Africa needs Leaders with Big Ideas not Big guns

One of the missing links to democracy in Africa is leadership elected on merit, sound policies and a clear vision for the future. This sobering reality has left many nations stuck with a burgeoning burden of the incompetent AK-47 generation of leaders. These leaders won the battles in the bush but have lost the governance … Continue reading »

The loss of the ‘African State of Mind’ through Education

Education has for long been touted as the gateway for Africa from the vagaries of a poverty laden fate. The importance of education is highlighted by the second of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) agreed upon by the United Nations (UN). “Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able … Continue reading »

Books for Africa and Thomson Reuters sign $1.2 million agreement

Source: Mshale Goal is to support establishment of the rule of law and democracy in Africa Books for Africa, the largest shipper of donated text books to Africa and Thomson Reuters – Legal, the legal publishing behemoth, on Monday signed a $1.2 million agreement aimed at supporting governing institutions and the rule of law in Africa’s … Continue reading »

High-rise ghettos or urban villages? Riverside Plaza and Seward Towers in Minneapolis

Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet Are the Riverside Plaza and Seward high-rise apartment complexes, home to low-income residents for more than 35 years, “beyond merely shabby” and filled with crime? Or are they “a vital and fascinating mix of cultures … a series of villages in the city with the opportunity to begin life in … Continue reading »

THE 5TH ANNUAL UMOJA CONFERENCE

The 2009 Umoja conference will be held at Macalester College from April 24-26. This conference is an annual program created by a network of African student organizations in the Midwest. The word UMOJA is a Swahili word that means “Unity”. The purpose of the UMOJA conference is to discuss pertinent issues concerning the African continent and … Continue reading »

African Musics of the Portuguese and French-Speaking Worlds

by Nelima The University International Center will be hosting an interesting event.   International Symposium on Popular Music Studies: African Musics of the Portuguese- and French-Speaking Worlds Thursday, Friday, and Monday April 23, 24 & 27, 2009  Link to Program (in .pdf format)  Link to Poster (in .pdf format) Schedule of Events: (click on titles … Continue reading »

African-centered Imhotep Science Fair this Saturday

What: 2009 11th Annual MN Imhotep Science Fair featuring K – 12 students of African descent from around the Metro area and MN Theme: Sustainable Living – Land, Energy, Food, Water, Shelter. Hosted by The Hope Community When: Saturday, March 14th, 2009. 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Community/Public display of projects Who: Parents and interested community members … Continue reading »

Pan African Student Conference Commences Tomorrow

by Nelima Minnesota State University, Mankato will be hosting its 33rd Pan African Student Leadership Conference tomorrow, Feb 26th through the 28th. This year’s theme is “Understanding and Respecting Diversity in the Pan African Community: Working Towards Unity and Global Peace” .  The conference will be preceded by an Annual Somali Day on Feb 25th … Continue reading »

Calling on African Teens to Join the Youth Power Peer Education Program

  Please pass this on any African teenagers you may know …. *Youth Power is a peer education program for African youth (those born in Africa or 1st generation American-born) in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Participants must be between ages 13-17 by the start of the program on 02-12-2009. * When you sign up, you’ll … Continue reading »

free college classes!

by Nekessa I should have done this a long time ago. When people get laid off they tend to go back to school. With little or no income people are forced to be resourceful to figure out how they are going to earn the extra credits in school for an added edge in the job … Continue reading »