Month: July 2020

Uncategorized

Wines of South Africa USA Calls for Support of South African Wine Industry in Crisis

By Wines of South Africa | PRNewswire

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) USA, the industry association that promotes the exports of South African wine, is calling on members of the wine trade, media and consumers to support the South African wine industry by buying and drinking South African wine. The ban on alcohol, currently back in place in South Africa, could be potentially devastating to the wine industry.

Continue reading “Wines of South Africa USA Calls for Support of South African Wine Industry in Crisis” →
Uncategorized

Adam Demuyakor | This 31-Year-Old Ghanaian-American Venture Capitalist Has Bet $12 Million On Real Estate And Diversity

By David Jeans | Forbes Staff

As institutional landlords grapple with vacant buildings, and real estate startups fight for survival, one 31-year-old venture capitalist is betting his firm on the category bouncing back. Stealth until now, Los Angeles-based VC firm Wilshire Lane Partners has invested $12 million in property tech startups in the past 10 months, says founding partner Adam Demuyakor, even as the spread of Covid-19 has battered the category.

Continue reading “Adam Demuyakor | This 31-Year-Old Ghanaian-American Venture Capitalist Has Bet $12 Million On Real Estate And Diversity” →
Entertainment

Ramy Youssef | Egyptian American’s sitcom Becomes First Muslim American show to Receive Emmy Nomination

by LAURA PRIOR | Vogue

Ramy Youssef’s show “Ramy’” has become the first ever Muslim American sitcom to be nominated for the Emmy’s. The Egyptian-American co-creator and star of the Hulu series is nominated in the categories of Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series.

Continue reading “Ramy Youssef | Egyptian American’s sitcom Becomes First Muslim American show to Receive Emmy Nomination” →
Entertainment

Tiffany Haddish | Eritrean-American comedian tells Carmelo Anthony why racism makes her scared to have children

By Marianne Garvey | CNN

Tiffany Haddish is talking about how racism makes her fearful of having children of her own. The comedian had strong feelings about the subject during a recent “What’s in Your Glass?” podcast with NBA star Carmelo Anthony, saying she “would hate to give birth to someone that looks like me, knowing that they’re gonna be hunted or killed.”

Continue reading “Tiffany Haddish | Eritrean-American comedian tells Carmelo Anthony why racism makes her scared to have children” →
Movies, Opinion

In support of “Heart of Africa”

 BY DAN PETERSON | Patheos

I was heartbroken at what happened to the Latter-day Saint film Heart of Africa upon its debut on 13 March 2020.  That was the very day — Friday the thirteenth, no less — on which BYU classes were canceled for the first time because of the surging coronavirus pandemic.  (I remember the date very well, obviously, because it affected me directly and personally.) 

Continue reading “In support of “Heart of Africa”” →
Movies

A Girl From Mogadishu – Review by Donna Torrence

by Donna Torrence | Blackfilm.com

“I don’t want to be a victim. I want to be a voice,” says Ifrah Ahmed, who has become the voice and face of the fight to end female genital mutilation around the globe.  A Girl From Mogadishu, a powerful drama about Ahmed’s life and journey, made its US premiere on July 15th on Showtime and will continue to air during the summer.

Continue reading “A Girl From Mogadishu – Review by Donna Torrence” →
Entertainment

LCD Founder Links African Trainees to Beyonce’s New BLACK IS KING Album

By LCD | PRNewswire

What began as a professional lighting assignment for Christian Epps on Beyonce’s much-anticipated visual album “BLACK IS KING,” turned into an opportunity for Lights, Camera, Diaspora! (LCD!), founded by Epps, to secure positions for 10 trainees from Kangala District, Mpumalanga (northeastern South Africa), to train on a world-class production for Beyonce!

Continue reading “LCD Founder Links African Trainees to Beyonce’s New BLACK IS KING Album” →
African Food

Detroit’s Newest Food Truck Serves ‘Authentic Nigerian Cuisine’ On Livernois

by Alan Stamm | Deadline Detriot

An immigrant entrepreneur who launched a northwest Detroit food truck called Fork in Nigeria two months ago has a heads-up for adventurous diners: Some “restaurants we have around here wrongly brand themselves as African,” Prej Iroegbu says at his website.

