A Legacy of Luminaries
The African Awards continues to attract top rated keynote speakers. In the first Awards Gala Dinner in August 15 2008, Lola Ogunnaike of CNN’s American Morning gave the first keynote address for what was then the Mshale Awards. Former Obama White House official and first African American White House Social Secretary, Desirée Rogers, was the keynote speaker at the third edition of the awards. At the 4th edition of the African Awards, Majid Michel, winner of the 2012 African Academy Movie Awards for Best Actor keynoted the African Awards in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
African Awards 7th Edition
JUDGE (RET.) LAJUNE LANGE OF MINNESOTA’S FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT & HONORARY CONSUL OF SOUTH AFRICA IN MINNESOTA – Keynote Speaker
DR. JONATHAN ROSE – COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
HAJARATU JAAFARU – STUDENT OF THE YEAR
AFRO DELI – AFRICAN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
ABDULLAH KIATAMBA – SPIRIT OF THE MORAN
MERCY INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS – AFRICAN NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR
African Awards 6th Edition
REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR OF THE MINNESOTA HO– USE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND FIRST ELECTED SOMALI-AMERICAN LEGISLATOR IN THE UNITED STATES – Keynote Speaker
ISAAK ROBLE – COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
ASIYA SPORTS – AFRICAN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
PAULA MEYER – FRIEND OF THE COMMUNITY
THE INNER HERO – AFRICAN NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR
African Awards 5th Edition
Ushaidi: Co-founder and MIT Humanitarian of the Year, David Kobia: African Awards Gala (Minneapolis Convention Center) – Keynote Speakers
Ilhan Omar – Community Leadership
Paschal Law Offices – African Business of the Year
Charlen Nyangaresi – Student of the Year
Rich Wagner – Friend of the Community
African Economic Development Solutions (AES) – African Non-Profit of the Year
Wintana Melekin – Spirit of the Moran
David Morse – Founder’s Award
African Awards 4th Edition
Majid Michel: Best Actor, 2012 African Academy Movie Awards – Keynote Speaker
Lolla Mohammed Nur – Community Leadership
Yaw Construction – African Business of the Year
Awale Osman< – Student of the Year
Steven Hall – Friend of the Community
African Immigrant Services (AIS) – African Non-Profit of the Year
African Awards 3rd Edition
Desiree Rogers: First Black White House Social Secretary (2008-2010) – Keynote Speaker
Ogo Sow – Community Leadership
BCS African Foods – African Business of the Year
James Chepyegon – Student of the Year
Catherine Rose – Friend of the Community
Peter Kerre – Spririt of the Moran
Minnesota African Womens Association (MAWA) – African Non-Profit of the Year
Fatawu Sayibu – Artist of the Year
African Awards 2nd Edition
Adetokumboh M’Cormack: Actor, Blood Diamonds, Battle Los Angeles – Keynote Speaker
Ahmed Sirleaf – Community Leadership
Metropolitan Transportation Network, Inc. – African Business of the Year
Elly Roimen-Mathenge – Student of the Year
Dr. BraVada Garret-Akinsanya – Friend of the Community
African Awards 1st Edition
Lola Ogunnaike: CNN’s American Morning – Keynote Speaker
Nimco Ahmed – Community Leadership
Amla International Translations – African Business of the Year
Charles Dennis – Friend of the Community
Loice Oburu – Student of the Year
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African Awards Gala
Saturday, October 12, 2019
5:00PM-7:00PM: Red Carpet Arrival & Pictures, 7:00PM-11:59PM: Awards Dinner & Entertainment