Camille Selvon-Abrahams Among MIPAD Honourees for Outstanding Achievers of African Descent

HER Magazine

Camille Selvon-Abrahams, senior lecturer and lead for animation at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, was among a few Caribbean honourees selected for the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Recognition and Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday October 2 in New York City.

Known for her tremendous contribution to the development of animation and digital technologies in the Caribbean, Selvon-Abrahams received her award on Friday, as part of MIPAD’s Recognition Weekend 2022, which ran from September 30 to October 3.

Selvon with students of the UTT Animation programme

A pioneer in her own right. Selvon- Abrahams’ belief in education reform and her activism in bridging the digital divide, have fostered the inclusion of digital media in secondary and tertiary education.

The theme of this year’s awards ceremony, ‘Celebrating Five Years Of Telling Global Black Stories of Excellence, Authenticity and Passion’ – comes at a time of unprecedented truth-telling, as the African diaspora demands to be heard amidst far-ranging political and social change.

In the spirit of recognition, all honourees present were given their official Certificate of Recognition as MIPAD celebrates five years of working in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 to 2024) as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/237.

Kamil Olufowobi, chief executive officer of MIPAD, said, ‘the four days will be packed full of global conversations, meaningful networking experiences and human connections.

‘Activities include panel sessions, leadership training workshops, a recognition and awards ceremony, a tour of the United Nations Headquarters, and a film screening of Enslaved: The LostHistory of the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the UN HQ.’

Olufowobi added:’This celebration is a milestone year in MIPAD’s journey. I can’t wait for you all to see who made the Most Influential 100 Global List Class of 2022, who will receive the 2022 Hall of Fame Awards and the tribute videos to this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients: Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, Her Excellency Espy Campbell of Costa Rica and Dr Djibril Diallo, president of the African Renaissance & Diaspora Network. With the support of the Inter-American Development Bank and FilmTT, On Africa Day, May 25th 2023, there will be another global gathering inside Africa for all MIPAD honourees since inception.

The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), is a global civil society initiative in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237, to be observed from 2015 to 2024.

MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development.

Updated from HER Magazine feature, published Sunday October 2, 2020