The African Diversity and Inclusion Center (ADIC) has published its inaugural lists of women, men and minorities working to make the African continent ‘inclusive’ for all its citizens, regardless of their race, colour, religion or sexual orientation. Thanks to the amazing dedication of ADIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Ipolito T Mubiru, he has created the very first African Diversity and Inclusion Influential Lists (ADIIL) for the continent. See full interview here. Fair Play Talks is honoured to be the first DE&I global media platform to highlight the DE&I champions across Africa.

“Our African Diversity and Inclusion Influential Lists comprise individuals from different settings who work together to foster diversity and inclusion from different fronts for women, youths and minority groups of people all across the continent,” stated Mubiru.

Although these lists were compiled between September and October at the end last year, they were finalised in February 2020, and the announcement of the winners was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, ADIC’s first lists are now out “and they will now be run annually,” confirmed Mubiru.

POWERFUL RESILIENCE & DETERMINATION

“The African Diversity and Inclusion Lists are a powerful reflection of the resilience, determination and the incredible achievements of the so many people working together to make Africa an inclusive society,” added Mubiru. “As we navigate through the tumultuous waters of life, we meet people who inspire us negatively or positively. Those who help light our paths and lead us to action to help those at the margins of society.”

Ipolito T Mubiru, Founder & Executive Director of the African Diversity and Inclusion Center (ADIC).

“We read very inspiring stories from the nominations, but while only a few were selected, we were touched by the seemingly small acts of kindness, the responsibility with which they saw a need and took the lead to solve problems in their communities. We were impressed by the positivity with which they transformed stumbling blocks into stepping stones, the courage with which they dared to dream big, challenged status quo and pursued their dreams against all odds as well as their actions and words which inspired many to be the positive change they wish to see in Africa,” explained Mubiru.

The lists celebrate the person behind the achievement and the positive impact he or she has had. After a rigorous selection process, 40 women, 40 youths, 40 minorities and 20 male allies were chosen from across the African continent for their unwavering efforts in DE&I.

TOP AFRICAN WOMEN ROLE MODELS

This category recognises 40 African women role models who are helping to make Africa an inclusive society through their different initiatives and projects. Nominees for this category were women who are already successful in working on a particular project or initiative to make Africa more inclusive. They include:

  • Hawa Abdi, Somalia
  • Victoria Kisyombe, Tanzania
  • Elizabeth Kasujja, Uganda
  • Rebecca Lolosoli, Kenya 
  • Agnes Igoye, Uganda
  • Marceline Kongolo-Bice, the Congo
  • Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, Nigeria
  • Prudence Galega, Cameroon
  • Ashaba Faridah, Uganda 
  • Rehmah Kasule, Uganda
  • Mona Eltahawy, Egypt
  • Anna Nimirimano, South-Sudan
  • Duduzile Mkhwanzi, South-Africa
  • Noerine Kaleeba, Uganda
  • Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Nigeria
  • Pumeza Mafani, South Africa
  • Obiageli Ezekwesili, Nigeria
  • Dr. Agnes Apea Atim, Uganda
  • Bintou Foune Samake, Mali
  • Françoise Kpeglo Moudouthe, Cameroon
  • Rosa Malango, Uganda
  • Marlene Joannie Bewa, Benin
  • Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigeria
  • Betty Kinene, Uganda
  • Valerie Traore, Senegal
  • Janet Mawiyoo, Kenya
  • Wanja Muguongo, Kenya
  • Elizabeth Maro Minde, Tanzania
  • Dawn Marole, South Africa
  • Winnie Byanyima, Uganda
  • Thuli Sibeko, South-Africa
  • Bogaletch Gebre, Ethiopia
  • Mercy Kyomugasho Kainobwisho
  • Shade Ladipo, Nigeria
  • Rainatou Sow, Guinea
  • Aviwe Funani, South-Africa
  • Brigitte Dzogbenuku, Ghana
  • Vera Songwe, Cameroon
  • Amel Bouchamaoui Hammami, Tunisia
  • Julie Cissé, Senegal

Africa’s Top 40 Women Role Models. Source: ADIC

TOP 40 INSPIRING YOUTH

This category lists 40 inspirational young leaders, working on different DE&I initiatives across Africa, to help make the continent a better place for all. They include:

