By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com
On May 23, the White House and Biden administration held a state dinner in honor of Kenyan President William Ruto and Her Excellency Rachel Ruto, who visited the U.S. during a recent trip in the interest of diplomacy.
The occasion featured a dynamic ambiance with magnetic views of the nation’s capital, celebrity and political A-listers as well as a splendid menu, designed in the interest of the East African guests of honor.
-
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Kenya’s President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto stand for an official photo. (AP Photo)
-
Beloved Reading Rainbow host and actor LeVar Burton arrives with his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton. (AP Photo) -
Shown here, Rev. Al Sharpton, with Aisha McShaw. (AP Photo)
-
Guests of the White House annual state dinner gather to celebrate the democracy of Kenya and the relationship between the two countries. (AP Photo)
-
Wawa Gatheru, a Kenyan born climate activist and Rhodes Scholar attends dinner with her mother Annie Gatheru. (AP Photo)
-
Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago, walks with his wife Stacie Johnson to their seats. (AP Photo)
-
Johnathan Edmund(left) accompanies Martha Haile, founder of Abze, a food innovation venture to help grow Africa’s independence on outside resources. (AP Photo)
-
Actress Dana Gurira best known for her role in Black Panther as the general of the Wandana Army as well as the royal guard. (AP Photo)
-
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre arrives with a quick wave. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
-
Members of the Howard University gospel choir perform on May 23 at a dinner hosted by President Joe Biden. (Photo by Vashti Jasmine McKenzie)
-
The guest list included the likes Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Essence Magazine CEO Caroline Wanga (left); Newlyweds James Ewing and veteran journalist April Ryan-Ewing, AFRO CEO and publisher, Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, and AFRO Director of Operations Andre Draper. (Photo by Vashti Jasmine McKenzie)
The dinner highlighted bilateral relations among Kenya and the U.S. and the 60-year partnership among the two countries as the world has developed from the cold war era into a multipolar, geopolitical landscape that features multiple nations, such as the U.S., Russia and China, vying for global dominance.
“Mr. President, six decades ago, when Kenya declared its independence, President Lyndon B. Johnson wrote a letter from our nation to yours. And he said, ‘May the responsibilities of freedom wake the best that is in you,’” said President Biden, during a joint press conference held in the East Room of the White House.
“Today, we mark 60 years of partnership between our democracies, and we’re fulfilling that wish together…Not only in Kenya and America but around the world, it’s had [a] positive impact,” Biden continued.
Throughout his remarks, Biden mentioned Kenya’s role in joint counterterrorism operations that have diminished the influence of ISIS and al-Shabab across East Africa, the nation’s work in Haiti via the Multinational Security Support Mission, as well as upcoming economic cooperation initiatives.
“Today, we’re launching what we’re calling the Nairobi-Washington Vision. This initiative is going to bring together international financial institutions and nations from all around the world to mobilize more resources for countries saddled with debt,” Biden said.
The goals of the new initiative include creating more opportunities for private-sector financing and promoting transparent, sustainable and affordable lending practices for developing nations.
President Biden also announced that in addition to the U.S.’ $250 million investment for crisis-response, the nation will be providing an additional $21 billion available to the International Monetary Fund and up to $250 billion in new lending capacity from multilateral development banks to invest in lower-income nations.
In addition to President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, the event involved an extensive guest list which featured over 500 esteemed attendees, including 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife, the 67th U.S. Secretary of State the Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton. Leaders such as AFRO CEO and publisher, Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, were also in attendance with AFRO Director of Operations, Andre Draper.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper. “Every single detail was addressed and no expense was spared but– most importantly– it was an honor to be in the same room as the President of Kenya, President Rudo; his wife, Her Excellency Rachel Ruto; President Joe Biden and the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.”
Draper noted that, before May 23, a Kenyan leader hadn’t been honored with a White House state dinner since 2003. In addition, the event was significant because there have been no state dinners in honor of an African country and its leader since 2008, when President George W. Bush hosted Ghanaian President John Kufuor.
“We were honored to be there,” said Draper. “It was good to see the president standing strong. Many people have commented about his age– but he is the president of the country and he and Dr. Jill Biden represented us well.”
Aside from the “exquisite” food, Draper said she also enjoyed performances by country star Brad Paisley and the Howard University Choir. Leaders from various industries and prominent civil rights leaders, such as Rev. Al Sharpton, could be seen enjoying the event’s festivities.
The state dinner was attended by a large group of dignitaries, diplomats and state and municipal leaders from around the nation. U.S. Senator Cory Booker was present, along with Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey, Governor of Maine Janet T. Mills and many others.
At least six leaders of prominent U.S. cities were also in attendance, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens; Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix; Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago; Mayor of Augusta, Ga, Garnett Johnson; Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Mayor of Charlotte, Vi Lyles.
The post White House celebrates Kenyan President William Ruto appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
