SemegaChange hosts its fifth annual gala
SemegaChange partnered with multiple organizations to host its fifth annual gala in Washington, D.C.
By: Leila Biola Olukoga
05/11/2025
On May 10, 2025, SemegaChange hosted its fifth annual gala, “It Takes a Village,” in Washington, D.C. Hosted by Aunty Eugena, the gala showcased the talents and successes of SemegaChange and its partners throughout the past year.
Numerous organizations partnered with SemegeChange, including Africa Children’s Foundation and National Science of Black Engineers, to bring the event to fruition. SemegaChange announced its fundraiser partnership with Africa Children’s Foundation to finance the educational initiatives and resources for children across the continent.
The gala hosted over 70 attendees, showcasing the talents of SemegaChange’s partners. There were speeches from well-esteemed innovators and changemakers including keynote speaker Dr. Adebola Ajao and honorable speeches from previously featured talents, including Nia Asemota and Fajr DeLane. During the event, SemegaChange presented numerous awards, including certificates of honor, to David Agoha and Kuniya V. Asobayire for their contributions to the non-profit.
Co-business manager Ayizat Omotunde said that the gala brought together ambitious leaders from across various sectors.
“From honoring women creating transformative change to meaningful networking over shared meals, the evening beautifully embodied the passion, community, and impact at the heart of SemegaChange’s mission,” Omotunde said.
The event concluded with a performance by cellist Candace and presentations by QuEra Computing and National Science of Black Engineers. Programming Manager Uchechukwu Udeh said that the gala was a long time in the making but significantly paid off for both her and the team.
“Though there were hurdles I needed to overcome, the ends justified the means and I was so proud of what I helped create,” Udeh said. “I am so honored to [have been] a part of SemegaChange in what I would like to consider the turning point of our tenure, as I believe in our ability to be globally recognized so very soon. I am so beyond proud and so excited for the next gala.”
SemegaChange aims to incorporate networking and be more interactive based on the feedback in the next year before the next gala, which they hope to host in Boston next year.
