Month: May 2020

Uncategorized

Meet Dr. Chris Wachira: Kenyan-born healthcare specialist with a passion for wine-making

By Anya Soltero | Almeda Magazine

For Chris Wachira, the first Kenyan-born winemaker in California, pairing her two great passions has yielded some remarkably fruit-forward results. Wachira has lived in the United States for 20 years, but her path to winemaking has been circuitous and fortuitous, having first obtained her nursing doctorate in health care systems leadership from the University of San Francisco.

Continue reading “Meet Dr. Chris Wachira: Kenyan-born healthcare specialist with a passion for wine-making” →
Uncategorized

U.S. Supreme Court Backs $10 Billion Award to Sudan Bomb Victims

By Greg Farrell | Bloomberg

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the victims of the 1998 al-Qaeda bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa that killed more than 200 people and injured thousands more, saying Sudan could be held liable for both punitive and compensatory damages.

Continue reading “U.S. Supreme Court Backs $10 Billion Award to Sudan Bomb Victims” →
Sports

Former Raptors 905 Coach Wumi Agunbiade is Changing Canadian Basketball

By Aaron Rose | Sports Illustrated

Omowumi is far more than just a name for former Toronto Raptors 905 coach, Omowumi “Wumi” Agunbiade. For the 28-year-old Nigerian-Canadian, it’s a purpose. The name comes from her Yoruba heritage and means “I love children.” As she’s now proving, her family named her right.

For the past year, Agunbiade has been giving back to her community. She started a high school basketball scouting service known as Hoopers Loop that helps bring attention to Canadian girls basketball. It’s the kind of program that Agunbiade said she never really had when she was coming up through the girls basketball system a decade ago.

Continue reading “Former Raptors 905 Coach Wumi Agunbiade is Changing Canadian Basketball” →
Opinion

Meet the African Multinational Enterprises that are re-industrializing the continent.

By Ebimo Amungo

As the world honkers down in the midst of the corona virus pandemic, construction on a $17 billion petrochemical complex plodders on in Lagos State, Nigeria. The complex, comprising a fertilizer plant and a 650, 000 barrel per day petroleum refinery, is the crowning glory of the industrial conglomerate, Dangote Industries, owned by Africa’s richest man, the billionaire Aliko Dangote. Already, the fertilizer plant, the second largest in Africa, has been commissioned to produce 3 million tonnes of urea yearly. The refinery would be the largest single train refinery in the world when completed and is designed to service the Nigerian and West African markets, where almost 100 percent of petroleum products consumed is imported.

Continue reading “Meet the African Multinational Enterprises that are re-industrializing the continent.” →
Opinion

Morocco Should Embrace Dr. Slaoui’s Success

by By Samir Bennis  | Morroco World News

Since the news started circulating about US President Donald Trump’s intention to appoint Moroccan-American-Belgian scientist Moncef Slaoui to head the White House’s COVID-19 vaccine team, many Moroccans attempted to spoil their compatriots’ joy and moment of pride by saying that Dr. Moncef Slaoui is not Moroccan, but American.

Continue reading “Morocco Should Embrace Dr. Slaoui’s Success” →
Appointments

Trump picks Moroccan-American Moncef Slaoui to lead Covid 19 vaccine effort

By RAY HANANIA | ARABNEWS

President Donald Trump has named renowned Moroccan-born American immunologist Moncef Slaoui to head a new COVID-19 vaccine program called Operation Warp Speed. Slaoui, a former professor of immunology at the University of Mons, Belgium, predicted that Operation Warp Speed will make available a few hundred million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year.

Continue reading “Trump picks Moroccan-American Moncef Slaoui to lead Covid 19 vaccine effort” →
Achievements

Meet Nnamdi Ezenwa: The Nigerian-American Valedictorian At Thurgood Marshall Law School Class of 2020

By Brittany Ireland | HBCUBUZZ

Congratulations are in order for Nnamdi Ezenwa. For the first time in 13 years, the highest performing person in the graduating class at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University is a Black man.

