On September 24th, 2019, the Africa-America Institute hosted its 35th Annual Awards Gala, the largest showcase celebrating the success of African countries and the diaspora.

Held annually during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, AAI's Annual Awards Gala is one of the most anticipated Africa-focused events in New York City. The Awards Gala brings together distinguished guests including African Heads of State and diplomats, international and senior U.S. government officials, business and civil society leaders, educators, journalists, philanthropists and other prominent figures who are working towards advancing economic and development progress in Africa.

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.

2019 AAI HONOREES

• National Achievement Award: The Republic of Angola
• Excellence in Journalism Award: The New York Times Magazine's 1619 Project
• Africa Illuminated – Leadership in Arts & Culture Award: THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND" - A Film by Netflix, BBC Films, Participant Media and BFI, to be accepted by Author, William Kamkwamba.
• Excellence in Women's Empowerment & Leadership Award: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women
• Distinguished Alumni Award: Mrs. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director, Multi-Sectoral Office for East Africa, UNESCO

AAI Annual Gala Showcasing Successes of Africa & Afro-descendants

AAI's Annual Awards Gala is going digital in 2020, streaming worldwide to a truly global audience, showcasing the many successes of Africa, Africans and Afro-descendants across the world. Awardees include the people of Senegal, AAI Alumnus Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, the Afreximbank, Claude Borna, Sherrilyn Ifill and Issa Rae.

ABOUT

The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is the flagship U.S. organization connecting Africa to America for 66 years. Since its founding in 1953, over 16,000 Africans have received scholarships and fellowships from AAI. These Africans now make up an esteemed network of alumni, many of whom are leaders and influencers across public, private, and governmental sectors in Africa and other countries around the globe. This network includes current heads of state: Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia; Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire; and Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa. Many of AAI's alumni have left an indelible imprint, including the late 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Mathaai and the late Barack Obama, Sr.