Continue reading “Detroit’s Newest Food Truck Serves ‘Authentic Nigerian Cuisine’ On Livernois” →
Politics

Kojo Asamoa-Caesar |Ghana Diaspora PAC endorses for U.S. Congress

By GhanaWeb

Ghana Diaspora PAC recently endorsed Oklahoma educator and community leader Kojo Asamoa-Caesar’s run for United States Congress. Asamoa-Caesar made history as the first Ghanaian American nominee for U.S. Congress in June after winning the Democratic primary for Oklahoma Congressional District 1.

Continue reading “Kojo Asamoa-Caesar |Ghana Diaspora PAC endorses for U.S. Congress” →
Opinion

An African Immigrant’s Experiences Learning What It Means to be Black in America

By Trhas Tafere | The Utah Statesman

In light of the civil unrest that is going on in this country, I want to focus on the unique experience of many African immigrants, like myself, who had no prior understanding of the history of racism and the seriousness of the issue in this nation. Many African immigrants have had to face some kind of discrimination to realize the complex nature of race relations in the United States, and to identify themselves as “Black.”

Continue reading “An African Immigrant’s Experiences Learning What It Means to be Black in America” →
Education

Starting in September, you can get a minor in Africana Studies at Brock – ThoroldNews.com

By: ThoroldNews Staff

Brock University students will have the opportunity to pursue a Minor in Africana Studies in addition to their degrees starting this September. The university says the program will bring a new and broad perspective in understanding the challenges faced by people of African descent.

Continue reading “Starting in September, you can get a minor in Africana Studies at Brock – ThoroldNews.com” →
Uncategorized

Stella Immanuel | Six facts about the Cameroonian doctor who believes Hydroxychloroquine is effective against Covid 19

By Ebimo Amungo

Dr. Stella Immanuel shot into the American consciousness like a bolt out of nowhere. Her impassioned argument taunting benefits of Hydroxychloroquine went viral but was taken down by Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. And her full-throated endorsement of President Donald Trump has raised eyebrows. Her religious beliefs in demons has become the bone that has been picked up by the media to denigrate and discredit her.

Continue reading “Stella Immanuel | Six facts about the Cameroonian doctor who believes Hydroxychloroquine is effective against Covid 19” →
Communities

Controversy Surrounds Govt Grant to Uganda North America Association

By The Independent

Controversy is surrounding the government’s grant to the Uganda North America Association (UNAA). UNAA is an umbrella of Ugandans living and working in the United States of America. The government gives UNAA USD100, 000 (368m shillings) every year with half of this money meant to organize the annual UNAA convention.

Continue reading “Controversy Surrounds Govt Grant to Uganda North America Association” →
Uncategorized

South African-born Elon Musk is now the 5th wealthiest person in the world

By South China Morning Post

The Tesla and SpaceX founder’s wealth has almost tripled to US$74 billion since March, according to Forbes’ rich list – but will he be digging deep to support bestie Kanye’s West beleaguered presidential bid?

Continue reading “South African-born Elon Musk is now the 5th wealthiest person in the world” →
Entertainment

Yvonne Orji | Insecure star Dishes On Her ”Special Moment” With Issa Rae After Emmy Nominations

By McKenna Aiello | E!

Nigerian-America Yvonne Orji earned an Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series nod for her performance as Molly—the character fans loved to hate. Season 4 of the HBO series explored what goes wrong (and what can go right) when a friendship reaches its breaking point. But while we’ll have to wait for Molly and Issa (Issa Rae) to hash out their differences once and for all when Insecure returns for a fifth season, it’s only right that Yvonne gets her time to shine. 

