Benin has named acclaimed American filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer and author Tonya Lewis Lee, as cultural ambassadors to represent African-Americans in the United States.
Their new role focuses on strengthening connections between Benin and people of African descent across the globe. The announcement was made during the couple’s recent visit to Cotonou, where the government introduced them as “thematic” ambassadors—tasked with supporting initiatives that celebrate shared history, culture, and identity.
The government emphasized that this move is part of a broader effort to help reconnect descendants of the African diaspora with their ancestral roots—historically, culturally, and spiritually. It’s also a key part of Benin’s push to expand cultural tourism and welcome back descendants of those taken during the transatlantic slave trade.
As part of these efforts, Benin has already rolled out several heritage-based initiatives. One of them includes a law passed last year offering citizenship to individuals who can trace their lineage to ancestors forcibly taken from the region centuries ago. Tonya Lewis Lee is reported to have applied for and received a positive response under this initiative during a previous visit.
This appointment follows the launch of an official citizenship application portal for descendants of enslaved Africans. It’s a step similar to Ghana’s “Year of Return” campaign in 2019, which encouraged people of African heritage to visit and reconnect with the continent.
While Spike Lee has traced his father’s lineage to Cameroon and his mother’s to Sierra Leone, the specific roots of Tonya Lewis Lee have not been publicly confirmed. Still, both have long been influential voices in the global conversation around race, justice, and identity—particularly through their work in film and activism.
The Beninese government acknowledged their “global influence, deep creative work, and lifelong dedication to justice” as reasons for their selection, praising their impact on shaping contemporary views of the African diaspora.
Though neither has yet made a public statement about the role, the news has sparked interest in Benin. Locals in Cotonou have generally welcomed the development.
Prospère Yehoume, a 27-year-old student architect, called the decision a “strong cultural statement” and a positive step for the country’s international image. Marketing professional Carlos Biogbé sees potential for more creative projects to take root locally, saying it could attract international filmmakers. Meanwhile, Basilia Hinvi, a secondary school student, praised the move but expressed surprise that Djimon Hounsou—an actor of Beninese descent already active on the global stage—wasn’t chosen.
Benin’s coastline is historically significant. Once known as the Slave Coast, it was a major departure point for enslaved Africans sent to the Americas between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Kingdom of Whydah, located in present-day Benin, is believed to have been responsible for transporting over a million people during that period.
This renewed outreach effort hopes to reclaim history and transform it into meaningful reconnection for generations to come.
