Saturday evening, April 30, 2011, in African tradition, African Focus, Inc.,Hosted its 8th Annual African Goodwill Recognition Awards Ceremony 2011, honoring the "Ambassadors of Goodwill" at the Veterans Memorial Complex, in Culver City, CA.
The MCs for the evening were Monie Mon, Michael Coylar and Razaaq Adoti, were keeping the audience on our feet with lots of laughter and entertainment! Keith David (Voice of the character, Dr. Facilier in The Princess and The Frog) was one of the Presenters as well as Lara Okunubi.
Her Excellency Josephone Elechi - Wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State Nigeria
I sat at my friend, Dawn Sutherland - VP Finance /Controller at Xerox Corporation's table; also seated at Dawn's table, the South African Consul General Cyril S. Ndaba and guest, Jessie -Entrepreneur, Karen - A Writer for International Travel/Tourism, Darrell G. Smith - VP Marketing, The Africa Channel, Roni D. Williams of Pramount Pictures, and a gentleman from Zimbabwe.
African Focus, Inc., Uchenna Nworgu, Founder - Executive Director, gave a very compelling opening address, encouraging us all to focus on Mr. Nworgu's organization's Mission Statement:
"Our focus is to promote growth and well being of Africans all around the world through knowledge and appreciation of one another as well as building a bridge of love and understanding with other people."
Moza Mjasiri-Cooper, born in Zanzibar, Tanzania was selected as one of the Honorees for 2011. Moza is an accomplished, very intelligent, well spoken, well read woman that is a Princess and a Warrior - a woman of strength, courage and wisdom; she is remarkably kind and has a heart and a happy spirit, and I count her as my friend. Congratulations, Moza and family -I salute you - as well as your fellow recipients and their families.
The Host African Countries:
Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Sierra Leone
The Host families : Mr. & Mrs. Damiania Kigoye, Elder Uzoma N. & Mrs. Ijeoma Nwasu , Dr. Solomon & Mrs. Henrietta Egbuho, Mr. Ikechukwu & Mrs. Chika Onyebalu, Mr. Ike and Mrs. Chika Onyebalu, Arthur & Mrs. Vanessa Ssembusi, Mr. Mboyo Djweya, Dr. Daniel & Mrs. Hope Williams, Honorable Dr. Hillary & Chief Mrs. Uloma Ihenacho, Dr. Tom Spencer-Walthers and Chinelo Udo.
The welcoming of His Royal Highness King Julius I. Osuchukwu, Obaire of Eziama Obaire, Imo, State of Nigeria, the 2011 Induction Presiding King, was something one can never forget - it was an honor to stand and cheer the entire court.
Special acknowledgment of appreciation goes to Professor Adebowale Adefuye, Nigerian Ambassador to the USA.
Inductees - Countries:
Assemblymember Steven C. Bradford - Uganda
Betty Arnold - Nigeria
Orlando Love - Nigeria
Caroline V. Brown - Uganda
Linda Smith - Nigeria
Vincent Southerland - Nigeria
Rosalind Pennington - Nigeria
Dr. Zyra McCloud - Nigeria
Mel Hughes - Sierra Leone
Sherice Norris - Nigeria
My friend Dawn Sutherland was also the Presenter of Betty Arnold's Ambassador Award - congratulations, Betty Arnold and family!
All of the tables were full to capacity, there were hundreds of well dressed men, women and children on hand to celebrate the past, connecting it to the present and into the future lives of the 2011 African Goodwill Award Honorees.
The 2011 Honorees were:
Bishop Noel Jones - City of Refuge - The Brothers Keeper Award
Omotola J. Ekeinde - Goodwill & Achievement Award
Ambassador of Goodwill Award
Her Excellency Josephone Elechi - Wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State Nigeria
Namdi Asomugha - NFL Cornerback
Betty L. Arnold - VP, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt - Xerox Corporation
Moza Mjasiri - Cooper - CEO - Black Art Los Angeles, Non-Profit Organization
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the AFI Vision, the event was a success! Thank you, Emmily Alexander, Co-Founder & President of the Homecoming Study in Africa, Board Member, Carol Barton-Forbes - CEO and the entire Executive Working Committee of AFI - Especially Patrick Anyawoke for all of your help - Hats off to you all for a job well done!
Entertainment Line up: Marva Smith, Vivian Love, Young Wisdon, Melissa McCloud, Vivian Nwokocha, Jamorra Styles, Precission Dance Company and Akalaka Dancers Dancers.
Award Models: Daisy Noelle, Ada Azubuike and Lovelyn Alobwede
Sponsorship : The Africa Channel, in conjunction with Ethiopian Airlines, Toyota, Hansen's Natural, UnionBank, MoneyGram, OurWeekly Magazine, Avlon, The Immigrant Magazine, Clear Essence, A&A International Shipping Inc., Healthline Foundation, Africa House ,
Marine Enterprise African Gift Store - Rodney Garcia 310.874.4952
This is a laudable program. I want to recommend Dr Mrs Ijeoma Nduka-Nwosu, a primary care physician based in New Rochelle, New York USA who brings volunteer medical care experts YEARLY since 1986 to give free medical care & other medical supplies/AIDS accross Nigeria. We have been to Imo, Abia, Nasarawa, Kano etc. Some states more than ones. She deserves more than this award. Dr Gerry Nkwocha (Nigeria co-ordinator of ejayes charities www.ejayescharities.org
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