Illinois DREAM Act Passed both House and Senate!

The Illinois House passed the IL DREAM Act yesterday with a bipartisan 60-54 vote. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Pat Quinn, and he has committed to sign it!

What an amazing victory! It means hope for thousands of undocumented youth who can now access university education in the Land of Lincoln. Yeah, Illinois is not Arizona!

Wow, I feel like drinking a cup of coffee on Mount Kilimanjaro!!!

Illinois DREAM Act on Fox News

I had fun last night in a debate (click here to view it) with Rick Biesada, an anti-immigrant member of the Chicago Minuteman Project. It was clear from the start that Rick had not even bothered to read SB2185. The bill is a common-sense, no-cost legislation to allow immigrant youth to pursue their dream of a higher education. It has broad support from faith leaders, law enforcement, elected officials, university presidents, and community-based organizations across the state. Rick and his anti-immigrant group represent a tiny minority with no real solutions to fix our broken immigration system. I'm glad that Illinois is a national leader in welcoming immigrants!

The African Youth Network Gives Back!

AYN members, Africana, Kama, and Mayah, help serve breakfast to summit attendees.

We witnessed a huge turnout of yellow-shirted Young Africans at the 5th Annual Chicago Summit on African immigrants and refugees this weekend. It was amazing because waking young college and high students up early on Saturday mornings is not an easy thing. Members of The African Youth Network (AYN) were able to wake up and prove me wrong! For this reason, I will like to applaud those AYN members who took time out of their busy lives to help make this event a success.

Being at the Summit was a great opportunity for AYN members. They had the chance to witness what the first generation is and has been doing for African immigrants and Refugees in the city of Chicago. They were able to be in an educational and resourceful environment which helped enlighten their perspective and change the way they will target and speak on issues in their local communities and in City of Chicago. AYN members had the chance to network and greet attendees from all walks of life. By discussing with other attendees, AYN members had the chance to understand the importance of being at a formal occasion like the Summit. 

With their volunteerism AYN displayed that they’re next in line to take leadership roles in the African community. AYN also displayed an important image to the first generation Africans by showing them that the African Youth Network in Chicago is fired up and ready to go!  Giving some time back to the community is one of the many objectives that AYN promotes. To join and be part of the AYN, please feel free to email me, Garcon Morweh at garcon.morweh@uniteafricans.org.

UAO Summit Roundup: Why YOU should run for office!

Bryan Echols from MAGIC spoke about the value of mobilizing youth for community engagement.

This weekend's summit was a fun and inspiring event.  I had the opportunity to socialize with so many friendly, interesting African migrants between sessions and over Ghanaian food (waakye rice and shito hot sauce).   At the panel on democracy, peace, and development in Africa, I was given the honor of moderating a highly educated and engaged group of speakers, each of whom brought a unique angle, highlighting the role of women leaders on the continent, on-going misrepresentations of Africa in the US media, and calls for practical collaboration between Africans on the continent and in the US.  The audience responded with questions many of which concerned how to improve elections and other democratic processes on the continent.  It was actually very hard for me to to cut-off the session for the sake of time even though the audience had so many important ideas and questions that showed their engagement and desire for solutions.

In the second panel, Steven Smith from ICIRR, sought to harness African migrants' enthusiasm for democracy for the improvement of local politics.  He asked audience members to discuss amongst their neighbors and then call out characteristics that they identified for ideal political candidates: "Honesty!" "Knowledge of our problems!" "Courage!" to which Mr. Smith responded, "Now who do you know that has those characteristics? .... You do!"  I then watched as many people started taking down information about the new candidate school just for migrants.  He continued on with other suggestions for what migrants can do even if they do not run for office: identify other potential candidates, help them run, and know which offices are open.  The panel ended with a question about challenges to community organizing, and Theresah Mah and Ahlam Jbara both recognized the determination of their volunteers willing to go out in the cold winter months to knock on doors and get out the vote.  Overall, it was an energizing moment, and I look forward to seeing how the audience members translate that energy into action!

Chicago's New Mayor

I am, like many in the Windy City, happy to see that the Daley era is finally a page in history. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is now the new boss in charge.

Although it is too early to say much about the next phase in the evolution of Chicago, there is an abundance of questions to ask as we all celebrate today amidst great pomp and pageantry. What does a new mayor mean for Chicago? Is it a cosmetic change from pepsi to coke? Should we expect profound changes in both style and substance when it comes to city governance and priorities? Will Mayor Emanuel look to Mayor Harold Washington for inspiration? Will the many vacant lots on the west and south sides of Chicago finally see a major push toward sustainable development and affordable housing? Will the new mayor reach out to the growing African immigrant and refugee community in the Windy City? What will be Chicago's role in the global economy?

As I see it all from my quiet office in Bronzeville, today's celebration marks a refreshing break from the long reign of Emperor Richard M. Daley. For now, I say simply "Best wishes, Mayor Rahm Emanuel! Work like hell, and have fun doing it!!"

New Candidate School

I'm happy to announce the launch of our new Candidate School, which aims to recruit, train, and educate immigrants and the children of immigrants to pursue public service. This could include getting involved with an election, seeking appointed office, running for public office, or managing a campaign. The Candidate School is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) project.

In partnership with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Wellstone Action and the New American Leaders Project, the United African Organization will identify and recruit African community leaders with deep passion for public service to participate in this new initiative.

I'm so thrilled to be a part of efforts to build POWER in our community! It is important to elect leaders who share our values and vision!!

If you are interested, click here now to receive more information about the Candidate School!

Two Great Victories in Illinois!

Goods News: Yesterday, the Illinois Senate passed the Illinois Dream Act with an overwhelming 45-11 bipartisan vote- with 11 GOP Senators voting in favor of the bill!!

Amazing News: Governor Pat Quinn, with the support of law enforcement, has made Illinois the first state in the country to opt-out of the flawed Secure Communities program. Governor Quinn sent a letter to the Homeland Secruity: "Due to the conflict between the stated purpose of Secure Communities and the implementation of the program, [Illinois State Police] will no longer participate in the Secure Communities program."

What a great signal to send to the rest of the nation that Illinois is the Land of Lincoln!!! We are not Arizona!!!!

African Youth Network

A great meeting of the African Youth Network (AYN) last Saturday produced significant results in organizing and building a powerful youth-led project of the United African African Organization (UAO). AYN is the voice of African youth in Chicago! If you would like to join AYN, contact Garcon Morweh, UAO youth organizer, at garcon.morweh@uniteafricans.org.

It's amazing to see emerging youth leaders at work! So much energy and so much passion to advance social justice and community empowerment! I love it!!