Thank you for celebrating
THE AFRICA-AMERICA INSTITUTE’S
70TH ANNIVERSARY
GALA
Tuesday, September 19th, 2023
In 2023, AAI is celebrating its 70th year of enriching the social fabric of humanity by connecting students and leaders across sectors, facilitating access to reliable information about Africa, and transforming the way we understand Africa and its worldwide diaspora. To mark this momentous milestone, AAI hosted its 70th Anniversary Gala in New York City – A celebration of our most prominent Alumni, including those who are currently sitting Heads of State, our historic programs, partners and future direction.
Since 1984, the AAI Awards Gala has been the most anticipated African-centered event in New York City. Held annually during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the AAI Gala convenes dignitaries—Heads of State, diplomats, domestic, and international government officials—philanthropists, business leaders, journalists, and scholars for a night showcasing the success of Africa and the Diaspora.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this historic occasion.
For more information, please contact AAI’s Chief of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, Jourden Warren at jwarren@aaionline.org
View the Gala Photo Gallery↗
FEATURING
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Hosted By:
BOZOMA SAINT JOHN
Hall of Fame Inducted Marketing Executive, Author, and Entrepreneur
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Performance By:
ALICIA OLATUJA
Critically Acclaimed Jazz & Gospel Vocalist, Composer, and Teacher
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Poetry Reading By:
DONOVAN BECK
Storyteller & Narrative Architect, Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT
PRESIDENTIAL FIRESIDE
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H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
Alumnus of AAI’s Southern African Student Program
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H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
2022 AAI Awards Gala Honoree
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With Moderator:
JENNIFER ZABASAJJA
Correspondent and Anchor, Bloomberg TV and Quicktake
HONORING
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Business Leadership Award
DEBRA LEE
BET CEO Emeritus, Author of "I AM DEBRA LEE" and founder of Leading Women Defined
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Corporate Responsibility Award
MTN GROUP
Accepted by Ralph Mupita, Group President and CEO
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Legacy of Teaching Africa & Excellence Award
EVELYN JONES RICH
Activist, Scholar, Educator, and Author
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Philanthropic Impact Award
THE CONRAD N. HILTON FOUNDATION
Accepted by Peter Laugharn, President and CEO
About The Africa-America Institute
The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is a 70-year-old institution with the mission of promoting enlightened engagement between Africa and America through education, training and dialogue — a mission well placed to meet this moment of global racial reckoning. Among our principal co-founders were Horace Mann Bond and William Leo Hansberry, two pioneering African-American scholar activists whose work straddles the divide between African and African diaspora studies. AAI continues to embrace the philosophy of education for liberation that Bond and Hansberry espoused – a philosophy that affirms the humanity and cultivates the intellectual aspirations and excellence of all people.
AAI’s dual program focus has always been on improving education in and about Africa. Since its founding in 1953, over 23,000 Africans have received scholarships and fellowships from AAI. These Africans are now an esteemed network of alumni, many of whom are leaders and influencers across public, private, and governmental sectors in Africa and globally. Included in this network are current Heads of State, H.E. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia; H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; H.E. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger; and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa. Many of AAI’s alumni have left an indelible imprint, including the late 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Mathaai, and the late Barack Obama, Sr.
View last year’s 38th Annual Awards Gala
Hosted by Bozoma Saint John and Luvvie Ajayi Jones, and honoring H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, representing the People of the Republic of Botswana, with the National Achievement Award, Mahen Bonetti with the Ambassador for African Cinema Award, Dr. Solomon Assefa with the Science and Technology Leadership Award, and Betty Wambui Kibaara with the Distinguished Alumni Award.