Ambassador Chibamba Kanyama of Zambia Keynotes BFA Luncheon in Atlanta

Guests from near and far braved inclement weather to attend Books For Africa’s 2024 Atlanta Luncheon, featuring a keynote address by His Excellency Chibamba Kanyama, Ambassador of Zambia to the United States.

The occasion was a chance for BFA’s local friends and supporters in Georgia, home to BFA’s main warehouse (and the site most of our container shipments leave from) to mingle with members of the diaspora, VIPs, BFA warehouse staff and each other, and recognize their shared interest in literacy on the continent. BFA was so pleased that its guests of honor made the trip, as Hurricane Helene had recently passed through and Georgia had received some heavy rain.

But BFA’s supporters turned out in force, with a container shipment to Malawi funded in honor of the event by presenting sponsor Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Executive Pastor Dr. Jay Madden introduced the keynote speech.

Ambassador Kanyama’s keynote address focused on the importance of literacy and books across the continent. BFA has shipped 1.15 million books to Zambia alone in its 36 year history.

The luncheon was sponsored by a number of friends and supporters of BFA. In addition to Peachtree Church, the event was supported by Summit Sponsors Perry Mitchell and Pam Woodley, Kilimanjaro Sponsors Superior Text, Walker Bookstore, Monroe Energy, Vector Global Logistics, Doug Kuniansky and David Kuniansky, and Table Sponsors Shelly Kacergis and Africa’s Children’s Fund.

Other speakers in attendance included longtime friend, sponsor and volunteer Perry Mitchell, BFA Founder Tom Warth, and BFA Board President Tammie Follett. Ambassadors Circle member Fotemah Mba served as Master of Ceremonies.

You can check out our photo album from the event here, or in the slideshow below.

Image credit Daniela Sierra and Mauricio Arango