VP On Premise Strategy & Multicultural Marketing at Diageo, Marc Strachan and International Supermodel Alek Wek present 2015 Humanitarian Award to Actor/Actress Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker
On July 10, 11, and 12, the premier Pan-African media company Face2Face Africa held its fourth annual Pan-African Weekend (PAW), celebrating the best and brightest of Africa and its diaspora.
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Face2Face Africa’s signature event included the Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE) Master Class, the “I Am a Professional African” Networking Mixer (IAAPA), the Fascinating Africans Committed to Excellence (FACE) Awards Gala, the After-Party, and the Jazz Brunch — all held in New York City.
For the YACE event, which kicked off the weekend’s events, Kenyan Geoffrey Siwo, Rwandan Clemantine Wamariya, African-American Brandon Hill, and Ghanaian Joy Buolamwini presented at the Mission of the African Union to the United Nations on how their work is impacting the continent and/or the African diaspora and the world.
YACE honorees and attendees then made their way to Central Park’s Whiskey Park for a night of networking, music, and fun.
Saturday’s star-studded affair, the FACE List Awards Gala, took place at the Espace Ballroom, in Hell’s Kitchen. An unforgettable night, the FACE List Awards honored actors and philanthropists Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker with the Humanitarian Award, Wal-Mart Asia CIO Fumbi Chima with the Trailblazer Award, Mara Group CEO Ashish J. Thakkar with the Entrepreneur Award, fashion designer Mimi Plange with the Fashion Award, NBA VP and Managing Director of Africa Amadou G. Fall with the Leadership Award, Shared Interest founder Donna Katzin with the Ubuntu Award for Service, and West Harlem Group Assistance Executive Director Donald C. Notice with the Community Development Award.
Amadou G. Fall receives his award
The gala featured rousing performances from Ghanaian reggae sensation Samini and Afro-Beat singer Jojo Abot, with special guests including Toronto Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri, supermodels Alek Wek and Flaviania Matata, Diageo VP Marc Strachan, Ambassador Tete Antonio, and more.
Samini (top) and Jojo Abot
Of the event, Diplomat and attendee Robert Van Lierop said, “I was deeply moved by the performances, particularly those of Jojo Abot (one of the most unique and creative artists I have seen and heard lately), and Samini, whose closing comment on water issues in Africa must be remembered by all who attended the event.”
West Harlem Development Corporation Executive Director Dr. Kofi Boateng said of his experience, “[The] event was a real pleasant surprise for me. I was highly impressed by the organization, site, and honorees. The young awardees blew me away.”
Face2Face Africa’s Pan-African Weekend ended with a relaxing jazz brunch along the Hudson River in upper Manhattan.
Of the event, Face2Face Africa CEO Isaac Babu-Boateng says, “This year’s Pan-African Weekend was hands down the best Weekend event Face2Face Africa has ever hosted so far.”
Honorable mentions also go to Guiness, Brussels Airlines, Giants of Africa, the Babu Group, and BronxNet that were sponsors of PAW.
For those who missed out on this year’s event, Face2Face Africa Vice President Sandra Appiah says, “While it will surely be a challenge to top this year’s Pan-African Weekend going forward, next year will be our fifth anniversary and we are up to the task.”
“Appiah adds, “Like this year’s, it will be a must-attend. So get ready!”
