Abdulaal Hussein

Ruben Brave

Naomie Veerman

Karim el Oteify

Dr. Meverly Adjhei Benjamin

Vincent Gambrah

Virginia Scheele

GINI Impact Gala

C﻿ultural remembrance through travel & storytelling.

GINI

​GINI Impact Gala  - Schiedam. A curated evening where impactmakers, community initiatives and ecosystem partners come together!

Nationaal Jenevermuseum Schiedam

✨ GINI Impact Gala – African Diaspora Impact✨ In collaboration with AfroEuro Foundation​📅 Date: Saturday 28 February 📍 Location: Jenevermuseum, Schiedam 💃 Dress code: Gala chic with cultural flair​The GINI Impact Gala returns as a curated evening where African diaspora entrepreneurs, community leaders and decision-makers meet in one shared room.​An intimate, high-trust setting where stories, initiatives and people are brought together, not just to network, but to spark real connections and collaborations. This year’s edition centres African diaspora-led value creation, making it visible to each other and to the wider ecosystem.​Building on the 2025 edition, where participants and speakers sparked real opportunities and collaborations! ⚡This year introduces a curated pitch showcase. Not as a high-pressure competition, but as a moment of intentional visibility, connection and exchange, with the GINI Impact Award as a shared moment of recognition.​What the evening feels like 🎤 Inspiring talks and moderated conversations 🚀 An impact makers showcase featuring African diaspora-led enterprises and community initiatives ⚡ A curated room of founders, community leaders, investors and ecosystem partners 🥂 Shared drinks and light bites in a relaxed, cocktail-style setting<h2>​Speakers</h2>​Abdulaal Hussein Theatre maker, storyteller and cultural connector. Born in Sudan and now based in the Netherlands. Abdulaal uses performance, lived narrative and media to explore migration, identity and connection, inviting audiences to reflect on human experience and shared belonging.​Ruben Brave Internet pioneer, entrepreneur and founder of <a href="https://www.dnnl.org/" title="https://www.dnnl.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dutch New Narrative Lab</a> (DNNL). Ruben works at the forefront of inclusive innovation and access to entrepreneurship.​Naomie Veerman (sisa Akuba) Chair of <a href="https://comitestichtsevecht.com/" title="https://comitestichtsevecht.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Comité 30 juni/1 juli Stichtse Vecht</a> freelancer at Akuba Communications and creative at Studio Awarra. Naomie works at the intersection of care, culture and local impact, bringing a deeply community-rooted perspective.​Karim el Oteify Founder of <a href="https://thewheelsofimpact.com/" title="https://thewheelsofimpact.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wheels of Impact</a> &amp; engagement architect. Karim focuses on inclusion and equal access to opportunity, working at the intersection of diversity, equity and practical empowerment. He brings a systems-aware, solution-driven perspective.​Dr. Meverly Adjhei Benjamin Philosopher, regulatory affairs advisor and founder of <a href="https://meverlyadjheibenjamin.com/" title="https://meverlyadjheibenjamin.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">MAB Consultancy Firm B.V.</a> Dr. Benjamin works at the intersection of ethics, governance and modern financial systems, advising institutions on regulatory compliance and responsible leadership. She joins the GINI Impact Gala panel to explore money, access to financing and ethical pathways toward inclusive economic empowerment.​Reina-Flor Okori Makendengue Four-time Olympian &amp; Founder of Beauty of Sport, championing sport as a catalyst for empowerment, representation and community impact.​Auset Ankh Rhe Founder of Socialization+ &amp; The African Calendar, weaving ancestral wisdom, cultural memory and global community connection.​Niamara van Woggelum – Nanere DEI strategist bridging education and spatial design to expand inclusion frameworks and access for underrepresented communities.​Sandra Esseboom Founder of The Bridge Diaspora, creating platforms that connect diaspora creativity, business and socio-cultural innovation.​Ahilya Elbers Founder of Levenswijs op Reis, guiding conscious travel and personal transformation through mindful exploration.​Desire Maingole Creative artist blending storytelling, with cultural consciousness and community narrative.​Oriana Bos Founder of The Connect Academy, empowering people and leaders with skills for connection, confidence and meaningful impact.​Sisa Akima &amp; Brada Sam Curators of Yeyetaki, centring spiritual practice and ancestral knowledge as tools for connection, healing and grounded leadership.​✨ Who this is for<ul><li>​African diaspora-led entrepreneurs and community initiatives</li><li>​Investors, corporates and ecosystem partners</li><li>​Creatives, connectors and changemakers interested in impact, culture and inclusion</li><li>​Cross-cultural professionals engaged in building inclusive economic ecosystems</li></ul>​🚀 Why this matters<ul><li>​Intentional visibility for African diaspora-led enterprises and community initiatives</li><li>​Real, in-person connection with investors and ecosystem partners</li><li>​A high-trust room where meaningful conversations can turn into real collaborations</li></ul>​Join us for an evening of impact, exchange and connection, where visibility leads to possibility!​About GINI &amp; partners​The GINI Impact Gala is hosted by GINI travel, a cultural and impact travel platform transforming tourism from extractive to cultural remembrance and regeneration. The GINI Impact Gala was created as a recurring space where stories, initiatives and people are made visible, because meaningful impact starts when the right people meet.​This edition is realised in collaboration with <a href="https://afroeuro.org/" title="https://afroeuro.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">AfroEuro</a> Foundation who contributes their network, perspective and ecosystem expertise to help bring the right mix of founders, initiatives and decision-makers into the room!​About the location - <a href="https://jenevermuseum.nl/" title="https://jenevermuseum.nl/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Graanzolder Nationaal Jenevermuseum</a>​The GINI Impact Gala takes place at the Nationaal Jenevermuseum in Schiedam, once the global centre of jenever production. From here, the spirit travelled along Dutch trade routes to Europe, the Americas and West Africa, where distilled spirits also became part of cultural and spiritual practices in parts of the African diaspora.​Today, new stories continue to emerge, such as <a href="https://ahoblispiritual.com/" title="https://ahoblispiritual.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sodabi</a>, of which you might discover more.​A short museum tour and light pre-event dinner are available as optional add-ons before the gala. These are not included in the main ticket price, you can express your interest at checkout.

Agenda

Walk-in & welcome drinks

​Opening and framing of the evening

Ask me Anything

Conversation about money & access
Moderated by Virginia Scheele (GINI.travel)
​Ruben Brave (DNNL)
​Naomie Veerman (Comité Stichtse Vecht)
​Karim el Oteify (The Wheels of Impact)
​Dr. Meverly Adjhei Benjamin (MAB consultancy firm)

Money & Acess panel

Moderated by Vincent Gambrah (AfroEuro)
​Reina-Flor Okori MakendengueFour-time Olympian & Founder, Beauty of Sport
​Auset Ankh RheFounder of Socialization+ & The African Calendar
​Niamara van Woggelum - NanereDEI strategist bridging education & space
​Sandra EsseboomFounder of The Bridge Diaspora
​Ahilya ElbersFounder of Levenswijs op Reis
​Desire MaingoleCreative Artist
​Oriana BosFounder of The Connect Academy
​Sisa Akima & Brada Sam - Yeyetakiseti

Impact Maker Showcase

Jury reflection and GINI Impact Award ceremony

GINI Impact Award ceremony

Closing words & networking drinks & bites

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GINI Impact Gala

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