The United African Organization to hold Third Annual African Unity Gala and Awards
Third Annual African Unity Gala and Awards supports African Immigrants and Refugees in Illinois
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CHICAGO, IL – The Third Annual African Unity Gala & Awards will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at IIT Tower, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago. Proceeds from the event will benefit core programs at United African Organization (UAO), a nationally recognized leader in advocating, developing and empowering African immigrant and refugees.
Honorees at the event are Alice Cottingham, Almaz Yigizaw, Gregory Nimpson, and Akoto Berko Owusu (aka The Journalist). The Ubuntu Leadership Award will be presented to Alice Cottingham for a unwavering commitment to community development and empowerment; Almaz Yigizaw will receive the African Pillar of Excellence Award for her success as a trailblazer and ambassador of Ethiopian cuisine and culture in Chicago; Gregory Nimpson will receive the Kwame Nkrumah Visionary Award because of his service as a community leader; and the Community Hero Award will be presented to Akoto Berko Owusu of the African Spectrum publication for his commitment to raise public awareness of the African immigrant and refugee experience in Chicago.
The gala will feature world renowned Chicago-based Nigerian singer Ugochi. The event will be emceed by Angelique Westerfield, producer, WVON 1690AM Chicago’s African Diaspora Today.
Guests will have the opportunity to participate and win in the “Strength in Unity†Raffle.
Tickets may be purchased through the UAO website at www.uniteafricans.org. A number of sponsorship opportunities are also available. To purchase tickets, view or learn more about sponsorships, visit www.uniteafricans.org or call 312-949-9980. Money raised benefits core programs at UAO.
We acknowledge the generous support of our sponsors – Prudential Financial, Peoples Gas, Alice Cottingham & Associates, Acextic Consulting, and Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago as well as our community partners and donors, and food service providers.
United African Organization (UAO) is a dynamic coalition of African community-based associations that promotes social and economic justice, civic participation, and empowerment of African immigrants and refugees in Illinois. UAO’s primary work consists of raising awareness about the experiences and contributions of the African immigrant and refugee community in Illinois, advocating for improved legislation on various rights and US-Africa policy issues, building capacity and fostering leadership development in member communities, and building bridges with the African American Community and other immigrant communities. Our initiatives and programs include public policy advocacy, community leadership development, community organizing, public education, citizenship & civic engagement, African Youth Network, African Business Roundtable, Africans in Chicago oral history, health education, as well as family support programs.
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