Maisha Gala Celebrates Six Women in Sweden Who Support Africa and the Diaspora

June 28, 2012 - PRLog -- AG Communications Group – (Stockholm, Sweden) – Founded in 2007 by Irene Opiera the Maisha Gala celebrates women who help to provide a richer picture of Africa and the African Diaspora at the same time through their respective businesses serve as role models. It works to promote the involvement of the African Diaspora and include the voice of women on various issues of concern to the community. “I feel very proud that we have come this far, against all the odds facing this kind of initiative involving women's issues and the African Diaspora which is a minority in Sweden”, says Opiera.

2012 marks the 5th anniversary of the Maisha Gala and awards were given in 6 categories: Woman of the Year, This year’s inspiration, This year’s entrepreneur, This year’s artist, This year’s newcomer, and Maisha Pioneer Prize.

Swedish Minister for Gender Equality,  Ms Sabuni, opened the ceremony that was hosted by Floid Gumbo and hip-hop artist Aaron Phiri. Attendees were treated to traditional African dancing and drumming, singing, and spoken word performances by Astrid Assefa, Maria Llerena, Buba "Robinson" Badjie, dance Kalabante, Stevie Nii Adu-Mensah, and Mary Ndiaye. The headline performers were Solo and Adama Cissokho. Solos Cissokho is a winner of the esteemed BBC World Music Award.

“The gala has clearly demonstrated how black women are contributing to Sweden, with their knowledge, experience, talents and expertise in various areas”, Opiera adds. The 2012 gala theme focused on Africa's mothers and was presented in cooperation with the African Medical and Research Foundation AMREF / Flying Doctors as part of the global campaign against maternal mortality: Stand Up for African Mothers. According to AMREF more than 200,000 women die in childbirth each year.

The winners are Woman of the Year – Margaret Gärding, This year’s inspiration – AnnaLena Tell Eriksson, This year’s entrepreneur – Adrianne George Lind, This year’s artist - Mary Ndiaye, This year’s newcomer: Josette Bushell Mingo, and Maisha Pioneer Prize: Clementina Akuyo Brown.

From 2012 the Maisha Gala will evolve into being incorporated as a central part of the newly established Maisha cultural association: Kulturföreningen Maisha. In the future the association will develop and expand the Maisha concept in Sweden and beyond. More information: http://www.maishagalan.se/

About Maisha Gala - http://www.maishagalan.se/
The goal of the Maisha Gala is to recognize the achievement of women for the Black/African community in Sweden and Africa. It works to promote the African Diaspora involvement and include the voice of  women on various issues of concern to the community. The Maisha Gala is a celebration of African culture that also promotes artists and young talents and the empowerment of youth. Maisha Gala is also networking and advocacy with the thematic approach and focus on pertinent issues.

About AMREF Flying Doctors - http://amref.se/
For over fifty years  AMREF has had their headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, the hub for the African Medical and Research Foundation - AMREF's - extensive and vital relief efforts. Among the approximately 600 people working in AMREF's doctors, nurses, pilots, teachers and  village nurses. Almost exactly 97% of staff were born in one of the East African countries where the organization operates.

About AG Communications Group – http://agcommunicationsgroup.com
AG Communications Group is a marketing communications consultancy. We focus on integrated marketing communications, social media and public relations to provide marketing to niche audiences with tremendous buying power.

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