Africa Day Celebration at Coca Cola Headquarters in Atlanta. May 22 2012
The Miss Africa USA Newsroom reports on the Africa Day Celebration at the Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta Ga May 22 2012. The Miss Africa team was very honored to have received an invitation to this high powered networking event celebrating Mama Africa and honoring one of Africa’s most gifted women, Dr Susan Mboya, President of Zawadi Africa Organization. Queen Gigi Tchuoaga the reigning Miss Africa USA Presented a Special Gift to Dr. Mboya on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company, it was quite an honor for the Queen indeed. The event which was hosted by the beautiful and dynamic Ms Brigette Philpot, Governance Director at Coca Cola, kicked off at 11am sharp on May 22nd 2012. Please read on and share. Mr. Alex Cummings who hails from Liberia in West Africa, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Coca Cola, Welcomes Guests at the Coca Cola Africa Day Event. The African Diaspora Network was created seven years ago by a small group of dedicated African associates at Coca-Cola led by Alex Cummings, EVP & Chief Administrative Officer, who at that time was the President of Coca-Cola Africa Group. The network has grown over the years and has already had an impact on local communities, primarily in Africa. In 2011, with the full support of The Coca-Cola Company and in partnership with local NGOs, the network shipped a 40-ft. container of medical supplies and equipment to a rural medical clinic in Kenya; and another 40-ft. container of books, scientific literature, school supplies, computer equipment and accessories to support the Liberian education system. Dr. Vuvu Manseka, Quality Assurance Director at Coca Cola and President of Africa Diaspora Network Speaks to Guests about the Mission of the Coca Cola ADN. Vuvu who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, works hard with his team every year to put this high powered networking event together. The ADN’s mission is to support The Coca-Cola Company’s 2020 vision roadmap by fostering engagement, growth and community giving amongst Africans and friends of Africa within The Coca-Cola Company system. The celebration of the Africa Day at Coca-Cola was instituted in 2009, and has since turned it into an annual event. This year’s Africa Day theme wasThe Role of the African Woman in Shaping the Future of Africa. The guest speaker was Dr. Susan A. Mboya, whose dedicated service to empower women entrepreneurs across the Coca-Cola system and her commitment to providing college education opportunities to young African women is widely applauded. This year celebration was attended by the Company three top executives and several distinguished guests from various institutions and organizations from the Atlanta Metro area, Washington DC and beyond. Dr. Susan Mboya Receives a Recognition Award from Coca-Cola, presented to her by Dr. Vuvu Manseka, President of the Africa Diaspora Network at Coca-Cola Dr. Susan Mboya Founder and President of Zawadi Africa Organization served as the Keynote speaker for the Coca Cola Africa Day Celebration, she spoke eloquently about the brilliant work her organization is doing to uplift young African girls from poverty and creating great leaders among them through a powerful system providing education and leadership training at the same time such that they become a catalyst for development in their own communities. She has received many accolades for her service to young women and her work is supported by the Coca Cola Africa Foundation. Miss Africa USA Gigi had the opportunity to meet Dr. Mboya and offer her help as a mentor to the Zawadi Girls. She congratulated Dr Mboya for the fantastic work she is doing for young girls who would otherwise not have an education. Miss Africa USA, Gigi presents a special gift basket to Dr. Susan Mboya on behalf of the Coca-Cola Company. Top Coca Cola Executives with Ms Nell Diallo of Medshare International at the Event. The flow of support that was generated in the room for Zawadi Africa was overwhelming. After Dr Mboya’s presentation, everyone was clearly moved and many committed to helping in one way or the other. Ms Nell Diallo a Senior Executive at Medshare International pictured above called everyone to support Zawadi Africa. Present at the event were several high profile Africans in the Atlanta area, it was an honor to meet and network with retired NBA Super Star Dikembe Motombo, who is a great humanitarian and doing some magnificent work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He constructed a hospital in The Congo to help improve health care in the nation, in honor of his mother. Lady Kate and Executive Vice President and CAO Alex Cummings at the Africa Day Celebration. It is always an honor to meet and dialogue with Mr. Alex Cummings. An African Day Celebration is never complete without a touch of entertainment and behold the King of Makossa Emile Kangue takes center stage and performs brilliantly. Emile hails from Cameroon and Makossa of course is the popular dance music from Cameroon. The taste and rich aroma of African delights filled the air and Miss Africa USA was there to check out the delicious meals served. Food from West, East, North and South Africa filled the menu. It was a beautiful day indeed. Special thanks to Vuvu Manseka and the team of Africa Diaspora Network for yet another successful event in honor of Mama Africa. The Miss Africa USA Team which Included the Queen, Gigi Tchuoaga, Mr. Enow Otto and Lady Kate Atabong Njeuma and all members who could not make it, we say thank you for a wonderful reception. It was an honor to be a part of it all.