumn’s grade 11 “Meet the Teacher” night. Being a separated Dad, I have to admit to not being the most involved parent in my child’s education. When Autumn’s mom asked me to attend the evening, I quickly agreed (after all, she’s shared more than her fair share of the “burden” so far) but I definitely had my concerns about how boring the night might be. To add fuel to the negativity fire, Autumn was very unhappy about us having to attend. Apparently she had not done as well as she would have liked to on a few of her quizzes during the first two weeks and she had gotten a scolding from her Art teacher for a mistake she made. So we both grudgingly agreed we would go for awhile and then skip out early.

The format for the evening was that we would go to four of her first semester classes and four of her third semester classes. At each class the teacher would have six minutes to introduce themselves and tell the entire room of parents how that semester was going to go. They actually rang the school bell at the end of six minutes and told us over the intercom to move on! Pardon my skepticism, but the evening, to me, was looking even bleaker and less impactful.

Then, I sat down in the first class, with my daughter beside me and the magic started to happen. As each of these teachers stood up to speak, some young, some old, some traditional, some “new agey,” a common thread quickly came out. These folks all had an incredible passion for their chosen subjects. From the Social teacher who almost lit up a roaring debate on universal health care in three minutes flat to the biology teacher who I am sure was on the verge of explaining, in detail, the human excretory system when the bell rang, I was swept away on sea of energy. Not only did we stay for the entire session, we chitter chattered the whole way home about how cool this teacher was and what amazing projects were planned for that class. What started out as a chore had turned into a night I will always remember as a very special evening with my only child. My daughter walked away ready to excel in this new year of adventures. It was the passion of a few strangers that made it so.

Working with IWB has been a lot like Meet the Teacher night. Some days, yes, the amount of work makes everything seem like a bit of a chore. Then I speak with Tricia, our founder, about her latest, greatest expansion plan (she is always ready to take over the world!) Then with John from Wall Street Without Walls about how he will be helping us connect to hundreds of finance professionals across North America who will form part or our SME risk rating process. Then with Bailey from Harvard about how his Entrepreneurial Finance Lab project is designing revolutionary new tools for this industry to directly evaluate an entrepreneur’s ability and honesty. Then to Boahemaa from Parity Investments about the millions of dollars of need his company has uncovered in Ghana for increased financing that IWB will connect them to. All of these people, and many more, are just brimming with passion. I can’t help but be swept up in their excitement and energized to new heights.

Investors Without Borders is honored and excited to participate in TANCon 2008 in Accra, Ghana! Themed “Fostering African Entrepreneurship”, TANCon 2008 is a gathering of pioneering individuals and organizations that is sure to inspire anyone interested in the exciting growth, reform, and innovation taking place across Africa.

The event is bringing together a diverse group from Fortune 500 business leaders and Venture Capitalists to Social Entrepreneurs and Policy Makers. Among the many distinguished speakers are Founder of Ashesi University in Ghana, Patrick Awuah, and George B.N. Ayittey, PhD Economist from American University. Oh yes, and the distinguished Founder & Managing Director of Investors Without Borders, Tricia Chirumbole, who will be speaking on a Social Entrepreneurship panel that promises to enlighten!

The action takes place on Saturday, August 16^th at La Palm Beach Hotel in Accra - quite a nice spot to spend a day or two! So if you’re in or near Accra, come check it out, there’s still room left! If not, no worries, you have a second chance to get involved: TANCon 2008 will be visiting the United States on November 1 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palo Alto, California. The line up includes entrepreneur and author, Guy Kawasaki of Garage Technology Ventures, and an advocate of affirmative action, recipient of Service Business of the Year and author, Frederick E. Jordan of F.E. Jordan and Associates.

TANCon 2008 is organized and inspired by The African Network, a global nonprofit organization founded in Silicon Valley, with the “sole mandate of fostering entrepreneurship and technology in Africa and among people of African descent”. The time is now to get involved in the emerging markets in Africa - So…get involved with The African Network, come to TANCon USA 2008, and Register with IWB for updates! Thoughts or questions about opportunities in Africa?? Be sure to leave your comments and questions below!