In 2002, the first African Diaspora Conference was convened by Chester M. Pierce, MD at Massachusetts General Hospital. The conference brought together 40 psychiatrists of African descent to analyze, discuss, and develop an agenda to address the role of psychiatry and psychiatrists in healing the mental health problems of people of African-descent in Africa and throughout the world. In November 2016, David Henderson, MD of Boston University, Bonga Chiliza, MD of University of KwaZulu-Natal, Eliot Sorel, MD of George Washington University, Gregory Fricchione, MD of Harvard University, and a host of others convened at the second African Diaspora Global Mental Health Conference in Cape Town, South Africa to develop a central organization to spearhead and accelerate capacity-building for mental health care in Africa and the diaspora. At the urging of global leaders who have made significant contributions to the growth of mental health care in Africa, the Africa Global Mental Health Institute (AGMHI) was born.

The AGMHI embodies Dr. Pierce's vision to serve the mental health needs of all people, everywhere. The AGMHI works to fulfill this vision by equipping mental health professionals in Africa and the diaspora with the tools and agency to effectively care for those suffering from mental illness. We do so by fostering collaborations, creating accessible training and education programs for both providers and the public, conducting and disseminating culturally relevant research, and partnering with key stakeholders to advance mental health care on the continent of Africa.