Join us on Saturday, December 5th, 2020 at 6:00PM EST as we celebrate our 10th Annual African Diaspora Awards and raise funds to support Global African Diaspora community programs and the SAiD Pan African Library’s 2020 - 2021 fiscal year’s operating budget. Your donation will help increase the representation and advancement of people of African descent while helping Africans in Diaspora develop a lifelong love for reading, history, culture, community and heritage.

Society for Africans in the Diaspora (SAiD Institute) cordially invites you to participate in the 2020 African Diaspora Awards (ADA). Join other alumni for a Virtual Reunion Night recognizing the 10th anniversary of ADA as a community. This virtual event will present inspiring speeches, performances both new and from the ADA’s memorable past to honor our history and commemorate the future. We hope that you’ll tune in and celebrate Black culture with us this evening networking and empowering one another as we share stories of triumph and excellence.

Each year SAiD Institute acknowledges the accomplishments of people of African descent. As diverse change agents, we believe that it’s important to set time aside to recognize extraordinary professional success and impactful contributions made to the community through activism, service, and philanthropic efforts. We will be hosting this special installment of ADA Saturday, December 5th, 2020 at 6:00PM EST. Attendees will enjoy archival footage from past ceremonies, amazing performances, and a preview of our new physical library space in Houston, TX.

SAiD is an institution that is dedicated to utilizing the transformative power of community to make meaningful connections within the African Diaspora. We have central commitments to promoting culture, education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility with all of our work. It is time for us to step up and take a leading role in supporting the intentional endeavor towards unity within the Black community.

In lieu of the 10th anniversary of our African Diaspora Award fundraising event, we are introducing The POWER OF US campaign that fosters friendship, love, and community among people of African descent. Our aim is to champion solutions that will unite us and move us all forward. At this time of great uncertainty, it is vital that we band together to preserve spaces like the SAiD Pan African Library for the next generation. Together, we can ensure that the future of the Society for Africans in the Diaspora (SAiD Institute) is even more fruitful than it’s past.

We urgently need financial support to help achieve our fundraising goal of $50,000. Donate here to supports the SAiD Pan African Library’s 2020 - 2021 fiscal year as funding for our annual operating budget. Your donation will help increase the representation and advancement of people of African descent while helping Africans in Diaspora develop a lifelong love for reading, history, culture, community and heritage.

Last year's honorees were: ImeIme Umana President of Harvard Law Review, Person of the Year; Jaha Dukureh Human rights activist, Humanitarian of the Year; Richelieu Dennis Founder, Sundial Brands & Shea Moisture, Entrepreneur of the Year; Ethiopia Habtemariam President of Motown Records, Mark of Excellence Award; Cece Olisa Entrepreneur, Bloggers and Influencer, Face of Change; Christina Sass Cofounder and President at Andela, Friends of Africa; Darlene and Lizzy Okpo, Designers of the Year; Elizabeth Natasha Ngonzi CEO of Afrika Tikkun USA, Advocate of the Year; Famond Konneh Bronx Borough Director, NYC (CAU), Community Service of the Year; Ugo Nwaokoro Deputy Mayor of the City of Newark, New Jersey, Governance and Civic Leadership Award; Dr. Constance Iloh Education Scholar and Professor, Scholar of the Year; Christian Epps, Creative Person of the Year; Cellulant, Ken Njoroge and Bolaji Akinboro, Company of the Year. A special tribute was paid to the late Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin who championed health and well-being through his humanitarian work with the United Nations.

Distinguished honorees from previous years have included Leymah Gbowee Nobel Peace Prize Winner; Chinedu Echeruo Founder of HopStop.com; Angelique Kidjo Grammy Award Winning Singer & Activist; Lola Ogunnaike TV Personality and entertainment journalist; Jessica Matthews Venture capitalist and CEO/Co-Founder of Uncharted Power; Luvvie Ajayi New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and digital strategist; Georgie Baddiel Model and activist; Gbenga Akinnagbe Actor; Saran Diakitè Kaba Clean water advocate; YaYa DaCosta Actress; Mpule Kwelagobe First African to be crowned Miss Universe, Les Nubians Grammy-nominated French duo; Kemi Adetiba Film director; Atti Worku Education and community advocate; Chid Liberty Entrepreneur; Nicole Amarteifio Film director; and Flaviana Matata Fashion model.