How did you go about selecting the Gift of Life Cocktail Benefit Honorees?
The key to someone becoming an honoree was what they are really doing, professionally or personally, in terms of changing the narrative in Ghana–or on the continent.
Wangechi Mutu, who is receiving the humanitarian award, is a renowned Kenyan artist and activist who recently launched an initiative called Africa’s Out. The sole purpose of Africa’s Out is to change the narrative, to change how we see and talk about the continent from the continent’s perspective. She wants to change the story and the way people see the story, whether it is about art, health, culture, the LGBT community, the whole thing.
Bozoma Saint John is a bad-ass in the marketing and advertising world. She is receiving the leadership award. She does a lot of mentoring work with various organizations that are specifically targeting and mentoring young women on how they, too, can climb the corporate ladder, and how they can become their own versions of bad-ass.
Dr. Samuel F. Quartey is an international podiatric surgeon who does a lot of work back home in Ghana. He’s receiving the Health Advocate Reward. He and his family do a lot to give back immensely to the community.
What can attendees expect at the Gift of Life Cocktail Benefit?
D-Nice is DJing so attendees can expect to have a good time. They can also expect to learn about our mission and the work that we do. Brown Butter New York is sponsoring us and their food is amazing. Open Bar Hospitality is also a sponsor. They have supported AHN since 2007. It’s going to be a really fun, beautiful night of mingling, celebrating three dynamic honorees, fundraising for our program, and celebrating AHN and the work we’ve been able to do while understanding how much further we have to go and how people can help us get there.
How can someone attend the event?
Anybody can attend the event. Tickets are available online at africanhealthnow.org/event. General admission is $150. We still have sponsorship opportunities available for any corporations or individuals that want to sponsor on a higher level.
How can BlackEnterprise.com readers help to support African Health Now?
There are various ways to help support. We’re always looking for new volunteers—volunteers that can go with us to Ghana, medical volunteers or non-medical volunteers that want to volunteer their time in Ghana, and volunteers on a skill-based level, whether it be marketing and branding or grant writing. We also accept donations throughout the year that can be made directly to our site. We’re always looking for corporate partners to help us in terms of our supplies. You can even do a supply jar for African Health Now. There are various ways to support the organization.
For more information about African Health Now, or to volunteer your time, attend the Gift of Life Cocktail Benefit, or make a donation, be sure to visit http://africanhealthnow.org/. There is still an opportunity to purchase a ticket for the benefit, Tuesday, Oct. 20, Chelsea Piers’ Terrace, New York City.