Celebrating Black Excellence During Black History Month

Black excellence is predominantly celebrated during Black History Month, an annual observance originating in the United States to honour significant figures and occasions in the history of the African diaspora. Governments of the United States and Canada have given it official recognition; more recently, the black excellence event is also observed in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

For this Black History Month, Tales Of Africa highlights the achievements of some Africans who have demonstrated black excellence and have made significant contributions to the world.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, born Omotola Jalade, is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model.  In 2005, she was appointed an ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme, travelling to Sierra Leone and Liberia on missions.

Omotola has been involved in the Walk the World initiative and joined President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia for the Walk the World campaign. The celebrated actress was presented with the Ebony Vanguard Award at the Music Video and Screen Awards (MVISA), which took place in Birmingham, England, on November 5, 2013.

Omotola also appeared on Time magazine’s list of the top 100 global influencers in 2013. That same year, she was listed on New African Magazine’s list as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Africans.

The Nigerian celebrity was also ranked as one of the top-earning movie actors in 2015.

Omotola Awards and Nominations

Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o Fils is a celebrated African football legend who played for European clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea. In his prime, he was considered one of the best strikers in the world and one of the greatest African players of all time.

Eto’o won the African Player of the Year award a record four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010. The former Cameroonian player is currently head of the Cameroonian Football Federation. He took office on December 11, 2021.

Samuel Eto’o Achievements

Ibrahim Mahama

Ibrahim Mahama is a Ghanaian artist who has made global waves for his unique art exhibitions in the Northern Region of Ghana.

He explores themes including commodities, migration, globalisation, and economic exchange through the alteration of materials. His large-scale installations, which are frequently created in conjunction with others, use materials acquired from urban areas, such as scraps of wood or jute bags sewn together and draped over architectural elements.

The 2019 Venice Biennale’s Ghana Pavilion featured him as its youngest artist. That same year, he established the Tamale-based Savannah Center for Contemporary Art (SCCA).

Mahama was named the 73rd most influential African by the Africa Report for his contribution to the development of Africa through art.

Ibrahim Mahama’s Solo Exhibitions

Paul Kagame

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame took office in 2000 and has steered the country in the right direction. He took over a nation that had experienced destruction caused by genocide and transformed it into a stable, prosperous, united, and largely reconciled nation.

In 2016, Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, was recognised as one of the cleanest cities in the world and the cleanest in Africa. It also became one of the fastest-growing cities with the fastest rate of urbanisation in Africa, making it a top attraction city for foreign and local investors.

According to the World Economic Forum, Rwanda was the 9th safest country in the world, ahead of countries such as Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.

This is impressive for a country which still has citizens with fresh memories from the genocide. Most families who suffered a loss due to the genocide forgave their perpetrators.

Also, the needy in Rwanda are given access to social services like housing, healthcare, education, and livestock.

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, author, producer, political commentator, actor, and former television host born on February 20, 1984.

He served as the host of The Daily Show, an American late-night chat show and parody news program on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2022. Trevor has received numerous honours, including a Primetime Emmy Award, after receiving 11 nominations.

He is highly regarded as Africa’s most popular comedian.

Trevor Noah Nominations and Awards

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