City of Atlantic City, Mayor Small Receive Prestigious Cultural Award

Mayor Marty Small, Sr. and the City of Atlantic City Office of Multicultural Services have been honored with the Diaspora Excellence Award from Rediscover Africa 2025 and the Ghanaian Associations of South Jersey and Atlantic City. This distinguished recognition celebrates the city’s ongoing commitment to diversity, cultural unity, and inclusion.

The award stems from the city’s landmark Ghana Flag Raising Ceremony held at City Hall in 2023— an event that made history as the first Ghanaian flag raising ever in the State of New Jersey. During that celebration, city officials, Ghanaian community leaders, and residents came together in a moment of pride and cultural connection.

Ghanaian leaders have now presented the city with the WAWA-ABA, a powerful symbol of resilience, strength, and hard work, sent directly from the Office of Diaspora Affairs in Ghana. The presentation of this symbol is considered an extraordinary honor, reserved for those who demonstrate leadership and unwavering dedication to community building.

Mayor Small and Mimi Nambo, representing the City’s Office of Multicultural Services, both received individual honors in recognition of their ongoing efforts to celebrate and uplift Atlantic City’s diverse population. Mayor Small’s award read, in part: “Under his leadership, Atlantic City has become a model of diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where all cultures are valued and celebrated.”