Category: Communities

Communities

Calgary’s Nigerian community in shock over slaying of social worker
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By ALANNA SMITH

Members of Calgary’s Nigerian community are in shock after a woman dedicated to helping the less fortunate was killed at a local care facility.

Deborah Onwu, a Nigerian immigrant who was a youth social worker employed by Wood’s Homes, was fatally stabbed Friday, allegedly at the hands of an 18-year-old she was caring for at an assisted living facility in the city’s southwest.

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Communities

Little Mogadishu on the Mississippi
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Minnesota’s Somali Americans strive to free their community from violence

by Onize Ohikere 

The Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in downtown Minneapolis is nicknamed “Little Mogadishu” because of its Somali American population. On Somali Street, a mall rests inside a wide, blue bungalow. There, different vendors in stalls sell traditional clothes, food items, and duvets. 

Continue reading “Little Mogadishu on the Mississippi” →
Communities

International Rescue Committee working to transition refugees coming to the Capital City
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By Sophia Hernandez 

Think about this: You are 14 or 15-years-old. You are moving to a new country, don’t know the language, the customs or culture of where you now live.

That’s where the International Rescue Committee in Tallahassee comes in to help.

In February, the group created it’s first literacy program. Now, 44 Congolese students and counting from grades 6 to 12, are not only learning English, but also ways to transition into American society.

Continue reading “International Rescue Committee working to transition refugees coming to the Capital City” →
Communities

The other African-Americans
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The African-born migrant population is doubling every decade.

“I just came to hustle,” explains Gabriel, a recent migrant, as he wields an electric razor to sculpt an impressive structure from a teenage customer’s hair. During shifts at Afrikiko Hair & Fashion Boutique, in northern Chicago, he gets the chance to display a range of skills. Not least, his gift for languages: he speaks four, all from Ghana, besides English. Mostly he chatters in Twi, the most popular tongue in the west-African country.

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Communities

The resilience of Kenyan immigrants in the US
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The land of opportunity promises wealth and a new beginning for many Kenyans at a crossroads with needy relatives back home, but life in America is not a bed of roses

• Of the 120,000 Kenyans in America, 35% (42,000) don’t have legal resident status

• They live in constant fear, cannot travel freely, and do odd jobs for a living, but many have overcome the odds to succeed 

By Elizabeth Mwarage

Continue reading “The resilience of Kenyan immigrants in the US” →
Communities

How one Congolese refugee’s organizing efforts helped integrate his community into King County
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By Amanda Mancenido, Communities of Opportunity

Floribert Mubalama knows firsthand that it can be hard to find your footing when you transition to life in America as a refugee or immigrant. I met Mubalama through the Congolese Integration Network (CIN), an organization part of the growing group of partners supported by Communities of Opportunity to strengthen the connections that cultural groups have to their communities.

Mubalama courageously shared his story to help affirm that isolation is a common experience for many refugees and immigrants and that becoming involved with cultural community organizations can break that isolation and help people thrive emotionally and economically.

Continue reading “How one Congolese refugee’s organizing efforts helped integrate his community into King County” →
Communities

Liberians allege racial animus behind Trump’s decision not to extend protection from deportation
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By Brad Petrishen

The former top lawyer for the city of Philadelphia, with more than 70 Liberians sitting behind him Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Worcester, argued that racial animus was behind President Donald J. Trump’s decision to not extend a program that has allowed Liberian refugees to stay in America for decades.

Continue reading “Liberians allege racial animus behind Trump’s decision not to extend protection from deportation” →
Communities

American lives taking shape: For refugees from the Congo, life in Spokane is one of hope, heartache
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By Shawn Vestal 

Veronique Changa Changa recalls the night that she and her family began the long, long journey from the Congo to Spokane.

The 22-year-old burn scars on her leg remain to remind her.

Continue reading “American lives taking shape: For refugees from the Congo, life in Spokane is one of hope, heartache” →
Communities

African languages are the fastest growing in the United States
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By Chidinma Irene Nwoye

Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau spotlights African languages among the top ten fastest growing languages spoken at home in the U.S. The list featured three groups of African languages: Swahili and other Central/Eastern/Southern African languages; Yoruba, Twi, Igbo, and other Western African languages; and Amharic/Somali.

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Communities

Nigerians hold street parades across America to commemorate independence anniversary
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Nigeria celebrated its 59th Independence anniversary on October 1 and all across the America’s Nigerians held various activities to commemorate the day. In American cities like Houston and New York, with large Nigerian population Nigerians held street parades.

In New York, thousands of Nigerians and well-wishers hit the streets of Manhattan in New York on Saturday to participate in the 2019 Independence Day Parade.

Video of Nigerian independence day parade in Houston by Zainab and Mathew Create
Continue reading “Nigerians hold street parades across America to commemorate independence anniversary” →
Communities

Winnipeg Nigerian community to honour local contributors
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By: Carol Sanders

Members of Winnipeg’s Nigerian community for the first time Saturday are honouring the contribution and example set by its members who immigrated to Canada.