  • Deena Mousa, Egypt
  • Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, Kenya 
  • Michaela Mycroft, South Africa
  • Noella Coursais Musinka, Congo 
  • Blessing Fortune Kwomo, Nigeria 
  • Delphine Konda, Cameroon
  • Emma Ghariani, Tunisia
  • Rachel Chimwemwe Sibande, Malawi
  • Doris Morrel, Tanzania 
  • Thuthukile Mbatha, South Africa 
  • Farai Munjoma, Zimbabwe 
  • Raby Gueye, Senegal
  • Jaha Dukureh, Gambia
  • Yusuf Randera Rees, South Africa
  • Ellen Chilemba, Malawi
  • Yasmin Belo-Osagie, Nigeria 
  • William Kamkwamba, Malawi
  • Humphrey Nabimanya, Uganda 
  • Amani Katana, Kenya
  • OluTimehin Adegbeye
  • Chantal Butare, Rwanda 
  • El Hadji Abou Gueye, Senegal 
  • Nomtika (Tika) Mjwana, South-Africa
  • Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, Nigeria
  • Comfort Mussa, Cameroon 
  • Koketso Moeti, South Africa
  • Dr Rethabile Mashale Sonibare, South Africa 
  • Kovie Biakolo, Nigeria 
  • Isatu Bokum, Gambia
  • Arthur Woinala, Uganda
  • Tonye Idaminabo, Nigeria
  • Funfere Koroye, Nigeria 
  • Kgomotso Phatsima, Botswana 
  • Takunda Chingonzo, Zimbabwe 
  • Nyesiga Naboth, Uganda
  • Thato Lufuno Mahosi, South Africa 
  • Haben Girma, Eritrea 
  • Caroline Odera, Kenya 
  • James Maina, Kenya
  • Nneile Nkholise, South Africa
Africa’s Top 40 Youth inspiring change across the continent. Source: ADIC

40 INSPIRATIONAL MINORITY LEADERS

This category lists 40 inspirational African leaders who are minorities in different respects from the “differently abled to the albinos who are always hunted down by sorcerers and witch doctor yet they are making a significant contribution to DE&I across Africa”, confirmed Mubiru. They include:

  • Salif Keita, Mali
  • Shona McDonald, South-Africa
  • Gideon Kilonzi Manzi, Kenya
  • Dusabe Yeremiah, Janet Nyirabakunzi, Uganda
  • Victor Locoro, Uganda
  • Khumbulani Mshiywa, South-Africa
  • Phumzile Mabizela, South-Africa
  • Grace Jerry, Nigeria
  • Bekele Gonfa, Ethiopia
  • Kenneth Habaalu, Zambia
  • Janvier Bigirimana, Burundi
  • Joel Cherop, Uganda
  • Lango Sinkamba, Zambia
  • Neema Namadamu, DRC
  • Ogo Maduewesi, Nigeria
  • Robert Masambo, South Africa
  • Adrienne Ntankeu, Cameroon
  • Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Ghana
  • Tim Stones, South-Africa
  • Jake Epelle, Nigeria
  • Edson Ngirabakunzi, Uganda
  • Father Cyril Axelrod, South Africa
  • Yatma Fall, Senegal
  • Ruusa Ntinda, Namibia
  • Jane Waithera, Kenya
  • Peter Ogik, Uganda
  • Caroline Kouassiaman, Ghana 
  • Isaac Mwaura Maigua, Kenya
  • Ivy W. Kihara, Kenya
  • Mercy Maunganidze-Chimhanga, Zimbabwe 
  • Deus Turyatemba, Uganda
  • Sinikiwe Kademaunga, Zimbabwe
  • Patience Kanguma, Zambia
  • Elena Sabole, Lesotho
  • Thando Hopa, South-Africa
  • Ummy Ndeliananga, Tanzania
  • Harry Freeland, Tanzania
  • Mark Mapemba, Malawi
  • James Karanja, Kenya
  • Emily Drani, Uganda
Leading minority leaders pushing for DE&I across the African continent. Source: ADIC

TOP 20 AFRICAN MALE ALLIES

This category acknowledges the contributions of 20 adult male Africans who are outspoken and unwavering in their support for women, youths and minorities across Africa. They come from every part of the continent and from different industry sectors and professions. They include:

  • Thejane Malakane, Lesotho
  • Peter Tabichi, Kenya
  • Denis Mukwege, DRC
  • Robert Gbari Gariba, Ghana
  • Tony Elumelu, Nigeria
  • Assane Ndiaye, Senegal
  • Paul Kagame, Rwanda
  • Fred Swaniker, Ghana
  • Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia
  • Mo Ibrahim, Sudan
  • Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe
  • Daniel Gathigai, Kenya 
  • James Mwangi, Kenya
  • Kola Masha, Nigeria
  • Naïm Touré, Burkina Faso
  • Sam Ikpe Itauma, Nigeria
  • Soji Megbowon, Nigeria
  • Sam Abrahams, Tanzania
  • Julius Kaggwa, Uganda
  • Dickson Ayuka, Kenya
Africa’s Top 20 Male Allies. Source: ADIC

Click here for a full access to the lists and additional information.

Click here for the interview with ADIC’s Ipolito T Mubiru for more information behind inaugral African Diversity and Inclusion Influential Lists.

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