Nelson Mandela Civil Rights Award goes to NAACP's Howard Jefferson, Kase Lukman Lawal is Business Person of The Year, 1997
Chido Nwangwu
The USAfrica Nelson Mandela Civil Rights Award goes to NAACP's Howard
Jefferson,
Kase Lukman Lawal is Business Person of The Year, 1997 at USAfrica Community
Service & Business Leadership Awards at Texas Southern University
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by Alverna Johnson & Emeka Chiakwelu
June 27, 1997 at the Texas Southern University, one of the media titles
from USAfrica Digital Media Networks, USAfrica The Newspaper, celebrated
its 3rd Anniversary and honored some Africans and Americans with the
USAfrica Business Leadership & Community Service Awards.
It was an evening of networking for the African community with the
other distinguished persons who strategically and everyday influence
events for the community, the city of Houston and in many aspects
the African continent.
From the 1997 Community Service Awards, a common thread of a promising
future for U.S and Africa business and relationships undergirded the
views of many of the guests at the event. From keynote speaker Joe
Musolino chairman of Greater Houston Partnership and vice chairman of
NationsBank, one of the biggest banks in the United States, to U.S
Congresswoman representing the 18th congressional district of Texas Sheila
Jackson Lee and Hon. Consul General of the west African country of
Ghana Jack Webb and African kids who attended the event, it was a
joyful three and a half hours for Americans and members of the
African community to interact share perspectives on issues of
international trade, immigrant interests and the future of our
children.
According to Musolino łconducting business with Africa is an important
and exciting undertaking....The challenges and potentials offered by
this complex, diverse, enormous continet open a whole new world of
opportunity for Houstonąs global entrepeneurs. Acccording to the
information we receive from the United States Deaprtament of
Commerce, from our own research, and from our many distinguished
visitors from various African countries, the opportunities for local
companies with Africa span its vastness. And the potential, if and
when realized, promises to be staggering.˛
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stated łAfrica is not only home to millions
of African-Americans but a viable, useful are of rewarding business.
We requested President to visit Africa, and he has promised he
will do so, soon. Very soon.˛
The audience wich included president of the Nigerian Foundation James
Okorafor, Oli Mohammed of the Furniture Bank and a key support of UNICEF,
Jelani Williams of the Taseti Study Group, Dr. Alozie Ugboaja, TSU
Director of International Student Affairs Dr. Iris Perkins Prof. Louis
Browne, professor of communications and chairman of TSU Communications
Department, IPC president Benneth Okpala, Kim Nichols from Council
member Jew Don Boneyąs office, Fabian Okeke, and a host of others
applauded the information. Congresswoman Lee, first recipient of the
USAfrica Legislative Leadership Award, in bringing the felicitations of
the 18th congressional district of Texas said łthe vision and
outstanding professional commitment of the Founder of USAfrica has
made a major difference in the way Americans understand the issues
concerning business, policy matters and simply everyday interaction.
I am proud to be associated with your publications.˛
She reminded łthe issues that you have promulgated are many times
misunderstood by those closest to them. It is the work and spirit of
organizations like your that help to bridge that gap of communication
and information. You can play a vital part in improving the avenues of
dialogue regarding business among continental Africans,
African-Americans and all others with diverse interests worldwide. We
commend your diligence and perseverance.˛
Houstonąs Mayor Pro Tem Gracie Guzman Saenz who attended the event with
her husband said the city has been a very hospitable area for immigrants
and will continue to be so. She noted the richness of Houstonąs
immigrant experience is a major part of its value as one of the more
important communities in the world. She recalled łit was only a few
months ago that I was honored with the founder of USAfrica by the
National Immigration Forum, Washington D.C., and I am very happy to
witness yet another major milestone in the development and history
of USAfrica The Newspaper.˛
**Meanwhile, the Founder & Publisher of USAfrica Chido Nwangwu has
announced łthe 1998 Anniversary event will have the Community Service
Awards celebrate aorund the theme: AFRICAN CHILDREN, OUR OWN, OUR FUTURE.
During the event of our anniversary next year, USAfrica The Newspaper
will honor, institutionally, the U.S Committee of the United Nations
Childrenąs Fund (UNICEF). Also, there will be individual honorees who
continue to make the business and interests of Americans work to the
benefit of our two continents.˛
Former Presidents of the U.S Jimmy Carter and Gerald R. Ford are
honorary co-chairs. Hugh Downs of the ABC News 20/20 is chairman. Charles
J. Lyons is acting president and chief executive officer of the UNICEF
in the U.S. John M. Tsacrios Jr is the president of the Houston
chapter.
Major highlights of the 1997 awards include the presentations of the
prestigious USAfrica Nelson Mandela Civil Rights Award to Houstonąs
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
president Howard Jefferson łfor a lifetime of commitment to working
tirelessly and defending the interests of civil rights of our community
for over 30 years ˛ and 1st USAfrica Business Person of The Year, 1997 to
CAMAC Holdings Inc Chariman & CEO Kase Lukman Lawal. It was presented by
retiring president of Shell Oil in the west African country of the
Cameroons, Bruce Bernard and his wife, Susan; and USAfricaąs Founder.
