African immigrants in the United States are raising their voice to acknowledge and celebrate their community’s high achievers and remarkable contribution to the country’s political, economic and social tapestry. While Black immigrants have roots in may parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa is fueling more recent Black immigrant growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In examples of their contributions to the business sector, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis reports dramatic small business growth in the state, thanks largely to a wave of “African immigrants who move to Minnesota directly from their home countries or from other U.S. states.” In 2012, The Fiscal Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research and education nonprofit, ranked Nigeria among the top 50 countries of birth for U.S. small business owners.
Pan-African Weekend, organized in New York City by the pan-African media company Face2Face Africa, is one of the most anticipated events that raises the profile of the pan-African community. Highlighting and celebrating the ideas and individuals that are transforming this community, the weekend’s fourth annual edition runs from Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12. It is sponsored by Guinness Ltd., Brussels Airlines, and Giants of Africa foundation.
The weekend kicks off on Friday with a YACE (Young Africans Committed to Excellence) Master Class at the Mission of the African Union to the United Nations. It will showcase Face2Face Africa’s five 2015 YACE Fellows, allowing them to share their career journey and vision for Africa.
“Face2face Africa searched far and wide to find some of the brightest, most inspiring, and most promising young pan-African professionals who are already making notable impacts in African affairs,” the organization says in a formal statement. “More than just their current contributions, these burgeoning innovators, diplomats and engineers were chosen because of their promise and ambition. They are exemplars of the vanguard of the next generation of African leaders who will continue to shape and transform both the internal dynamics of the continent and the rest of the world’s view of us in the near and far future.”
The YACE Master Class will be followed the same evening by an “I Am A Professional African (IAAPA) networking mixer at PRANNA, a New York City restaurant, bar, and lounge reputed for its Asian fusion menu.
The weekend’s main event is the FACE List Awards Gala, which for the first time will take the form of a seated, dinner-style awards show, complete with entertainment. Honoring pioneers and trailblazers in business, leadership, sports, entertainment, technology, health, and non-profit sectors, it takes place on Saturday at ESPACE Ballroom, a new event space in New York City’s famous Times Square.
This year’s honorees are:
* Ashish J. Thakkar, founder and CEO, Mara Group: Entrepreneur Award;
* Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, founders, of Sophie’s Voice Foundation: Humanitarian Award;
* Fumbi Chima, chief information officer, Wal-Mart Asia: Trailblazer Award;
* Amadou G. Fall, vice president/managing director, Africa, National Basketball Association: Leadership Award;
* Mimi Plange, fashion designer: Fashion Award;
* Donna Katzin, founder, Shared Interest: Ubuntu Award for Service; and
* Donald C. Notice, executive director, West Harlem Group Assistance Inc.: Community Development Award.
Face2Face Africa’s Pan-African Weekend is slated to close with a jazz brunch on Sunday morning.
