Celebrating Connections
Investing in Better Futures & Visionary Minds
The Africa-America Institute (AAI) hosted its 41st Annual Awards Gala on Sunday Evening, September 21, 2025. The prestigious event, held in New York City, honored distinguished leaders and trailblazers from Africa, across the diaspora, and the United States.
Sandra Babu-Boateng, the host of AAI’s 2025 Awards Gala
The evening opened with remarks from Felicia Appenteng, President and CEO of AAI, who spoke of tradition guiding us to new possibilities embodied in the Adinkra symbols Sankofa, Nyansapo and Bese Saka featured in this year’s logo.
“As we look ahead, it is essential that we maintain the same sense of expansion and reject the paradigms that artificially confine our choices. Doing good and doing well are not opposites, but are in fact linked inextricably. As Africans and as Americans, we must remember who we are and choose to shape our own futures on our own terms,” said Felicia Appenteng. “This evening, we will shine a light on stories and leaders, which prove this is not just a principle, but a fact-based assertion. At AAI, we serve our community by supporting our partners to expansively and practically co-create strategies and in which prosperity and sovereignty not only co-exist, but to depend on each other.”
British Robinson, Roy Swan, and Felicia Appenteng after the presentation of the Investor Impact Award
Kofi Appenteng, AAI’s Former President & CEO, Trustee for a decade of leadership, was awarded with the Elder Award to a standing ovation.
Under the theme "Honoring Investments in Better Futures and Visionary Minds,” AAI presented the very first Investor Impact Award to the Ford Foundation’s Mission Investments Program. This inaugural award celebrates trailblazers who are redefining what’s possible when capital is used as a force for good. By reimagining global markets to advance equity and opportunity, the Mission Investments team is charting a path toward a more inclusive future. The award was presented by British Robinson, Former Head of Prosper Africa, Founding CEO of Montmartre Advisors, and the Milken Institute’s Africa Chair and accepted by Roy Swan, Director of Mission Investments at the Ford Foundation.
Sandra Babu-Boateng, H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo during the Presidential Fireside
The Gala’s Presidential Fireside was introduced by Liz Schwarze, Vice President of Global Exploration of Chevron., and featured H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia and H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of Mozambique.
The event was emceed by Sandra Babu-Boateng, Co-founder of PanaGenius and host of The Breakdown, who brought an infectious energy and excitement to the Gala. Guests were treated to a musical performance by a local jazz ensemble, Crafticians, featuring Kafele.
As the gala concluded, attendees left inspired to create new connections and invest in a better future, continuing AAI’s mission of bridging Africa and its diaspora to catalyze a more sustainable and equitable world.
