The 2024 edition of the Black History Festival concluded with resounding success in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Held at the Columbus Marriot Airport from Thursday, February 22nd to Saturday, February 24th, 2024, the festival was themed “The Africa We Want in a Global Setup – Rebuilding Trans-Atlantic Trade Ties for the Socio-economic and Cultural Advancement of the Peoples of Africa and the Americas.” This event commemorated the annual Black History Month, recognized by the Federal Government of the USA, and aligned with the International Decade for African Descent, as per UN Resolution 68/237 (2015 to 2024). It facilitated Africa-Americas bilateral partnerships involving governments, the private sector, and civil society from America, the Caribbean, and Africa, under the auspices of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the African Union Mission to the USA.
The three-day event, focusing on technology, innovation, history, culture, and trade, attracted hundreds of delegates, over 25 exhibitors, and more than 50 speakers from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Tanzania, Senegal, Mauritania, the USA, Africa, and the Americas. Distinguished speakers included the 52nd Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, Michael B. Coleman, Former Mayor of Elyria, Frank Whitfield, Director-General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Hon. Dr. Dadicus Jules, Okechukwu Ihejirika, Ag. Chief Operating Officer- Caribbean Office-African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Executive Chairman of the KGL Group of Ghana, Mr. Alex Apau Dadey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Yofi Grant, General Manager Research, Brand South Africa, Mr. Lefentse Nokaneng, General Manager, Global Markets, Brand South Africa, Mr. Jimmy Ranamane, CEO of YIB Solutions, South Africa, Luvuyi Manyi, CEO of Leaders in Motion Academy, Thato Molamu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Benjamin Anane-Nsiah, President of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Olivier Kamanzi, CEO of Color Coded Labs & Co-founder of Black Tech Columbus, Ohio, Doug McCollough, Managing Director of Flexohub Limited, Ishmael Tetteh, Director , Ministry of National Security, Dr. Obeng Nti among others.
The event featured rich discussions, insightful product and service exhibitions, impactful B2B sessions, and high-level speeches. It culminated in the prestigious Black History Makers Awards Gala Night at the Columbus Marriot Airport on Saturday, February 24th, 2024. Integral to the annual Black History Festival, the Black History Makers Awards celebrated excellence across Africa and the global diaspora, aiming to recognize outstanding Black individuals across various sectors, including technology, arts, politics, and entrepreneurship. Award categories span diverse fields, with star prize winners emerging from Africa and the Americas. Notably, the 2023 edition honored survivors of the Black Wall Street massacre and the President of Ghana, underscoring the enduring spirit of Black excellence and paving the way for a brighter future.
During the Gala Night, Stephen Selasie Asuo, Founder and President of BIDEC and the Black History Festivals, stressed the urgency of revising outdated narratives about Africa. He emphasized Africa’s resurgent and flourishing Renaissance, citing examples such as reconstruction efforts in Liberia, progress in Rwanda, democracy in Ghana, and the global dominance of Afrobeat music. This updated narrative celebrates countless unheralded heroes, leaders, and cultural icons, encapsulating the theme of “Africa Rising and Black Renaissance.”
The event also recognized approximately 40 community leaders from the Midwest United States for their impactful contributions to the Black Community and people of African descent. The pinnacle of the awards ceremony was the recognition of Star Prize Winners, distinguished personalities from the Caribbean, Africa, and the Americas. These included Hon. Dr. Dadicus Jules for his dedication to education reform, social justice, and cultural preservation; Mr. Alex Dadey, Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, for promoting diaspora investment in Africa; Congresswoman Joyce Beatty for her advocacy of equity and ethical governance in Ohio and the United States; and Former Mayor of Columbus, Mr. Michael B. Coleman, for his service to the city. Posthumous recognition was also given to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Marcus Mosiah Garvey for their contributions to leadership, activism, and policy directions.
The 2024 edition of the Black History Festival was in conjunction the African Union Mission to the USA, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), representation of the Government of Ghana, Government of South Africa and St. Lucia. The Festival was championed by BIDEC (Bureau for International Development, Exchanges and Commerce) with support from the KGL Group, National Lottery Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority, and M& C Group Global. Also One Voice Consortium, Africa Global Chamber of Commerce, Brand South Africa, AfrExim Bank, Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Ghana Tourism Authority, Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Color Coded Lab, and the Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President of Ghana.
The next edition of the Black History Festival and Black History Makers’ Awards is scheduled to take place in New York in February 2025.
