At the White House's Kenya state dinner, LeVar Burton, Roger Goodell, and the Clintons will be among the attendees.
The upcoming official state dinner will feature a line-up of notable guests, including Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor LeVar Burton, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The state visit is a significant diplomatic gesture, symbolizing the close relationship between the host country and its guest. This event, organized by the current US administration, serves to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
Although former President Barack Obama won't be present during the dinner, he met with the Kenyan leader earlier in the day at the Presidential Guest House. During his tenure, Obama visited Kenya twice - once in 2015 during his presidency and again in 2018 after stepping down from office. The Clintons, who were also present at the April state dinner honoring Japan's Prime Minister, received an invitation to join the event.
Notable personalities from the entertainment industry, including actors Wilmer Valderrama and Sean Penn, are also slated to attend the extravagant gathering. Burton, the actor, mentioned that this would be his first experience attending a state dinner.
The festivities will take place in a clear pavilion on the South Lawn, decorated with over a thousand candles. On the menu are three courses: a chilled heirloom tomato soup will kick off the meal, followed by a unique duo of butter-poached lobster and smoked beef short ribs for the main course. Chef Cris Comerford shared this information from the White House Executive Chef office.
Goodell and Silver, commissioners for the NFL and NBA respectively, were among the guests invited to the state dinner. The NFL had conducted a talent identification camp in Kenya the previous year while exploring the potential expansion of its "NFL Africa" program. The NBA has a "subsidiary" in Kenya, which opened in November 2023.
Philanthropist Melinda French Gates and former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg are additional attendees.
Country star Brad Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir are set to provide the evening's entertainment, promising a captivating experience. Paisley made a striking entrance adorned with a white cowboy hat.
Congressional members invited to the dinner include Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar, Veronica Escobar, and Michael McCaul, while Republican Michael McCaul joined the list as well.
In response to a question regarding the potential for President Biden's re-election in 2024, Rev. Al Sharpton enthusiastically declared, "democracy is going to win in 2024."
CNN journalists Bianna Golodryga and Kevin Liptak contributed to the report.
The state visit marks the first time an American president has welcomed an African leader for such an event since President George W. Bush hosted Ghana's Head of State in February 2008. This momentous occasion represents the sixth state dinner hosted by President Biden since assuming office.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
