History

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53

The African-American Institute, predecessor organization to The Africa-America Institute, was established in 1953 in Washington D.C.

Dr. Horace Mann Bond, the first black president of Lincoln University, and Professor William Leo Hansberry, a professor at Howard University, along with others found an organization known today as the Africa-America Institute (AAI).

54

AAI initiates its first technology training in Tanzania.

To participate effectively in the global economy, Africa must meet local and global market demands for technically skilled workers. Since 1954, equipping African students with technology skills has been a priority for AAI. AAI’s African Technology for Education and Workforce Development Initiative (AFTECH), which operated from 2002-2007, aimed to accelerate skilled workforce development in Africa in the areas of education and healthcare through innovative uses of new technologies.

56

Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia gain independence.

AAI’s magazine, Africa Report, is launched.

57

Ghana gains independence.

Ghana becomes independent and triggers a “revolution of rising expectations in the rest of the continent.”

58

Africa Bureau established at the U.S. Department of State.

President Eisenhower establishes the Africa Bureau at the U.S. State Department.

60

Seventeen African nations gain independence.

The following countries gain independence: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania,Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, and Togo.

61

Sierre Leone gains independence.

Launched African Scholarship Program of American Universities (ASPAU)

International Visitors Program is established in AAI's Washington, DC office

62

Algeria, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda gain independence.

63

Kenya gains independence.

Launched the Africa Graduate Fellowship Program (AFGRAD)

The Africa Graduate Fellowship Program (AFGRAD) offered fellowships to select Africans for graduate study at American universities to prepare them for positions in government service, universities or the private sector.

64

South African freedom fighters sentenced to life.

Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia gain independence.

Nelson Mandela and other ANC officials are sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage by the Nationalist, pro-apartheid South African government

65

The Gambia gains independence.

66

Botswana and Lesotho gain independence.

67

Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere announces the Arusha Declaration.

The late Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president, delivers the Arusha Declaration in December calling for a policy of self-reliance in Tanzania.

68

The first AAI African-American Dialogue opens in Kenya.

Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, and Swaziland gain independence.

President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya opens the first AAI African-American Dialogue in Nairobi, Kenya. Dialogues provide opportunities for leaders of government and the private sector from the United States and Africa to discuss matters of common concern in an informal, structured setting.

73

Guinea Bissau gains independence.

75

Angola, Cape Verde, Comoros Island, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe gain independence.

76

AAI's Southern African Training Program is launched.

Seychelles gains independence.

Top American and African leaders gather for the 7th African-American Dialogue in Lesotho.

Trainees from South Africa and Zimbabwe attending the National University of Lesotho under an AAI program with the university’s foreign student counselor and AAI program representative Seleke Mokose.

The Lesotho meeting presented the first opportunity for many African representatives to travel within a palpable distance of South Africa to discuss the issue of apartheid.

77

Djibouti gains independence.

80

Zimbabwe gains independence.

81

AAI Hosts the 11th African-American Dialogue in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Hussein Mohamed Adam, National University of Somalia, Djibril Diallo, UNHCR, and Dr. Negussie Ayele, University of Addis Ababa, participate at the 11th African-American Dialogue in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

83

AAI's 13th African-American Dialogue opens in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Walter Carrington, former AAI Executive Vice President and US Ambassador to Nigeria, and Howard Wolpe, former US Congressman, attend the four-day 13th African-American Dialogue in Harare, Zimbabwe.

87

AAI Executive meets with Mozambican president.

Frank Ferrari, former AAI Executive Vice President, and Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique.

88

Former Namibian President Sam Nujoma with AAI's Africa Report editor

Chester Crocker, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and editor of the AAI Africa Report “News-in-Brief,” and Sam Nujoma, former President of Namibia.

90

Advanced Training for Leadership and Skills Project (ATLAS)

Namibia gains independence.

The leadership training program was designed to improve the ability of African institutions and organizations to plan and promote sustainable development in Africa.

92

Environmentalist and Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai is honored by AAI.

At the AAI 9th Annual Awards Dinner, Wangari Maathai, AAI/USAID AFGRAD Alumna and founder of the Green Belt Movement, Kenya, is presented the AAI Award of Excellence for her environmental leadership and commitment to the conservation movement. Other award recipients: H.E. Frederick Chiluba, Hon. Nelson Mandela, Hon. Mervyn M. Dymally, Hon. Howard Wolpe.

93

Eritrea gains independence.

94

South Africa gains independence.

Nelson Mandela is elected President of South Africa and begins building an international image of the new and democratic South Africa.

