Annual Lectures Series & Gala Night – September 13, 2025

We invite you to be a part of this signature charity event, fostering connections and insightful discussions within our community. Your presence helps us continue our mission!

The Ivory Club of Tampa Bay, a non-profit organization, has been a mainstay in the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years. An “Evening in Africa” is a charity event that serves as a key fundraising vehicle the Ivory Club of Tampa Bay relies on to support its key programs such as:

• • University of South Florida (USF) Endowed Scholarship. Since 1999, the Ivory Club has awarded need and merit based scholarships annually to deserving students.

• • International Student Exchange Program where recipient USF Students are sent to an African university for a semester

• • Disaster relief and social assistance – Donations to Haiti earthquake and West African Ebola relief efforts, Tampa Bay Boys & Girls Club, and more

This year’s highly anticipated fundraiser is dedicated to a cause close to our hearts: Funding the “Ivory Center,” our visionary proposed African Cultural Center.

By joining us, you’ll be directly contributing to the creation of a vibrant hub that will foster cultural understanding, preserve heritage, and serve as a beacon for the African community in Tampa Bay and beyond. We cordially invite you to come and experience a memorable night with us, celebrating our shared vision and supporting this impactful initiative.

About the Keynote Speaker

Her Excellency Ambassador Arikana Chihombori MD FAAFP

Founder and President of the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI)

Her Excellency Ambassador Arikana Chihombori MD FAAFP is the Founder and President of the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI). ADDI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which came into existence in March 2020. Its role is to represent all African Diaspora.

Her Excellency is also a medical doctor (having practised medicine for over twenty-five years), founder and owner of medical clinics, diplomat, public speaker, educator, and an entrepreneur. She is also an author and her published book Africa 101: The Wake-Up Call is a best seller on Amazon.

Diplomatic Contributions

Prior to this, in her role as Permanent Representative to the African Union Mission in Washington DC (2016–2019), Her Excellency Arikana Chihombori MD FAAFP worked tirelessly towards fulfilling her mandate which was to undertake, develop, and maintain relationships between the African Union and:

• The Executive and Legislative branches of the US Government

• The African Diplomatic Corps

• The Africans in the Diaspora

• The Bretton Woods Institutions

This was specifically in relation to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advancing the priority areas of Agenda 2063. Her efforts at mobilizing the Diaspora as people of African descent—and not as citizens of any single African country—is unprecedented and exemplifies her ability to unify people around a common goal, speaking with one voice as one Africa and one Continent.

Honors and Awards

Before her appointment as AU Ambassador, H.E. Arikana Chihombori MD FAAFP’s contributions to the cause of Africa had earned her many prestigious honors and awards. Two of the most cherished include:

• The Achievement Award (1996): Presented by the late President Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa, with President Mugabe of Zimbabwe present on stage.

• African Woman of Excellence Award (2015): Received during the AU Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, alongside 15 other prominent African women, including:

  • Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia)

  • Madam Joyce Banda (Malawi)

  • Mama Winnie Mandela (South Africa)

  • Mama Ngina Kenyatta (Kenya)

  • Mama Asigwe Anyiam (Nigeria)

  • Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (South Africa)

AU Tenure Recognition

During her 3-year tenure as AU Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori MD FAAFP received over one hundred awards and attestations from many organizations, including the African Diaspora within the Americas. Highlights include:

• 2018 Ambassador of the Year Award – Howard University, Washington DC

• Numerous recognitions from Members of Congress, Governors, Mayors, and County Executives across the United States, Caribbean, and South America

Continental Recognition

The African Continent also continues to recognize her noble contributions to Africa’s development:

• 2019 Person of the Year – The Guardian (Nigeria), January 2020

• 4th Most Influential African for 2019 – Eye Gambia newspaper (only female listed)

• 100 Most Reputable Africans (2020) – Reputation Poll, global reputation management firm

• 2024 Honors:

  • Top 100 Influential Global Voices – Leaders Without Borders Development Centre

  • Millennium Business Hall of Fame Induction & Global Citizen Award – Young Gifted and Black Foundation

  • Honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) – Ahmadu Bello University (Nigeria)

  • Honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) – University of Cape Coast (Ghana)

Professional Memberships

H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori is:

• A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians

• A member of the American Association of Family Physicians

• A member of the Tennessee Association of Family Physicians

Academic & Personal Background

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she received her primary and secondary education there before relocating to the United States, where she earned:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in General Chemistry

• A Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry

• A Doctor of Medicine Degree

Her Excellency Ambassador Arikana Chihombori MD FAAFP is a proud mother of five children and a very happy grandmother of seven grandchildren.

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