Akon Lighting Africa

Steven Olikara named president of Bridge Entertainment Labs (BEL) to elevate "new stories of us"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Entertainment Labs, a non-profit organization dedicated to leveraging the power of entertainment to reduce America's divisions and strengthen democracy, announced today the appointment of Steven Olikara as president. Olikara brings two decades of experience in transformative media, political, and nonprofit leadership roles to the organization as it launches a suite of new programs this fall convening key entertainment industry leaders. 

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Entertainment Labs , a non-profit organization dedicated to leveraging the power of entertainment to reduce America's divisions and strengthen democracy, announced today the appointment of Steven Olikara as president.
  • "The question of how we bridge widening gaps in our democracy is the foremost challenge of our time," Olikara said.
  • "With Steven's leadership and national presence, as well as his bridge-building experience and creative ability, we will launch a new chapter for Bridge Entertainment Labs.
  • "Hollywood and the broader entertainment industry urgently needs a center of gravity like Bridge Entertainment Labs, and Steven Olikara is the perfect person to lead this effort," states Ann Reidy, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Civic Health Project , the funding organization that incubated Bridge Entertainment Labs.

Farouk Khailann Joins Erez Capital as Venture Partner

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
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BOSTON, Aug 2, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Farouk Khailann, CEO of Premium Africa Holdings, Managing Partner of Akon Lighting and Strategic Advisor to the UAE Royal Family Office, Joins Erez Capital as Venture Partner.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON, Aug 2, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Farouk Khailann, CEO of Premium Africa Holdings, Managing Partner of Akon Lighting and Strategic Advisor to the UAE Royal Family Office, Joins Erez Capital as Venture Partner.
  • Farouk Khailann is an African Entrepreneur with a strong commitment to Africa's economic growth.
  • We are lucky to have his leadership and to help the fund expand its footprint into these growing and dynamic markets," said Managing Partner and Founder of Erez Capital, Michael Benezra.
  • He works closely with the offices of five African presidents on various interventions geared towards the economic transformation of their respective countries.

Akon Lighting and GATC Health Announce Partnership to Analyze and Provide AI-driven Genomic Insights to Over 1 Million People Across Africa

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
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DUBAI, UAE and IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Akon Lighting Inc., founded by music artist and philanthropist Akon, and GATC Health Corp., a science and technology company revolutionizing disease risk assessment and drug discovery using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced genomic analysis, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership to interpret genetic and other biological data to identify predisposition to diseases and reduce unnecessary deaths of Africans and people of African heritage.

Key Points: 
  • The initiative will gather and study the genetics, biological data and other important health information of at least 1 million people across Africa.
  • "Akon Lighting and GATC Health's mission is simple, utilize our resources to the best of our ability to close healthcare gaps in Africa," Akon said.
  • Akon Lighting is leveraging its broad reach and trusted relationships to change the face of healthcare on the continent by partnering with GATC Health.
  • GATC Health will work with Akon Lighting and healthcare professionals to assess individuals' de-identified health data to predict health risks and recommend potential treatments.

Akon Lighting Africa Present's Atlanta's Jollof, Music & Food Festival

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 21, 2022
International Superstar, Food, Rotimi, Black, Square, Electricity, Piedmont Park, Solar energy, Joanna, Sierra Leone, Music, Creativity, DJ, Color of Change, 100 Black Men of America, Color, Disc jockey, Nightclub, Entertainment, Atlanta, Jollof rice, African, Akon Lighting Africa

ATLANTA, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Atlanta is preparing for one of the biggest festivals to be introduced to the market. International Superstar and Philanthropist, Akon, who is Senegalese has partnered with Color of Change, the nation's largest online racial justice organization, Jacob York, famed music executive, and Ais York, hospitality guru to present the inaugural Atlanta's Jollof, Music & Food Festival. The family-friendly cultural experience will feature Afrobeat and Caribbean DJ's, a Jollof contest judged by Akon and other influential chefs and cultural tastemakers, live music performances, food, art, dance, and more. The festival will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Piedmont Park, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Akon Lighting Africa.

Key Points: 
  • International Superstar and Philanthropist, Akon, who is Senegalese has partnered with Color of Change, the nation's largest online racial justice organization, Jacob York, famed music executive, and Ais York, hospitality guru to present the inaugural Atlanta's Jollof, Music & Food Festival.
  • The festival will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Piedmont Park, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Akon Lighting Africa.
  • "We want to highlight the power of the West African culture through the Atlanta's Jollof, Music & Food Festival," said Akon.
  • Through integrated programming, Atlanta's Jollof, Music & Food Festival seeks to benefit Akon Lighting Africa, a project started in 2014 to provide electricity by solar energy in Africa.

Akon Enlists Artificial Intelligence In Mission To Extend His Green Energy Vision In Africa And Beyond

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Energy, Alternative energy, Other Energy, Technology, Data management, Software, Philanthropy, Environment, Other Philanthropy, Musicians, Akon, Singers, Akon Lighting Africa

The partnership is focused on benefiting the whole of Africa, starting with the Comoros Islands, by leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the development and delivery of sustainable energy solutions around the world.

Key Points: 
  • The partnership is focused on benefiting the whole of Africa, starting with the Comoros Islands, by leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the development and delivery of sustainable energy solutions around the world.
  • The announcement was finalized as Akon spoke at a summit on clean tech financing in Dubai, UAE.
  • Integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence to our new sustainable energy solutions is a must said Akon.
  • Since 2013, Akon has been actively involved in delivering sustainable energy solutions to disadvantaged and rural populations, resulting in the Akon Lighting Africa initiative with active projects in over 16 countries.