The African Union (AU) Diaspora African Forum Presents: The African Diaspora Bridge Builders Awards During the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

    WASHINGTON, DC, July 17, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On August 4th at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center, The African Diaspora's most prominent 'Bridge Builders' who have made contributions in the areas of development, strengthening relationships and providing opportunities for returning Africans, will indulge in a star-studded evening of dinner, dancing and music. The event will feature award-winning actors Lynn Whitfield and Lou Gossett Jr., and Nana Rita Marley OD, wife of famed Reggae great Bob Marley.

The African Diaspora Bridge Builders Awards emerges on the heels of a monumental feat in U.S. History: The first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The gathering of African Leaders at the White House was initially announced by President Barack Obama during a visit to Cape Town last year as a means to "provide a proactive and forward looking vision grounded in partnership [with Africa]." From the 4th through the 6th of August, invited African leaders will work to strengthen democratic institutions, spur economic growth, trade, and investment, advance peace and security, and promote opportunity and development. Historically, President Obama is the first U.S. President to facilitate a relationship with Africa. He initially showed interest in June 2012 with the launch of The New Strategy Towards Sub-Saharan Africa.

Asked about President Obama's efforts to bridge the Diaspora gap, H.E. Dr. Erieka Bennett, Ambassador of the (AU) Diaspora African Forum remarked, "I am personally thrilled to see the descendants of enslaved Africans work together with their continental brothers and sisters to dispel the stories that have kept our people apart. President Obama is a descendant. We are thankful to see him engage Africa in a meaningful way." The Bridge Builders Awards celebrate the legacy of President Obama and the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit through our honorees.

The African Diaspora Bridge Builder Awards Honorees

Countries:
Ghana
Ethiopia
Liberia
Tanzania

Organizations:
Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa (Bernadette Paolo, Esq., President & CEO)
African Diaspora Network/ ADN (Almaz Negash, Founder & President)
Africare (Dr. Darius Mans, President)
Constituency for Africa/ CFA (Melvin P. Foote, President)
Diaspora Africa Women's Network/ DAWN (Semhar Araia, Founder & Executive Director)
Rita Marley Foundation (Nana Rita Marley OD, Founder)
The Nigerian House Committee on Diaspora Affairs (Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson)
TransAfrica (Danny Glover, Chairman of the Board)

Individuals:
Ufo Eric Atuanya
Dr. Barryl Biekman
Ms. Xernona Clayton
Lou Gossett, Jr.
Dr. Leonard Jefferies
General Fred Leigh & Dr. Karyn Trader-Leigh
Brother Akbar Muhammad
Princess Naa Asie Okansey
Dr. Chika A. Onyeani
Ms. Jeannie B. Scott
Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan (Posthumously)
Ambassador Dr. Bamanga Tukur
J. Eric Wright
H. E. Dr. Nkosazana Diamini Zuma

The celebration is supported by the (AU) Diaspora African Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The AU Diaspora African Foundation supports communication and understanding among all African descendants through education, exchange programs, activities and conferencing.

The African Diaspora Bridge Builders Awards
Honoring The African Diaspora's most prominent 'Bridge Builders' who have made contributions in the areas of development, strengthening relationships and providing opportunities for returning Africans.

Date:
August 4, 2014
Silent Auction, 5:30PM
Dinner and Awards, 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Location:
The Washington Marriott at Metro Center
775 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact [email protected] for more information. For interviews with H.E. Dr. Erieka Bennett, Ambassador of the (AU) Diaspora African Forum please contact [email protected].

About the African Union (AU) Diaspora African Forum
The (AU) Diaspora African Forum is an African Union endorsed non-governmental organization which was established on the 1st of July, 2007. The Mission was born as a result of the recommendations of the African Union ad hoc Ministerial Committee that, the AU should invite and encourage the full participation of Africans in the Diaspora in the building of the African Union, in its capacity as an important part of the continent. The (AU) Diaspora African Forum Mission is the first diplomatic mission of its kind to be established in Africa and has its headquarters located in Accra, Ghana on the premises of the historic W.E.B. Dubois Centre. The mission is opened to all willing individuals and organizations who share in the vision and goals of the (AU) Diaspora African Forum Mission.

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