Continue reading “Meet Nnamdi Ezenwa: The Nigerian-American Valedictorian At Thurgood Marshall Law School Class of 2020” →
Achievements

Ghanaian-American, Kyle Ayisi accepted into 14 colleges in US, including five Ivy League Schools

By MOHAMMED AWAL | Face2Face Africa

Kyle Ayisi, a Ghanaian-American teenager, has every right to be in a celebratory mood, after being accepted into 14 colleges and universities in the United States, including five Ivy League Schools. Some of the schools Ayisi gained admission into were Princeton, Columbia, Yale, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, Washington University, Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt.

Continue reading “Ghanaian-American, Kyle Ayisi accepted into 14 colleges in US, including five Ivy League Schools” →
Sports

Aliphine Tuliamuk: Kenyan-Born American marathoner Talks About What She Learnt From Eliud Kipchoge

The Kenyan- born American marathoner shares how she is staying strong in hope and in wait of a fall marathon, and how Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has been her great source of inspiration.

By Evelyn Watta | The Olympic Channel

Continue reading “Aliphine Tuliamuk: Kenyan-Born American marathoner Talks About What She Learnt From Eliud Kipchoge” →
Achievements

Cynthia and Jasmine Kudji: Ghanaian mother and Daughter Graduate from Medical School in same Year

By Briefly

Ghanaian-born Dr Cynthia Kudji and her daughter, Jasmine, have etched their names in the history books by becoming the first mom and daughter duo to graduate from medical school in the same year and be matched at the same institution in the United States for their residency.

Continue reading “Cynthia and Jasmine Kudji: Ghanaian mother and Daughter Graduate from Medical School in same Year” →
Uncategorized

South Africans are making waves in North American mining

By Ciaran Ryan  | Moneyweb

Covid-19 economic crisis has given it new impetus to firms North America, to hunt for local sources of key raw materials that have traditionally come from East Asia. So things are looking up for the Tamarack nickel-copper-cobalt exploration project in the state of Minnesota in the US. What makes this perhaps even more interesting from a South African point of view is that the project is managed by Toronto Stock Exchange-listed Talon Metals (TLO.TSX), which has deep South African attachments.

Continue reading “South Africans are making waves in North American mining” →
Obituary

Jonathan Adewumi, Who Made Everyone Feel at Home, Dies at 57

Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brought Africa to New York and, at his Brooklyn restaurant, united a community.

By Kim Severson | The New York Times

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Uncategorized

Worker From Congo Dies After COVID-19 Outbreak at Iowa Plant

By Associated Press

An immigrant from Congo who worked at the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Waterloo has died of the coronavirus, the company confirmed. The Congolese community in Waterloo has been mourning the death of Axel Kabeya, which several members announced on social media.

Continue reading “Worker From Congo Dies After COVID-19 Outbreak at Iowa Plant” →
Music

Ghana’s Stoneboy and US star keri Hilson make it into Billboard charts with “Nominate”

By GhanaWeb

Ghanaian star, Stonebwoy, has once again proven to be the one of the best recording and performing artistes from Ghana, as his single “Nominate” featuring American singer, Keri Hilson, has made it into the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.

Continue reading “Ghana’s Stoneboy and US star keri Hilson make it into Billboard charts with “Nominate”” →
News

Ethiopian-American Judge Nina Ashenafi Richardson re-elected after opponent drops out over coronavirus crisis

By Jeff Burlew | Tallahassee Democrat

The first Ethiopian-American Judge in America, Judge Nina Ashenafi Richardson of Leon County, has been automatically reelected after her lone opponent dropped out, saying the coronavirus crisis made it too difficult to proceed.

