40th Awards Gala

Tuesday, September 24th, 2024

Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City

Thank you to those who joined us for AAI’s 40th Annual Awards Gala as we brought together distinguished leaders from Africa, the diaspora, and United States to celebrate achievements in African leadership and philanthropy.

Under the theme "Bridging Cultures & Igniting Futures: An Evening Honoring African and Diasporan Visionaries in Arts and Culture," the evening was a testament to AAI's commitment to bridging Africa and its Diaspora to catalyze a more sustainable and equitable world.

Gala Program

Watch the Gala

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
Alumnus of AAI’s Southern African Training Program (SATP)
H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
H.E. Monica Geingos

3RD FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

AAI's 40th Awards Gala's special tribute to the late H.E. Hage Geingob, former President of the Republic of Namibia and distinguished AAI Alumnus.

HONORING

2024 Presidential Leadership Award

H.E. NANA AKUFO-ADDO
President of the Republic of Ghana
2024 Philanthropic Impact Award

THE MASTERCARD FOUNDATION
Accepted by President & CEO, Reeta Roy

FEATURING

Hosted By:

CHINEY OGWUMIKE
ESPN host, NBA analyst, and 2-Time WNBA All-Star
Performance By:

SONIC SOMMELIER
Spoken Word By:

KWESI AMOAK
AAI’s Alumni Outreach Initiative Lead

ERIC L. ADAMS
110th Mayor of New York City
H.E. LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD
Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations
JENNIFER ZABASAJJA
Bloomberg Television’s Chief Africa Correspondent & Anchor