Against All Odds Awards Luncheon

The African Women Economic Consortium (AWEC) a Michigan Non-profit 501©3 corporation, presents its 4th annual Against All Odds Awards Luncheon in celebration of people in the community who are making a difference in various endeavors against all odds. These community leaders work diligently to produce outstanding results. This year, AWEC is honoring the following trail blazers in no particular order:

Jan Cardwell, the Vice President / Director of the University of Phoenix – Metro Detroit Campus will be honored for outstanding work in education along with other community leaders: Oma Nkele, Attorney at law with Loan Mad Legal Services for helping homeowners to stay in their homes; Barbara Moore, Physician, Michigan Rheumatology Group for the outstanding work she provides to members of the flint community; Earl Robinson of Powerbase USA for Scientific work in Nano Science and Technology; Udee Onyioha, for exceptional cultural spiritual work as the High Chief Priest of Chiist Theology; David Kasbow Christian Theologian on behalf of the Family Peace Church, for the promotion of world peace; Bill Ross, President of the Booker T. Washington Business Association for superior business leadership, Dr. Uwa Onyioha-Osimiri, President of AWEC, for International Humanitarian achievement; Joe Byers, President of Pleasant Valley LLC for his work in Renewable Energy Resources and Bishop B. H. Weeks, President of Women in Ministry for Leadership.

The mission of AWEC, a Michigan 501C3 non-profit and IRS recognized charity organization, is to promote international work, to enhance the life of women and children. Over the years, the African Women Economic Consortium has been an advocate for orphan care. Dr. Uwa Onyioha-Osimiri, the President of AWEC, attended as a delegate of the United Nations World Council of Religions for Peace, to Africa's Most Senior Religious Leadership Conference on the effects of HIV/AIDS on orphans. This event was held in Nairobi Kenya in June 2002. The plight of orphans in Africa was seen as one of the greatest catastrophes facing the continent. The declaration at the conclusion of the conference required participants to creatively promote orphan care in their communities. Since that conference, Dr. Uwa Osimiri, president of AWEC has canvassed locally, nationally and internationally to promote orphan support.

The Village of Hope is a direct result of AWEC’s concern for orphans. The concept provides stable families for children and investment in specialized education, which teach the children educational precepts to help care for their communities as adults. The project will also provide parents the opportunity to upgrade their living standards while helping to support orphan children. It provides Women with micro financing for small business initiatives while men learn construction skills.

Our Keynote speaker, Joe Byers is the President and Founder of Pleasant Valley Energy LLC and the designer of the Joe Dome Project. Inspired by the desire to assist impoverished communities, Mr. Byers, a 2008 honoree of AWEC’s Against All Odds Award, has embraced AWEC’s vision. He felt that his building design fits well with AWEC’s programmatic aspirations. He acknowledges that “Joe Dome” housing design, a community of dome shaped two Story Homes for a family of 4 to 6 members using Alternative Energy Technology Voltaic, Geothermal, Wind Turbine, LED, the Self-sustaining Monolithic Dome Community would create the environment conducive for orphan care. AWEC’s collaboration with Pleasant Valley LLC is the greatest opportunity for poor communities, particularly in Africa, to rebound effectively and with unequivocal success.

At this event, we unveil the AWEC Village of Hope “Joe Dome” Sustainable Housing Initiative in Collaboration with Pleasant Valley Energy LLC. According to Dr. Uwa Osimiri, President of AWEC and the International Project Manager for this initiative, “The building reflects a positive futuristic outlook for rural living with the express possibility of encouraging more people to move back to the villages and utilize ample local recourses and cultural dictates as instruments for the greater good of the people.” The AWEC Village of Hope program component influences the successful application of the essential programming that guarantees success in the long term.

“I believe that it is critical that the Africans see this as a continental wide objective for rebuilding Africa and that every African country pulls in the same direction. Too many hap-hazard programs have been initiated in Africa and have woefully failed or at least have no real sustainability due to their myopic perspectives. This is our opportunity to create a formidable umbrella under which we can collectively reach out to families in the spirit of continental survival and relevance. In so doing, we hope to attract the necessary support to move our vision forward. As the President of AWEC and International Project Manager for this Housing initiative, it is my goal to work with Joe Byers, the originator of the “Joe Dome” building, to make our collective vision for this premier housing project for Africa and beyond, a bastion for hope and communal growth” stated Dr. Osimiri.

As so emotionally expressed to Dr. Osimiri by Rev. Francis Perry Azah, of Ghana, “We need men and women like you and others who have genuinely demonstrated their commitment toward the emancipation of women and children. As Dr. Aggrey of Ghana put it, “To educate a man is to educate an individual but to educate a woman is to educate a nation” is what you and your group are demonstrating here.”

This auspicious event will be held at the University of Phoenix, 26261 Evergreen Road, Southfield Michigan, 48076 on April, 17, 2010, at 1:00P.M. Please visit AWEConline.Biz or call 248-390-2106 for additional information about AWEC and the event.