WELCOME On behalf of the African Leadership Group (ALG) Planning Committee, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and the entire ALG community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for joining us at Afrik Impact 2026. This year’s theme, “Many Roots, One Colorado,” celebrates the rich diversity, shared values, and collective contributions that unite our communities. As we gather today, we are especially proud to commemorate 20 years of the African Leadership Group, two decades of empowering individuals, strengthening families, building leaders, and creating opportunities for the African diaspora and the broader Colorado community. Over the past 20 years, ALG has been honored to celebrate countless accomplishments and success stories. Throughout today’s events, you will experience inspiring examples of African immigrants and community leaders making meaningful contributions to our state, our nation, and communities around the world. This is the story we are proud to tell. This is the impact we are proud to celebrate. This is the vision that has guided ALG for the past 20 years and will continue to inspire us for generations to come. Thank you for being part of this historic milestone. Your presence, partnership, and support make our work possible, and together we will continue building a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous future. Sincerely,
Papa M. Dia, Founder & Executive Director PAPA DIA’S STORY | THE FORMATION OF AFRICAN LEADERSHIP GROUP (ALG) When I had an opportunity to come to the United States in 1998, I had one goal in mind: work and send money back to support the rest of my family in Senegal, West Africa. As 1 of 13 children, my family struggled to make ends meet. I was determined to do everything I could to change the narrative. Like many immigrants, I was faced with some challenges. Back in Senegal, I studied law; however, I couldn’t continue this path due to my limited English-speaking skills. I got a job at the Tattered Cover Bookstore and found myself studying all over again. My exposure to books and immersion in the world of literacy helped with my reading, writing, and speaking skills. After leaving the Tattered Cover Bookstore, I got a job as a bank teller, where I worked for the next 18 years. During my time at the bank, I learned about financial resources that were not readily accessible to the immigrant community, though they were necessary for successful integration. Information about government assistance was readily available, but nothing existed to help us achieve the American dream. During my time at the bank, I was approached by a lot of African Immigrants who had questions, not only about banking, but also about other challenges (education, legal, etc.) they faced in trying to integrate into the American culture. I would help them out the best I could, but this attracted dozens of others to the bank each week. When the bank started to express concern, I knew it was time for me to create an outlet that would continue to help people outside my workplace because, as I looked around, there were no other entities/organizations that focused on helping skilled immigrants integrate. In 2006, the African Leadership “In 2006, the African Leadership Group was formed to facilitate the professional integration of African immigrants.”
AFRIK IMPACT MISSION: To celebrate the impact of the African Diaspora in Colorado and to honor our accomplishments. PURPOSE: With a focus on social, educational, and economic impact, the African Leadership Group hosts a major annual community event, dubbed Afrik Impact. The purpose of this yearly event is to celebrate our collective accomplishments, recognize our community champions, and cast the vision for our next year of policy and advocacy work. In addition, it is part of our public persuasion campaign to have the State of Colorado issue a proclamation to officially establish August as African Immigrant Month, in the state of Colorado. In all of this, we celebrate loudly and proudly the positive impact of African people in Colorado and honor our contributions. This year’s theme is MANY ROOTS, ONE COLORADO! — a celebration of the enduring strength of African motherhood and the generational wisdom it carries. Rooted in tradition and resilience, African mothers are the backbone of our communities, nurturing not only families but also leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. This theme honors their vital role in shaping the economic contributions of African immigrants and highlights the continuing legacy of empowerment, cultural pride, and prosperity for generations to come. PAST AFRIK IMPACT SPEAKERS Babacar Diop, Mayor of Thies, Senegal Luke Ragland, Senior Vice President of Grants, Daniels Fund Aliou Sow, Professor, Former Minister of Culture of Senegal Dr. Thierno Thiam, Professor of Political Science & International Relations, Tuskegee University Elhadji Amadou Ndao, Consul General - Republic of Senegal, Professor Moussa Seydi, Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal Honorable Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado Honorable Wilmot Collins, Mayor in Helena, Montana Michael B. Hancock, Mayor of Denver, Colorado Joe Neguse, Congressman, Colorado’ 2nd District Bob LeGare, Mayor of Aurora, Colorado Brian Vogt, Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Botanic Gardens Doug Jackson, President and C.E.O of Project Cure Mike Coffman, U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 6th congressional district Morgan Carroll, Chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party Alioune Ndiaye, Professor at Université de Sherbrooke Graduate Institute of International & Development Studies ALG BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fesehaye G. Arbrhaley, Board Chair Judith Donaldson Macodou Diop Pastor Charles Ansah-Twum Alphonse Nembot Abdul Pessima Tyler Sandberg Beatriz Gonzalez
HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS PROGRAMS & SERVICES COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT F African Leadership Group (ALG) supports children and adult immigrants in adjusting to cultural differences and accessing resources in the U.S. F Programming helps strengthen the entrepreneurial efforts of African immigrants. F Offers several initiatives aimed at empowering communities to achieve long-term success. KEY INITIATIVES: F Health & Wellness: F Reduced-price health services F Community discussions on key health concerns F Career & Economic Advancement: F Exposure to important industries F Professional networking opportunities F Financial literacy and homeownership training F Leadership Development: F Weekly public speaking classes (every Tuesday) F 9-month leadership program for civic and community engagement F Women & Youth Empowerment: F Support for women and children facing post-immigration challenges
YOUTH & FAMILY SUPPORT: F Specialized youth programming provides belonging and emotional support for immigrant children. F Programs for parents help families navigate life in the U.S. and address intergenerational challenges. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: F Values strong relationships with city officials, government entities, donors, and sponsors. TO LEARN MORE & STAY ENGAGED PLEASE VISIT AT: WWW.USALG.ORG PROGRAMS & SERVICES Community Empowerment F Annual Afrik Impact Event F Leadership Development F Health & Wellness F Financial Literacy & Business Networking F Job Skills Training F Women’s Empowerment F Resource Referrals F Public Speaking Class
EDUCATION POLICY & ADVOCACY F Town Hall Meetings & Forums F Community Surveys F Research and Analysis F Organizing Parents to Advocate F Policy Trainings & Briefings F Educating Policymakers F Legal & Advocacy YOUTH EMPOWERMENT F After School Program F Youth Debate & Public Speaking F Youth Mentorship Program F College & Career Exploration
11TH ANNUAL GALA Saturday, August 15, 2026 MASTER OF CEREMONY Gloria Neal ABOUT ALG Papa Dia, Founder & Executive Director, African Leadership Group WELCOME TO THE DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Denver Botanic Gardens POEM PERFORMANCE Toluwanimi Obiwole DINNER IMPACT STORY | MISSION MOMENT AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS PADDLE RAISE CLOSING REMARKS PROGRAM ENDS DANCE CELEBRATION & PARTY
GALA DINNER Menu
SALAD COURSE KALE SALAD | Baby kale, bleu cheese, red & golden beets, pecans, dijon vinaigrette / gf, v, nuts ASSORTED BREAD BASKET | Sea salt herb focaccia, bistro roll, corn muffin, herb sea salt butter / v
ENTREE COURSE CITRUS PEPPER CHICKEN | Pan seared chicken breast, fresh herbs, orange, grapefruit, black pepper, oregano, pickled red onion, whipped yukon potatoes, grilled asparagus / gf VEGETARIAN DREAM BOWL | Grilled tofu, red quinoa, mixed grain & roasted sweet potato pilaf, braised kale, sunflower seeds, fresh herbs, red wine vinaigrette / gf, df, v, vg DESSERT COURSE PISTACHIO BROWN BUTTER FINANCIER | Crushed pistachio, chantilly cream, raspberry coulis, fresh berries / v VEGAN COCONUT POT DE CREME | Chocolate coconut custard / gf, df, v, vg DIETARY CODES gf = Gluten Free df = Dairy Free v = Vegetarian vg = Vegan nuts = Contains Nuts
GLORIA PRIOLEAU NEAL Founder & CEO, GloKnows Unlimited MASTER OF CEREMONY Gloria Prioleau Neal is an award-winning journalist, business owner, political and business advisor, moderator, emcee, and community leader with more than 35 years of experience. Known for her passion, humor, and “can-do” attitude, Gloria connects leaders across politics, business, education, social justice, DEI&B, and ESG. She currently serves on the Huntington Bank Advisory Board, Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative Council, Rose Andom Advisory Council, and as an Honorary Trustee of Warren Village. Gloria has advised mayors, members of Congress, and state legislators and recently co-chaired Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s Social Equity and Innovation Committee. A respected media professional, Gloria has worked as a journalist and radio host in Denver and Atlanta, contributing to outlets including the Denver Post and Denver Magazine. She is a graduate of CU Boulder’s ESG Certification Program and Corporate Boardbound’s Women’s Leadership Class
TOLUWANIMI OBIWOLE Poet Laureate Toluwanimi is a Nigerian multidisciplinary scholar, consultant, and artist who explores her art through poetry, visual art, curation and textile production. She is a seasoned storyteller, poet and visual artist with a dedication to re-indigenization, intergenerational healing and cultural memory keeping. She is the inaugural Youth Poet Laureate for the State of Colorado and has received awards for DEI storytelling from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is a two time TEDx speaker, has published a book of poems with Penmanship Books in New York City and has been published in Haymarket Books’ most recent iteration of“The Breakbeat Poets”. Her practice as a storyteller has opened the door for her to introduce poetic storytelling methods to people who otherwise would not engage with poetry.
