The Miss Africa USA Pageant and the DC Chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) strengthened their ongoing partnership by holding a special cultural and educational program at the First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle. The event featured a one-man exhibit by renowned Sierra Leonean artist Sahr Songu Mbriwa, professionally known as Bondumani, who has been showcased on CNN for his hyperrealism style. Hyperrealism makes the image appear to jump out of the canvas and magnifies the excitement of the subject being painted.
Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammad Sowa of Sierra Leone attended as a special guest and delivered remarks alongside the artist and Miss Africa USA representatives. The Embassy of Sierra Leone is located just steps from the historic Fraser Mansion where the exhibit was held. Bondumani showed a dozen pieces of his art recently brought to America from Sierra Leone and gave a live demonstration of the hyperrealism technique on a partially completed portrait, allowing attendees to take turns painting.
Bondumani is the founder of the Bondumani School of Art in Freetown, Sierra Leone. While in the U.S., he is working to gain support for free art lessons for talented youth in Sierra Leone who otherwise might not be able to afford tuition. Ambassador Sowa congratulated Bondumani and gave moving remarks emphasizing the importance of art in today's society.
Miss Africa USA Diana Melissa Ngoumape, who traveled from Indiana for the event, spoke about her commitment to empowering women. Miss Africa USA's First Princess Adeola Shonubi also spoke as the new President of Youth for Human Rights Maryland. Both spoke about their commitment to empowering women and the importance of human rights.
Organizer Beth Akiyama, Executive Director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office and former board member of Youth for Human Rights International, thanked those attending. Akiyama said, 'People of every nation must know their 30 human rights. Governments of the world must make the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights known and followed for the sake of peace and prosperity for all.' She thanked the Ambassador and his staff for attending and supporting Bondumani's work and his dream for the Bondumani School of Art in Freetown.
Miss Africa USA and Youth for Human Rights International foster opportunities for youth to champion human rights education across communities in the United States and abroad. Earlier this year, they participated in a program in Cameroon to bring human rights education to schools there. Through public events, media outreach, and creative collaborations, the pageant's leadership and titleholders are helping bring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to new audiences.
Founded by Dr. Lady Kate Ndi 20 years ago, the Miss Africa USA Pageant has long championed humanitarian leadership among African women in the diaspora. This month's Art Walk event highlighted that mission. Miss Africa USA Diana Melissa Ngoumape of the Central African Republic and 1st Princess Adeola Shonubi of Nigeria engaged the more than 100 attendees to enlighten them on the free educational materials from Youth for Human Rights International.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created at the newly formed UN after the atrocities of World War II shocked the world. It includes the 30 human rights that all people around the world have just because they are human, i.e., they are 'universal.' It is considered one of the most important human rights documents internationally and yet, by survey few people have heard of it or know what their human rights are. Educational materials distributed at the event are available free at www.youthforhumanrights.org, with additional DC Chapter updates at Facebook.com/YHRDC.
This partnership underscores the importance of human rights education and the role of art in reaching diverse audiences. For business and technology leaders, the initiative highlights how creative collaborations can amplify social impact and awareness, potentially influencing corporate social responsibility strategies and community engagement efforts.
