The African Leaders Malaria Alliance is committed to putting an end to the malaria epidemic in Africa. In September of 2011, they created and unveiled a tool to keep African countries accountable for their prevention of and preparedness for malaria: The ALMA Scorecard. For more detailed information about malaria and the efforts of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance please visit: ALMA2015.org

To publicly announce the creation and implementation of the Scorecard, ALMA held a two part event. The first portion, consisted of a small, private breakfast with a meeting/discussion between key dignitaries of organizations highly invested in the success and outcome of the Scorecard. In 2011, the event's location went by the name of the Sentry Centers, and specifically this was the 730 Third Avenue location in Manhattan. As of 2013, Sentry Centers is known as Covene.

Prior to the meeting, I had the opportunity to meet and photograph the Executive Secretary for ALMA, Ms. Joy Phumaphi:

with Saleemah Adbul-Ghafar (left) activist, author of "Living Islam Out Loud ," and Dr. Melanie Renshaw, Chief Technical Advisor for ALMA (right):

After introductions and greetings, the meeting began.

Those in attendance:

(All names, titles, positions listed were as of September 19th, 2011.)

Again, Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance:

Raymond Chambers, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Malaria:

Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, Director of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria:

Dr. Agnes Soucat, Director of Human Development for the African Development Bank:

Rear Admiral R. Timothy Ziemer of the President's Malaria Initiative:

Mr. Duncan Learmouth, Senior Vice President, Developing Countries and Market Access for GlaxoSmithKline:

Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership:

Mr. Ed Wood of the Clinton Health Access Initiative:

Dr. Tolu Fakeye, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics of Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health:

Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF:

Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President (Africa Region) for The World Bank:

Rwanda's Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho:

Dr. Willis Akhwale, Head of Disease Prevention and Control in Kenya:

Gabriel Jaramillo of the Office of the UN's Special Envoy for Malaria:

It was interesting to see and hear how each organization/guest at the table had their concerns whether they were from a political, medical/scientific, financial, or personal point of view.

But the conversation remained incredibly positive, productive, and constructive with all being heard and considered. If I could sum up the entirety of the conversation into a few sentences it would be:

"Okay, let's see what this Scorecard can do. Let's make sure we urge more (African) countries to use it and most of all let's keep everyone accountable to it each quarter. "

The second portion of the day was dedicated to a press conference for the official introduction of the Scorecard.

Quickly of note, this day was brought together with the help of Innovative Philanthropy. I had the pleasure of working with them earlier in the year for a Lalela Project fundraising event. It was nice to see and work with Jennifer Rothenberg (President) and Jayme Rubright (formerly of IP), again.

Speaking of, that is Jayme Rubright (right) in the following image greeting guests as they entered the conference space. Always professional and courteous: