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Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy

Tai Ji Men’s Leader Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze Honored at Presidential Awards Gala

Over 100 leaders in the U.S. and from around the world were recognized for their contributions

2022-11-15
 

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the zhang-men-ren (leader) of Tai Ji Men and president of FOWPAL, center left, and King of Sanzule Kingdom, Ghana, Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, center right, pose for a photo with Hugues Sanon, left on Sept. 29, 2022 in Washington. (AP Images)
Over 100 distinguished leaders in the U.S. and from around the world were honored at the CBC 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Presidential Awards Gala on September 29 at National Press Club, Washington, D.C. The event, under the theme of "United in Faith for Social Change," was under the patronage of Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, King of Sanzule Kingdom, Ghana, and organized by Rev. Dr. Agorom C. Dike, founder and president of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference.

The full-day event featured a leadership conference, a press conference, a VIP red carpet reception, and an awards gala. During the conference, panel discussions were held with several of the honorees as panelists who have impacted and advanced the wellbeing of the global African and Caribbean communities through philanthropy, humanitarian services, economic development, and spiritual leadership. Major issues were covered, such as opportunities for international mission collaboration and social and economic growth models.
The awards gala brought together hundreds of distinguished leaders, humanitarians and peace activists, including King Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III and other dignitaries, to recognize the contributions of prominent global leaders, volunteers, community leaders, diplomats, elected officials,
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, right, poses with King of Sanzule Kingdom, Ghana, Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, seated second from left, and his delegation at a gala in Washington. (AP Images)
as well as business and spiritual leaders in all fields, including religious freedom, civil rights, humanitarian concerns, social justice, economic development, and mission partnerships.

The fact that the event was held during the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) was very significant. The CBC is the premier policy conference in the United States that focuses on issues affecting people of African heritage and the black community worldwide.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president and founder of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy was among the ten recipients of the International Distinguished Leadership Award presented by Rev. Dr. Agorom C. Dike, founder and president of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference, for his “outstanding leadership through humanitarian services, economic development, philanthropy, and initiatives that fosters hope and transformation in our global African and Caribbean community.”

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze speaks at the CBC 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Presidential Awards Gala at the National Press Club on Sept. 29, 2022 in Washington. (AP Images)
The other nine leaders who were honored with the International Distinguished Leadership Award are Amb. Curtis Ward, chairman of Caribbean Research & Policy Center in the U.S. and former Deputy Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations; Dr. Erieka F. Bennett, founder and head of Mission, Diaspora African Forum; Bishop Dr. Paul Nya, presiding Bishop of Praise Chapel International Churches (Togo); Bishop Dr. Charles Abban, chairman of National Clergy Assoc. of Ghana and CEO of the Rock Hospital in Ghana; Rev. Dr. Ezekiel Curtis, interim pastor of Port Antonio Open Bible Church in Jamaica; Ambassador Rev. Dr. Nicku Kyungu Mordi, president and founder of Africa Transformation Embassy, Inc. in the U.S.; Dr. Hugues Sanon, special envoy of COJEP International; Dr. Ali Gedikoglu, founder and chairman of COJEP International in France; Amb. Eric Owusu Boateng, Ambassador of Ghana to Iran.

