Face2face Africa, a media group focused on re-branding Africa for a global audience of young people with a shared ancestry in Africa, this month launches an annual Pan-African Weekend that will bring together some of the continent’s current and emerging luminaries.
Billed as F2FA Weekend and hosted in partnership with the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN, IBom LLC and Africa 2.0, the event is an extension of Face2Face Africa’s annual F.A.C.E. (Fascinating Africans Committed to Excellence) List Awards, which recognizes individuals whose achievements have made a tremendous impact on the pan-African community. State Farm, Arik Air and the Peace Corps are sponsors of the Weekend.
“Face2face Africa is committed to bringing quality programs that glorify and demonstrate the ingenuity of the pan-African community,” says Face2face Africa co-founder Isaac Boateng. “From the young visionaries who are introducing innovative solutions to long-standing challenges, to the icons who have broken down barriers and made it possible for others to dream, we are committed to telling the stories of these phenomenal individuals and honoring their contributions.”
The last five years have witnessed a relentless campaign by Africans, especially by young Africans living overseas, to change the image of Africa from one of conflict, corruption and suffering to one of emerging prosperity, technology innovation and creative entrepreneurship, and home to the world’s fastest growing economies. Annual business conferences organized by African students at top U.S. universities are among the leaders in publicizing the new Africa brand.
Face2Face Africa’s co-founders Boateng and Sandra Appiah, both based in New York, were featured on Forbes magazine’s 2013 list of Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs under the age of 30.
F2FA Weekend kicks off at UN headquarters in New York City on Friday, July 25, with the Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE) Generation NeXt Master Class, where some of Africa’s brightest and most promising young visionaries will receive the inaugural YACE Award. Moderated by Farai Gundan, co-founder and CEO of FaraiMedia LLC, the Master Class features presentations by the awardees on topics pertaining to their work, journey to success, and vision for Africa, followed by a networking mixer.
Day Two, Saturday, July 26, brings the third annual F.A.C.E. List Awards at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University, with a who’s who of Africa on the honoree list: business mogul/philanthropist Mo Ibrahim Ph.D.; model/designer Alek Wek; orthopedic surgeon Oheneba Boachie-Adjei; Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti; SoleRebels footwear founder Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu; and the general manager of the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri.
Hosted by award-winning Ghanaian actor Chris Attoh and Face2Face Africa co-founder Sandra Appiah, host of The SA Show, the F.A.C.E. List Awards features performances by notable African entertainers.
A Jazz Brunch at the Carlton Hotel on Day Three, July 27, closes out the Weekend’s festivities. The brunch is an opportunity for intimate interaction with honorees, speakers, special guests and the producers and host committee of the Weekend.
Details of the Weekend’s programs, including ticket and registration information, can be found at face2faceafrica.com.
