The Africa-America Institute (AAI) will once again celebrate the many successes of Africa, Africans and African-descendants during its 36th Annual Awards Gala, taking place virtually on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
Since 1984, the AAI Annual Awards Gala has been the most anticipated African-centered event in New York City. In 2020, AAI is excited to take our Awards Gala digital, for the first time hosting the awards ceremony online and streaming the ceremony to over 23,000 of our alumni, students, partners, and supporters across the globe.
"AAI believes that education is an indispensable means for affirming the humanity of Africans and people of African descent. Over the past six decades, AAI has provided over 23,000 scholarships and fellowships to African Students,” AAI President and CEO Kofi Appenteng said of the organization’s important work. “Collectively, their voices reveal many of the positive achievements of Africans and African descendants and inspire future generations.”
This year’s gala theme is Future Voices. As we continue to educate and inspire the leaders of tomorrow, we will honor a distinguished group of leaders who are using their influence and creativity to affect real, measurable change today. The honorees are a group of achievers who are laying the foundation for the work that future voices will continue.
This year, AAI is proud to recognize the following leaders and creators, each of whom exemplifies the Institute’s
2020 Awardees
- The National Achievement Award: The People of the Republic of Senegal, to be accepted by H.E. President Macky Sall
- The Presidential Leadership Award: AAI Alumnus, H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger
- International Institution of Excellence Award: The African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank), to be accepted by Dr. Benedict Oramah
- The Distinguished Alumna Award: Ms. Claude Borna, Managing Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Sèmè City Development Agency
- The AAI African Diaspora Justice & Equity Award: Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
- The Africa Illuminated Arts & Culture Award: Issa Rae, Emmy Nominated Actress, Writer and Producer
For more information about AAI’s 36th Annual Virtual Awards Gala, visit aaionline.org /gala
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