Formerly of the Music Creative Group and Warner Music Communications and Design Group, Debo Folorunsho will lead the hosting of the 2017 African Diaspora Awards in New York City this weekend. Now in its 7th year, the ADAs honor the new breed of leaders, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, investors and owners from the world’s African Diaspora.
Celebrating excellence while acknowledging the international impact of those from the African Diaspora, Applause Africa Communications will host its highly anticipated African Diaspora Awards, at the French Institute and the Alliance Française de New York, this weekend.
“Many of us have accomplished a lot individually in our respective host states,” said Debo Folorunsho, Founder and CEO of Applause Africa and African Diaspora Awards (ADAs).
“However, we have not done much together,” said the Art Institute of New York trained Graphic Artist and Executive Producer of the seventh edition of the annual event.
“These awards provide a platform on which all of our individual accomplishments can be synergized and harnessed. The power of togetherness for greater purposes such as achieving peace, unity, social and economic development in order to build a vibrant society,” said Folorunsho, a dedicated member of New York’s African Diaspora community.
Over the past ten years with an “open soul” and “energized” by challenges faced by people of color around the globe, through the ADAs and Applause Africa, the creative designer for Applause Africa magazine has made a significant difference in communities throughout the continental Africa and those communities populated by African Descendants.
“The African Diaspora Awards brings together the African Diaspora and friends to celebrate and promote excellence and drive positive change while connecting cultures,” said Bette Mengesha, Co-Chair of the 2017 ADAs.
Convening the “Who’s Who” of meaningful and powerful leadership in the African Diaspora, the African Diaspora Awards has created a signature event that brings together an extraordinary array of entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, actors, scholars, businesses and other exemplary individuals.
Curating an evening that showcases the creativity and enterprise amongst Africans in the Diaspora, between the ages of 22 to 45, the ADAs has produced over 80 winners from a pool of more than 2,550 nominees since its inception in 2010.
The 2017 African Diaspora Awards will be hosted by the multi-talented, celebrity reporter and host of ESSENCE Live, Makho Ndlovu, and acclaimed comedian and actor, NaMÓ.
"I'm honored to Co-Host the ADA this year! I love the message of Unity and I love Debo Folorunsho, his vision and talented team,” said NaMO.
“I was blessed to co-present one award in 2013 and now very excited to be part of this amazing night, to honor the strong and powerful diasporan leaders of our generation,” said the sought after Master of Ceramonies.
“We are thrilled to be working with Makho and NaMO as Co-Hosts of the 2017 African Diaspora Awards, both of whom are very experienced and recognized across Diasporic communities,” said Folorunsho.
“They represent "power in unity.”
According to the United Nations, there are around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent. In line with the The International Decade for People of African Descent, the African Diaspora Awards underline the important contribution made by people of African descent to our societies.
Previous honorees and special guests of the ADAs include 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; Gbenga Akinnagbe – Actor; Saran Diakitè Kaba - Clean Water Advocate; YaYa DaCosta - Actress; Mpule Kwelagobe, First African Cowned 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 Fasion Model, Flaviana Matata.
Demystifying and exposing the true beauty and potential of the Continent of African, and its descendants, Folorunsho and Appluase Africa inspire and elavate a new generation of thought leaders. Committed to active engagement, the ADAs are a reflection of Folorunsho’s vision of a globally unified and cooperative Africa Diaspora community.
“BuildingUnity is a larger-than-life theme that helps us celebrate our uniqueness and strengthens,” said Folorunsho.
“We are all connected by something, and it’s our diversity that builds a strong and vibrant Diaspora.”
To purchase tickets to the 2017 African Diaspora Awards presented by Applause Africa, visit africandiasporaawards.com.
ImeIme Umana | Harvard Law Review, President | Person of the Year
