Pan-African Media Company, Face2Face Africa, is proud to officially announce the honorees for the 2016 FACE List Awards taking place on Saturday, July 9th in New York City.
Dubbed the pan-African achievement honors, The F.A.C.E. List Awards celebrate the icons and heroes of today who have paved the way for the younger generation and impacted the discourse on pan-Africa’s image, its future, and potential.
As the capstone event of the Pan-African Weekend, the awards gala brings the business community together for an unforgettable celebration of the success stories emerging within the pan-African community each year.
Since its launch in 2011, Face2face Africa has honored trailblazers such as Grammy award winning musician Angelique Kidjoe, billionaire financier Dr. Mo Ibrahim of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, President and General Manager of the Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri, Chief Information Officer of Walmart Asia Fumbi Chima, fashion icon Alek Wek, Managing Director of NBA Africa Amadou Gallo Fall, Afrobeat Maestro Femi Kuti, top Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Oheneba Boachie Adjei, founder of Mara Group Ashish J. Thakkar, Actors and Humanitarians Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, and many more.
In the 5th-year anniversary of Face2face Africa, this year’s honorees are a group of inspirational heroes with uniquely fascinating stories to tell. They have made a tremendous impact in their respective fields and have left a legacy that will forever shape and influence the pan-African community.
Who are they?
Meet the 2016 FACE List Awards Honorees:
Rosa Whitaker
Founder CEO and president, The Whitaker Group
Trailblazer Award
At 28, Whitaker was appointed the Executive Director of the Office of International Business for the city of Washington, DC, making her one of the youngest people leading an international economic agency for a major municipal government. A lifelong champion of African growth and development, she started the United States Trade Representative’s Office of African Affairs where she spearheaded the increase of American trade, investment and economic cooperation with African countries. In 2003, Whitaker launched the Whitaker Group (TWG) which is now the “primer consultancy, transaction advisory and project development firm specializing in Africa.” Through TWG and her continued involvement with the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which she helped enact, Rosa Whitaker remains at the forefront of US trade and business relations with Africa.
Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards
Wyclef Jean
Grammy Award Winning Artist
The Pioneer Award for Impact in Music
Haitian-born rapper, musician and actor, Wyclef Jean has made his mark throughout the music and humanitarian fields. Jean has received three Grammy awards for his work and has performed in various benefit concerts, including America: A Tribute to Heroes after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Hope for Haiti Now telethon after the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Through his music, Wyclef has helped bridge the gap between the pan-African community, advocating for unity, integration, and collaboration, particularly in arts and entertainment.
Marcus Samuelson
Renowned Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur
Global Ambassador Award
Ethiopian born, Swedish raised, and currently residing in New York City, Marcus Samuelsson is a citizen of the world. He learned to love and appreciate local food at a young age and has taken that love to opening up Red Rooster, a vibrant eatery in the heart of Harlem. Samuelsson is also the youngest chef to ever receive two three-star ratings from The New York Times, was the winner of “Top Chef Masters” Season 2, and also served as the guest chef for Obama administration’s first State Dinner.
Vanessa De Luca
Editor-In-Chief, Essence Magazine
Media Award
Vanessa De Luca is a force to be reckoned with in the media industry. Currently, she serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine where she oversees the vision and content as well as its online presence and various brand extensions. As the magazine’s Editor-In-Chief, she has ensured that Essence continues to uphold its mantle as the leading voice of African-American women. De Luca has facilitated Essence’s recent expansion into Africa with the anticipated launch of the Essence Music Festival in South Africa this fall.
Wale Adeosun
Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Kuramo Capital
Leadership Award
Wale Adeosun has served in various capacities related to investment and trade in sub-Saharan Africa’s growth. His company, Kuramo Capital, is Africa’s leading independent multi-manager, multi-asset class investment management firm, connecting institutions to emerging and frontier economies.
Receiving a very special recognition is the Segal Family Foundation, an outstanding U.S. organization that partners and funds organizations that are working to improve the wellbeing of communities across Africa. The organization will recieve the Ubuntu Award for Outstanding Service
The awards dinner/gala will be held on Saturday July 9th, at ESPACE Ballroom in New York City. Pre-reception/Red-Carpet will commence at 6:30 p.m., promptly followed by dinner and the awards show. Guests will enjoy a delectable full-course dinner, a night filled with entertainment and inspiration as well as the opportunity to meet and network with the pioneers, celebrities and power players of pan-African affairs.
The Pan-African Weekend is Presented by Prudential Financial Inc.Tickets, Group Registration, and Advertising are available. For more information, visit www.FACEListAwards.com or e-mail info@f2fafrica.com.
Watch last year’s award presentation to Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker:
Boris and Nicole Accept Humanitarian Award from Face2Face Africa on Vimeo.
Watch the overview of last year’s gala:
