All roads lead to New York City for the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Recognition and Awards Ceremony on 2 October 2022, following the opening of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). MIPAD will honour outstanding personalities and high achievers of African descent from around the world during Recognition Weekend 2022 starting 30 September until 3 October for their positive contributions to humanity.
University of Trinidad and Tobago senior lecturer and lead for animation Camille Selvon Abrahams is among a few Caribbean honorees to be selected. Known for her tremendous contribution to the development of animation and digital technologies in the Caribbean, she is a pioneer in her own right. Her belief in education reform and her activism in bridging the digital divide has fostered the inclusion of digital media in secondary and tertiary education. In the spirit of recognition, all honorees present will be given their official Certificate of Recognition as MIPAD celebrates five years of working in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 to 2024) as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/237. This year’s theme – Celebrating Five Years Of Telling Global Black Stories of Excellence, Authenticity and Passion – comes at a time of unprecedented truth-telling, as the African diaspora demands to be heard amidst far-ranging political and social change. We will be highlighting and celebrating five honorees, five organisations and five governments who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of people of African descent worldwide.
MIPAD CEO Kamil Olufowobi said, “The four days will be packed full of global conversations, meaningful networking experiences and human connections. Activities include panel sessions, leadership training workshops, a recognition and awards ceremony, a tour of the United Nations Headquarters, and a film screening of Enslaved: The Lost History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the UN HQ.” He went further to say, “This year, our focus for this global gathering, in the Diaspora, is attendance of honorees who missed their in-person recognitions, due to Covid-19, or those who never attended the event in the past. And, the new incoming Class of 2022, in the 100 Under 40 Edition and 100 Law and Justice Edition, will be officially announced during the ceremony on 2 October.”
“This celebration is a milestone year in MIPAD’s journey. I can’t wait for you all to see who made the Most Influential 100 Global List Class of 2022, who will receive the 2022 Hall of Fame Awards and the tribute videos to this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients: New York City mayor Eric Adams, Her Excellency Espy Campbell of Costa Rica and African Renaissance and Diaspora Network president Djibril Diallo. Don’t miss this moment in the movement to uplift and unify our people. I hope to see you during Recognition Weekend 30 September-3 October 2022 in New York City supported by the United Nations and sponsors like African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), Warner Bros. Discovery News and Sports brands (CNN, Turner Sports and Bleacher Report), Flutterwave, and much more.”
With the support of the Inter-American Development Bank and FilmTT, Ms Abrahams will be in New York to be celebrated as a MIPAD honoree for her outstanding contributions and service towards the advancement for people of African descent worldwide. On Africa Day, 25 May 2023, there will be another global gathering inside Africa for all MIPAD honorees since inception.
