Professor Margaret King, fondly described as an academician-practitioner, endeavoring to bridge the gap between principles and practice, has been the Professor and Director of International Studies at Chicago State University and lecturing at several other institutions of higher learning in Africa and the USA for several years; is currently the founding President and CEO of the legendary Global Institute of Planning and Sustainable Development, that builds collaboration among Diaspora and Continental Africans for the advancement of global African communities. 

A professor of International Sustainable Development Planning, with interdisciplinary and international experience, she has taught across a broad spectrum of Business and Social Sciences courses including Economics, Finance, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Geography/Globalization, as well as professional careers in Urban and Regional Planning and International Community Economic Development. She takes hands-on non-traditional college to crucial neighborhoods and fosters university-community partnerships for effective demanddriven, culturally sensitive, and research-based applied global education. She cultivates innovative expertise to enhance Africa’s local raw material-oriented manufacturing entrepreneurship with microfinance for intra-continental and competitive global trade. By creating several initiatives through the Global Institute, her aim is to work in unity to achieve transformational sustainable development in Africa. 

The founding Faculty Advisor to several student associations champions holistic youth development; and enthusiastically initiates the Global Youth and Students Association and numerous other fora to develop today’s youth for tomorrow’s leadership.  Professor King is nationally and internationally recognized with prestigious awards as an expert witness, conference keynote speaker, a regularly invited Radio and TV Guest, and global community change agent. She is widely published in her area of expertise. She is also passionate about women leadership and works to develop talents in this arena. Prof. King has founded several organizations and businesses; and sits on the board of universities and corporations. 

As a Public Policy Analyst, she was named the U.S. Midwest Regional Chair of Economic Development and Global Trade, and National Co-Chair to develop the US-Africa Trade Policy, African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA; where she hosted several African Heads of States, and at African Private Sector Summit (APSS) series. Sponsored by United Nations, she works in collaboration to break trade barriers in Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. Prof.

King has been the State of Illinois Governor’s New Immigrants Policy Counselor; a Mentor for President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), now Nelson Mandela Fellows; a Fellow of several renounced institutions; and repeat Association of African Universities, AAU, Conference Keynote Speaker Awardee.   

Professor King holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Development from Public Policy Analysis angle, with concentration and extensive research in transformative International Community Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. In ministry, she constantly strives at integrity, with her motto “…impact your world; ‘have compassion, making a difference’ (Jude 22).” She is happily married to her loving husband and blessed with two fabulous children.