The purpose of the awards ceremony is to celebrate
SeneGambian culture in America and recognize the achievements of trailblazers in our community. It was an evening of culture celebration, entertainment, musical performances and red carpet. As a first-generation Gambian-American young woman, the awards ceremony is my effort to create an evening of empowerment and celebration, in which members of the community are uplifted, individuals are provided a platform to share their passions and the youth are inspired to reach their potential. Growing up in inner-city New York, I witnessed the societal and cultural barriers that may prevent individuals from realizing their full potential. Like many first-generation Gambian-American and Senegalese-Americans, I grew up in a community colored by poverty, lack of educational success and resources. Living in such a world as New American and a Muslim, in a post-9/11 world, furthered complicated such experiences. I also struggled with navigating two worlds - a traditional and religious community that sometimes prescribed sexist standards on woman. As a person with an intersectional identity, in many ways, I know what it feels like to be compounded by racism, sexism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. I like to believe that the SeneGambia Awards Gala is an important way of deconstructing these barriers to success - it will allow young people to meet and celebrate with successful individuals in the community. Also, as growing up in American society as Gambian/Senegalese American-Muslim can be challenging, it will be a way to celebrate our identities and the hard work that we continue to do to ensure the success of our community.