Empowers Africa Annual Event 2017

Thursday, April 20th, 2017 - The Explorers Club, NYC

Empowers Africa Annual Gala Event Honoring Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit

Photos from the event.

Empowers Africa, a non-profit foundation that supports programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, held its annual gala dinner at The Explorers Club in New York City on April 20th, 2017. The event raised nearly USD 200,000 for human empowerment and wildlife protection programs in Africa.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Richard Wiese, Host and Producer of ABC series “Born to Explore”. The auctioneer was Patricia Glass, Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley. Guests included Michael Corbat, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup and event Co-chairs Nina Griscom, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Delia von Neuschatz, Christine Mack and Laura Nicklas. Town & Country Magazine was the media sponsor for the event.

Net proceeds from the auction will be granted to programs that Empowers Africa supports including anti-poaching initiatives, rural feeding programs and income-generating projects. The auction consisted of prints from James Suter and trips from Africa’s top operators including Singita, Asilia Africa and Wilderness Safaris.

The evening’s honorees are three members from The Black Mamba APU, Africa’s only majority female anti-poaching unit. The 36-member team protects approximately 50,000 hectares in five different regions of Olifants West Region of the Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa. The Reserve is a proud custodian of the black and white rhinoceros who interact freely as part of the Greater Kruger National Park meta-population of rhino. The Black Mamba APU’s main objective is the security of the Reserve and the protection of its wildlife. The team’s methodology has been highly successful as a unique approach that involves educating and bonding with the local communities on the Reserve boundaries.

Accepting the award on behalf of the unit will be:

  • Leitah Mkhabela, senior Black Mamba anti-poaching ranger.
  • Nkateko Mzimba, senior Black Mamba anti-poaching ranger.
  • Craig Spencer, Head Warden of the Balule Nature Reserve and Director of Transfrontier Africa.

Empowers Africa is a 501(c)(3) that focuses on funding programs in communities that surround protected conservation and wildlife areas or World Heritage sites; programs in urban communities where tourism is a strong source of development; and programs that support the protection of wildlife and land conservation.