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. The event took place during a one-man exhibit by renowned Sierra Leonean artist Sahr Songu Mbriwa, known professionally as Bondumani, whose hyperrealism style has been showcased on CNN. The partnership aims to promote human rights awareness through art, outreach, and community engagement.
Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammad Sowa attended as a special guest and delivered remarks alongside Bondumani and Miss Africa USA representatives. The Embassy of Sierra Leone is located just steps from the historic Fraser Mansion where the exhibit was held. Bondumani displayed a dozen pieces of his art recently brought from Sierra Leone and gave a live demonstration of the hyperrealism technique on a partially completed portrait, allowing attendees to participate in painting as well. He is the founder of the Bondumani School of Art in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and is working to gain support for free art lessons for talented youth in Sierra Leone who otherwise might not afford tuition.
Miss Africa USA Diana Melissa Ngoumape, who traveled from Indiana for the event, spoke about her commitment to empowering women. Miss Africa USA's First Princess Adeola Shonubi also spoke as the new President of Youth for Human Rights Maryland. Both emphasized the importance of human rights and women's empowerment. Organizer Beth Akiyama, Executive Director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office and former board member of YHRI, thanked attendees and 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." She thanked the Ambassador for supporting Bondumani's work and his dream for the art school.
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. This month's Art Walk event highlighted that mission, engaging more than 100 attendees with free educational materials from YHRI.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), created after World War II, includes 30 human rights that are universal. Despite its importance, surveys show 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 underscores the importance of human rights education and art as a vehicle for social change, with potential impact on communities by increasing awareness of fundamental rights.
