Award winning actors, musicians, supermodels, scholars, entrepreneurs and prominent contributors to the African Diaspora gather to celebrate exemplary efforts in the community
New York, NY December 14, 2012: On the evening of December 8, 2012 approximately 300 people gathered in New York City for the African Diaspora Awards (ADA) at the SVA Theater to celebrate excellence. The star studded event was hosted by actress Ebbe Bassey from Nigeria and South African radio personality Sduduzo Ka-Mbili, with highlight performances by Les Nubians and Nigerian sensation Bez as well as an impromptu performance by Grammy Award Winning artist Angélique Kidjo.
Concurrent with the theme for the evening, “A Night of Our Own,” the distinguished Honorees stressed the need for Africans to celebrate each other. Even with their accomplishments and long lists of awards, many of the honorees including legendary singer and activist Angélique Kidjo, who took home the Lifetime Achievement award, Les Nubians, creative artist Tony Okungbowa and others mentioned that this award was their first recognition and validation from the African community. Journalist Lola Ogunnaike, who was ADA’s Person of the Year, spoke about her unrelenting passion for her job as a journalist and the need for Africans to own their stories. Like Lola, actor Gbenga Akinnagbe also said “It is important to make our voices heard.” Other honorees who were present that evening include distinguished author and scholar, Dr. Mahmood Mamdani, designer Farai Simoyi, model Flaviana Matata, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Siré Dione Condé, The Africa Travel Association’s Eddie Bergman, and the Whitaker Group. Honorees Jason Njoku, philanthropist Krista Krieger and supermodel Liya Kebede were recognized in absentia.
Other notable faces included boxer and actor Ngo Okafor, movie director Andrew Dosunmu, supermodel Oluchi Orlandi, supermodel Ayan Elmi, former America’s next top model runner up Aminat Ayinde, Mid Atlantic Committee Co-Chair of the African Women's Development Fund USA and President Emerita of the Africa-America Institute,
Mora Mclean, Burkinabe TV Personality TTB Le Maitre, H.E Deputy Minister William Awinador-Kanyirege Ghana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN and Mark Walton from the Africa Chanel as well as the keynote speaker Amini Kajunju, CEO and President of the Africa-America Institute.
The ADA was sponsored by Arik Airline, The Whitaker Group, Madiba Restaurant, WBAI, Bati Ethiopian Restaurant, OMO Sade, RAIN and Enovative TV. Applause Africa also partnered with the Africa-America Institute, the African Women’s Development Fund USA, African Medical and Research Foundation USA and FACE Africa to make this event a success.
Pictures of the event can be found on the following link
www.facebook.com/africandiasporaawards
The African Diaspora Awards is a special initiative of Applause Africa that aims to identify and celebrate exemplary Africans who have excelled in various spheres of life, as well as individuals in society who have contributed to the advancement of Africans in the Diaspora and Africa as a whole.
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