On September 26, during the United Nations General Assembly, more than 350 notable African and American professionals, philanthropists and diplomatic leaders gathered at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan for the Africa-America Institute’s (AAI) 28th Annual Awards Dinner Gala to celebrate history in the making.   AAI, an organization committed to educating and training Africans while promoting engagement between Africa and America, honored Africa’s only two female heads of state with its highest awards at the black-tie affair.  For her work to rebuild Liberia’s national education system, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, accepted the AAI African National Achievement Award for Literacy to Support LifeSkills and Her Excellency President Joyce Banda of Malawi accepted the AAI Award for Championing Women’s Rights and Business Leadership for her work empowering women and youth through education.  

Gala attendees enjoyed a steak dinner as AAI officials spoke passionately about the year’s theme, “Jobs for Africa,” and the two female powerhouses accepted their awards.  Check out pictures from the distinguished event below.