In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent commencing 1 January 2015 and ending on 31 December 2024, with the theme “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development”. The main goal was to elevate the Black race by amplifying its achievements towards humanity and the world as we know it today and by so doing, mitigate racism and all other forms of discrimination and intolerance.
But a proclamation was not enough to ensure compliance or implementation which is why Kamil Olufowobi founded the Most Influential 100. Since 2015, he has ensured, through MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent), to recognise and honour people of the Black race who are influential in their industries or are globally known for their contributions and achievements.
This year, MIPAD chose to honour influential people of African descent under two special categories – in the Creative 100 Edition and the 100 Under 40 Edition. The recognition ceremony took place on October 3, 2021, and was sponsored by WarnerMedia News & Sports and hosted by Zain Asher of CNN.
“We are particularly excited to begin the relationship this year when MIPAD is engaged in activities relating to the UN Year of the Creative Economy. We are thrilled to partner with MIPAD in recognition of the remaining three years of the UN’s proclaimed International Decade of People of African Descent to support the contributions of people of African descent worldwide,” said Johnita Due, SVP and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for WarnerMedia.
Notable honorees this year include Ghana’s youngest female parliamentarian, Francisca Oteng Mensah in the Politics and Governance category; American entrepreneur and author, Farrah Gray, in the Business and Entrepreneurship category; South African Siyabulela Mandela, regional coordinator for East and South Africa for Journalists for Human Rights, under the Humanitarian, Activism and Religious category, and, Nigerian founder and Editor-in-Chief of ASPIRE Luxury Magazine, Bella Ikeme, in the Media and Culture category.
Other notable honorees include film director and maker, Ava DuVernay; musician Burna Boy; Designer and founder of Off-White, Virgil Abloh, and, the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama on the Hall of Fame.
ASPIRE Luxury Magazine congratulates our Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Bella Ikeme on the receipt of this auspicious award as we wish her many more wins.
