SIP, SAVOR, AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY. Join us for a black-tie cocktail benefit at The St. Regis Houston, to kick off our 4th SAiD INSTITUTE’s Anniversary. We will celebrate this great milestone and contribute to a strong future for SAiD Pan African Library. Four years in Houston SAiD INStITUTE has grown through three programmatic arms: Art, Education, and Community.

Through our three programming arms – Arts, Education, and Community, we center art as a vehicle of social change, giving platform within our safe spaces to people of African decent and artists whose work honor, celebrate, and expand this dynamic, intersectional conversation, while inviting all in to explore, engage, and thrive within our collective evolution.

The black-tie cocktail benefit will not include formal seating. It’s a cocktail style event with lounge seating and room for mixing and mingling. The black-tie will include a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, art auction, presentation and live music.

MESAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER

I just wanted to quickly thank you for your support this year. I’m grateful for you being a part of the SAiD community and most especially for participating in U.S.-Africa Diaspora Summit! To say that I’m touched and humbled by your support of Society for Africans in Diaspora (SAiD INSTITUTE) would not sufficiently convey my immense gratitude. Thanks for your incredible generosity and for joining us in Houston.

In 2023, we will continue to find new ways to work together and deepen our impact in the global community. As I reflect on some of the amazing moments your support made possible this year: More than 28,500 people from across the nation and around the world have experienced the SAiD Pan African Library programs, and over 1.5 million visitors have participated in nearly 28 public programs, including African Voices, Passport to Africa, AfroSounds, Art&Inform (children’s educational program), ADA’s 10th Year Anniversary + special anniversary cocktail benefit, themed “Shared Journey” with a season of new offerings, including the SAiD panel discussions on African Diaspora issues and film premieres.

I’m excited for the big plans in store for 2023 to expand our reach to even wider audiences, and grateful for your commitment to our SAiD family. It is because of you that we are developing strategies for harnessing the power and influence of Africans in Diasporas as a powerful force for education and connection, and for inspiration to tomorrow’s leaders to build deep discussion on migration and Diaspora.

This year, SAiD INSTITUTE is pushing forward the vision of a new Africa narrative, sharing success stories that strengthen and enrich our community. Our 2023 themed campaign is “The bond of Ubuntu: Unity and Shared Prosperity” OUR BIRTHPLACE SHOULDN’T DETERMINE OUR FUTURE. which symbolic “movement over a period of time to a stronger, more advanced, or more desirable place” campaign gesture promotes advancement, investment, and seek out the stories that shed light on who we are as people. We encourage the new wave of Africans in Diaspora to tell the next generation not to be a victim of their identity and we want to take back our core values, morals and history back. The bond of Ubuntu campaign will center around a shining investment opportunity, a place of stability, where the community turned for help. We believe access to great education and investment opptunity is not a privilege but a right. These rights should not be reserved only for those born in cities such as New York or London.

We have big plans to continue expanding SAiD’s reach in 2023 so that we can bring more extraordinary programs to life and inspire more people with a richer, more truthful telling of our heritage. As part of the cultural fabric of the African Diaspora experience along with a brave space to have crucial conversations about identity, unity and leaders shaping conversations about African history and its impact on our collective culture. “Our core values are what make Ubuntu unique. We are an institution run for our community, by our community.”

Last month we also had an unforgettable 3 days U.S.-Africa Diaspora Summit, The summit is about building connections. It’s about closing deals and above all, it’s about the future, our shared future. Africa belongs at the table in every room — in every room where global challenges are being discussed and in every institution where discussions are taking place.

More than 500 attendees will join SAiD as we celebrate and honor or champions. Past special guests and honorees have included Leymah Gbowee – Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Chinedu Echeruo – Founder of HopStop.com, Angelique Kidjo – Grammy Award Winning Singer & Activist, Lola Ogunnaike, TV Personality and entertainment journalist and Gbenga Akinnagbe – Actor, Saran Diakitè Kaba – Clean water advocate, YaYa DaCosta – Actress, Mpule Kwelagobe The first African woman to be crowned Miss Universe, Les Nubians –  Grammy-nominated French duo Kemi Adetiba – Film director, Atti Worku– Education and community advocate, Chid Liberty – Entrepreneur, Nicole Amarteifio – Film director, Flaviana Matata – fashion model among many others.

Last year’s honorees are: Jessica Matthews, Entrepreneur of the Year; Ato Essandoh, Artist of the Year; Luvvie Ajayi, Person of the Year; Georgie Badiel, Face of Change; Mamadou Samba; Public Service of the Year; UNFPA, Humanitarian of the Year; Joseph Mizzi & Nchimunya Wulf of 14+ Foundation, Community Service of the Year Award; Loza Maleombho, Designer of the Year Award; and Babatunde Osotimehin, Life time achievement Awards. The evening was hosted by noted comedian Dulo and with music performances by Ghanaian hip hop artist Sarkodie, winner of the 2012 BET Award for Best International Act. Ayo, Nigerian-German singer-songwriter and actress.