The government of Benin has appointed acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, civil rights advocate and author Tonya Lewis Lee, as thematic ambassadors to African‑Americans in the United States. The appointments were confirmed on July 24, 2025, by decree of President Patrice Talon during the couple’s official visit to Cotonou .
Their mandate is to strengthen cultural and ancestral ties between Benin and people of African descent in the U.S., promoting heritage, history, and Benin’s initiatives to reconnect diaspora communities. The Lees will support programs designed to facilitate reconciliation and collective memory, aligning with Benin’s broader push to attract people of African origin back to the country .
This initiative complements a new digital platform launched earlier this year, which allows individuals with African ancestry to apply for Beninese citizenship. Tonya Lewis Lee is among the hundreds already approved, showing personal commitment to the campaign .
Benin hopes the appointment will boost cultural tourism and enhance international awareness of its role on the historical Slave Coast. Local residents welcomed the move: one architecture student in Cotonou described it as “a strong cultural message, which could be good publicity for Benin,” while others saw it as a chance for more film productions and artistic collaborations in the country .
Spike Lee is known for powerful films that explore African‑American identity, social justice, and systemic inequality. Tonya Lewis Lee has similarly worked in literature, production, and civil rights activism. Benin praised their global influence, stating that “through their long‑standing commitment to justice, exceptional creativity, and global reach,” they have “profoundly shaped the contemporary narrative of the African diaspora” .
The appointments follow Benin’s 2023 legislation offering nationality to descendants of enslaved Africans. This move aligns with global efforts — such as Ghana’s “Year of Return” — that seek to reconnect diaspora communities with their roots .
