The Africa America Institute (AAI), the leading American institution that connects Africa and America through discussion, education, and training, marked its milestone 70th year last week with a grand gala at Cipriani’s 42nd Street. AAI’s 70th Anniversary Gala attracted significant individuals, including heads of state, diplomats, government representatives, corporate and civil society leaders, academics, journalists, and others.
This year’s Gala, which longstanding AAI supporter Bozoma Saint John hosted, focused on showcasing AAI’s renowned alums, its historic programs, and partners in remembrance of the organization’s rich history and seven decades of creating bridges worldwide.
The evening began with a stylish pre-reception and featured an exquisite sit-down dinner and awards presentation. In his introductory remarks, Mayor Eric Adams, a special guest who attended the event, complimented AAI’s efforts, wide-ranging effects, and unwavering dedication to the world community.
In addition to greeting visitors, AAI President & CEO Kofi Appenteng also discussed the significance of the 70th anniversary, saying, “Since its founding in 1953, AAI has attempted to forge a clear break from prior generations of damaging U.S. engagement with the African continent. Our overarching mission is to revolutionize how we perceive Africa and its global diaspora by establishing connections between students, educators, and leaders from many fields via education. Our founders thought that bringing Americans and Africans together might build a bridge of understanding and cooperation between Africa and the United States. We have witnessed the effects of our work worldwide, including the thousands of people who have received education and training via our initiatives, the emergence of new economic possibilities, and the growth of crucial networks among our partners and graduates.
AAI presented the Legacy of Teaching Africa and Excellence Award to civil rights activist and lifelong educator Evelyn Jones Rich, who managed educational initiatives at AAI from the middle to the end of the 1970s. The Award, which is given by AAI President Emerita & Historian Mora McLean and AAI Senior Education Advisor and Coordinator Dr. Olivia Lynch, honors a scholar-activist who has made exceptional contributions to the advancement of Africa-focused pedagogy in and outside of the classroom.
Jones Rich has always campaigned for justice, equity, and equality for everyone, beginning with her work as a student activist in the 1950s and continuing her career as an educator, foundation executive, and advocate. As an educator with AAI, the programs she directed were mostly in charge of outreach initiatives to include African culture into K–12 education across the United States and also assisted in influencing the content of primary and secondary curricula in Africa. She promoted the concept that teaching about Africa in schools should focus on more than just foreign policy; it should emphasize how important it is to any meaningful understanding of humanity and the modern world.
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation received the 2023 Philanthropic Impact Award in recognition of the significant contribution the organization has made through its outstanding work on the African continent and its dedication to localization in its grant-making. The Award was presented by AAI Vice Chair & Trustee Becky Edwards and Executive Director NEAR Hibak Kalfan.
The Foundation’s persistent commitment to enhancing people’s lives and communities throughout Africa through its initiatives has played a crucial role in solving urgent societal issues and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Peter Laugharn, President and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, collected the Award on behalf of the Foundation. In an area where the current promise is 25% by the end of 2030 under the “Grand Bargain,” the Foundation’s pledge to attain 25% localization in its worldwide grant giving by the end of this year is setting the standard under his guidance.
The 2023 Business Leadership Award went to Debra Lee. Lee received her Award from AAI Trustee Humble Lukanga and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, for her lifetime dedication to advancing diversity and inclusiveness, battling for representation, and assisting the upcoming generation of Black women leaders.
Through her efforts, Lee has paved the way for Black men and women to advance professionally while serving as a tangible example of what is feasible in the US, Africa, and worldwide. She served as general counsel and BET’s chief operating officer for over 30 years. She is also the creator of Leading Women Defined and a co-founder of Monarch Collective, two organizations fully committed to developing women and the BIPOC community through mentorship and assistance.
The 2023 Corporate Responsibility Award went to the MTN Group, which was received by the organization’s president and CEO, Ralph Mupita. It was delivered by AAI Vice Chair & Trustee Robert McCarthy and CEO of Schneidman Associates Witney Schneidman.