Continue reading “Winnipeg Nigerian community to honour local contributors” →
Communities, Education

A community for African students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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The student-run African Students Association bolsters MIT’s relationship to a vibrant, growing continent.

By Selam Gano

It is a warm September evening. Kudzaishe Zharare ’19, the president of the MIT African Students’ Association who hails from Harare, Zimbabwe, has spent the day welcoming students from various African countries at Boston Logan International Airport. It is International Student Orientation week.

Continue reading “A community for African students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology” →
Communities

Ethiopians celebrate Meskel holiday together at East Side park, Columbus, Ohio
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By Danae King

Members of Columbus’ Ethiopian community, which numbers some 40,000, gathered Friday at Big Walnut Park on the East Side to celebrate Meskel.

The annual holiday celebrates the story of the discovery in Ethiopia of the hidden cross Jesus was crucified on when Queen Helena in the third century lit a fire and the smoke showed her where it was.

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Communities

Part two: Why Kenyans going to diaspora never come back
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Over the last 15-20 years, the Kenyan Community in the United States has completely expanded and spread across almost every state in America.What are the implications of the expansion of the community and how they relate to Kenya?

This is a public park in the city of Townsend Delaware on a beautiful summer afternoon on the east coast of the USA.Kenyans living in the state arrive one by one and by sunset, the park will be full of Kenyans.

Continue reading “Part two: Why Kenyans going to diaspora never come back” →
Communities

Kenyans abroad share their “American dream” experiences
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Chris Wamalwa is a Kenyan journalist based in the United States who has started a documentary called Diaspora Life. In the program, Kenyans across different states in the United States share their experiences in the United States.

Continue reading “Kenyans abroad share their “American dream” experiences” →
Communities

Ghanaian Council of Ewe Associations of North America conclude gathering in North Carolina
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Ghanaians in America of Ewe ethnicity have concluded their annual meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina

Members of the Council of Ewe Associations of North America arrived in Charlotte from all over the USA, Canada and Ghana.

Continue reading “Ghanaian Council of Ewe Associations of North America conclude gathering in North Carolina” →
Communities

Ugandans in America elect Henrietta Wamala as president of UNAA
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Henrietta Wamala beat 3 other candidates including People Power’s Eng. John Julius Muwulya in the elections that were held at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chicago Illinois, USA.

By Max Patrick Ocaido

NRM candidate Henrietta Nairuba Wamala has trounced People Power candidate to win the hotly contested elections for President of the Uganda North America Association (UNAA).

Continue reading “Ugandans in America elect Henrietta Wamala as president of UNAA” →
Communities

Speaker of Uganda Parliament urges kinsmen in U.S. not to shun embassies
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By Monitor Reporter

The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has appealed to Ugandans in the diaspora to abandon the idea of shunning the countries embassies on the basis of disliking their government.

Addressing the 31st Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Convention and Trade Expo in Chicago, Ms Kadaga said both government and diaspora would be acting out of ignorance if they shunned one another.

Continue reading “Speaker of Uganda Parliament urges kinsmen in U.S. not to shun embassies” →
Communities

SOMALI PROFESSIONALS SHOWCASE TALENT AT INAUGURAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
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Somali North American Business and Professionals Inc. began mostly as a loose project in 2017 on Facebook. It quickly grew to become one of the most popular Facebook groups for Somalis. With more than 15,000 members, it has now officially transitioned from mainly having online interactions to in-person connections.

By MUKHTAR M. IBRAHIM

Continue reading “SOMALI PROFESSIONALS SHOWCASE TALENT AT INAUGURAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE” →
Communities

Nigerians in The Americas elect new leaders
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Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA) has elected new continental board and officers in some country chapters to pilot its affairs in the next two years.

U.S.-based Obed Monago retained his position as Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of NIDOA, to be assisted by Mr Darlington George, based in Brazil, as Vice Chairman.

Continue reading “Nigerians in The Americas elect new leaders” →
Communities

Ethiopian Cultural Garden dedication in Cleveland
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In the 103-year history of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, there had never been a garden representing an African nation.

That changes Saturday when the Ethiopian Cultural Garden is officially dedicated in a ceremony starting at 1 p.m. One of the garden’s defining features is a five-paneled ceramic mural with each panel representing a period of Ethiopian history.

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Communities

East Africans Clock in With Hope, Hard Work on Minnesota’s Thankless Jobs
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By SOLOMON GUSTAVO

Calling Aklilu Burayu a parking ramp attendant doesn’t come close to describing the roles he’s played in the Twin Cities economy.

In the 13 years since coming to Minnesota from Ethiopia, he’s been a painter and sander at a Blaine wood factory, an assembly line worker in Arden Hills and worked a succession of office jobs through a staffing agency. These days when he’s not at the ramp, he picks up shifts at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as a chef.  