Continue reading “Ethiopian-American Judge Nina Ashenafi Richardson re-elected after opponent drops out over coronavirus crisis” →
Military

American Soldiers with Nigerian Roots Support Blackjack Forward

The United States Army serves as a beacon of inspiration and hope to not only American citizens, but people all over the world. It is the gold standard for melding various cultures and races, including Africans into effective military teams throughout the ranks. Two Nigerian- born solders, Spc. Davidson Momodebe, of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and Capt. Daniel Edomwandagbon with the 418th contracting brigade are part of this military heritage.

by Staff Sgt. Gregory Stevens | DVIDS

Continue reading “American Soldiers with Nigerian Roots Support Blackjack Forward” →
Uncategorized

Ghanaian MIT innovator, Isaac Sesi, writes tribute to American Family for their role in his life

By Ebimo Amungo

Ghanaian inventor, Isaac Sesi, was unveiled to the world in 2019 when MIT Technology Review’s listed him among of 35 Global Innovators Under 35. In a recent publication in “Humans of New York” Isaac Sesi paid tribute to an American family who befriended him as child, paid for his education and played a major role in his life.

Continue reading “Ghanaian MIT innovator, Isaac Sesi, writes tribute to American Family for their role in his life” →
American Odessey

Meet three Kenyans who have excelled as engineers in the US after topping national exams at home

by Elizabeth Mwarage | The Star

Students who top Kenyan national examinations make news headlines every time results are announced. Herman Mutiso, Jessy Mbagara, and James Rotich were among the top students over 10 years ago. The trio were admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where they studied different fields of engineering.  They eventually got jobs in Silicon Valley in California.

Now in their early thirties, they share a common story of hard work, perseverance, determination and vision.

Continue reading “Meet three Kenyans who have excelled as engineers in the US after topping national exams at home” →
Uncategorized

COVID-19: First batch of stranded Nigerians depart U.S.

By PM News | News Agency of Nigeria

About 160 Nigerians, including eight infants, who made the first batch of Nigerians stranded in the United States due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have returned back home. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the evacuees returned aboard an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 aircraft under the special flight arrangements by the Federal Government for nationals stranded abroad.

Continue reading “COVID-19: First batch of stranded Nigerians depart U.S.” →
Travel

Kenyan biking couple now stuck in Nicaragua amid Covid-19

By Fridah Mlemwa | Nairobi News

Kenyan adventurers Wamuyu Kariuki and Dos Kariuki who are on a bike trip round the world have been stuck in Nicaragua due to the Corona Virus outbreak. The couple set off to see the world on 2nd July 2018 after saving for more than two years for the three-and-a-half years’ world trip.

Continue reading “Kenyan biking couple now stuck in Nicaragua amid Covid-19” →
Sports

Michael Jordan vs. Hakeem Olajuwon: Breaking down the Bulls-Rockets NBA Finals we never got to see

by Sam Quinn | CBS Sports

As Netflix airs Micheal Jordan’s “Last Dance” interest has increased in the NBA teams and stars of the 1990s. Contrary to popular belief, the NBA did, in fact, go on after Michael Jordan’s first retirement in 1993. Nearly two full seasons were played without him, and both of them crowned champions that weren’t the Bulls. History may remember the decade belonging entirely to Chicago, but a mini-dynasty was born immediately after their decline as the Houston Rockets, led by the Nigerian Hakeem Olawujon, snagged back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. 

Continue reading “Michael Jordan vs. Hakeem Olajuwon: Breaking down the Bulls-Rockets NBA Finals we never got to see” →
Sports

Cameroonian Francis Ngannou Scores 20-Second Knockout Win At UFC 249

By Michael Corry | Pundit Arena

Cameroonian UFC fighter Francis Ngannou scored a petrifying 20-second knockout win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in front of an almost empty arena at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Continue reading “Cameroonian Francis Ngannou Scores 20-Second Knockout Win At UFC 249” →
Politics

Two second generation African immigrants oust DFL veterans to win party endorsement for Minnesota legislature

By JOEY PETERS | SAHAN JOURNAL

Two second-generation immigrants won upset endorsements late Thursday from Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party delegates to represent their districts in the state legislature. Omar Fateh gained DFL support over state Sen. Jeff Hayden, who was running for a third term to represent his south Minneapolis district. And in the state House of Representatives, Esther Agbaje won the DFL endorsement over state Rep. Raymond Dehn, who was running for a fifth term in a district that represents parts of downtown and north Minneapolis.

