Africa-America Institute 30th Annual Awards Powers Africa’s Future

On September 22, 2014, the Africa-America Institute (AAI) celebrated its 30th Annual Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City. Several attendees, including former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, gathered to honor several awards recipients, including the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Quattara. The theme of this year’s awards gala was “powering Africa’s future through regional and global partnerships.”

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As the gala got underway, the Chair of the Board of trustees, Kofi Appenteng, provided the welcome address and thanked guests for supporting the Africa-America Institute. He then introduced the Mistress of Ceremony, Isha Sesay, who is an anchor and correspondent for CNN International.

Mr. Appenteng was excited to have Ms. Sesay as the Mistress of Ceremony due to her impressive contribution to an increasing positive global perception of Africa. According to Mr. Appenteng, Ms. Sesay’s “reporting has helped shaped CNN’s report on Africa.” As she stood on stage, Ms. Sesay remarked that “Africa is a continent of opportunity and a continent of hope.”

As part of the Gala tradition, a video was presented to help guests understand the role the AAI plays in the lives of Africans living both within and outside the continent. In its content, the video discussed the importance of Africa’s youth and the need to properly educate young Africans.

The video further explored an important AAI program: the Africa Talent Summit. Just in its second year, the summit is “a unique event that connects outstanding individuals interested in working in Africa or in an Africa-focused environment in the United States with employers from the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.”

According to several summit attendees featured in the video, the summit is very important to the future of Africa because it provides important benefits to young Africans abroad and at home.

At the end of the video, Ms. Sesay introduced singer and humanitarian Yvonne Chaka Chaka to sing the song “Amazing Man,” which was written in tribute to Nelson Mandela during South Africa’s 20th anniversary of democracy. Yvonne Chaka Chaka stood on stage and thanked “everyone who housed South Africans during the struggle of Apartheid.” After which she went ahead to entertain the guests with her tribute to Mandela.

See photos from AAI’s 2014 gala here:

After the guests had been entertained and dined, it was time to present the awards of the evening. The first award presented was the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to President Quattara.

It was noted that President Quattara, who is one of more than 300 Ivorians who have received the AAI scholarship (AAI AFGRAD fellow). President Quattara received his scholarship in 1962 when he came to the United States to study as a young Ivorian.

After receiving his award, President Quattara thanked the AAI for their recognition and most importantly, for their contribution to his education. He stated, “AAI has done a lot for many of us in Africa. It is our turn to share the contribution.” In conclusion, President Quattara then suggested that AAI’s scholarship that brings young Africans to study in the United States is very helpful.

However, he said that more should be done to improve the level of education in African universities. According to the President, “AAI should ask some African countries to contribute to a fund to help African Universities through the AAI.” His suggestion was enthusiastically applauded.

Following the acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Quattara, Professor Thandika Mkandawire accepted the AAI Distinguished Alumnus Award. As the first Chair and professor of African Development at the London School of Economics, Professor Mkandawire’s achievements have not gone unnoticed.

Subsequently, General Electric (GE) was awarded the AAI Corporate Responsibility Award, which was accepted on behalf of the company by Mr. Jay Ireland, President and CEO, GE Africa. Mr. Ireland, who now resides in Nairobi, Kenya, remarked that since he arrived in Nairobi years ago, he is “still amazed at the optimism and capability of the African people.” Consequently, he encouraged corporations to invest in the African market. Finally, the AAI Business Leader Award was accepted by Ms. Vivienne Yeda who thanked the AAI for their recognition.

In addition to the presentation of awards, the AAI Gala provided a panel discussion with the topic: “A Conversation About Empowering Africa’s Future.” The Panel was moderated by Shaka Ssali of Voice of America and host of “Straight Talk Africa,” while Professor Mkandawire, Mr. Ireland, and Ms. Yeda were members of the Panel.

The AAI annual Gala is a significant event, because it celebrates the relationship between the continent of Africa and the United States. It also honors the achievements of sons and daughters of Africa who have contributed to Africa’s progress. With gratitude for their contributions and efforts toward the development of Africa, Face2Face Africa congratulates this year’s AAI award recipients.

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