Continue reading “East Africans Clock in With Hope, Hard Work on Minnesota’s Thankless Jobs” →
Communities, Culture

Separate festivals honor African, African American heritage, culture
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Separate festivals honor African, African American heritage, culture

By Eric Lagatta


Columbus has long been home to African Americans who have contributed to the city’s rich tapestry. For decades, the neighborhood now known as the King-Lincoln District has buzzed with African American business owners, musicians and artists. And throughout the city, African immigrants are bringing their own cultures to Ohio’s capital.

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Communities

The Fabric of Nigerian Weddings
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By Adenike Olanrewaju

The color and flair of traditional ceremonies give brides and grooms a way to express a vibrant cultural heritage.

Dola Fatunbi Olutoye, 25, was ecstatic after becoming engaged last November to Dr. Yinka Olutoye, 26. She knew she wanted a traditional Nigerian wedding, but needed help executing the cultural elements of the ceremony, which took place on May 25 in Houston.

Mrs. Olutoye, a pharmacy student from Houston, and Dr. Olutoye, a recent medical school graduate, are both Nigerian-Americans who are part of the Yoruba ethnic group, which is heavily concentrated in the Southwest region of Nigeria.

Continue reading “The Fabric of Nigerian Weddings” →
Communities

Remittances From Abroad To Nigeria Can Grow To $34.8 Billion In 2023 -PwC Report
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Migrant remittances were 77.2% of the Nigerian federal government’s budget in 2018, represented 6.1% of GDP and were more than 10 times the foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into the country in the same period, according to PwC’s latest White Paper Series, Strength from Abroad: The Economic Power of Nigeria’s diaspora.

PwC estimates that migrant remittances to Nigeria could grow to $25.5 billion, $29.8 billion and $34.8 billion in 2019, 2021 and 2023 respectively.

Continue reading “Remittances From Abroad To Nigeria Can Grow To $34.8 Billion In 2023 -PwC Report” →
Communities

Only 79 Nigerians have enrolled for National Identity Number in the US
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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria says only 79 Nigerians had been enrolled for the National Identity Number (NIN) in the United States.

The update came through the Deputy General Manager of NIMC, Ms Uche Chigbo, almost three months after the exercise was launched in the U.S. in late May.

Continue reading “Only 79 Nigerians have enrolled for National Identity Number in the US” →
Communities

This is Where African Immigrants live in New York
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By John Campbell

The New York Times estimates that those born in Africa are about 4 percent of New York City’s immigrant population.

Africans, like any other group, live all over the city. However, Andy Kiersz has published two fascinating maps on Business Insider that shows where in New York people speak specific foreign (not English) languages at home. Not surprisingly, Spanish is dominant in most neighborhoods in all five boroughs.

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Communities

2019 Miss Liberia USA Scholarship Pageant Contestants Call on Ambassador Kemayah: Encourage Young Liberians to Follow Their Dreams
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By tlcafrica.com

(New York, August 13, 2019) Contestants of the just ended 2019 ‘Miss Liberia United States of America (USA) Scholarship Pageant’, are encouraging young Liberians to follow their dreams, exhibiting self-discipline and respect throughout their journey.

The contestants, representing the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Indianapolis, and Georgia; also stressed the importance of hard work and passion as drivers of success in the quest to achieve goals and dreams.

Continue reading “2019 Miss Liberia USA Scholarship Pageant Contestants Call on Ambassador Kemayah: Encourage Young Liberians to Follow Their Dreams” →
Communities

Minneapolis’ Somali-American Community Can Soon Bypass the Bank to Buy Homes
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by  EMILY NONKO    

Said Sheik-Abdi describes himself as “one of the Somali-Americans residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.” The state has 52,333 people who report Somali ancestry — the largest concentration of Somalis in America — and many live in the Twin Cities. But since his arrival to Minneapolis 20 years ago, Sheik-Abdi has distinguished himself as a community activist skilled in mobilizing fellow community members.

Almost a decade ago, he began collaborating with the American Refugee Committee on ways Minnesota’s Somali-American residents could support their home country. The result was the Neighbors for Nations initiative, which engaged the community in fundraisers including a sambusa cook-off, charity walks and a “1,000 giving $1,000” campaign to raise $1 million.

Continue reading “Minneapolis’ Somali-American Community Can Soon Bypass the Bank to Buy Homes” →
Communities

Ethiopian neighborhood in Las Vegas could get official designation
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By Abby Theodros

A community informally known as Little Ethiopia could get that official designation, if a Nevada assemblyman has his way. Assemblyman Alexander Assefa, who is the first Ethiopian-American elected in to public office in the state, made the proposal this week before the Clark County Commission.

“The vast majority of the [Ethiopian] population and the businesses are located along Decatur,” said Assefa.

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