“I know some people get disheartened, and I know some people want to throw in the sponge and give up but I can’t do that. My feeling is too strong that it’s God’s will that we live together in harmony and peace. It’s God’s will that we grow beyond our racial animosities and that we must commit ourselves to continue that work. That’s why I’m here. I am not here for any other reason” Bishop John T. Walker (of Late) The 40th year Celebrating goodwill : AFRICARE Bishop John T. Walker Memorial Dinner, LEGACY OF PROGRESS. It was a dinner like no other, honoring : His Excellency Nelson R Mandela, former President of South Africa Mr. Rex W. Tillerson, Chairman and CEO, Exon Mobil Corporation Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank. Miss Africa USA 2010 Fifi Soumah and Lady Kate Njeuma, guests of AFRICARE, were in attendance at this great event honoring world leaders who have and are still making a big difference in Africa. Bishop Enrich has described John Walker as ‘one of the greatest bishops in the history of the church of the Episcopal Church’ “It is difficult to remember AFRICARE as it was in 1974 when John Walker agreed to Chair its Board of Directors, a position he held until his death. Just as he was a buider and motivator of his church, so he proved a builder of AFRICARE and a motivator to those Americans and Africans who carry out its work in Africa. He loved Africa and the great energy and beauty of her peoples. He dedicated years of his life to his vision of what he knew Africa could become” (AFRICARE) The Awards Ceremony was grand indeed, with the most vibrant Master of Ceremonies Mr. Kojo Nnamdi, host of the Kojo Nnamdi show, WAMU FM 88.5, the night was certainly full of excitement, very informative and a great opportunity to network within the world of Non-Profit Organizations represented. After an invocation by Rev. Vincent P Harris,of St Georges Episcopal Church and a welcome address by Mr. W. Frank Fountain, Chairman of Africare Board of Directors and Chairman of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation and Advisor to Chrysler, the guests immediately delved into the most delicious dinner for the night. While dinner was served, the honorees were introduced one at a time to receive their very distinguished Awards. Presentation of the Corporate Service Award was officiated by Mr. W. Frank Fountain, Chairman of Africare Board of Directors and Chairman of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation and Adviser to Chrysler. The Corporate Service Award was presented to Mr. Rex. W. Tillerson, Chairman and CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation for its partnership and its contributions to progress and economic development in Africa. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to His Excellency Nelson R Mandela, former President of South Africa. At 92 President Mandela was not able to make it but he was represented by his family, Zondwa Mandela, his grandson and his daughter Zindzi Mandela. His award was presented to the family by Ms Lauretta Bruno, AFRICARE Board Member and Committee Chair of the Bishop John T Walker Memorial Dinner. Zondwa Mandela read the acceptance speech of his grand Father while Zindzi gave the audience a brief background about their lives growing up without their father and also gave some background information on the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award was presented by Dr. Darius Mans, President of AFRICARE and that Award went to non other than Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of The World Bank for the sweeping economic and social reforms that she made to improve Nigeria’s Financial stability. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s position at the World Bank includes special oversight for the bank’s operations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, South Asia and Africa. She has been at the forefront of the Bank’s efforts to help countries hard hit by the food, fuel and financial crisis. Dr. Okonjo Iweala has received numerous awards including Time Magazine’s European Hero of the Year Award 2004, Euromoney Magazine Global Finance Minister of the Year 2005. In 2006, she was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was educted at Harvard University and has a PhD in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachussetts Institute of Technology. She is married to Surgeon Dr. Ikemba Iweala and has four children. (source: AFRICARE) AFRICARE programs focus on the following areas of need in Africa: Health and HIV/AIDS Food Security and Agriculture Water and Sanitation Empowerment of Women through Small Business Enterprise. Africare Success stories around the continent was shared with the guests at the Bishop John T. Walker Memorial Dinner and we saw first hand the impact that Africare is having in the lives people in need. Africare is doing great humanitarian service in Africa, providing sustainable AID programs and empowering communities. Miss Africa USA Fifi Soumah was very happy to meet and network with Executives from the ONE organization in Washington DC.
