On Friday October 5, The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa paid tribute to President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, of the Republic of Angola at the “Embrace Africa & America” ceremony and reception in Los Angeles. “Embrace Africa & America” was sponsored by The Africa Society in partnership with Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, which offers quality higher education for minorities in Los Angeles in addition to providing training and patient care throughout Africa.
At the ceremony President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a former Angolan liberation fighter, received an honorary doctorate degree. Interim President of Charles Drew, Dr. Keith C. Norris, conferred the honorary doctorate of Humane Letters to Angolan Ambassador Josefina Pitra Diakite, who accepted it on President dos Santos’ behalf. Ambassador Diakite, a featured guest at the reception, said President dos Santos led the country from a “one party government to a multi-party system, from a centralized government to a market economy, from war to peace.” In recent years, she said, Angola has enjoyed economic stability and has expanded health care system, educational opportunities and transportation services. Faculty, staff, students—including young children and teenagers from local elementary, junior high and high school—packed the atrium of the W. Montague Medical Education Building to watch as the honor was bestowed on President dos Santos, one of Africa’s longest serving leaders.