The traditional African kolanut was presented by Dr. Lucius Akuchie to
the delight of the guests, especially for some Americans who had their
first thirst of that symbolic item. One was reserved for the Mayor of
Houston Bob Lanier.
The entire list of the HONOREES & HONORS bestowed at the USAfrica
Community Service & Business Leadership Awards on June 27, 1997 are:
Business Person of the Year, 1997
KASE LUKMAN LAWAL
Chairman & CEO, CAMAC Holdings Inc
-For Outstanding Corporate and Results-oriented Business Leadership fostering
investments and empowerment of Americans & Africans
Pillar of US & Africa Business Leadership Award, 1997
JIM SMITHERMAN III
President, International Operations, UMC Petroleum
-For Leadership in Corporate service of Communities
in west Africa where UMC deals in areas of oil exploration and energy services
USAfrica Legislative Leadership Award, 1997
The Hon. SHEILA JACKSON LEE
Member, U.S Congress (18th Congressional district, Texas)
-For Being an Outstanding Articulator of our Communityąs Legislative Interests
Community Responsibility Leadership Award, 1997
FIESTA Mart Inc
-For Exemplary Leadership in Corporate Community Service in the Interests
of the
African- American Community (Award received by Fiesta executive Wes Newman).
USAfrica Nelson Mandela Civil Rights Award, 1997
HOWARD JEFFERSON, President, NAACP, Houston chapter
-For a Lifetime of Outstanding CommunityService protecting the civil
rights of our community
USAfrica Broadcaster of theYear, 1997
ERNEST JACKSON, JR.
Vice President & GM, KMJQ 102 FM
-For outstanding commitment to our comunity, consistent professionalism
and radio broadcasts that empower, inform, entertain and dignify
Pillar of U.S & Africa Business & Investments, 1997
GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP
-For Outstanding Corporate & Networking Business efforts promoting
investments and trade between Americans & Africans
Community Service Leadership Award, 1997
Pat Dike-Odimgbe, M.D., FAAP
-For Exemplary Leadership & Commitment to Community Service through
pediatrics in the Interests of the Africans and Americans
Community Banker of the Month, June 1997
ANNIE LEE-THOMAS
Branch Manager, Texas Commerce Bank, Fondren South
-For outstanding commitment and service through excellent banking products
to our comunity
Community Business Leadership Award, 1997
GEORGE NWANGUMA, Store Manager FIESTA
(Fondren & West Bellfort)
-For Outstanding Community Service through Fiesta Mart and personal
commitment
Community Grocers of the Year, 1997
a) Dr. MIKE & (Dr.) Mrs. Angela Umeorah, Enjels Foods
b) EMMA & GLORY OKORO, Quality African Foods
c) ARTHUR & GLORIA ORAKPOR, African Food Store
-For excellent dedication, outstanding commitment and service to
Africans & Americans through African & Carribean Grocery
Community Service Award, 1997
ALHAJA T.A WILLIAMS
Owner, Miriamąs African Restaurant
-For Outstanding Service & Commitment to our Communityąs Interests
USAfricaąs anniversary & Community Service Event will be held annually
the major social/business forum involving leaders and captains of
business in the African community, African-Americans and other American
leaders in this part of the U.S. The newspaper was first published May
11, 1994.
Detailed reporting and pictures from the event will appear in the July
15 edition of USAfrica The Newspaper. Updates to this story are online
at http://www.usafricaonline.com
--
CHIDO NWANGWU
Founder & Publisher
USAfrica Digital Media Networks
8303 Southwest Fwy, Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77074
E-MAIL:
official: publ...@usafricaonline.com
personal: ch...@usafricaonline.com
Fax: 713-270-8131
USAfrica Digital Media Networks publishes the following products/titles:
1) USAfrica THE NEWSPAPER
The highest circulating newspaper serving African communities across the
United States, African-Americans and other Americans with business,
intellectual, diplomatic, heritage and strategic interests regarding and
inside the African continent.
2)USAfrica ONLINE
http://www.usafricaonline.com
1st African-owned, professional newspaper published on the internet.
(see Who's Who on the Internet & Who's Hot on the Internet)
3) USAfrica MAGAZINE
4) USAfrica MONEYWATCH
5) USAfrica BOOKS
USAfrica ... The AUTHORITATIVE LINK for the United States and Africa
Chido Nwangwu
The USAfrica Nelson Mandela Civil Rights Award goes to NAACP's Howard
Jefferson,
Kase Lukman Lawal is Business Person of The Year, 1997 at USAfrica Community
Service & Business Leadership Awards at Texas Southern University
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by Alverna Johnson & Ted Emeka Chiakwelu