One hundred Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Office of the President of the United States and eight Global Humanitarian Leadership Awards were also presented at the gala, honoring leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the world in a variety of fields. Dr. Hong had dialogue with many influential leaders,
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, center, is presented with the International Distinguished Leadership Award by Rev. Dr. Agorom Dike, right, for his outstanding leadership that fosters hope and transformation in the world. (AP Images)
including King Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III of the Kingdom of Sanzule, Ghana; Nana Baffour Asare Twi Brempong II; and Pastor Francis A.M. Mambu.
Dr. Hong shared with King Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III of the Kingdom of Sanzule his interactions with the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Back in 2000, Dr. Hong met with the then UN Secretary-General Annan, and he delivered a speech on "Sharing Goals for Economic and Social Development - The Urgent Need for Global Solidarity" at the 53rd Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference, pointing out the importance of global solidarity and cooperation.
Dr. Hong also mentioned his trip of peace to Africa. Dr. Hong led representatives of Tai Ji Men and FOWPAL on their maiden trip to Africa in July 2002, at the invitation of the presidents of Sao Tome and Principe and the Gambia, carrying with them the "Bell of World Peace and Love." They traveled through 16 African countries and entered nine of them. On this journey, Dr. Hong had dialogues with many heads of state and ministers, exchanging ideas of love and peace. On July 21, 2002, the three-day World Peace Prayer Ceremony organized by the World Peace Prayer Society took place in Accra, Ghana. George Hikah Benson, chairman of the event, invited Dr. Hong to deliver a speech at the African Peace Representatives Conference and host
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze and Pastor Francis A.M. Mambu pose for a photo during the CBC 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Presidential Awards Gala on Sept. 29, 2022 in Washington. (AP Images)
a ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love on the first day of the event to pray for the event and the world, which was covered by a national TV station in Ghana. On hearing Dr. Hong’s sharing, King Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III happily invited Dr. Hong to visit Ghana.
The International Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes Dr. Hong’s dedication to fostering global citizens’ physical, mental, and spiritual health and promoting a culture of conscience, love, and peace for nearly 60 years. Dr. Hong firmly believes that conscience serves as the primary driver for doing good deeds and that the compass of conscience guides people to behave and reminds them to think good thoughts and do good deeds to help themselves and others.
Over the past two decades, Dr. Hong has led members of Tai Ji Men and FOWPAL to uphold the idea of “love and peace” and have traveled to over 300 cities in 101 countries to promote freedom of religion or belief and protect human dignity with love and conscience while fostering global peace, harmony, and shared prosperity.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, center, joins other International Distinguished Leadership Awardees in a group photo at the CBC 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Presidential Awards Gala. (AP Images)
Just last week, on September 23, Dr. Hong led his organizations to co-organize the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace, as well as ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love in New York, with the Permanent Mission of Kiribati to the United Nations and various international NGOs. Over 100 leaders from 27 countries attended the summit, and Rev. Dr. Agorom C. Dike was one of the speakers and bell ringers.
The ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love is an ancient solemn ritual in which ringers make wishes for peace with a reverent heart toward Heaven and Earth, spreading them with the sound of the Bell and praying for all living things. The bell ringers are encouraged to exert their positive influences to advance global peace and sustainability. As of September 2022, a total of 445 influential leaders from 128 nations, including 49 heads of state and government, seven Nobel Peace Prize laureates, UN ambassadors, and other visionary leaders have rung the Bell.
Over the years, Dr. Hong has been widely recognized for his contributions to the world through his promotion of love, peace, and conscience. He has been declared an honorary citizen by the mayors of Honolulu, Hawaii; the City of Tacoma, Washington; the City of Monterey Park and the City of Cupertino, California.
King of Sanzule Kingdom, Ghana, Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, right, returns to his seat at the CBC 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Presidential Awards Gala in Washington. (AP Images)
The Mayor of the District of Columbia proclaimed March 22, 2000 as Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy Day; the Mayor of Honolulu proclaimed September 16, 2001 as Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy and Dr. Hong Tao-Tze Day; and the Mayor of Berkeley, California proclaimed August 5, 2005 as the Federation of World Peace and Love Day. He was also honored by many important leaders, including Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island; Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles; Bill Jones, Secretary of State of California; Philip Ramos, Deputy Majority Leader, New York State Assembly; and Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City.
Additionally, beginning in 2018, Dr. Hong worked with various Permanent Missions to the UN on a draft resolution titled "Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience" and was instrumental in the UN’s designation of April 5 as the International Day of Conscience. He hopes that everyone will act with conscience so that the world will be peaceful and that everyone will be joyful so that every family will be happy.


Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, center left, talks with Nana Baffour Asare Twi Brempong II at the CBC 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Presidential Awards Gala in Washington. (AP Images)