Continue reading “Two second generation African immigrants oust DFL veterans to win party endorsement for Minnesota legislature” →
Entertainment, Music

Meet Kenyan entertainer, MC Rayan The DJ, uniting Africans in US with Afro-themed concerts

by  Douglas Mwarua | Tuke.co.ke

MC Rayan The DJ is an entertainer who was born in Kiambu, Kenya. He has hosted Kenya’s biggest musicians and entertainers such as Nonini, Vera Sidika, Arrow Bwoy and celebrities from other countries in sold out shows in Kansas City and Dallas.

Continue reading “Meet Kenyan entertainer, MC Rayan The DJ, uniting Africans in US with Afro-themed concerts” →
Education

PhD Student in Canada, Bridget Alichie, talks about how she received multiple scholarships

By Gobal Upfront Newspaper

Bridget Alichie is currently a PhD student of Criminology and Socio-legal Studies at the University of Alberta. Her research area is gender studies, human rights, social movement and new media studies. She explains how she plowed through multiple processes to obtain the scholarship with which she is funding her education in Canada.

Continue reading “PhD Student in Canada, Bridget Alichie, talks about how she received multiple scholarships” →
Uncategorized

Canada pushes for African debt relief to ward off COVID-19 economic crisis

By Mike Blanchfield | The Canadian Press

Canada’s development minister says the government is pushing international actors to provide debt relief in Africa and other less-developed regions to help fight threats of hunger, economic ruin and terrorism from COVID-19. Karina Gould tells The Canadian Press the number of COVID-19 cases in Africa is rising, which is worrying because the continent doesn’t have the safety net to ward off an impending socioeconomic crisis that would accompany a health emergency.

Continue reading “Canada pushes for African debt relief to ward off COVID-19 economic crisis” →
Opinion

The Cultural and Social Challenges to Slowing the Pandemic in Africa

The coronavirus was slow to make its way to Africa, but it is now there in full force and will be difficult to contain because of certain cultural and social behaviors.

By Chris Macoloo  | Stanford Social and Innovation Review

Continue reading “The Cultural and Social Challenges to Slowing the Pandemic in Africa” →
Opinion

African Diaspora and Disparities in Healthcare in the Age of COVID-19

By Grace A. Jibril | The Liberian Observer

What can we learn from the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us to face about ourselves both culturally and socioeconomically across either side of the Atlantic? A comparative look at disparities in local healthcare provision America offers a revealing perspective.

Continue reading “African Diaspora and Disparities in Healthcare in the Age of COVID-19” →
Music

Sinach : Two versions of “Way Maker” on Billboard Top 10 propel Nigerian to summit of Christian songwriters chart

By Ebimo Amungo

With two covers of her song “Way Maker” hitting the Top 10 of the Christian songs category on Billboard, Nigerian gospel singer, Osinachi Okoro-Joseph, has topped the Christian songwriter category of Billboard.

Versions of “Way Maker” by Michael W. Smith and Madelyn Berry are concurrently in the Top 10, while two other versions are in the Top 40, making a total of four versions of the same song in the Billboard Top 50.

Continue reading “Sinach : Two versions of “Way Maker” on Billboard Top 10 propel Nigerian to summit of Christian songwriters chart” →
Sports

Ghanaian soccer sensation Edward Opoku undergoes successful surgery in USA

By Kickgh

The talented Ghanaian soccer sensation Edward Opoku has undergone a successful surgery in the United States of America (USA). The youth forward announced in a Facebook post that he has undergone a foot surgery .

Continue reading “Ghanaian soccer sensation Edward Opoku undergoes successful surgery in USA” →