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. During the one-man exhibit by renowned Sierra Leonean artist Sahr Songu Mbriwa, professionally known as Bondumani, Miss Africa USA pageant titleholders joined YHRI to promote human rights awareness through art, outreach, and community engagement.
Bondumani, whose hyperrealism style has been showcased on CNN, displayed a dozen pieces of his art recently brought from Sierra Leone. He gave a live demonstration of the hyperrealism technique on a partially completed portrait and allowed others to participate. Bondumani is the founder of the Bondumani School of Art in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and while in the U.S., he is working to gain support for free art lessons for talented youth in Sierra Leone who might not otherwise afford tuition.
Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammad Sowa of the Embassy of Sierra Leone attended as a special guest and delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of art in today's society. Miss Africa USA Diana Melissa Ngoumape and First Princess Adeola Shonubi 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 attendees and 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."
Miss Africa USA and YHRI 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. 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. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created after World War II, includes 30 human rights that all people have universally. Yet, by survey, few people have heard of it or know their rights. Educational materials distributed at the event are available free at www.youthforhumanrights.org, with additional DC Chapter updates at Facebook.com/YHRDC.
This partnership highlights the importance of art in spreading human rights awareness and the ongoing commitment of Miss Africa USA and YHRI to educate communities about the UDHR. The event engaged over 100 attendees, enlightening them on free educational materials from YHRI and reinforcing the mission of empowering women and promoting human dignity.
