By Nelima
On September 12th the Minnesota and African communities did more than reconnect at The Minnesota History Center for the Books for Africa 20th Anniversary Gala. They celebrated this connection and renewed their pledge to support each other in the noble cause to end Africa’s book famine. In a jam packed auditorium, attendees wearing brightly colored and beautifully patterned African outfits keenly listened as representatives from Africa and local leaders praised and encouraged the organization for its work.
“I never imagined that I would have to speak to so many people today!” exclaimed Welile Nhlapo, South African ambassador to the U.S. “Let me thank you first for the invitation to be a guest at this gathering this evening, but let me also thank you for your efforts directed to us. We are all invested in the best kind of investment: our children and our future,” he added.
Books for Africa was founded by Tom Warth in 1988. He went to Uganda seeking an adventure and came upon a library with few, tattered and outdated books. This inspired him to create a system for collecting discarded books from American schools, libraries and publishers to send to Africa. 20 years later Books for Africa has sent over 20 million books to the 38 countries in the continent. (more…)
What do you expect from an ensemble of legendary musicians paying tribute to a legend? You expect a performance that will keep you on your feet all night with your hands in the air as you raise the roof. Such was the night granted to patrons at the Dakota Jazz Bar and Restaurant when saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, horn player Fred Wesley Jr., singer/guitarist Cheikh Lo, singer/guitarist Vieux Farka Toure, singer Martha High, percussionist Pappa Assane M’baye and singer Fred Ross put their incredible talents together to present Still Black, Still Proud: The African Tribute to James Brown.
After the opening song ‘Soul Pride’ it was obvious that the seating arrangement, which is usually perfect for the establishment’s jazz concerts was a little restrictive for some who wanted to jam to the funky soul sound from the band. Nonetheless some got up to dance while others tapped their feet and others clapped their hands. Vieux Farka Toure, son of legendary Malian musician Ali Farka Toure, headlined the second song ‘Octane Road’ electrifying the crowd as he strummed the chords of his guitar. The end of the song elicited a standing ovation and it was a 70s’ party from then on; all that was missing was flashing strobe lights and funky hairdos. (more…)
DENVER, AUGUST 28 2008: Barack Obama accepted his party's nomination for the presidency at the The Democratic National Convention on August 28, 2008.
By Nelima
Senator Barack Obama made history as the first black man in the United States to be a major political party’s nominee for the office of the president. Obama accepted his party’s nomination in Denver at the Democratic National Convention at the end of August.
That night, a small, but anxious group of Africans gathered to watch Obama’s acceptance speech at Klub Afrika, a restaurant and night club in a Minneapolis suburb. The get-together was organized by Victor Abalo, a Togolese-American, who is one of the African outreach field coordinators for the Obama campaign
There was not much chit-chat as everyone’s eyes were glued on the suspended television set awaiting Obama’s speech that was screened live all over the world…. Read more here
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