PROFILE
Born in the Republic of Panama, Dr. Melida Harris Barrow is a visionary leader committed to empowering nations, individuals, and businesses through trade and economic development. She mobilizes global investors to support overlooked industries, sparking new economic opportunities and creating sustainable growth. Dr. Barrow is also passionate about nurturing future leaders, mentoring youth ambassadors worldwide to foster global leadership among young people.
As the Founder and CEO of the 6th Region Global Chamber of Commerce (6thRGCC), Dr. Barrow works tirelessly to advance the interests of Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Indigenous communities across the globe. Her work focuses on educating and empowering families to understand the intricacies of trade and the global economy, generating opportunities for growth, development, and long-term progress across generations.
In 2022, she launched the transformative “Journey of Reconciliation of Mother Africa and her Diaspora”, a global initiative designed to unite the African Diaspora, Africa, and Indigenous peoples worldwide. The project fosters healing and sparks a renewed sense of connection among African people, promoting resilience and empowerment throughout the global community.
Dr. Barrow also facilitates networking events through the 6thRGCC and partners with trade organizations across Africa to build an integrated private sector ecosystem. She is dedicated to fostering economic growth by bridging connections between business owners, community leaders, and elected officials, promoting businesses and services within the African Diaspora.
Dr. Barrow’s contributions have earned her numerous prestigious awards and recognitions. She was honored by Afrique Magazine for promoting African culture and for her continued service and support to people of African descent. She received the Chicago Carifette Committee Award for her leadership and contributions to promoting Caribbean culture, and the Change Nations Great Leader Award for her outstanding leadership. Her advocacy for women’s leadership earned her the Women Add Value Recognition Award, while her broader contributions to humanity have been recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Recognition Official Medallion and her appointment as a Golden Rule Goodwill Ambassador.
Dr. Barrow was also awarded the Presidential Award by former Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis and recognized as a Human Conservation Solutionist. She received the Keynote Speaker Award from the African Network of Southwest Florida, and the USA Africa Bridge Builder Award for her efforts in fostering connections between Africa and the Americas.
Her leadership in youth development earned her the COESI Dynamic Youths Grenada Business Hub Sustainable Development Through Entrepreneurship Conference Partnership Award and the Youth Add Value Sculpting Excellence and Advancing Leadership Award.
In recognition of her continued global impact, Dr. Barrow was conferred the National Statesmen Degree (a non-academic degree) by the governing body of iChange. Additionally, she was honored with the Global Humanitarian Award by Love International from Trinidad & Tobago, and the organizers of the 5th International African Festival of Panama awarded her for her invaluable contribution to Afro-Descendant culture in Panama.
For her philanthropic work and promotion of business development within the Afro-descendant community, Dr. Barrow received the Limón Roots Award from The Honorable Luis Guillermo Solís, the President of Costa Rica. She was also honored with the Congressional Woman of the Year Award by Congressman Danny K. Davis’ Multi-Ethnic Advisory Task Force.
Dr. Barrow has been a keynote speaker at the presentation of the Pillar of Peace Award to His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ashantene (King of the Ashanti people) at the Akuasidae Festival of the Year in Accra, Ghana in 2019. She was also a featured speaker at the Africa Celebrates event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in both 2023 and 2024, and at the 124th National Black Business Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in 2024.
Dr. Melida Harris Barrow
Founder and CEO
6th Region Global Chamber of Commerce
melidaharrisbarrow14@gmail.com
Click on the photo to enlarge and download
Click on the photo to enlarge and download
Click on the photo to enlarge and download
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
Ancestral Royal Diaspora Queen Amb. Dr. Melida Harris Barrow received the prestigious AD King Foundation Award- Young Professional Boot Camp, December 7th, 2024, specifically the “Global Champion Of Youth Entrepreneurship Award” bestowed by Dr. Babs, President of AD King Foundation and Stephen Oguntoyinbo International Youth Program Director.
About AD King Foundation
The AD King Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth. Named in honor of the late Rev. A.D. King, a civil rights leader and brother to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the foundation, focuses on leadership development, educational initiatives, and community engagement to inspire positive transformation across local and global communities.
- Afrique Magazine for Promoting the African Culture and Continuing to Serve and Support people of African Descent.
- Chicago Carifette Committee Award for Leadership – Contribution in Promoting Caribbean Culture.
- Change Nations Great Leader Award.
- Women Add Value Recognition “Women Leadership” Award.
- Distinguished Leadership Recognition Official Medallion Winner.
- Appointed the Golden Rule Goodwill Ambassador.
- Presidential Award from the former President of Ethiopia GirmaWolde – Giorge.
- Award as a Human Conservation Solucionist.
- African Network of Southwest Florida – Keynote Speaker Award.
- USA Africa Bridge Builder Award.
- Dynamic Youths Grenada Business Hub Sustainable Development Through.
- Entrepreneurship Conference Partnership Award.
- Youth Add Value – Sculpting Excellence and Advancing Leadership Award.
- National Statesmen Degree (non – academic degree) for the governing body of iChange.
- Global Humanitarian Award by Love International from Trinidad & Tobago.
- She was awarded for her valuable contribution to society as a permanent and high representative of the Afro-Descendant Culture in Panama from the organizers of the 5th International African Festival of Panama.
- The President of Costa Rica, The Honorable, Luis Guillermo Solís presented the Limón roots Award to Dr. Melida A. Harris Barrow for her important philanthropic work and promotion of business development of the Afro-descendant community at an international level.
- Congressional Award “Woman of the Year Award” by Congressman Danny K. Davis Multi ethnic Advisory Task Force.
- Keynote speaker at the presentation of the “Pillar of Peace Award” to His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ashantene (King of the Ashanti people). Akuasidae Festival of the year. Accra, Ghana, 2019.
- Speaker at the annual event “Africa Celebrates”. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2023, 2024.
- Speaker at “124 National Black Business Conference”. Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2024.
