Photos credit: Isseu Diouf Campbell
The Africa-America Institute (AAI) – the premier U.S.-based international organization connecting Africa to America through education, training, and dialogue – celebrated the contributions of Africa and its worldwide diaspora at its 38th Annual Awards Gala held on September 20, 2022, in Manhattan.
Marketing executive, entrepreneur, and author Bozoma Saint John and New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host Luvvie Ajayi Jones hosted this year’s awards centered around the theme of “Africa in the World.”
During the ceremony, which included a musical performance by classical singer and musician Abiodun Koya, AAI honored an illustrious group of leaders across industries who have used their platforms to advance and affect substantive change locally, nationally, and globally in their respective areas.
AAI bestowed four awards:
National Achievement Award: The Republic of Botswana, represented by His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana
Ambassador for African Cinema Award: Mahen Bonetti – Founder and Executive Director of the New York African Film Festival, Inc.
Science and Technology Leadership Award: Dr. Solomon Assefa – Vice President of IBM Research
Distinguished Alumna Award: Betty Wambui Kibaara – Director of the Food Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation
