April African Voices Podcast Online!

The April episode of African Voices Podcast is now online!

Click to LISTEN!

African Voices, Episode 7! In this episode:

• Top news stories from the African continent.
• Upcoming Events
• An exclusive interview  with Paul Mataruse, a Zimbabwean singer from the band Ruzivo based in Seattle, WA on Legend Talk Radio.
• Advice Box:  A summary of the 6th Annual African Summit
• Music from Ruzivo, from Seattle.

If you would like to contribute news, events, issues, interviews or music to our podcast, email us: podcasts@uniteafricans.org or call: (312) 949 9980 between 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri.

UAO 6th Annual summit and Community Resource Fair in the Midwest

UAO invites everyone to its 6th CHICAGO summit and Community Resource Fair, which runs from 8.30am - 5pm. Its a great opportunity to access information as well as services from various sectors. 

Do not miss out of this annual event as it will be an opportunity for networking. To register please click on the link below. Thank you
Register for the Chicago Summit 

UAO on CAN TV in April - Video

In the UAO show on CANTV this week, UAO Executive Director, Alie Kabba and UAO Research & Policy Associate, Tara Weinberg discuss the latest data findings on African migration to the U.S., released by the Migration Policy Institute. They also discuss the UAO's upcoming Chicago African Summit on May 12 - the premier forum of its kind in the Midwest. If you haven't yet registered for the Summit, do so now!

'Know Your Rights' Video for Immigration Detainees

The American Bar Association Commission on Immigration has produced an updated version of “Know Your Rights,” an educational video for the more than 400,000 men and women held in immigration detention facilities across the United States each year.

The “Know Your Rights” video will be especially valuable for more than 80 percent of people in detention who do not have lawyers. Unlike in the criminal justice context, there is no right to government-paid counsel in immigration proceedings.

The 45-minute video replaces a decade-old version with new information that shows detainees how to navigate the court system and what to expect as they await their day in court.

Click here for more information on this video.

Feel free to distribute this link to anyone you know who needs this information.

Para ver el video en español, presione aquí.

Sudan: African Union Calls For End to Bombing, Troop Withdrawals

The African Union has called on Sudan to stop its aerial bombing of South Sudan and expressed "dismay and deep disappointment" with both countries for their involvement in the hostilities.



In a statement released after a council meeting on Tuesday, the AU said Sudan and South Sudan must withdraw their forces from the disputed border region and keep their troops within their borders - and stop issuing "hostile propaganda and inflammatory statements" that could escalate the conflict.

For the full article click on the link below

http://allafrica.com/stories/201204260094.html

Liberia: Charles Taylor Convicted On All 11 Counts - Sentencing Scheduled for 30 May

Special Court for Sierra Leone

(Freetown)

PRESS RELEASE

Freetown — Charles Ghankay Taylor, the former President of Liberia, was convicted today on all counts of an 11-count indictment which alleged that he was responsible for crimes committed by rebel forces during Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war.

The Special Court's Trial Chamber II found unanimously that Mr. Taylor aided and abetted RUF and AFRC rebels in the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leon

For more details on this report, please click on the link below.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201204261153.html

Tune into Legend Talk Radio tonight for interview with Zimbabwean musician!

African Voices Podcast, in collaboration with Legend Talk Radio, will be interviewing Zimbabwean musician Paul Mataruse of the band Ruzivo TONIGHT. We will also be playing some tracks from his band's new album, Mambo Grooves.

To LISTEN LIVE, tune in at 

7:30pm CT 

(that's 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT) 

Tune in via live stream OR your cell-phone - dial 1-832-280-0017

Ruzivo performing in Seattle

Mataruse leads a Zimbabwean marimba band. The band has just released a new album that is a collaboration between American and Zimbabwean musicians, recorded in the Seattle area as well as in Zimbabwe.  Ruzivo is a Seattle-based Zimbabwean Afro-pop band fusing traditional mbira and marimba with electric guitars.

On April 1, Ruzivo released its new album, Mambo Grooves. The musicians featured on this album were given leeway to interpret Ruzivo’s music and add their own unique flavor. What emerges is a lively and intoxicating blend of the marimba, mbira, electric guitar and horns – highly energetic and danceable music to add to your world music rotation.

Mataruse says "Ruzivo sounds like a hybrid of Thomas Mapfumo’s and Oliver Mtukudzi’s instrumental sections done with marimbas and guitars instead of mbira and guitars."

Go to Ruzivo's website or listen on MySpace to get a taste and look out for the next episode of African Voices, featuring Ruzivo's music and Mataruse's interview!

You can find Ruzivo's music at the following establishments:

Reverbnation

Amazon

iTunes

Rhapsody

UAO on CANTV tonight!

Don't miss the UAO's next CANTV show - tonight at 6:30pm on Channel 19 & 21!

Pritzker Journalism Fellowship Announcement

WBEZ / Chicago Public Media  are now accepting nominations for their Pritzker Fellowships, now in its 3rd year. The Pritzker Fellowship is an innovative nine-month professional mentoring program. From Chicago Public Media:

The Pritzker Fellowships program is designed to fulfill Chicago Public Media’s most important goal: to discover, encourage and train the best possible representatives of a diverse new generation of public media talent. Pritzker Fellowships will be awarded to two candidates who aspire to become journalists, who are non-radio professionals, have not earned a degree in journalism and who show promise as radio producers, journalists and storytellers.

The Pritzker Fellowships offer high level mentorship and professional development focused on journalism. Based at Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ Radio studios, Pritzker Fellows gain rigorous training in public radio journalism and work alongside some of the nation’s most respected reporters, producers and editors. Instruction will include production and editorial skills, reporting and on-air experience, writing for the air and the web, and multi-media production skills. The two Pritzker Fellows will each receive a stipend of $20,000, plus full health benefits.

All candidates must be nominated for The Pritzker Fellowships by a community-based, not-for-profit organization, including but not limited to neighborhood, religious or social institutions. The program is open to a broad range of individuals, ages and backgrounds. They especially encourage interested minority candidates to apply. Candidates must be nominated by a not-for-profit community organization, demonstrate exceptional communication aptitude, not have earned a degree in journalism and not be enrolled in school during the program.

The application deadline is Friday May 18th, 2012. The fellowships begin in September 2012. Information on how to apply can be found on the WBEZ website.

Hair braiding is a Social Justice Issue - video

Thanks to Crossroads Fund 2011 Lisa Fittko Intern, Emmanuel García, for his wonderful video on Illinois hairbraiders' struggle for justice:

UAO Leadership Workshop on the Media - THIS SATURDAY

UAO hosts its next Leadership Workshop on:

Saturday, 28 April, 2012

9am-1pm

6th Floor - University Room

IIT Tower Building

10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616

The workshop will focus on 'Effective Communication: How to Translate Community Concerns into Clear Messages and Policy Recommendations'.

Learn how to:

• Write press releases
• Build your organization's relationship with the media
• Talk to the media

The workshop is FREE but you must register to attend. To register, email: training@uniteafricans.org

President Obama's message to the people of Sudan

From the White House:

"In these videotaped remarks, President Obama sends an important and very clear message to the people of Sudan and South Sudan: conflict is not inevitable. The people of Sudan and South Sudan still have a choice, a chance to avoid being dragged back into war. Sudan needs to halt all military actions, including aerial bombardments; give aid workers unfettered access to people in need; and end support for armed groups. Similarly, South Sudan must end its support for armed groups inside Sudan and cease its military actions across the border. All parties fighting – including in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States – must recognize that the only way to achieve real and lasting security is to resolve their differences through negotiation..."

To see more, click this link or see the video below.

UAO 6th Annual summit in the Midwest

UAO invites everyone to its 6th CHICAGO summit, which runs from 9am - 1pm. Its a great opportunity to come and be a part and contribute to discussions, challenges immigrants face.  Community leaders, activists, students and people from all sectors are welcome to this event. There will be two plenary sessions:

    

PLENARY SESSION 1

“Africa Matters: Issues and Perspectives on US-Africa Policy”

    Topics: 

• Trade & Economic Development
• Governance & Human Rights
• Health
• Humanitarian intervention
• Security & Anti-Terrorism
• China in Africa: Implications for U.S.

PLENARY SESSION 2
“One Voice: Organizing African National Leadership in the U.S.”
  Topics: 

• Immigration & Refugee Policy
• Civic Engagement
• Advocacy & Organizing      
• Community Development & Empowerment          

Do not miss out of this annual event as it will be an opportunity for networking. For detailed information about this summit, please visit our website at www.uniteafricans.org

Affinity recruiting for its 2012-2013 Scholar cohort

Affinity Community Services' Leadership Institute is recruiting for the 2012-2013 Scholar cohort. The Scholars' Program is a paid leadership enrichment experience for lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer and questioning young women of African descent between the ages of 18 and 24. Up to four young leaders receive 10 months of social justice, non-profit management, community organizing, and self-care sessions, in addition to varied mentoring opportunities.

