Applause Africa was launched in 2006 with a vision to reclaim the ownership of our stories by focusing on the virtues and successes of the people of the African Diaspora. Applause Africa magazine is committed to raising the consciousness of Africans about their collective responsibility and effort to help build a better African continent by becoming the change they envision, with the hope to one day of building a tight-knit community and uplift the next generation of diaspora African professionals, diverse business and civic leaders. Applause Africa hit newsstands in 2012 and was available at Barnes & Noble during. This marks the nationwide launch of the publication and remarkably the first time that consumers can purchase a national magazine focusing on both Africans in Diaspora and Africa as a whole. The magazine cuts across our lifestyle, innovations, education, culture, society and many more.

We also began with the launch of African Exchange, a convening of young leaders to discuss important topics on business, leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa. In 2010, we recognized that African Exchange alone would not adequately enable Applause Africa to fully achieve its mission, so we quickly added another annual program, African Diaspora Awards: our groundbreaking effort to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in Africa. The African Diaspora Awards is a special initiative that aims to celebrate exemplary individuals who have made a significant difference in the African community in the United States. The African Diaspora Awards aims to identify and celebrate notable Africans that have genuinely excelled in various spheres of life, as well as individuals in society who have contributed to the advancement of Africans in the Diaspora and Africa as a whole.

Despite the difficulty in raising funds, Applause Africa’s online community continues to grow, allowing us to organize the seven edition of ADA with the tremendous support of diaspora community, hosting an amazing cohort of entrepreneurs from around the Diaspora. Past honorees include Leymah Gbowee (2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winner), Actor: Yaya Alafia (actor, as seen in the movies Mother of George and The Butler), Luvvie Ajayi (New York Times best-selling author, speaker and digital strategist), Jessica Mattews (an inventor and entrepreneur), Babatunde Osotimehin (Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund), Chinedu Echeruo, Meck Khalfan, Angélique Kidjo, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Saran Kaba Jones amongst other rockstars!

Through our print magazine, website, and events, Applause Africa has highlighted the achievements and voices of our generation as a platform for generational change. However, we now ask ourselves, “How can we do this better? How can we mobilize our Applause Africa audience and sustain a community that celebrates, empowers, and connects the people, culture, and ambitions of Africans in the diaspora, all at once?”

We are therefore happy to officially announce that the Applause Africa platform, building on our successes and lessons learned, is transitioning into the Society for Africans in Diaspora (SAiD).