This event was held at the prestigious National Press Club in Washington DC on September 29, 2022, to honor distinguished international leaders who have made significant impacts on the global African diaspora. Also, the prestigious event was organized in collaboration with the 51st Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) of the United States Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Convention and the theme was “United in Faith for Social Change.”
The award recipients received awards, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by U.S. President Joe Biden. The honorees consist of renowned global leaders, volunteers, leaders in community development, diplomats, elected officials, and corporate and spiritual leaders who, operating primarily from a faith perspective, have made an immensely positive impact on major issues such as religious liberty, civil rights, humanitarian concerns, social justice, economic development and mission partnerships.
“I was so happy to meet old friends, great African kings, members of the White House, diplomats and international personalities from the African and Caribbean community; Thank you to my beloved wife, Emmanuella Sanon, who accompanied me; thank you to the international designer, Mr. Prashant Goyal and the famous photographer Bob Schultz who flew to Washington DC to support me,” said Mr. Sanon.
Hugues Sanon also thanked Dr. Bernard Fialkoff and Dr. Hong Tao-Tze who helped him in Washington DC to receive this distinguished international award.
He also thanked Dr. Bobby Hunter who coordinated very important and effective meetings for him with very influential politicians, businessmen and religious leaders so that we can join forces to strengthen and support the African community and the world.
“The time for unity is now, the time for peace is now, and I will do everything in my power to bring all the world leaders to the table,” said Global Ambassador Hugues Sanon.
“The agenda of the conference was to promote transformational leadership and economic development through faith-based partnerships”. Said Dr. Agorom Dike, who described the awards gala as a way to champion the extraordinary work and volunteerism of the recipients by honoring them and allowing them to speak on panels.
“We issue the Global Humanitarian Leadership Award and certify the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for members, among others of our community, and those who positively impact our constituency – the diaspora,” He Continued.
“This year, we have a prestigious roster of recipients who will receive their awards signed by Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America”
Among other the top honorees Were: His Royal Majesty Okatekyie Asafo Boakye III, King of the Sanzule Kingdom – in Western Ghana; Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University; Cardinal Modiri Patrick Shole, President & Founder of Saucic – South Africa; Pastor Frances Mambu, General Overseer of Faith Healing Bible Church in Sierra Leone; Congresswoman Karen Bass, United States House of Representatives – California; Ambassador Sonia Johnny, Senior Legal Advisor for Organization of American States – St. Lucian; Ghanian Prophet Dr. Kofi Danso, General Overseer of Miracle Arena for All Nations – Toronto, Canada; Nigerian-American leader Dr. Manny Ohonme, President & CEO Samaritan’s Feet International; Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Weaver, President & CEO PanAfrican Collective –USA; Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, Convening Founder & Head of Mission Diaspora African Forum-USA; Ambassador Curtis Ward, former Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations and the President of the Caribbean Research and Policy Center; Angeles Echols-Brown, Founder of Educating Young Minds, curriculum and e-learning developer, and author – California; Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, social activist and Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church – Dallas, TX.; and Ron Busby Sr., President and CEO of U.S. Black Chamber, Inc.
Other distinguished honorees include:
Evangelist Steven Sebyala, Founder and President Church of Christ, Uganda
Hazel Trice Edney, President and CEO of Trice Edney Communications, USA
Sierra Leonean, Rev. Dr. David Vandy, International Multimedia Broadcaster for Voice of America.
Reverend Steve Mensah, Charismatic Evangelical Ministry CMA, Accra, Ghana. Bishop Dr. Never Muparutsa Chairman of Christian Denominations of Zimbabwe
Bob Marshall Sr., Vice President of Wells Fargo, Dr. Ambassador Hugues Sanon, Cojep Special Envoy of Global Relations to the UN, Global Ambassador for FDFW, Honorable Ali Gedikoglu, Founder and Chairman of COJEP International Conseil Pour La Justice L’Egalite’ et la Paix France
Pastor Paul Nya, General Overseer for Praise Chapel in Togo, West Africa, Dr. Felicia Bassey-Akamune, Conference Co-chair and CEO of Milestone Medical Outreach urges people to join the conference in making a difference.