As we celebrate 20 years of the African Leadership Group, we reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us here. Over the years, we’ve been honored to welcome inspiring keynote speakers who have shared their wisdom and vision. But the truth is, ALG’s greatest inspiration has always been the people we serve. Tonight, we recognize the families, volunteers, partners, sponsors, students, alumni, and community members whose dedication, resilience, and leadership have made our mission possible. Your stories are the heart of ALG. Please enjoy this special 15-minute video celebrating 20 years of impact, highlighting the remarkable people, partnerships, and moments that have shaped the African Leadership Group and strengthened our community. Tonight, we celebrate you.
COMMUNITY RESILENCE AWARD
SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
SAMBA BA
ANTHNOY FRIMPONG
ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARD
EDUCATION IMPACT AWARD
BIANKA EMERSON
MICHAEL GILES, JR.
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP GROUP TEAM PAPA DIA, Founder and Executive Director OUSMAN BA, Program Director MONICA ORTEGA, Event Coordinator AISSATOU DIA, Case Manager for Migrants DUNKE AFUYE, Community Health and Outreach Coordinator
AFRIK IMPACT & FUNDRAISER COMMITTEE TYLER SANDBERG, Committee Chair, Founder and Owner, Timor Strategies PAPA DIA, Founder & Executive Director, ALG, Committee Member JASON GAULDEN, Partner, Gaulden Group LLC, Committee Member
BREAKING BARRIERS COMMITTEE LATERRELL BRADFORD, Yoga Instructor, Mentor, Committee Chair PAPA DIA, Founder & Executive Director, ALG, Committee Member ALPHONSE NEMBOT, Mathematics Instructor, CEC Charter School Network, Committee Member UGO AKIRI, Founder, Caring Sisters, Initiative & Rehab Project, Committee Member
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE SOLOMON MUWANGA, Committee Chair, Huntington Bank TAYO OKUNADE, Business & Employment Attorney, OKUNADE LLP, Committee Member ORMAN “LEE” TOKO, Vice President, Senior Commercial Relationship Manager, Emerging & Middle Market Banking at TBK Bank, Committee Member SHAFI OSMAN, Community Engagement Officer CEDS Finance JUSTIN GILMORE, Project Manager, Director of Business Development, Gilmore Construction Corporation, Committee Member MARYAM TIDJANI, Clean Energy Specialist, Colorado Clean Energy, Committee Member MKALE WARNER, Chief Executive Officer, EnVeritas Solutions, Committee Member JESSICA JONES-GARCIA, Community Lending Specialist, Energize Colorado, Committee Member
HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE ABDUL PESSIMA, Committee Chair, Chaplain, Suntree Hospice PASCALE ADOU, Certified Nurse Aide, Committee Member ANNE ATTOUAH, Community Education, Navigation & Outreach, Committee Member MEDHANET ‘MEDIT’ GELAW, Healthcare Entrepreneur & Executive, CEO & Founder of MediGuard Home Health Care Inc, Registered Nurse, Committee Member AMINATA TOUNKARA, Registered Nurse, Committee Member VERA GARYEAZON, Caregiver, Committee Member DR. CECILIA AHEMA YABOAH, Committee Member DR. ADETOLA OBIWOLE, Committee Member
HOMEOWNERSHIP & FINANCIAL COMMITTEE BEATRIZ GONZALEZ, Committee Chair VP, Community Lending Business Development Officer, BMO GEORGE OWUSU, Broker/Owner, Owusu Realty, Committee Member GREG BROWN, Business Development Specialist, CHFA, Committee Member LAURA GARCIA VILLALPANDO, Savings Collaborative, Committee Member ADEDOTUN (DOTUN) OLADINNI, Assistant Vice President at FirstBank, Committee Member DAVID BABINEAUX, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Realty, Committee Member RUKA NYALOMA, Committee Member CAROLINA CASTRO, Mortgage Banker, BMO, Committee Member
LEADERSHIP AFRICA COMMITTEE FESEHAYE ABRHALEY, Committee Chair, Senior Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin VINCENT OMEGBA, Minister, V.P. International Collaboration, Consensys Group LLC, Committee Member OMAR MONTGOMERY, Director of Equity, Culture and Community Engagement for Cherry Creek School District, Committee Member LATERRELL BRADFORD, Yoga Instructor, Mentor, Business Owner, Committee Member MADIAMA MBAYE, Public Speaking Class Instructor and Leadership Africa Facilitator, Committee Member MKALE WARNER, CEO at EnVeritas Solutions, Committee Member
