President and CEO Dr.Chuma Osuji
on October 12, 2002
 African Ambassadors is a non-profit, non-religious,
non-political organization geared towards helping the underprivileged
to obtain medical and legal services. We do this by having
quarterly social events from which profits and proceeds
go towards our dedication to these services. The driving
force behind African Ambassadors mission was taken from
my personal past experience; I came to this country as an
underprivileged kid without any means of support. There
were times when I could not ask for either medical or legal
assistance. I didn't have anyone to support or assist me.
However, through the grace of God, I met some good people
along the way. These were not just good people but they
showered me with lots of love, respect, kindness, and mercy.
And somehow today, I am no longer underprivileged and this
has made it very difficult to move on without reflecting
to my past experience, hence this subsequent urge and desire
to give goodness back to a society that did not let me down.
We are African Ambassadors because we are no longer asking
for our freedom, we are no longer asking for racial equality,
no longer asking for economic and financial power. All we
are trying to do is simply making a stand with respect to
some of the indignities that our forefathers faced when
we all came to this country. So today I represent the dream
of a man that said it best. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
in his infinite and gracious wisdom said, "I have a dream
that my four little children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but the content of their character". And these characters
are absolute goodness with love, respect, kindness, and
mercy for our fellow human beings. With all due respect
and great admiration, the late President John F. Kennedy
in his own infinite wisdom said it best, "Ask not what your
country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country".
Last but not least my father, always made it clear that
goodness begets goodness, and to whom much is given in life,
much is expected. Hence - the creation of African Ambassadors.
I am optimistic about the future of African Ambassadors
with respect to our goal and mission because of the turnout
of our first annual event at Higgins Hall in Tampa on October
12, 2002. The event had much to say about African Ambassadors
with respect to the mixed number of people coming from different
cultures collectively recognizing the essence of goodness
with love, respect, kindness, and mercy.
The African Angels, Kuumba dancers, Nigerian Igbo dancers,
Nicole Shaw and Ralna with interpretive song and dance helped
commemorate the inauguration with their beautiful performances.
I will always remain grateful to them. These are truly African
Ambassadors. DJ Double E (guest DJ of 88.5 FM), the Caribbean
band "Democracy", were delightful that evening. They will
always remain to me the first Ambassadors. The City of Tampa,
members of our community from different races, the cooks,
and all the volunteers including the guest speakers from
Africa and different parts of the world will always be cherished
not only for their time, but their kind, encouraging and
inspiring words to all the members of African Ambassadors.
I would like to thank God Almighty for the creation of African
Ambassadors; without Him, I am nothing. And without Him,
all of my desires and aspirations for African Ambassadors
would not be possible.
 For us the African Ambassadors; it is not enough to be
just a good, man, woman, or child, but the ability to incorporate
the goodness with love, respect, kindness and mercy is paramount
and the bottom line. Therefore, the question before us should
not be "what would happen if we do stop helping others",
but "what would happen if we do not stop helping others".
We also vehemently oppose the idea of only one opportunity,
rather we believe in the graciousness and merciful creation
of multiple opportunities to members of our community that
are miserably and sadly underprivileged. Life is too short
to have only one opportunity. God is my witness.
Everyone in the world needs to be recognized in positive
ways, yet that remains an elusive goal. I wish to acknowledge
with the deep sincere gratitude to the significant factors
that affected my life; first of all my parents, the good
people of America, and most definitely my Lord Jesus Christ.
They have provided me with wonderful opportunities in life
to do what I love so much, helping sick people and remaining
a dignified child of God.I wish to acknowledge a few friends
for whom I have a great deal of respect and regard for their
great human qualities and attributes: Captain Lewis Eke,
Zubike, Dr. Herbert Swana, Paula Snow, Dr. Gimaucho Truneh,
Ken Shibola (President and CEO of Kenaday Medical Group),
Miriam Blackwell, Ms. Cynthia Bailey of African Art Gallery,
Julia Stevenson of African Angels, Latrice Washington, Anthony
Emeribe and Anthony Brinkley. And to my family with added
blessings, my four loving sisters, (Tonna, Sybil, Goodhope,
Onyema) and my brother Micheal. Thank you for your support
and friendship.To my dearest and beloved parents; you never
let me down. Thanks a lot for your sincere prayers. Sometimes
you held me up when there was no one else. A wise old philosopher
once said, "There will be one". You were the only ones from
the beginning today and to the end. I will always love you.
Mom and Dad, I fully realize that few people if, any ever
believed in your ideas and your enthusiasm toward the essence
of the goodness of mankind in giving all we can while we
can in life. I did and still do. You were way ahead of your
time but like so many other visionaries you fell by the
wayside. This formal acknowledgment, seen before God and
man will set the record straight. A few will try and none
will succeed in being the ideal role models that you continue
to be to me and to many others in life. Now Mom and Dad,
you are finally recognized. Who are we to judge you? I love
you.
|
|
