The second stop on The Road to Ghana Salon Dinner Series, an intimate gathering bringing together cross-sector leaders interested in collaborating to address disparities impacting Africa and its worldwide Diaspora, was in Los Angeles, CA. The theme of the series, “Connecting the Diaspora”, reflects AAI’s mission of serving as a bridge between Africa and the United States to promote enlightened engagement on issues of common concern to Africa and its worldwide Diaspora. Funded by a MacArthur Foundation grant as part of their Equitable Recovery Initiative, the salon dinners are being held across the United States and will culminate in a trip to Accra, Ghana, where The Global Circle for Reparations & Healing will host the “Advancing Justice: Reparations and Racial Healing Summit” in August of 2022.

The Los Angeles dinner took place on June 14th at the beautiful home of Ambassador Michael A. Lawson (Ret.) and Mattie McFadden – Lawson. The evening began with a Cocktail Reception where guests were invited to view the Lawson’s extensive private art collection while enjoying live jazz courtesy of The David Patterson Duo with Charles Love, on Piano and David Patterson, on Saxophone. After the Reception, guests were welcomed outdoors to an idyllic setting where an African-inspired dinner was served under an elegantly decorated pergola.

The Lawson’s then led a lively discussion on the role of philanthropy in helping to address economic, education, and health disparities. Guests were fully engaged and are looking forward to partnering with AAI in an effort to advance its mission. To celebrate the cultures of Africa and the Diaspora, guests of the Los Angeles dinner were also given copies of “Black Food: Stories, Art and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora” as parting gifts.

Attendees included Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Dean and Professor of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Debra Langford, Executive Director, Black Wealth Initiatives, JP Morgan Chase Private Bank, Bridgid Coulter, Founder and CEO, Blackbird Collective and Paula Madison, CEO The Williams Companies and CEO and Chair, Madison Media Management.

AAI looks forward to staying connected and reconvening attendees of the Dinner at future events planned for Los Angeles.