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MISS AFRICA USA FIFI SOUMAH: Attends The Leon H Sullivan Foundation’s Presidential Banquet in Atlanta
“I make no excuses about it, I am like Robin Hood. I take from the rich and give to the poor. It is high time at last for the world to wake up and do more for Africa.” ( Leon H Sullivan) The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation empowers underprivileged people worldwide by promoting the principles of self-help and social responsibility. These goals are the articulation of the vision of the Reverend Leon Howard Sullivan. Leon H Sullivan Foundation Africa Policy Forum ‘ A Vision For the 21st Century’ President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ambassador Andrew Young having an interactive discussion with guests at the Africa Policy Forum in Atlanta. The City of Atlanta played host to biggest Africa Diaspora Event last September. For the first time, the Leon H Sullivan Foundation’s Africa Summit was held outside of Africa and it was no doubt and by no surprise that Atlanta was selected as the host city. Home of the grand father of the Civil Rights Movement Rev. Martin Luther King, Atlanta is not only diverse, the city is also blessed with plenty of Southern Hospitality. The Sullivan Summit 2010 themed as ‘The Africa Policy Forum’ pulled together some power houses from the likes of President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ambassador Andrew Young to the Mayor of the City of Atlanta to the everyday African or African American eager to make that connection with the homeland, leverage the network for development and connect with the past. The City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed learns of his ancestral origin after DNA Testing. An event which saw a huge number of African-American leaders and members of the public take a DNA testing to trace their roots to the Motherland. Results were announced at the Presidential Gala for Mayor Kasim Reed and other leaders. The Nigerian Consul General His Excellency Okafor was there to welcome them home. It was quite an awesome experience to witness the leaders receive their results and the excitement in the air, something very unique indeed. Meet the President and CEO of the Leon H Sullivan Foundation, Hope Sullivan Masters, daughter of the great humanitarian and activist Leon H Sullivan who is of Late. Miss Africa USA Fifi Soumah like many women was very inspired by Hope Sullivan Masters, role model for young women of our generation. Hope’s commitment to continue with the work that her father started with great energy and dedication makes her a very special person. The impact of the Foundation is felt in the lives of the communities they serve, the lives they uplift and the hope they bring to millions of Africans and Africa diaspora and people around the world. “This year, and for the first time ever, the Sullivan Foundation organized The Africa Policy Forum: A Vision for the 21st Century, held in Atlanta, GA, intended to bridge the gap between Africa, the U.S. and citizens of both in an event which featured: High level policy forum on the Obama Administration’s policy to Africa Exclusive networking opportunities Exciting entertainment Critical education, health and economic opportunities Celebrities and live cultural events Sports events and much more for four full days in the international tourism capital of Atlanta, Georgia” (courtesy of Leon H Sullivan Foundation Website”) Miss Africa USA Fatoumata (Fifi) Soumah attends the Presidential Gala. The Presidential Gala kicked off with an elegant banquet at the beautiful Marriott Marquee in Downtown Atlanta. The Decor was a splendid display of African ornaments combined with a beautiful layout of of exotic African fruits and foods as well as Art. Miss Africa USA 2010 Fifi Soumah from Guinea represented very well, a face of Africa that guests were happy to meet and talk to and learn one or two things about Africa as well as share her platform and project. Miss Soumah is the first African Queen to address a women’s rights issue plaguing Africa today ‘Female Genital Mutilation’ She was very happy to share her passion with others. The Miss Africa USA team represented at the Presidential banquet: L _ R, Pageant Manager, Miss Linda Arrey, CEO and Founder of Miss Africa USA and President of African Women’s Development Foundation USA, Lady Kate Njeuma, a fellow guest and Queen Fifi Soumah, Miss Africa USA, all having a great time at the banquet. Miss Linda Arrey the Pageant Manager and Miss Africa USA Fifi Soumah share a moment with Ambassador Andrew Young The Banquet was not only entertaining but very informative as well. An opportunity to hear from the Chairman of the Leon H Sullivan Foundation, Ambassador Andrew Young, The Founder and President