Continue reading “Yvonne Orji | Insecure star Dishes On Her ”Special Moment” With Issa Rae After Emmy Nominations” →
Uncategorized

Dambisa Moyo | The Global Thought Leader from Zambia

By Ebimo Amungo

Dr. Dambisa Moyo is an intellectual juggernaut who has sparred with Bill Gates, challenged ideological frameworks on which the world economy stands, and raised alarm that the world is tethering on the edge of chaos. And with four New York Times bestselling books, board membership of several companies, a continuous stream of appearances in the world’s leading media as well as countless public speaking engagements, this Zambian-born economist is arguably one of the foremost thought leaders in the world.

Continue reading “Dambisa Moyo | The Global Thought Leader from Zambia” →
Uncategorized

Aichatou Evans | Amazon pays Senegalese-Born CEO $3.4M cash bonus to remain at newly acquired Zoox

By Ebimo Amungo
 

Aichatou Sar Evans, the Senegalese-born CEO of Zoox has been given a $3.4 million bonus to remain in the firm as Jeff Bezo’s Amazon lunches a $100 M bid to retain talent at its new acquisition. Zoox is the autonomous self-driving technology startup that was recently acquired by Amazon for $1.2 billion.

Continue reading “Aichatou Evans | Amazon pays Senegalese-Born CEO $3.4M cash bonus to remain at newly acquired Zoox” →
Immigration

Despite closed borders, the US is still deporting Africans during the pandemic

By Joe Penney | Quartz

While flights across Africa have grounded to a halt and many nations have shut their borders to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, one American agency has ignored directives to stop cross-border travel. According to figures from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. has deported at least 189 African nationals to their countries of origin from Mar. 1 to Jun. 20.

Continue reading “Despite closed borders, the US is still deporting Africans during the pandemic” →
Immigration

Canada-U.S. Asylum Treaty Ruled Unconstitutional Because Of ‘Cruel’ Conditions

By MATTHEW S. SCHWARTZ | NPR

In a harsh rebuke of America’s treatment of refugees, a Canadian judge has ruled that an asylum treaty with the U.S. violates Canada’s own charter of human rights, because it returns asylum-seekers to the U.S., where they are “immediately and automatically imprisoned” by U.S. authorities, often under inhumane conditions.

Continue reading “Canada-U.S. Asylum Treaty Ruled Unconstitutional Because Of ‘Cruel’ Conditions” →
Uncategorized

Stella Immanuel | Cameroonian joins American Frontline doctors to advocate hydroxychloroquine treatment for Covid 19

CORRECTION: AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE HAD STATED THAT STELLA IMMANUEL IS NIGERIAN. WE HAVE SINCE DETERMINED THAT SHE WAS BORN IN CAMEROON BUT HAD HER MEDICAL TRAINING IN NIGERIA BEFORE EMIGRATING TO AMERICA.

THE ERROR IS REGRETTED -EDITOR

Cameroonian-born doctor, Stella Immanuel has made an impassioned plea advocating the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of Covid 19. A video of her arguments in support of the controversial treatment has gone viral and has been viewed over 13 million times on Facebook and YouTube, but both platforms have taken down the video. Regardless, the video is being shared relentlessly on WhatsApp, Twitter, Messenger and other messaging platforms.

By Caroline Warnock  | Heavy.com

Continue reading “Stella Immanuel | Cameroonian joins American Frontline doctors to advocate hydroxychloroquine treatment for Covid 19” →
Immigration

Rising migration restrictions are driving African refugees into the hands of Latin American smugglers

By Chidinma Irene Nwoye | Quartz

In 2016, Brazilian Federal Police uncovered a smuggling network operating between Brazil and South Africa that delivered fake visas to Africans seeking to travel through Latin America to the United States or Canada. The documents allowed migrants to enter Brazil, Bolivia or Venezuela without getting arrested.

Continue reading “Rising migration restrictions are driving African refugees into the hands of Latin American smugglers” →
Uncategorized

Edafe Okporo | Nigerian refugee creates New York City’s first full-time shelter for asylum-seekers

By Julie Compton | NBC

Edafe Okporo fled his homeland in 2016 after he was subjected to homophobic violence. He’s now helping others who are looking to build lives in the U.S.

