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 Videos↗

FEATURING


  • Bozoma Saint John Headshot

    Hosted By:

    BOZOMA SAINT JOHN

    Hall of Fame Inducted Marketing Executive, Author, and Entrepreneur

  • Alicia Olatuja Headshot

    Performance By:

    ALICIA OLATUJA

    Critically Acclaimed Jazz & Gospel Vocalist, Composer, and Teacher

  • Headshot of Donovan Beck

    Poetry Reading By:

    DONOVAN BECK

    Storyteller & Narrative Architect, Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT

PRESIDENTIAL FIRESIDE


  • H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob Headshot

    H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob

    PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

    Alumnus of AAI’s Southern African Student Program

  • H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi Headshot

    H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

    PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA

    2022 AAI Awards Gala Honoree

  • Jennifer Zabasajja headshot

    With Moderator:

    JENNIFER ZABASAJJA

    Correspondent and Anchor, Bloomberg TV and Quicktake

HONORING


  • Debra Lee Headshot

    Business Leadership Award

    DEBRA LEE

    BET CEO Emeritus, Author of "I AM DEBRA LEE" and founder of Leading Women Defined

  • Corporate Responsibility Award

    MTN GROUP

    Accepted by Ralph Mupita, Group President and CEO

  • Evelyn Jones Rich Headshot

    Legacy of Teaching Africa & Excellence Award

    EVELYN JONES RICH

    Activist, Scholar, Educator, and Author

  • 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.