The 29th edition of Akwaaba Sundays, a monthly cultural and culinary event celebrating African heritage, will take place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with a special edition honoring the 67th birthday of Paul Ekow Gyimah, Co-Founder of the Gyimah Institute of Viticulture and Enology Research (G.I.V.E.R.) and the Pan-African Vine and Wine Industry Group (P.A.V.W.I.G.).
The event, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 4727 & 4729 West 5th Avenue, Los Angeles, California, continues a series that has become a distinctive platform for celebrating Black culinary excellence and the growing Pan-African wine industry.
Since its launch in April 2024, Akwaaba Sundays has paired Ghanaian fusion cuisine with 58 wines from Black-owned vineyards, wineries, and Black-led wine labels from around the world. Inspired by the traditions of Ghanaian and African American Southern hospitality, the monthly gathering seeks to foster cultural exchange while highlighting Black entrepreneurship in the global food and wine sector.
This month’s celebration will recognize Gyimah, affectionately known as “Mr. Ghana Food and Wine,” for his longstanding contributions to advancing the Pan-African vine and wine movement. Organizers will also celebrate the upcoming birthdays of Akwaaba Sundays Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Sheryl Monguahan and pioneering Akwaaba Sundays artist Kevin O’Neal.
In addition to the birthday celebrations, the August edition will commemorate Black August, the annual observance honoring Black political prisoners, freedom fighters, and the history of Black resistance to systemic oppression. Originating in California prisons in 1979, Black August emphasizes revolutionary discipline, political education, study, and fasting.
The event will be held under its third-year theme, “A Genesis of Sustainable Wealth: The Emergence and Cultivation of the Pan-African Vine and Wine Industry,” reflecting the organizers’ commitment to promoting economic empowerment by developing a globally competitive African wine industry.
Entertainment will feature a live performance by the Kevin O’Neal Quartet, whose return is expected to add a vibrant musical dimension to the afternoon’s festivities.
Special guest Dr. Michael Mawuli Ogbe and his family are also expected to attend. Dr. Ogbe, who has been involved in the Pan-African vine and wine movement for the past decade, brings expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Health Informatics.
Organizers said the event will offer both indoor and outdoor seating in a smoke-free environment, with casual attire encouraged and street parking available.
Guests are required to RSVP by Friday, July 31, 2026, with a $30 reservation payable via Zelle to Paul Ekow Gyimah. The event is expected to bring together wine enthusiasts, cultural advocates, academics, and members of the African diaspora to celebrate Black excellence, heritage, and innovation in the food and wine industry.