Annual Heritage Celebration Awardees
4th Annual DC African Heritage Celebration: Paying Tribute to Past & Present Leaders of the African Diaspora.
The 4th Annual DC African Heritage Celebration paid tribute to past and present leaders of the African diaspora whose work has strengthened public service, business, culture, the arts, and community life across the District.
Public Service Award
Angelle Kwemo
Born and raised in Cameroon, Angelle Kwemo holds a bachelor's degree and an LLM in Economic Activity Law from the University of Rouen in France, as well as an LLM in International Business Transactions and Human Rights Law from American University's Washington College of Law. She is President of AStrategiK Group, LLC.
Kwemo spent seven years in Congress as legislative counsel for Congressman Bobby L. Rush, where she demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the global economy. While on Capitol Hill, she launched the first Africa Day on the Hill and co-founded the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional African Staff Association.
Her policy work included measures recognizing Africa's strategic and economic importance to the United States and proposals designed to increase trade and diaspora participation in international business. Through her cultural, social, and economic contributions, she has consistently elevated the voices of Africans in the District of Columbia.
Pan-African Bridge Builder Award
Tamrat Medhin
Tamrat Medhin is President of Little Ethiopia, a District organization established to build awareness of Ethiopian and African history, culture, heritage, and traditions. Its community events, symposiums, and discussions encourage residents—particularly people of African descent—to explore and conserve their shared heritage.
A longtime community organizer and entrepreneur, Medhin has worked to strengthen relationships between African American and Ethiopian immigrant business communities. His monthly Ethiomixers bring together entrepreneurs, artists, writers, and other leaders from across the African diaspora.
Beyond his bridge-building work, Medhin is a progressive entrepreneur who has advised community and faith-based organizations on acquiring, selling, and investing in real estate.
Community Organizer Award
Tereguebode Goungou
Tereguebode A. Goungou was born and raised in Togo. She earned a master's degree in Business Law from Université de Lomé and an LLM in International Legal Studies from American University's Washington College of Law. She has served on the DC Commission on African Affairs and chaired its Language Access Subcommittee.
Goungou worked with the DC Language Access Coalition as an immigrant education consultant and language-access advocate before becoming Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator at Many Languages One Voice. Her organizing has supported low-income families, immigrants, and refugees on affordable child care and housing, economic empowerment, tenant rights, and immigration reform.
She has also helped connect the Office on African Affairs with the District's francophone community and supported the TEAM Africa African Health Outreach and Education Initiative. Her work helps newcomers understand both their rights and their responsibilities as DC residents.
Institutional Builder Award
Anthony Chuukwu
Born and raised in Nigeria, Anthony Chuukwu arrived in the United States in 1990 with $50 and a small bag. He went on to become Chief Executive Officer of CitiWide Computer Training Center, an organization that has provided economic-development opportunities and skills training to more than 15,000 people in Washington, DC.
Chuukwu studied at Grace Polytechnic in Lagos and the Royal Society of Arts in London. He later completed Georgetown University's postgraduate program in nonprofit management. His career spans workforce development, employment and retention services, programs for returning citizens and at-risk youth, and support for low-income residents.
Through CitiWide, he built a durable institution providing workforce and technology training, adult basic education, enrichment, and lifelong learning opportunities to DC's African community.
Business Leader Award
Henok Tesfaye
Henok Tesfaye is a widely recognized business leader in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Born in Addis Ababa, he moved to the United States at age 16 and later founded U Street Parking, Inc. with his brother as a family operation in 1998.
Under Tesfaye's leadership, USP grew from four employees to more than 500 and became a leading company in the region's highly competitive parking market. His story has been featured by The Washington Post, CNN, Voice of America, and numerous Ethiopian publications.
A District of Columbia entrepreneurial success story—a savvy and focused businessman in good standing with the community.
Tesfaye has served on the boards of Shaw Main Streets and Capital Bank and participated in civic and professional organizations including the DC Chamber of Commerce and the National Parking Association. He has also chaired the Mary Joy Foundation, which supports children and older adults in Ethiopia.
Cultural Education Award
Assane Konte
Assane Konte is one of the original founders of KanKouran West African Dance Company and serves as its artistic director, choreographer, and costume designer. His professional dance career began at age 15 in Senegal, where he developed the energetic performance style that would later define his work.
In 1983, Konte and master drummer Abdou Kounta founded KanKouran in Washington, DC. Since then, his work has focused on preserving and sharing African culture through dance and music. His understanding of dance as a universal language has led KanKouran to collaborate with symphony orchestras, chorales, churches, tap and ballet companies, theatrical productions, and other dance companies from around the world.
Arts Award
Aniekan Udofia
Aniekan Udofia first gained recognition for his drawing ability as a student in Nigeria. He went on to become one of Washington's best-known artists, creating public works that include the mural of President Barack Obama and other notable figures at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, as well as a children's mural in Adams Morgan.
Udofia encourages young Africans and other young people across the District to use art as a form of self-expression. As a lead artist in the MuralsDC program, he has contributed to a citywide initiative that has produced dozens of murals throughout Washington.