On
Thursday, September 26, 2013, African philanthropist
Mo Ibrahim hosted a private celebration and launch
of the New Africa Center in
New York City. He was joined by several notable
guests including: Bono, Harry Belafonte, Rev. Jesse
Jackson, Youssou Ndour (who also performed), Nelson
Mandelašs grandson, Makgatho Mandela, and super
model Liya Kebede. The evening also featured
performances by world-renowned African entertainer
Angelique Kidjo and the band from the
Tony-award winning Broadway musical Fela!.
The New Africa Center will be a North
American hub for policy, performance,
education, collaboration, as well as a museum
showcasing African art. The ambition for the center
is to become the premier destination for dialogue on
critical issues of the day facing the development,
understanding and advancement of the
African continent, its citizens and its culture.