Tyrese, the Honorable Olusegun Obasanjo Headline Sullivan Foundation Gala

Tyrese, the Honorable Olusegun Obasanjo Headline Sullivan Foundation Gala
Hope Sullivan Masters and H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, chair of the African Union and the president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, which empowers underprivileged people worldwide by promoting social responsibility and humanitarianism, held its gala in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, December 15. This year’s Sullivan Honors event was held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, paying tribute to individuals committed to improving the lives of the underprivileged and vulnerable in Africa.


The gala was co-hosted by Hope Sullivan Masters who shared in the occasion, “Tonight we honor Africa. We celebrate all of Africa and very significant sons of the continent.”


“We are here to sustain the legacy of a great man, Leon Sullivan. He wanted to build a bridge for those of us on the other side of the Atlantic and for those of you on this side of the Atlantic. We need to make this bridge permanent, raise awareness and fully focus. What can those of us in Africa learn about you and what can we do to affect you for good? What can you learn about the homeland and do that can affect us, beneficially?” the Honorable Olusegun Obasanjo questioned attendees during opening remarks. “We have the responsibility to do right and succeed. We have to be the main architects of our fortune back in Africa. Investment in Africa can be very rewarding on both sides.”

H. E. Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the president of the Republic of Ghana; the Honorable Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria; and H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, chair of the African Union and the president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea – the only Spanish speaking country on the continent of Africa – were bestowed the Democracy and Development in Africa, Sullivan Global Champion for Africa and the Beacon for Africa Awards, respectively.


Tyrese, the Honorable Olusegun Obasanjo Headline Sullivan Foundation GalaThe roster of 2011 Sullivan Soldier honorees include Rev. Peter Matthews, founder of Holistic Inc.; Congressman Bobby Rush, U.S. Representative for Illinois; Rev. Tony Lee, founder and Senior Pastor of the Community of Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church; and Ralph Perkins, OIC in the U.S. and Africa.

Other distinguished guests were President John A. Kufuor, former President of Ghana; Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of Southern Sudan; Congressman John Conyers, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Donald Payne and Ambassador Carl Masters.

Masters’ co-host, the humorous Dr. Marc L. Hill, professor and board member of the Sullivan Foundation, engaged and edified throughout the program and with much aplomb during set change while attendees awaited a performance by actor and R&B star, Tyrese. The evening’s sponsor, Arik Air, gave away roundtrip airfare during a raffle drawing.

In previous years, Sullivan Honorees have included former President William J. Clinton, former President George W. Bush, General Colin Powell, current President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others. –yvette caslin

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