Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of ADDI, Her Excellency Arikana Chihombori Quao MD is a medical doctor (having practised medicine for over 25 years), founder and owner of medical clinics, diplomat, public speaker, educator, and entrepreneur. Her recently published book Africa 101: The Wake-Up Call is a best seller on Amazon.In her role as Permanent Representative to the African Union Mission in Washington DC (2016-2019), Her Excellency Arikana Chihombori Quao MD worked tirelessly towards fulfilling her mandate which was to undertake, develop, and maintain relationships between the African Union and the Executive and Legislative branches of the US Government, the African Diplomatic Corps, the Africans in the Diaspora and the Bretton Woods Institutions. This was specifically in relation to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advancing the priority areas of Agenda 2063. Her efforts to mobilize the Diaspora as people of African descent and not as citizens of any single African country is unprecedented and exemplifies her ability to unify people around a common goal, speaking with one voice as one Africa and one Continent.
Before her appointment as AU Ambassador, H. E. Arikana Chihombori Quao MD’s contributions to the cause of Africa earned her many prestigious honors and awards, including two that she cherishes the most: The Achievement Award, which she received in 1996 from the incumbent President at the time, H.E. the late President Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa in the presence of both President Mandela and President Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe; and the African Woman of Excellence Award, which she received in July 2015 during the AU Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, alongside 15 other prominent African Women including the former President of The Republic of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the former President of The Republic of Malawi, Madam Joyce Banda, Mama Winnie Mandela (Republic of South Africa), Mama Ngina Kenyatta (Republic of Kenya), Mama Asigwe Anyiam (Federal Republic of Nigeria), and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (Republic of South Africa).
During her three-year tenure as AU Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao MD received more than 100 awards and attestations from many organizations, including from the African Diaspora within the Americas. She received the 2018 Ambassador of the Year Award from Howard University in Washington D.C., as well as numerous recognitions from Members of Congress, Governors, Mayors, and County Executives from across the United States, the Caribbean, and South America.
In January 2020, after being featured as “A Profile in Courage,” H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao MD was honored to be named 2019 Person of the Year by The Guardian Newspaper, the largest newspaper in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In an article published on June 12, 2020 by Eye Gambia, a reputable Gambian newspaper, H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao MD was listed among the 10 Most Influential Africans for 2019. She was the only female to make this list. Reputation Poll, a leading global reputation management firm, featured H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao MD in its 2020 list of 100 Most Reputable Africans.
H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao MD is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the American Association of Family Physicians and the Tennessee Association of Family Physicians.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe where she attained her primary and secondary education, Her Excellency Arikana Chihombori Quao MD left Zimbabwe to study in the United States, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in General Chemistry, a Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree. She is married to a Ghanaian husband and is a proud mother of five children and a very happy grandmother of five grandchildren. Bio from https://teachforall.org/ambassador-dr-arikana-chihombori-quao
James Page works as a Chief Information Officer at New York State School Boards Association, which is a Membership Organizations company. Full bio coming soon.
Mark Henry is a powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and retired professional wrestler. He was an Olympian in 1992 and 1996, and was a gold, silver, and bronze medalist at the Pan American Games in 1995. As a powerlifter, he was World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation World Champion (1995) and a two-time U.S. National Champion (1995 and 1997). He also holds the all-time raw world record in the squat and deadlift. He holds the largest raw squat and raw powerlifting totals ever performed by a drug-tested athlete, regardless of weight class, and the highest raw deadlift by an American citizen.
Personal bests for Mark Henry in competition are a squat of 953.5 pounds, a deadlift of 903.9 pounds, a powerlifting total of 2,336.9 pounds, a snatch of 396.8 pounds, a clean and jerk of 485.0 pounds, and a weightlifting total of 881.8 pounds.
In weightlifting, Henry was a three-time U.S. National Weightlifting Champion (1993, 1994, 1996), an American Open winner (1992), a two-time U.S. Olympic Festival Champion (1993 and 1994) and a NACAC champion (1996). He holds all three Senior U.S. American weightlifting records. In 2002 he won the first annual Arnold Strongman Classic.
Since joining the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1996, he has become a one-time WWF European Champion and a two-time world champion, having held the ECW Championship in 2008, and WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship in 2011.
Mark Jerrold Henry was born on June 12, 1971, in Silsbee, Texas. He is a powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and retired professional wrestler. He is also currently signed to WWE as a producer. He was a two-time Olympian in 1992 and 1996 and a gold, silver, and bronze medalist at the Pan American Games in 1995.
