The Africa-America Institute 's will celebrate its 50th Anniversary by hosting its 19th Annual Awards Dinner to be held at the United Nations in New York City. On September 23rd, 2003. AAI will present the African National Achievement Awards to President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on behalf of the People of Kenya and the People of Uganda, respectively. We will recognize history-making advances in both countries that justify optimism about the future of the African continent. Thousands of dedicated Kenyans have worked long and tirelessly toward a peaceful democratic transition for their nation following 40 years of authoritarian rule. Neighboring Uganda’s has drastically reduced the rate of AIDS infection from 15% to 5% in one decade and they have successfully reduced poverty from 56% to 35% in the same time period. Both Uganda and Kenya have recently made further progress with Tanzania to reform the East Africa Community and to speak with one voice to attract investment to their growing economies.

Since1953, the AAI has been the primary strategic partner of government agencies and private donors in education and professional training programs that prepare Africans to build healthy societies. Whether the problem is conflict, food shortage, illiteracy, HIV/AIDS or lack of private sector development, education is a critical solution. AAI has accelerated the ability of African nations to mold their own futures by helping 20,000 Africans complete college, graduate level and professional training. At the dinner AAI will also present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Kenyan Professor Miriam Khamadi Were, an educator, doctor, public health specialist and novelist; and Dr. Fred Wabwire-Mangen, the leader of several public health institutions in Uganda, including Makerere University’s Institute of Public Health.

At the Dinner we will also commemorate AAI's founders, Dr. Horace Mann Bond, renowned educator and the first African-American president of Lincoln University; and Professor William Leo Hansberry, the distinguished Howard University scholar, widely acknowledged today as the "father of African studies" at a time when few scholars—white or black—regarded Africa as a place with a history worthy of study on its own. They came together in 1953 with others to form a multi-racial collective to help African students who were studying in the U.S. The internationalist approach they adopted for AAI was well ahead of its time.

Today, AAI’s program focus is on education—that is education and training of Africans in a strategically selected range of advanced skills; and education of Americans about Africa. Whether the problem is conflict, food shortage, illiteracy, HIV/AIDS or a lack of private sector development, education is a critical solution. AAI's training programs equip Africans to meet the needs of today’s knowledge-driven global economy. AAI also serves as a reliable information source on Africa for American decision-makers. Africa faces an unprecedented opportunity for progress in the coming years, and our collective will and financial support are critical to ensuring that productive change takes hold. A diverse group of American and African business and civil leaders, dignitaries, educators and journalists will attend AAI’s upcoming gala with the common commitment to building a better future for Africa. I hope you will join us.

Reservations & Information: Tel: +1 (888) 810-1459 Fax: +1 (954) 697-0816 aai@benefitoffice.org www.benefitoffice.org/aai/