The Miss Africa USA Pageant and the DC Chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) strengthened their partnership by hosting a special cultural and educational program at the First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle. The event coincided with a one-man exhibit by renowned Sierra Leonean artist Sahr Songu Mbriwa, known professionally as Bondumani, whose hyperrealism style has been featured on CNN. The exhibit showcased a dozen pieces of art recently brought to the United States from Sierra Leone, and Bondumani offered a live demonstration of his technique, inviting attendees to participate.
Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammad Sowa of the Embassy of Sierra Leone attended as a special guest, delivering remarks alongside the artist and representatives from Miss Africa USA. The embassy is located near the historic Fraser Mansion, where the event took place. Ambassador Sowa emphasized the importance of art in today's society and congratulated Bondumani on his work.
Miss Africa USA Diana Melissa Ngoumape and First Princess Adeola Shonubi spoke about their commitment to empowering women and the importance of human rights. Shonubi also serves as the new President of Youth for Human Rights Maryland. Organizer Beth Akiyama, Executive Director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office and former board member of YHRI, thanked attendees and stressed the need for global awareness of the 30 human rights outlined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She stated, "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."
The partnership between Miss Africa USA and YHRI aims to 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 introduce the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to new audiences.
Founded by Dr. Lady Kate Ndi 20 years ago, the Miss Africa USA Pageant has championed humanitarian leadership among African women in the diaspora. This month's Art Walk event highlighted that mission, with Ngoumape and Shonubi engaging more than 100 attendees and distributing free educational materials from Youth for Human Rights International, available at youthforhumanrights.org and Facebook.com/YHRDC.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created after World War II, includes 30 rights that all people have simply because they are human. Despite its importance, surveys show few people are aware of it or know their rights. Educational materials from YHRI seek to address this gap.
Bondumani, founder of the Bondumani School of Art in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is working to gain support for free art lessons for talented youth in Sierra Leone who cannot afford tuition. His exhibit and collaboration with Miss Africa USA and YHRI underscore the role of art in promoting human rights education and cultural exchange.