Henry was born in Silsbee, Texas. As a child, he was a big wrestling fan, and André the Giant was his favorite wrestler. While attending a wrestling show in Beaumont, Texas, young Henry tried to touch André as he walked down the aisle but tripped over the barricade. André picked him up out of the crowd and put him back behind the barrier.
Henry comes from a family where almost all of the men are larger than average, especially his great uncle Chudd, who was 6 ft 7 in and weighed approximately 500 lb. He never had a pair of manufactured shoes and was known as the strongest man in the Piney Woods of East Texas. He played football in high school until his senior year, when he injured his wrist during a game.
In early 1998 he was still able to do five reps in the bench press with 495 lbs, three reps in the squat with 855 lbs (with no suit and no knee wraps), and three reps in the standing press with 405 lbs in training. Despite these impressive totals, while working for the World Wrestling Federation, he never returned to compete again in official weightlifting championships in favor of his wrestling career.
Henry is currently a talent scout for All Elite Wrestling. Bio from https://www.museumofthegulfcoast.org/copy-of-johnny-fuller-1
A first round draft pick and Super Bowl Champion, Benjamin Watson is a true talent and an offensive force in the NFL. While in high school in South Carolina, Benjamin was a standout athlete. His talents afforded him a place on the Duke University football team and later with the University of Georgia. In his senior year, Benjamin was selected as an NCAA preseason All-American and an All-SEC selection at UGA. He was also named the Bulldogs’ offensive captain for the season and was honored as an All-SEC selection by numerous publications after a stellar season, capped off by touchdown receptions in both the SEC Championship game and the Capital One Bowl.
It is no surprise that Benjamin was a first round NFL draft selection. The New England Patriots knew he was a special talent and selected him as the 32nd overall pick. He has been a powerhouse in the NFL ever since. Known for his speed and astounding athletic ability, Benjamin is widely recognized for what is considered “the most amazing play of the entire 2005-2006 NFL season” – a remarkable run to deny a touchdown in a critical playoff game.
After six successful seasons with the Patriots, Benjamin landed with the Cleveland Browns where he continued to be a dominating force, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
As an NFL veteran, Benjamin has been a key playmaker for teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and currently, the New Orleans Saints. With 547 receptions and over 6,000 yards in his career, Benjamin has been a model of consistency and talent through his 16 years in the league. Benjamin’s passion for football mirrors his passion for giving back. Understanding just how blessed he is, Benjamin and his wife Kirsten established their foundation, One More. One More is a non-profit organization dedicated to impacting the lives of those in need by providing enrichment opportunities and promoting education through charitable initiatives and partnerships. Benjamin holds annual events such as The Big BENefit Christmas Toy Giveaway, Thanksgiving Turkey Drop, School Givebacks and much more. Benjamin also partners on numerous events and projects with the International Justice Mission, working to end sex trafficking.
In 2015 & 2017, the NFL recognized Benjamin for his incredible philanthropic efforts by naming him a Walter Payton Man of the Year Finalist. Benjamin also received the prestigious 2017 Bart Starr Award. Off the field accomplishments for Benjamin also include being cast in The American Bible Challenge, participating in the 14th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Fest, speaking at the Pentagon, Liberty University, SXSW and being named one of CNN’s Most Extraordinary People of 2014.
In 2015 Benjamin wrote several powerful essays on cultural topics; his most notable outlined his thoughts on racial tension in America and became an internet sensation, reaching over 44 million. This Facebook post was the catalyst for Benjamin to write his first book, Under Our Skin, which garnered critical acclaim and eventually led to the release of his highly anticipated second literary work, The New Dad’s Playbook.
Benjamin’s uncanny ability to objectively address controversial topics in such an eloquent manner has placed him on major TV networks, such as ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, the Christian Broadcasting Network, and the Dr. Phil Show to share his opinions. Benjamin has also spoken on current events at schools, churches, and conferences across the country.
Benjamin’s talents on and off the field, coupled with his down-to-earth personality, have paved the path to a very bright future post-NFL. In 2018, Benjamin announced he would be retiring after 15 seasons in the NFL, along with a surprise in-game touchdown celebration announcing that he and his wife are expanding their family, expecting twins in spring of 2019. To only shock the world once more, Benjamin returned to the NFL for one final season. Joining the New England Patriots in 2019, Benjamin was able to give it all he’s got and end that chapter of his life knowing he left it all on the field. In 2020, Benjamin announced he is officially retiring from the game of football.