Africa-America Institute (AAI) Awards Gala Celebrates Leaders Dedicated to Enriching Africa and its Diaspora
The Africa America Institute held their Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani in New York City, which coincided with the United Nations General Assembly. Hosted by Bozoma Saint John, marketing executive, entrepreneur and author, it was an extraordinary night that celebrated this year’s theme of “Africa in the World” and honored a variety of leaders who have used their positions to empower and implement change on local, national and global level.
Hosts Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Bozoma Saint John
The evening was hosted during the United Nations General Assembly, which enabled the attendance of many world leaders. AAI was founded in 1984 to provide reliable information about Africa to students and leaders across sectors and around the world, in order to transform the way we understand Africa and its global diaspora. Over the past 60 years, AI has provided over 23,000 scholarships and fellowships to African students, and provides programs and initiates to empower African students globally.
The Honorable Prime Minister of Bahamas Philip Davis & First Lady Ann Marie Davis
“When I joined IBM, my goal was to invent scientific breakthroughs and become an influential technical executive. I am grateful to stand here in front of you and confirm I did achieve those goals. But more importantly, I believe I have opened doors to others around the world who want to be leaders in science and technology.”
Dr. Solomon Assefa, Vice President of IBM Research
Several illustrious leaders were honored during the event. Dr. Solomon Assefa, Vice President of IBM Research, was honored for his work in pioneering disruptive technologies. He trained at MIT where he received a Bachelors in Physics a Masters in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a Ph.D. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He currently leads the effort on developing technologies globally to address climate change mitigation and adaption, computing and nanotechnology, and healthcare and life sciences.
“Solomon was my favorite type of students and my favorite student at one point [laughter]. He was clearly smart, but more than that, understood the link between theory and practice. I’ve come to appreciate the importance of enabling success for many more young Africans with the drive and talent that Dr. Assefa possesses.”
Dr. Philip Clay, Professor Emeritus of City Planning at MIT, Chancellor of the MIT from 2001-2011 (when he was appointed the chancellor in 2001, he became the highest-ranking African American official in the Institute's 136-year history)
In 2021, Dr. Assefa led a taskforce across IBM to strategically guide IBM’s internal sustainability strategy to best position IBM in becoming a leading technology provider that would allow clients to advance their sustainability goals. Dr. Assefa runs IBM’s Africa labs, located in Kenya and South Africa, which have helped develop scalable technology solution for markets across Africa within healthcare, agriculture, the public sector, energy, telecoms and supply chains broadly. He also worked to develop technology to help solve Africa’s challenges in climate and sustainability, which also positions his work to serve as a global model. Dr. Assefa has co-authored over 150 publications in peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings and has over 70 patents granted. One of his professors from MIT described Dr. Assefa, as “my favorite type of students and my favorite student at one point. He was clearly smart, but more than that, understood the link between theory and practice.” He continued, “I’ve come to appreciate the importance of enabling success for many more young Africans with the drive and talent that Dr. Assefa possesses.” He describe Dr. Assefa as, “moving the continent (Africa) in a way that provides sustainability that is social, physical , and economic.”
Losegne Imasogie and Osagie Imasogie, Chair of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s Board of Overseers, Enterpreneur & Investor, and Solomon Assefa and his wife, Meron Demisse
Dr. Assefa gave a moving speech, starting by saying that none of his accomplishments would be possible without the love, support, and inspiration of his beloved life. He described leaving Ethiopia when he was 17 to pursue his passion for science at MIT, explaining that coming to the US at such an early age by himself presented him with challenges that gave him an important lesson: the importance of setting inspirational goals and breaking barriers even when skeptics say an African has never done it and Africa will never do it.” He continued, “When I joined IBM, my goal was to invent scientific breakthroughs and become an influential technical executive. I am grateful to stand here in front of you and confirm I did achieve those goals. But more importantly, I believe I have opened doors to others around the world who want o be leaders in science and technology.” He also thanked his mother, who despite lacking formal schooling and raising 7 children, she was one of the brightest people he ever met. Ands he taught him about unconditional love, optimism, and the power of shared vision.
Mahen Bonneti, Founder and Executive director of the African Film Festival
Also honored was Mahen Bonneti, Founder and Executive director of the African Film Festival. Many praised Mahen’s courage, inspiration, and determination to create awareness of African through the African Film Festival, and for her mentorship, warmth and willingness to help and support others. She was praised for her brilliant cinematic expressions of the diaspora.
Betty Wambui Kibaara, Director of Food Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation, Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient
Betty Wambui Kibarra, the Director of Food Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation, was recognized with the Distinguished Alumna Award. She explained, “Whatever I did, I wanted to make a difference for the farmers. I want to thank AAI for providing me with the resources to make a difference in the world.” She concluded, “work hard, stay focused, and pray. You can change lives and make the universe sustainable.”
Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, National Achievement Award Receipient
Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Rebpulic of Botswana, received the National Achievement Award for the powerful achievements he has achieved for the African nation by building strong partners to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth and public health. Dr. Masisi described how important it was to him to show the importance of countries better managing their natural resources, and his commitment to growing Botswana’s knowledge-based economy and making goods and services more competitive in the global market. He described that, “the greatest resource of any country is the human beings there.”
“The greatest resource of any country is the human beings there”
He spoke highly of the people in Botswana, as well as others globally who have served as strategic partners in promoting public health. He talked about his hope that Botswana would become the first country in Africa to eliminate HIV infections. In 2021, the WHO recognized Botswana as the first high-burden country to be certified for achieving an important milestone on the path to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, a certification awarded to countries which have decreased the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate to less than 5%, who have provided antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90% of pregnant women; and achieved an HIV case rate of fewer than 500 per 100 000 live births. The World Health Organization described “Botswana demonstrates that an AIDS-free generation is possible. It's a big step forward in ending AIDS in Africa and shows how visionary political leadership aligned with public health priorities can save lives.”