The Savvy Initiative Recognition Awards (SIRA) recently honored outstanding individuals from the African diaspora for their exceptional contributions and achievements across various fields.
Held at The Keep Memory Alive event center in Las Vegas, the vibrant ceremony celebrated leaders for their impact, advocacy, innovation, and community engagement.
Savvy Initiative CEO and founder, Agod Savage, emphasized that SIRA is more than an awards ceremony. “It is a celebration of talent and potential that inspires others to strive for greatness. SIRA recognizes individual excellence and fosters unity and pride within the African community, setting the stage for future leaders,” he said.
The event featured inspiring keynote speeches and recognized awardees for their philanthropic efforts, outstanding achievements, lifetime accomplishments, honorary awards, historical impact, and contributions to entertainment. Among the honorees were Almaz Negash, CEO and founder of the African Diaspora Network; Irene Xanderena, a healthcare advocate; Joyce Agbanobi, a data analytics expert; Bola Adeniyi, a cybersecurity specialist; J Hackett, a social scientist and entrepreneur; Femi Ojo, an agile coach and project management expert; and Coach J, recognized for his influence in technology and humanitarianism.
Veteran host Frank Edoho led the evening, highlighting the incredible talent and potential within the African community. The event featured African drummers, creating an atmosphere of unity and joy while celebrating Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The raffle draws added excitement, with winners taking home fantastic prizes and securing new career opportunities in data training, content strategy, and cybersecurity engineering.
Almaz Negash, honored for empowering African entrepreneurs and innovators, also serves on the White House Council on Diaspora Engagement. In her keynote speech and a fireside chat with Agod Savage, she stressed the importance of community. “When we come together, we unlock the potential for greatness. Our collective efforts can pave the way for a brighter future for the African diaspora,” she said.
Savage echoed these sentiments, underscoring SIRA’s mission to highlight the brilliance within the community and provide a platform for these remarkable stories. “Tonight is a testament to the power of unity and the endless possibilities that arise when we support and uplift one another,” he added.
The Savvy Initiative, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to empowering lives through knowledge, community, and recognition. Its diverse programs, including ‘eMentor,’ ‘Youth Tech Connect,’ and ‘empowHER,’ nurture talent and drive positive change across the globe.
