Benin Appoints Spike Lee and Wife as Cultural Ambassadors to African Americans

Spike and Tonya Lee

By iNewsAfrica Staff

Cotonou, Republic of Benin  | July 2025

In a historic move to strengthen ties with the African diaspora, the Republic of Benin has officially appointed acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer and author Tonya Lewis Lee, as Thematic Ambassadors to African Americans in the United States.

The appointment, made during the couple’s recent visit to Cotonou, is part of Benin’s bold cultural diplomacy initiative to reconnect with descendants of enslaved Africans and foster heritage tourism, dual citizenship, and historical healing.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Patrice Talon praised the Lees for their dedication to Black identity, justice, and storytelling. “Their voices have awakened generations,” he said. “Now, they will help awaken roots.”

As ambassadors, the Lees will champion Benin’s cultural heritage in the U.S., promote pilgrimage programs to the historic slave port of Ouidah, and engage in media campaigns encouraging African Americans to explore their ancestral connections to the West African nation.

Tonya Lewis Lee, who applied for Benin citizenship in 2024 under the country’s Afro-descendant initiative, called the experience “deeply personal and profoundly spiritual.” Spike Lee, known for films such as Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, has traced his ancestry to Cameroon and Sierra Leone.

Benin joins a growing movement of African nations extending a hand to the diaspora—similar to Ghana’s Year of Return—but with a unique focus on long-term engagement and restorative citizenship.

“This is not about tourism,” said Culture Minister Jean-Michel Abimbola. “It is about truth, return, and reclaiming what was lost through the Middle Passage.”

The Lees’ appointment marks a turning point in Benin’s outreach efforts, signaling a new era where art, memory, and identity converge to heal centuries-old wounds.

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