A Night to Remember - Annual Dinner Honors President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Raises $1.2 million for Development Initiatives in Africa

26 October 2007
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Africare (Washington, DC)
press release

Washington, D.C. — The 2007 Bishop Walker Memorial Dinner, hosted by non-profit organization Africare, welcomed over 2-thousand leaders and distinguished guests from around the world to the Hilton Washington Hotel Thursday evening to celebrate the empowerment of women in Africa.   Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia, Africa's first elected female Head of State, attended as the guest of honor, and was named the 2007 recipient of the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Award.

"As the first woman President of an African country, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf serves as a shinning beacon and testament to our theme of empowering women in Africa," noted Africare President Julius E. Coles.   "I have known Ellen for thirty-five years; I have tremendous respect for her, and the passion she has for promoting democratic institutions and development in her country.   Africare is honored to salute her as the 2007 recipient of the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Award."

The Award, given annually at the Africare Dinner, recognizes the work of an individual or individuals that have made a significant impact on raising the standard of living in Africa.   According to President Johnson Sirleaf in her remarks that evening, her work to restore Liberia's infrastructure and well-being is how she prefers her legacy as President be remembered:

"Tonight I ask you not celebrate me or my Presidency, but to celebrate the Liberian people,' began President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her remarks Thursday evening.   "I want to be remembered for a Liberia where the educated children smile again, knowing that they can remain at home and be whatever they want to be. With your continued support and assistance, I know we can get there."

Among those present to honor the President were First Lady Laura Bush, BET founder Bob Johnson, and actor Chris Tucker.   Mrs. Bush led a panel of distinguished speakers to salute the work of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Joining the First Lady in her special remarks were Jacques Diouf, Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey of New York.

"We are honored to host the First Lady at Africare's 2007 Bishop Walker Dinner," noted Africare Vice President of Marketing and Development, Nancy Kyger. "Mrs. Bush is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, as well as a dear friend and supporter of President Johnson Sirleaf."

The Africare Dinner is a top multicultural affair as well, the largest annual event for Africa in the United States. The event was first held in October 1990 in memory of the late John T. Walker, the first African-American Episcopal Bishop of Washington and the longtime Chairman of Africare's Board, who passed away on September 30, 1989.

Prior recipients include former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, then President Nelson Mandela, and other distinguished individuals such as Andrew Young, Dorothy I. Height, Graca Machel, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates.

In addition to the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Award, the 2007 Dinner presented four Legacy Awards to several employees whose devotion to the people of Africa totaled more than 100 years of service and provide over $600 million in economic assistance to the continent of Africa:   Alan Alemian, Kevin Lowther, Alameda Harper and Elton King.

The Africare Legacy Award was created to acknowledge the contributions of those whose life work has had a positive impact on Africa.   Prior recipients include Congressman Charles Rangel of New York, Dr. Clifton Wharton former Deputy Secretary of State, and Africare's founders C. Payne Lucas, Joesph C. Kennedy, and Dr. William Kirker.

The 2007 dinner raised just over $1.2 million.   Proceeds will help support Africare's essential mission of improving the quality of life in Africa.   Africare is a leader in development assistance and humanitarian aid to Africa, specializing in food security and agriculture, health and HIV/AIDS, water resource development, environmental management, literacy and vocational training, microenterprise development, governance, and emergency humanitarian aid.

"Africare's work is dedicated to helping African's help themselves," noted Coles.   "Our programs are constructed under the fundamental belief that empowering communities will develop and sustain healthy economies and infrastructures.   Africare joins hand in hand with the people of Liberia as we continue down the road of reconstruction."

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Africare is a leader in development assistance and humanitarian aid to Africa.   Over its 37-year history, Africare has delivered more than $695 million in assistance—representing over 2,000 projects and millions of beneficiaries—to 36 countries Africa-wide.   Today, Africare's 150-plus programs reach families and communities in 25 nations in every region of Sub-Saharan Africa.

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