Voting in This Year's Pride of Africa Awards Now Open

Amid ongoing tension and accounts of xenophobic incidents primarily directed towards African residents in China's southern city of Guangzhou, there has arguably not been a more pressing time to highlight the positive contributions that Africans and those with a love for the sprawling and diverse continent have made to life in China over the past year.

That's exactly what the Pride of Africa Awards hope to achieve. Since its founding in 2014 by the Appreciate Africa Network, the awards have been dedicated to championing African causes and achievements across 27 categories, including art and culture, media, fashion, health, sports, and business. The awards also look to give kudos to friends of Africa who have worked together with Africans to lift and promote the continent and its people.

Last month, during the nomination round of this year's awards, founder and executive director of the Appreciate Africa Network, Samantha Sibanda, told the Beijinger how the "event is also designed to highlight innovative leaders and changemakers from across China/Asia and around the world," with the awards evening "always followed by an after-party to celebrate all of the achievements of those nominated for the awards and celebrate the efforts of individuals and organizations that are helping put Africa on the map through excellence in their various fields of occupations."

Voting is as simple as registering before selecting those individuals in various categories who you think should win this year's awards. Voting is open until May 24, and you can place your vote by scanning the QR code in the poster below:

The awards ceremony is tentatively set for Jun 13, though may be postponed depending on the coronavirus situation.

READ: How to Watch Star-Studded 'Together at Home' Concert in Beijing, Apr 19

Images: Appreciate Africa Network