Africa Leadership Congress Launched In A Historic Ceremony In Washington, DC

Washington,DC - Tuesday September 21, 2001

By Frederick Nnoma-Addison

In an extremely impressive Gala held at the plush Mandarin Oriental Hotel, hundreds of people gathered to witness the historic launching of the Africa Leadership Congress (ALC), an African-interest, African-led organization that has been created to better address the needs of Africans in the Diaspora, harness their human capacity for the betterment of their host countries and the African continent. The vision of ALC is summed up in its mission statement "Raising Strategic 21st Century Leadership." The organization was conceived two years ago by a group of U.S.-based, African-born leaders and now receives the support of hundreds of churches across the United States.

Addressing the attendants the Chairman of the Board His Majesty Adamtey I (Dr. Kingsley Fletcher) reiterated the need for Africans in the Diaspora to be better organized in the interest of the countries they reside in, their home countries and themselves. "Through a platform like the Africa Leadership Congress we will be able to address issues that are often neglected by policy makers. We conceived this initiative to have cross sectional leadership of Africa, to address Africa's issues not as countries but as a continent... Whether you speak English, Arabic, French, Portugese or Spanish we are all African and do have common concerns abroad or at home..." The event was attended by dignitaries from the diplomatic, government, corporate and non-profit sectors of both the U.S. and Africa. CNN & TV One's Roland Martin (in yellow, below) was the Master of Ceremonies.

After dinner awards were presented to deserving candidates who had distinguished themselves in leadership and service to the African continent.The award categories are as follows:

Global Statesman & World Leader Award

- Nelson Mandela

Transformational Leadership Award

- President Barack Obama
- President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
- President Goodluck Jonathan
- President Jacob Zuma.

Visionary Leadership Award

- Congressman Bobby Rush
- Pastor Enoch Adeboye
- Ambassador Erika Bennett, pictured with ALC Board Chairman King Adamtey I (right) and Organizing Committee Vice Chair Mr. Andre Hayes (left).

During the ceremony a Proclamation was presented on behalf of Governor Martin O'Maley of Maryland. It read:

Whereas: The Africa Leadership Congress has been serving and empowering the African community in Maryland and beyond; and

Whereas: The African in the state, has been a source of economic, intellectual and cultural richness to our community; and

Whereas: The Africa Leadership Congress continues to engage the State through education, outreach and civic engagement; and

NOW THEREFORE, I MARTIN O'MALLEY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, do hereby proclaim SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 as a special day of TRIBUTE TO THE AFRICA LEADERSHIP CONGRESS in Maryland, and do recomment this celebration to all of our citizens.

ALC Executive Board members (above) include the following: (Left to Right)

Mr. William Femi Awodele (Nigeria), Dr. Zizette Gabriell (Egypt), Dr. James Fadele (Nigeria), Dr. Cindi Trimm (Bermuda), King Adamtey I (Ghana), Dr. Bisi Tofade (Nigeria), Dr. Timothy Agbega (Nigeria), Bishop Darlington Johnson (Liberia).

Organizing Committee members who planned the inaugural event are:

Pastor Kemi Onanuga (Chair), Mr. Andre Hayes (Vice), Mr. Tony Regusters, Mr. Frederick Nnoma-Addison, Mr. Daniel Koroma, Mr. Kunle Malomo, Mr. Craig Atenidegbe, Pastor Evelyne Samuel, Pastor Killingsworth, Mr. Aly Ramji and Mr. Thione Niang.

ALC is also grateful to the following interns who helped plan the event:

Ms. Shola Bello, Mr. Malcolm Hayes and Ms. Anji Baba-Ahmed


Long Live the Africa Leadership Congress!

For more information about ALC visit http://www.africaleadershipcongress.org