of the Foundation Hope Sullivan Masters who talked about the work and commitment of her father to bridge the gap between Africa and the United States and how much her vision lives to ensure that her father’s legacy never dies. She is herself a legend for exerting so much energy to ensure that the cause is strengthen day after day and year after year. The elegantly dressed Hope Sullivan’s speech paid tribute to all sponsors and supporters and the entire team of the Leon H Sullivan Foundation, who are making things happen for the Foundation and world at large, from Coca Cola to Chevron and more. Miss Africa USA Fifi Soumah was also very happy to meet and chat with the City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. In his speech at the Presidential Gala, Mayor Reed emphasized the fact that Atlanta remains and International City with great diversity and a rich culture, very hospitable and he welcomes all visitors from around the world who visit Atlanta or who make Atlanta their home. UP ATL!!!!!! Pictured above, Ms Engrid Saunders Jones of Coca Cola and Miss Africa USA Fifi Soumah at the Leon H Sullivan Presidential gala in Atlanta GA. Coca Cola is a proud sponsor of the Leon H Sullivan Foundation and Coca Cola Africa Foundation is also doing a lot of humanitarian work in Africa from Clean Water Supply to health care programs and more. At
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MISS AFRICA USA PAGEANT: Promotes Individual Talent and Self Expression
Over the years of its existence, the talent segment of the Miss Africa USA competition has been a permanent feature of the pageant which generates a lot of excitement from the audience but most importantly offers the pageant delegates an opportunity to explore their own inborn talent as well. A lot of people have talents that they don’t know about and if given the opportunity they would excel. The pageant aims to bring out the best in every participant and the talent competition is one of those areas that requires a lot of creativity and originality. Pictured above is Miss Ghana representative Priscilla Boateng who finished the pageant in 3rd Place as 2nd Princess to the Queen. Her entrance on stage for the talent segment was certainly very mind blowing. She presented as an African Queen, carried on a bench by two Mandingo men as you can see from the pictures. She engaged in spoken word about the beauty of Africa. This special presentation never left the minds of many who witness her act, how original and thoughtful it was. Her performance certainly won the hearts of the Judges. Pictured above is the reigning Queen, Fifi Soumah on stage with a Poem titled ‘The Girl in Me’. Elegantly dressed and gracing the stage in confidence she told told the story of ‘The Girl In Me’ a poem she wrote herself about the challenges of growing up as a little girl in a troubled world. You had to be there to feel the impact of this act, she received great applause for her act finished off with a call for women to never give up the fight and never give up hope. Spoken word was certainly very popular with the Judges this year, as most of the top 5 winners actually performed spoken word for their talent. Singing was also popular with some of the delegates. Pictured above is Mameisia Kabia representing Sierra Leone, who placed in the top 15 of the competition. Dressed in the most gorgeous while evening gown, she stunned the audience with her beautiful voice. Meet Natasha Beckley, the first runner up, also known as the Deputy Miss Africa USA performing Spoken word, a poem she had also written capturing the past of the Black powerful Black woman in America today. She is an acclaimed poet and has a great collection of poems in her portfolio. This young lady is certainly very gifted in this field of poetry and will certainly go places. And to conclude this post on the Miss Africa USA Talent competition, we end with the winner of the Spokes Model Award, Miss Gnima Diop representing the beautiful country of Senegal. Gnima clearly stood out in her ability to master her spoken word, speaking with conviction, passion and confidence, a performance which earned her the title of Miss Africa USA Spokes Model, a title she is now using to advance her career as a motivational speaker. I believe she will do very well indeed as a public speaker. Generally this year Spoken Word certainly did it for the Judges as well as thrilled the audience. Bear in mind that there were other beautiful acts such as singing and dancing and more. The Delegates did their very best to stick to African themes and cultures while being very entertaining as well. If you missed the show this year, you can order the video and watch it in the comfort of your own home at $10 each. Simply send an email to info@missafricaunitedstates.com to place your order.