African Impact Award, October 11, 2026

What an honor it was to receive an award that celebrates our African heritage with such passion and spirit. Special thanks to Abyie Gebrehiwot for including me!

Walking the red carpet, escorted by lovely Ethiopian friends.

It was a thrill for me to be on the same stage with some of the other award recipients: Alemtsehay Wodajo and Paul Tergot. Not shown: Makida Aseffa Aseffa and Eyob Mamo. Big thanks to Gashaw Abeza (far left) for all his help making it happen!

I began by saying I wasn't going to talk about my impact on Africa, but the impact Africa has had on me. I reminded the crowd that, now more than ever, we need to remember that no matter where you grasp a branch of the human family tree, it all leads to Africa. With deep gratitude, I thanked all of my African brothers and sisters. The energy and profound sense of being connected to every single person in that room was a feeling I will never forget. Many thanks to my dear friend, Carol Saucier, for all her support and help with the logistics!