Billionaire businessman Manu Chandaria made history in the United States of America after he became the first African recipient of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
Chandaria was recognised by the international family of Carnegie institutions for his contribution to addressing challenges facing the world through his business enterprise and the Chandaria Foundation.
The award acknowledges individuals who play a great role in making the world smarter, cleaner, healthier, and more equitable while encouraging others to follow in their footsteps.
"The Chandaria Foundation’s projects have allowed the Chandaria family to create a legacy of healthier and better educated Africans while helping to mobilize and empower new generations of business leaders across the African continent," the Carnegie Awards noted.
The industrial guru, who was the first Chancellor of the Technical University of Kenya, stood out for sponsoring various projects and being a leader in the education sector.
"The recipient of six honorary degrees was instrumental in endowing Chandaria School of Business at USIU–Africa and the Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts at the University of Nairobi," the American organisation stated.
Carnegie particularly hailed the Kenyan tycoon's efforts in improving the healthcare system in the country and showing compassion to the less fortunate in society.
"Chandaria invests in the strengthening of healthcare infrastructures and chaired the Street Families Rehabilitation Fund, which develops rehabilitative and preventive programs for homeless children and families," the organization stated."
He was feted alongside legendary country music singer Dolly Parton, Lydia Hill and Lynn Stacy Schusterman, and the World Central Kitchen - a programme that received the first-ever Carnegie Catalyst award.
Parton was feted for donations to Vanderbilt University to fund pediatric infectious disease research and support for the development of the Moderna vaccine.
The Schustermans were lauded for prioritising the advancement of racial, gender, and economic equity in the United States through investments like the K–12 education.
On the other hand, Hill was recognized for empowering nonprofit organizations to improve local communities and investing in catalytic, solution-oriented initiatives across the world.
