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"You don't have to great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great!"—A quote from Veronica Oladeji, editor at Apenike Magazine, during the second anniversary celebration and awards ceremony by Apinke Magazine held at the Spring Hall in Atlanta, GA.
The Apinke Awards celebrated the the African diaspora in the United States, a population that holds dreams and goals and who makes those dreams happen, no matter the circumstance.
Apinke Magazine, a print publication based in Atlanta and founded by Veronica Oladeji, was created for Africans and African-Americans that are attracted to events, fashion, and earning money. She resolved to create a magazine that balances successes and achievements within the diaspora while providing information about fashionable events.
The recipients of Apinke's community awards included Jewel Nana Abena Thompson, the founder and president of Ghana Youth United, Inc., a non-profit organization centers on empowering the youth with leadership skills. Robert Peters, who received an community award for "Film Excellence, relocated to the United States from Nigeria and owns Whitestone Studios Atlanta. Titus Olowokere, who received a community award for "Community Leadership Excellence," is the president of the Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia (ANOG). Mr. Olowokere works to ensure an inclusive community of Nigerians in Georgia, while reaching out to the larger immigrant and American community to portray Nigerians in a positive light. FInally, Lady Kate Njeuma received a community award for "Community Empowerment." Lady Kate Njeuma, a Cameroonian-American, is the CEO and founder of the Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant.
The list of "Five Star Honorees" included Korto Momolu, a Liberia-born fashion designer who was featured on the hit show "Project Runway;" Teresa Clarke, founder and CEO of Africa.com, and Arik Air North America's president, Bob Brunner, who highlighted an upcoming partnership with Africa.comDEALS for flights to Nigeria and Ghana.
It was a great night of celebration and networking, all with the goal of committing to a more positive image for Africa.