96

AAI hosts conference exploring investment in Southern Africa.

AAI hosts Investment in Southern Africa conference in Windhoek in conjunction with the Keidanren, Japan, Federation of Economic Organizations, The Government of Japan, The Government of Namibia and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

97

AAI launches Africa Thursday congressional seminar series.

Name changed to The Africa-America Institute.

Africa Thursday was a series of congressional seminars that offers informed perspectives from African policymakers and opinion leaders to members of Congress, their staff, administration officials, corporate leaders, and representatives of Africa-focused NGOs. The series was hosted by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, which was chaired by the late Honorable Donald M. Payne (D-NJ).

The African-American Institute is renamed The Africa-America Institute to clearly convey the organization’s transatlantic focus.

99

Namibian Government Scholarship and Training Program (NGSTP) Established.

Initiated and funded by the Namibian government, the scholarship and training program offered higher education fellowships to Namibian scholars.

20
00

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) passed in US Congress.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is passed by the US Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in May.

01

AAI records more than 20,000 alumni worldwide.

By close of 2001, AAI has a record of over 20,000 alumni from Africa since its inception in 1953.

02

African Technology for Education and Workforce Development (AFTECH) Launched.

Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) Initiated.

The African Union established.

This initiative was designed to harness the power of information technologies to accelerate workforce development in Africa.

Supported by the Ford Foundation, IFP provided African women and men who demonstrated leadership potential with opportunities for advanced study at accredited higher education institutions of their choice around the world.

The African Union (AU), which aims to promote peace, security and solidarity among African nations, replaces the Organization for African Unity (OAU).

03

AAI Roundtable on Uganda

President Yoweri Museveni and Rosa Whitaker lead discussions at AAI roundtable on Uganda.

04

USAID Report Confirms Measurable Impact of AAI Graduate Training Programs

The report, "Generations of Quiet Progress: The Development Impact of U.S. Long-Term University Training in Africa from 1963-2003", concluded that “USAID’s multi-million dollar investment in long-term training programs managed by AAI for over 40 years produced significant and sustained changes that furthered African development in measurable ways.”

05

U.S. Tour with Rwandan Top Officials

With funding from the United Nations Millennium Development Campaign, AAI organized the "Africa and America Connecting Worlds" lecture tour featuring H.E. Romain Murenzi , Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Research and Professor Silas Lwakabamba, Rector of the Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management.

07

AAI Hosts Screening of "Africa: Open for Business"

AAI co-hosted a screening of Carol Pineau’s documentary film "Africa: Open for Business" at Columbia University.

08

Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women Initiative

The Goldman Sachs Foundation (GSF) partnered with the AAI on the implementation of portions of the Africa component of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women Initiative, which offered non-degree and business degree training for African women business managers.

10

AAI Honors 2010 FIFA World Cup Leadership Team

AAI honors the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Leadership Team at its 26th Awards Gala.

12

Africa's Only Female Heads of State Honored

AAI Appoints Amini Kajunju as President & CEO

AAI recognizes Africa’s two female Heads of State Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Malawian President Joyce Banda at its 28th Annual Awards Dinner Gala.

Amini Kajunju was appointed President and CEO of The Africa-America Institute. A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, she is the first African ever to serve at the helm of the organization.

13

AAI Delegation Celebrates African Union's 50th Anniversary

President Barack Obama Travels to Africa for a Weeklong Three-Country Visit

AAI Hosts 60th Anniversary Awards Gala

An AAI delegation participated in the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Union (OAU), the predecessor to the African Union, on Africa Day, May 25 in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. The AAI delegation sought to strengthen AAI's partnership and engagement with the African Union.

President Obama and the First Lady traveled to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from June 27 - July 2, to meet with leaders from government, business, and civil society, and to reinforce U.S. commitment to economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions; and investing in the next generation of African leaders.

The Africa-America Institute hosted its 60th Anniversary Awards Gala honoring the African Union; Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited and Founder, Tony O. Elumelu Foundation; Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, CEO of UN Sustainable Energy for All; and Chevron.

14

Organized State of Education in Africa conference

AAI's 30th Annual Awards Gala

AAI organizes the first State of Education in Africa conference hosted by the Ford Foundation in New York City.

H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and an AAI alumnus, received the 2014 AAI Lifetime Achievement Award.

15

Awards Gala Renamed Future Leaders Legacy Fund Awards Gala

AAI, once again, hosts its awards gala -- one of the most anticipated and high profile events celebrating African achievement-- under a new name, Future Leaders Legacy Fund on Sept. 28, 2015.