About the AAMM and its Akua’ba Award
MD Senator Guy Guzzone 2020
Akua’ba Award
Howard County (MD) Executive Dr. Calvin Ball 2022
The AAMM’s highest honor, the Akua’ba Award is presented to demonstrate deep gratitude to individuals or institutions of national or international stature who have significantly contributed to the broadening of understanding of the diverse culture of Africa, a primary goal of AAMM.
Maryland Senator Guy Guzzone and Howard County (MD) Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, have been valued friends of the African Art Museum of Maryland throughout AAMM’s existence, now entering its 45th year of service to the public. Our deep and sincere appreciation for your demonstrated support for the perpetuity of AAMM includes all you continue to do to move forward Howard County and the State of Maryland.
Thank You!
The Akua’ba Award, cast in bronze, was given for the first time in 1991 to Mr. James W. Rouse, founder in the 1960’s, of the new town, Columbia, MD, recognized among the first planned communities in the United States.
Other Recipients of the Akua’ba Award include:
| NAME | REPRESENTING |
| Congressman Kweisi Mfume | Maryland US 7th District |
| His Excellency Julien Kavakure | Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi |
| Mr. Padraic M. Kennedy | President, The Columbia Association |
| Mr. C. Payne Lucas | Founder & President, Africare |
| His Excellency Franklin A. Sonn | Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa |
| Morgan State University | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Mr. Warren M. Robbins | Founder & Director, Emeritus, Museum of African Art, Washington, DC |
| Mr. Melvin P. Foote | Constituency for Africa |
| The Honorable Koby Arthur Koomson | Former Ambassador from Ghana to the United States |
| The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings | U.S. Congressman, Maryland 7th District |
| Claude M. Ligon, Ph.D., P.E. | Lt. Col. Retired United States Army (Posthumously) |
The original work of art (which later came to be known as the Akua’ba Award) was originally, in part, created by Henry Elliott, Washington, D.C. artist. It was later completed by Maryland artist John P. Beckley. The completed art piece – now declared the ‘Akua’ba Award’ with all copyright and ownership rights was donated to the African Art Museum of Maryland by Mr. Beckley on January 1, 1990.