Pan-African media company Face2Face Africa has officially announced the honorees for its prestigious pan-African achievement awards, The FACE LIST, taking place in New York City Saturday, July 11.
The signature event of the annual Pan-African Weekend, the FACE List Awards honor pioneers and trailblazers in Business, Leadership, Sports, Entertainment, Technology, Health, and non-profit sectors who have contributed toward the progress and development of the pan-African community.
The 2015 HONOREES Are:
Ashish J. Thakker — Founder & CEO, Mara Group — Entrepreneur Award
Boris and Nicole Kodjoe — Founders, Sophie’s Voice Foundation — Humanitarian Award
Fumbi Chima — Chief Information Officer, Wal-Mart Asia — Trailblazer Award
Amadou G. Fall — NBA VP and Managing Director, Africa — Leadership Award
Mimi Plange — Fashion Designer — Fashion Award
Donna Katzin — Founder, Shared Interest — Ubuntu Award for Service
Donald C. Notice — Executive Director, WHGA — Community Development Award
Just as in previous editions, this year’s honorees are a group of inspirational heroes with uniquely fascinating stories to tell.
Entrepreneur Award recipient Ashish J. Thakker escaped the Rwandan Genocide and established his first business at the age of 15 with a $5,000 loan.
From its genesis as a small IT business in Uganda, Mr. Thakker’s Mara Group has grown into a globally recognized multi-sector conglomerate that has earned him the title of Africa’s youngest billionaire.
Actors and power couple Boris and Nicole Ari Parker-Kodjoe founded Sophie’s Voice Foundation in Honor of their daughter Sophie who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth.
Today, Sophie’s Voice has become an influential organization that is supporting global health and wellness initiatives in multicultural communities and educating families worldwide on the importance of building healthful lifestyles.
Trailblazer Award recipient Fumbi Chima has had to break through the thickest of glass ceilings to rise to the upper echelons of corporate America as the Chief Information Officer at Walmart Asia. In doing so, Ms. Chima has cleared a path for young women of color in technology and business.
Leadership Award recipient Amadou Gallo Fall is currently spearheading the development of basketball on the continent of Africa as NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa.
These brief vignettes capture the extraordinary journeys and commitments of some of the 2015 honorees. For more information about the honorees, visit facelistawards.com/honorees.
The awards dinner will be held at the luxurious ESPACE Ballroom in Manhattan, N.Y. Pre reception/Red Carpet will commence at 6:30 p.m. promptly followed by a full course dinner and the awards show.
Guests will enjoy a night filled with camaraderie and entertainment, and an opportunity to hear the honorees’ journeys in their own words.
The Pan-African Weekend is generously sponsored by Guinness, Brussels Airlines, and Giants of Africa.