Desiree Rogers, the first African American White House Social Secretary, will be the keynote speaker at the 3rd annual African Awards Gala in St. Paul, Minnesota on Saturday, October 8. Ms. Rogers is chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Company and has earned a reputation as one of America’s most successful businesswomen.
In 2008, President Obama named the Harvard educated Rogers, the first African American Social Secretary. As Social Secretary, her mandate
was to help "people visualize what the Obama presidency is about, the values Americans voted for – inclusion, transparency, the embracement of all people – and translating the splendor, the sweetness and comfort of the White House to everyone." She was recruited to reposition the Obamas’ nontraditional vision of the White House to the "People’s House." Her office produced 350 events in her 14-month tenure and turned the White House into a showcase for American art and culture.
The African Awards, which are presented by Mshale Newspaper, will be held at Circus Juventas, Minnesota’s only youth circus school.
The honorees being recognized at the African Awards Gala were nominated and voted upon by Mshale readers.
Individual tickets to the gala are $100 while corporate tables of 10 are $1,250 and are available online.
