38th Awards Gala

September 20th, 2022

Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City

Over 425 guests gathered in New York City to celebrate the Africa-America Institute’s 38th Annual Awards Gala recognizing the vast contributions of Africa and its worldwide diaspora. Returning to an in-person format, the Gala centered around the theme of “Africa in the World” and honored an illustrious group of leaders across industries who have used their platforms to advance and affect substantive change locally, nationally, and globally in their respective areas.

Co-Hosted by Bozoma Saint John and Luvvie Ajayi Jones the awards program reflected on those lost in 2022, provided an overview of AAI and our programs, and celebrated this year's honorees. Following the dinner portion of the program, acclaimed singer, author and humanitarian Abiodun Koya graced our guests with her captivating voice.

Gala Program

Watch the Gala

FEATURING

Hosted By:

BOZOMA SAINT JOHN
Marketing Executive, Entrepreneur & Author
Hosted By:

LUVVIE AJAYI JONES
Author, Speaker & Podcast Host
Performance By:

ABIODUN KOYA
Nigerian-born Classical Singer, Poet, and Humanitarian

HONORING

The Ambassador for African Cinema Award

MAHEN BONETTI
Founder & Executive Director, African Film Festival, Inc.
The Science & Technology Leadership Award

SOLOMON ASSEFA
Vice President, IBM Research
The Distinguished Alumni Award

BETTY WAMBUI KIBAARA
Director, Food Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation
The National Achievement Award

THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
Accepted by H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana