Gala Archive
33rd Awards Gala
September 19th, 2017
Mandarin Oriental, New York City
The Africa-America Institute (AAI) hosted its 33rd Annual Awards Gala on September 19th, at the Mandarin Oriental, in New York City. Nearly 400 U.S. and African leaders, top diplomats and guests paid tribute to extraordinary leaders and African achievement.
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The People of the Republic of Ghana, accepted by President Nana Akufo-Addo
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Jim Ovia, Founder of Zenith Bank Plc, and the Jim Ovia Foundation
LEADERSHIP IN AFRICAN MEDIA & ARTS AWARD
Nicole Amarteifio, Creator, Director and Producer, An African City
LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION AWARD
Bozoma Saint-John, Chief Brand Officer, Uber
32nd Awards Gala
September 20th, 2016
Cipriani 25 Broadway, New York City
On Tuesday, September 20, The Africa-America Institute celebrated and recognized the extraordinary dedication and pioneering achievements of US and African leaders. The gala took place at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City, under the theme “Education: The Key to Africa’s Economic Growth,” drawing attention to the tremendous economic benefits of investing in education. Grammy Award-winning singer Angelique Kidjo served as Honorary Gala Chair of the 2016 Annual Awards Gala.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Sunil Benimadhu, Chief Executive, Stock Exchange of Mauritius
REGIONAL INTEGRATION AWARD
The People of the Republic of Rwanda
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Ali Moshiri, President, Chevron Africa and Latin America, Exploration and Production Company
AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group
SPECIAL TRIBUTE & BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Stephen Hayes, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Corporate Council on Africa
31st Awards Gala
September 29th, 2015
583 Park Avenue, New York City
On Tuesday September 29 2015, the Africa-America Institute celebrated the Future Leaders Legacy Fund Awards Gala under the theme “Achieving Excellence through Scholarship, Opportunity, and Innovation” with host Zain Asher of CNN International’s Marketplace Africa.
PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
& DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
H.E. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
IBM, accepted by Jen Crozier, Vice President of Global Citizenship Initiatives
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless
30th Awards Gala
September 22nd, 2014
Gotham Hall, New York City
Nearly 400 U.S. and African leaders and top diplomats paid tribute to extraordinary leaders and African achievement at the Africa-America Institute’s 30th Annual Awards Gala. Isha Sesay, CNN International anchor, served as Mistress of Ceremonies at the Awards Gala. Under the theme, “Powering Africa’s Future through Regional and Global Partnerships”, the black-tie affair drew attention to how education empowers African youth to reach their full potential while being catalytic in society’s socioeconomic transformation through regional and global partnerships. Legendary singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka performed a musical tribute to 20 years of South African democracy.
PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Thandika Mkandawire, Chair of African Development at the London School of Economics
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
General Electric, accepted by Jay Ireland, President and CEO of General Electric Africa
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Vivienne Yeda, Director-General of the East African Development Bank
60th Anniversary Gala
September 25th, 2013
New York Hilton, New York City
Celebrating under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Greatest Asset for 60 Years”, nearly 500 distinguished U.S. and African leaders and top diplomats gathered for AAI’s 60th Anniversary Awards Gala. ABC News’ Byron Pitts served as the Master of Ceremonies and Broadway star Thuli Dumakude entertained guests with her soul-stirring South African rhythms. The African Union was presented with the first-ever AAI Institutional Legacy Award, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, in recognition of the organizations’ intertwining histories since their respective creation. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, delivered an official congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama where the President reiterated Africa’s importance to America.
AAI INSTITUTIONAL LEGACY AWARD
African Union, accepted by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chair, African Union Commission
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All Initiative
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
Chevron, accepted by Ali Moshiri, President of Chevron’s Africa And Latin America Exploration And Production Company
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings Limited and Founder, Tony O. Elumelu Foundation
28th Awards Gala
September 26th, 2012
Grand Hyatt, New York City
The Africa-America Institute hosted its 60th Anniversary Awards Gala under the theme of “Jobs for Africa.”
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The People of Liberia, accepted by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
H.E. Joyce Banda, President of Malawi
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Nik Amarteifio, CEO and Chairman of Equatorial Cross Acquisitions Ltd.
Dr. Thelma Awori, Founding Chair and Co-President, Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund
27th Awards Gala
September 22nd, 2011
Gotham Hall, New York City
The Africa-America Institute hosted its 60th Anniversary Awards Gala under the theme of “Think What We Can Do!” with remarks by Committee Chair and acclaimed actor, Jeffrey Wright.
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The People of Sierra Leone, accepted by President Ernest Bai Koroma
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Hon. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Republic of Sierra Leone
Early Awards Galas
Since its first Annual Awards Dinner in 1984, AAI has honored individuals who are working to fulfill AAI's mission of increasing Africa's human capacity for development and promoting engagement between the African continent and America. Past notable awardees include:
2016 - Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group
2015 - Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless
2013 - Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings Limited and Founder, Tony O. Elumelu Foundation
2001 - Rosa M. Whitaker, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa
1999 - The People of South Africa, accepted by President Thabo Mbeki
1997 - President William Clinton, President of The United States of America
1993 - H.E. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, UN Secretary-General
1995 - Rt. Rev. Archbishop Demond Tutu
1994 - The Late Robert F. Kennedy, accepted by Bishop Desmond Tutu and Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
1992 - Wangari M. Maathai, Nobel Laureate and founder of the Greenbelt Movement
1988 - Cyril Ramaphosa, Secretary-General of the National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa
1988 - Graça S. Machel, Former First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