LEGAL COMMITTEE TAYO OKUNADE, Committee Chair, Business & Employment Attorney, Okunade LLP DANIEL OKWENA, Committee Co-Chair, Immigration Attorney, Okwena Immigration, LLC MCKENNA NEWSUM-SCHOENBERG, Immigration Attorney, Committee Volunteer
PARENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE DR. ANNE KEKE, Committee Chair, APS Board of Education OUSMAN BA, ALG Program Coordinator, Committee Member EFETOBORE ISIAKU, Committee Member, Owner and Founder of Gifted Hand LLC ONYEMAECHI PATRICIA-OLAOLUWA, Committee Member, Owner of Have it all LLC FATIMA BENAMEUR, Committee Member KADIATOU KOUYATE, Committee Member RUKA NYALOMA, Committee Member KHADIA DIALLO, Committee Member
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMMITTEE MADIAMA MBAYE, Committee Chair & Instructor OUSMAN BA, ALG Program Coordinator, Committee Member TUNEISHIA HARRIS, Manager, African Service Center, Committee Member
REFUGEE & MIGRANT COMMITTEE & ENGLISH CLASS INSTRUCTORS PAPA DIA, Committee Chair, Founder & Executive Director, ALG AISSATOU DIA, Case Manager for Migrants, Committee Member DAPHNE STEPHENS, Migrant English Class Instructor SUSAN LEVINE, Migrant English Class Instructor
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEES OUSMAN BA, Committee Chair, ALG Program Coordinator ELIZABETH WAMUKOYA, Organizing Director, Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA), Committee Member JUSTIN ROGERS, Committee Member
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE BETH ABATE, Committee Chair, Community Member MADINAH NAKUYA, Committee Co-Chair, Executive Assistant at CompassData, Inc BIANKA EMERSON, President, Colorado Black Women for Political Action, Committee Member LATERRELL BRADFORD, Yoga Instructor, Mentor, Committee Member VICTORIA KYAKUWA, Committee Member TUNEISHIA HARRIS, Manager, African Service Center, Committee Member CATHERINE AMMA OWUSU APPIAH, Business Owner Bliss Body Adornments (BBA) ONIYAMA GEORGETTE, Committee Member
Thank you for attending our 11th Annual Afrik Impact 2025 Celebration! FUNDERS, SPONSORS AND DONORS On behalf of the African Leadership Group, we thank you for your generous support. Your sponsorship, donations, and funding are greatly appreciated and important to our success. With your generosity, our programs and services offered to the community continue to grow. WE APPRECIATE YOU! AFRIK IMPACT CELEBRATION WEEK PARTICIPANTS To all the Sponsors, Emcees/ Moderators, Speakers, Panelists, Exhibitors, Elected Officials, International Guests, Guests from Out of State, Community Leaders, Entertainers, Afrik Impact Guests, Transportation, and the entire Community at large, we are thrilled and can’t thank you enough for being a part of our special Afrik Impact Fundraising celebration. WE APPRECIATE YOU! SPECIAL THANKS Denver Botanic Gardens ALG’s Graphic Designer, Program Books Design | Kolorgraphix, Jody Gilbert Videographer & Photographer | Bra Homeboy|NNB Media Photographer | Snap Shots Photography | James Rowe Online Registration Tool | Spotlight Colorado | Kenton Kuhn Printing Services | Turbo Press Inc. | Travis Traver Youth Empowerment, Business Summit, and Gala Caterer | Serendipity Catering DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver-Aurora | Afrik Impact preferred Hotel ProductAV | Audio Visual African Leadership Group Staff Members ALG’S AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! AMAZING STAFF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS Thank you very much to our amazing staff, Board of Directors, committee members, and volunteers for making this event happen! You are indeed the reason for our everyday success. You all performed with excellence, and this event could not have happened without the wonderful people like you. Every one of you is greatly appreciated! Job well done! You can reach out to us on our website: www.usalg.org WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU NEXT YEAR FOR OUR 2026 AFRIK IMPACT CELEBRATION!
Thank You!