Kenyans honored by White House
By Chris Wamalwa in USA
Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2012
Two Kenyan scholars based in the US are among fourteen Africans with roots in the Horn Africa that were honored by the White House on Monday for charitable work in their communities back at home.
Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola, Co-founder and President of Sub- Sahara Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Wanjiru Kamau Rutenberg, Founder and Executive Director of Akili Dada were feted by the Obama administration as Champions of Change and leaders among the African Diaspora in America who are helping to build stronger communities across the country and mobilizing networks across borders to address global challenges.
"These men and women are American leaders we want to celebrate. We commend the innovative practices, achievements and leadership these change makers bring not only to their communities around this country but also to the development of, and diplomacy with their countries of origin," said Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough.
The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.
Dr. Martey-Ochola was honored for her achievements as a leader, a change maker, an innovator and a trailblazer in the Diaspora Community and for addressing global challenges and building stronger communities.
Speaking soon after the ceremony, Sub-Saharan Africa Chamber of Commerce Executive Chairman of the Board Mr. Vuyo T. Dunjwa said Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola is a leader who has mobilized her enormous intellectual acumen and integrity in service to citizens from all walks of life.
"From academia to health, to accelerating private sector development, she is a champion of change who is leaving indelible footprints of progress in the lives of families from Africa to the streets of Philadelphia.
We congratulate Dr. Martey-Ochola and thank her for her outstanding service in the sphere of economic development and international trade promotion facing Africa," he said.
Working at the intersection of academia and social entrepreneurship, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg is passionate about the synergy between rigorous academic analysis and committed social activism.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of Akili Dada, a leadership incubator investing in high-achieving young African women from underprivileged backgrounds with a demonstrated passion for social change.
A PhD holder in Political Science, Wanjiru is also an Assistant Professor in the Politics department at the University of San Francisco, where her work centers on the politics of philanthropy, gender, Africa, ethnicity, and democratization, and on the role of technology in social activism.
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