NEW YORK – The audience at the 10th anniversary FACE Africa WASH gala included Bozoma Saint John (formerly Uber’s chief brand officer), Nomzamo Mbatha and Didier Drogba (via video), but it was the keynote speaker Caroline Wanga, Target’s vice-president and chief diversity officer, who left the audience wanting more with her gifted ability to dispense tough love messaging using pop culture references – Cardi B. quotes thrown in for good measure.
Wanga, who moved to the US from Kenya with her family at a young age, called on the African diaspora in the US to do more for Africa as they have the resources to do so, despite what they might think. She said they have much more than those in Africa.
“I am not begging you to pledge nothing, I am telling you, you have an obligation to represent those that got you here by putting aside some of your discretion spending to help those that have no water in Africa,” Wanga said.
She challenged the audience, numbering over 500, to come up with any valid excuse for not helping someone that has no water. To that end, she pledged $25,000 from Target towards FACE Africa’s clean water advocacy and infrastructure initiatives in Africa. A total of $230,000 was raised from sponsorships, gala ticket sales, donations and pledges, according to organizers.
WASH which stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene is the brainchild of FACE Africa which was founded by Saran Kaba Jones. The annual gala gathering is an official UN World Water Day recognized event. Over 150,000 people have benefitted through FACE Africa’s work in Liberia and Nigeria and Jones said there are plans to expand Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique.
In a propulsive cadence, Wanga rattled off the discretionary money that Africans in the US have that they could use towards alleviating the water crisis in the continent.
Wanga said it was important that “we also do for ourselves what we are asking others to do for us.”
“You know you have much more than those that are back at home,” she said. “Do not use the American standard to judge your success.” She urged them to incorporate giving to charities such as FACE Arica as part of their household budget.
The African immigrant community, she said, is endowed with both material and intellectual wealth. She highlighted Target’s realization of the potential within it when last year when it started working with Mshale’s African Awards to develop them as customers and a workforce.
Among those already heeding Wanga’s call is attorney Charlyne Brumskine. She is a former diaspora member who has since moved back to Liberia where she now practices. She makes the annual trip to the US to attend the WASH gala as it is “a very worthy and necessary initiative, as we take water for granted here in America.” Brumskine, a former Health and Human Services staffer during the Obama administration, told Mshale she has experienced firsthand the challenges that come with a lack of clean water ever since moving back to Liberia with her two young children, “The diaspora has to hold hands together to help our people.”
In addition to raising money for its initiatives, FACE Africa also honored three individuals for their illustrious careers. Retired Ivorian professional soccer player Didier Drogba was awarded the Humanitarian Award while the Rising Star Award was given to Nomzamo Mbatha. Mbatha’s Lighthouse Foundation works to improve access to education and business opportunities for South African youth. Former Uber chief brand officer Bozoma Saint John was awarded the Voice of Change Award. Saint John, who wears her African heritage on her sleeve, is now the chief marketing officer at Endeavor
Nigeria Money
As the evening drew to a conclusion, FACE Africa founder Jones, called Joel Ogunsola of the Nigerian state of Ondo who had a special message from his governor. Mr. Ogunsola is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Partnerships. He announced a matching grant of every dollar donated to FACE Africa for the next one year up to $1.4 million “as clean water should not be a luxury.”
Ogunsola also announced that due to the inspiration of FACE Africa’s work in his state, the state government there has recently invested over $5 million to bring water across 500 communities.
Author
About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
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