Continue reading “Edafe Okporo | Nigerian refugee creates New York City’s first full-time shelter for asylum-seekers” →
Uncategorized

Amazon Acquires Self-Driving Startup Zoox From Senegalese-Born CEO For Over $1.2bn

by  Avalon Pernell  | UrbanGeek

E-commerce giant Amazon has reportedly forked out more than $1.2 billion to buy the self-driving startup Zoox which is has by Senegalese-born Aichatou Sar Evans as its CEO

Continue reading “Amazon Acquires Self-Driving Startup Zoox From Senegalese-Born CEO For Over $1.2bn” →
Ancestry

High percentage of Nigerian ancestry found in Black Americans in the U.S. as study reflect the hardships and realities of slavery

By Isoke Samuel | NBC

The genes of 50,000 descendants of slaves reveal the effects of the global slave trade generations later, according to a study published Thursday in the American Journal of Human Genetics. Researchers analyzed data provided by thousands of 23andMe customers who agreed to share their genetic information to better understand the impact of forced migration on the genealogy of the descendants of enslaved Africans in the Americas.

Continue reading “High percentage of Nigerian ancestry found in Black Americans in the U.S. as study reflect the hardships and realities of slavery” →
Remittance

Remittances from Kenyans in North America Reach All-Time High


By John Wanjohi | Mwakilishi.com

Kenyans living and working in North America defied the Covid-19 pandemic to send home a whopping $145.95 million (Sh15.7 billion) in May.

This is the highest ever amount of money received from the region that includes the US, Canada, and Mexico in a month, according to data by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Continue reading “Remittances from Kenyans in North America Reach All-Time High” →
African Politics

Peter Biar Ajak | South Sudan activist flees to US
  • By CARA ANNA | Associated Press

A prominent South Sudanese activist has fled to the United States with the help of the U.S. government, which issued emergency visas to him and his family after he said South Sudan’s president ordered him abducted or killed. Peter Biar Ajak arrived in Washington late Thursday after weeks of hiding in Kenya and an anxious departure complicated by coronavirus restrictions.

Continue reading “Peter Biar Ajak | South Sudan activist flees to US” →
Immigration

100 Ghanaians to be deported from USA

BY: Nana Konadu Agyeman | Graphic Online

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has told Parliament that 22 Ghanaians are currently in the process of being deported from the United States of America (USA) for breaching the immigration laws of that country. She said they were part of 100 Ghanaians on the list of persons who were at different stages of removal from the USA.

Continue reading “100 Ghanaians to be deported from USA” →
Uncategorized

Henrietta Wamala – a Strong Start As Leader of Ugandans in Diaspora Amidst Virus Pandemic

By Daily Monitor

In September 2019, Ms Henrietta Nairuba Wamala beat the competition stiff from three other contestants to emerge President of the Ugandans in North America Association (UNAA), the oldest and largest Ugandan diaspora group and arguably most prominent.

Continue reading “Henrietta Wamala – a Strong Start As Leader of Ugandans in Diaspora Amidst Virus Pandemic” →
Uncategorized

Duro Olowu | Michelle Obama-approved designer pursuit of the ‘culture of style’

byValerie Steele | CNN

Ever since Nigerian-born British fashion designer Duro Olowu launched his eponymous label in 2004, his aesthetic has remained remarkably consistent. Known for his use of color and pattern, Olowu also favors the sharply tailored silhouettes of his multicultural 1970s upbringing, including fitted jackets, precision-cut wide-leg trousers, billowing capes and kimonos, and intricately cut yet liberating dresses with hemlines below the knee — all rendered in vivid and unusually juxtaposed fabrics, patterns, and textures.

Continue reading “Duro Olowu | Michelle Obama-approved designer pursuit of the ‘culture of style’” →
African Food

Afra Grill: Somali spot worthy of All-American honors

By G.A. Benton | The Columbus Dispatch

In my experience, people who immigrate to this country often exhibit a deep faith in the lofty ideals on which America was founded.

This explains the striking decorations inside Afra Grill, a modern, highly accommodating and pristinely sparkling Northland-area restaurant that Abcos Ahmed, an emigre from Somalia, opened in June.

Continue reading “Afra Grill: Somali spot worthy of All-American honors” →