MTN has been at the forefront of telecommunications in Africa since its founding in 1994. As the continent’s largest mobile network operator, MTN’s know-how and accomplishments have helped to revolutionize how Africans communicate with one another and the rest of the world, bridging the digital divide, spurring economic growth, and improving living standards all over the continent. The collaboration and sharing of the continent’s accomplishments and history, central to AAI’s goal, have also benefited greatly from MTN’s efforts.
For the first time in the event’s history, AAI introduced a special Presidential Fireside Chat with H.E. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia and AAI alumnus, and H.E. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, focused on the value of education and scholarship across Africa. Jennifer Zabasajja, a reporter and correspondent for Bloomberg News, moderated the discussion.
A stellar performance by the acclaimed mezzo-soprano Alicia Olatuja and a reading of original poetry by Donovan Beck, Storyteller, and narrative Architect at the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, were also included during the occasion.
Other notable guests included:Â
- Travis Adkins (President and CEO, USADF);
- Dana Banks (Senior Advisor, U.S.-Africa Business Center – U.S. Chamber of Commerce);Â
- Frank C. Cassulo (Chief Digital Officer, Chevron);
- Ambassador Johnnie Carson (Senior Advisor, ASG);
- Akunna Cook (Founder and CEO, Next Narrative Africa);
- John Damonti (President, Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation);
- Scott Eisner (President, U.S.-Africa Business Center – U.S. Chamber of Commerce);
- Patrick Gaspard (President and CEO, Center for American Progress);
- Professor Michael A. Gomez (Silver Professor, New York University);
- Christina Greer (Educator, Author, Podcast Host – theGrio);
- Israel Houghton (Singer/Songwriter, Producer, and Worship Leader);
- Uzodinma Iweala (CEO, The Africa Center);Â
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Director General, WTO);
-  Dr. Natalia Kanem (Executive Director, UNFPA);
- Deniece Laurent-Mantey (Foreign Affairs Diplomat, U.S. Department of State);Â
- Reta Jo Lewis (President and Chair of Board of Directors, EXIM);
- Florie Liser (President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa);
- Ndileka Mandela; H.E. Sam Matekane (Prime Minister, Lesotho);Â
- Michael Mizwa (CEO, Baylor College of Medicine);Â
- Monde Muyangwa (Assistant Administrator, Bureau For Africa – USAID)
- James Mwangi (CEO, Equity Group Holdings Limited);Â
- Dr. Mima Nedelcovych (Founder and Chairman, Africa Global Schaffer);Â
- Abiola Oke (Entrepreneur & Media Executive);Â
- John Olajide (President and CEO, Axxess);
- Malaak Compton-Rock (Social Activist and Philanthropist);
- Nicky Hilton Rothschild (Fashion Designer);Â
- Ed Royce (Former Member of the House, CA);
- Marie Royce (Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs);Â
- Dr. Yusef Salaam (Harlem City Council Candidate);
- H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze (African Union Ambassador, U.S.);
- Ghada Fathi Way (ED UN Office on Drugs and Crime & Director-General of the U.N. office, Vienna);
- Victor Williams (CEO, NBA Africa)Â
AAI was founded in 1953 by Dr. Horace Mann Bond, the first Black president of Lincoln University, Professor William Leo Hansberry, a trailblazing Africanist at Howard University, and Henrietta Van Noy of American University. Its mission is to improve the social fabric of humanity by bringing together students and leaders from various fields and facilitating access to trustworthy information about Africa.
Since its debut in 1984, AAI’s Annual Awards Gala has been the most anticipated African-focused event in New York City, occurring yearly during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
23,000 African students have received scholarships and fellowships from AAI during its 70-year existence. The Annual Awards Gala raises money to support AAI programs and initiatives, including its work to support K–12 U.S. districts and schools that want to expose students to scholarly, objective knowledge about Africa and advanced education and training scholarship programs for professionals across the African continent.
