The African Leadership Group (ALG) hosted an unforgettable International Women’s Day celebration at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Mitchell Hall March 8, bringing together over 200 guests to honor the resilience, achievements, and cultural richness of women across the African diaspora and beyond.

The evening was filled with empowerment, recognition, and inspiration, featuring award presentations, keynote speeches, performances, and a dazzling cultural fashion show.

Celebrating Excellence

The awards ceremony shone a spotlight on remarkable women making waves in their communities:

• Jessi Kalambayi (Miss Colorado USA), a Congolese American advocate for refugees and a beacon of leadership.
• Houlaye Sy, recipient of the Outstanding Student Award, was honored for her academic brilliance and commitment to uplifting education in Senegal.
• Aissatou Dia received the Trailblazer Award for her tireless work supporting migrants through ALG’s programs.
• LaTerrell Bradford and Tia D. Meeks were celebrated as Inspirational Community Leaders for their decades of service in youth empowerment and mental health advocacy.

Keynotes and Performances That Moved the Crowd

Keynote speaker Sade Cooper, Co-Founder of the Collaborative Healing Initiative (CHIC), delivered a stirring call to action: “When women heal, communities thrive.” Her words resonated deeply, as did the poetic performance by Kenya Mahogany, whose spoken word piece on identity and resilience left the audience spellbound.

The second keynote, Selma Hamed (Co-Founder of the Hamed Foundation), closed the speeches with a powerful message: “Leadership is about lifting others as you climb.” Her address earned her ALG’s Inspirational Woman Leader Award.

A Grand Finale: Cultural Fashion Show

The crowd erupted in applause for the breathtaking International Cultural Clothing Fashion Show, showcasing vibrant attire from across Africa and African American culture. The runway became a celebration of heritage, with designs that told stories of tradition, modernity, and unapologetic pride.