Scholars conduct research projects, develop and facilitate popular education workshops and events, coordinate the Leadership Institute's Annual Youth Summit, fundraise, serve as ambassadors of the organization, participate in various forms of activism, and demonstrate positive leadership.

If you are or know a young Black woman of the LGBTQ community interested in sharing and enhancing their leadership abilities email Aisha Miller-Truss at leadershipinstitute@affinity95.org and download the Scholars Toolkit at Affinity's website. 

The application deadline is May 19, 2012.

Call for applications: $75,000 USD Search for Africa’s top young innovators [Anzisha Prize]

The Anzisha Prize celebrates young entrepreneurs in the private and social sectors – both for-profit efforts that generate employment for other members of the community, and non-profit efforts that address entrenched social problems in the community. Applicants will be evaluated on the impact, ingenuity, and scalability of their entrepreneurial efforts

The Anzisha Prize is managed out of African Leadership Academy’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which was established through a $1.6 million multi-year partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. Through the Anzisha Prize, they seek to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship among youth across the continent. For more information visit www.anzishaprize.org.

Ghana's Democracy and Economic Development

with Samia Nkrumah

Where: Hinman Auditorium

Hilton Orrington Hotel

1710 Orrington Ave,

Evanston, IL 60201

When: Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 6:00pm

Apply For A Scholarship, Today!

The 2012 Prospects and Opportunities Conference 

Click to Enlarge

Where: Multi-Purpose Hall of Christ's Oasis Ministries

3101 N. Parkside Ave. Chicago, IL 60634

When: April 14, 2012 at 10:00am (coffee at 9:30am)

How to Apply: Visit, www.eoc.bwaworld.com

Summer Jobs for Youth

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, along with County President Toni Preckwinkle, has announced One Summer Chicago. One Summer Chicago is a joint summer initiative between City & County to provide more than 185,000 summer opportunities for Chicago's youth (Ages 6-24). It is designed to engage youth in a broad range of summer activities that are fun, healthy and safe. These positions will fill up fast, so do not delay.

As of today, parents and youth can go to www.onesummerchicago.org to apply for over 17,000 summer jobs through a common application form. The website also provides program and registration information on more than 168,000 other recreational activities for young people.

Summer opportunities offered through One Summer Chicago are provided by several partners. Each partner has its own hiring criteria and selection procedures. The 2012 partners include:

• Chicago Department of Family and Support Services 
• Chicago Park District 
• Chicago Public Schools 
• Chicago Housing Authority 
• After School Matters 
• Chicago Public Libraries 
• City Colleges of Chicago 
• Cook County Works 
• Cook County Forest Preserve 
• Illinois Violence Prevention Authority

April 14: Chicago Booth Africa Business Symposium

The 3rd Annual Chicago Booth Africa Business Symposium

The New African Economy: Redefining Business, Redefining Strategy

Date/Time:

Saturday, April 14, 2012 (09:00 – 16:00 CST)

Location:

University of Chicago Booth School of Business – Gleacher Center

450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611 USA

Register Now: http://student.chicagobooth.edu/group/cabg/Symposium2012/

Keynote Speakers:

His Excellency, John Agyekum Kufuor,

Former President of Ghana & Former Chairperson of the African Union

Dr. Harry Broadman,

Chief Economist and Emerging Markets Practice Leader, PwC

African Youth Forum - update

The African Youth Forum on Saturday, March 31, brought together African and African -American youth between the ages of 13-25, as well as other immigrant and native-born young people in Chicago to dialogue around issues and challenges in their communities.

The Forum focused on three themes: Immigration, Education, and Incarceration. Through dialogue, those who attended built understanding of each others' points of view, and in the process found common ground. We hope that the forum will be a catalyst for sustained youth dialogue and organizing in Chicago, with committed and open engagement from African youth. The forum was an all day affair and included talks, discussions, music and performances (one of the most remarkable musical performances was a collaboration between Nigerian drumming group Ndi Akporo Dike and the Chicago Bucket Boys) - see below.

Some of the key talking points during the Forum included:

• "becoming a leader, and being the change"
• "promoting diversity without being judgmental"
• "defend those who are stereotyped"

A discussion on Immigration at the African Youth Forum

From the forum, participants drew up a "plan of action", which was comprised of their thoughts related to the workshops they attended, and how they wanted us to build on the African Youth Forum in future. The plan of action included:

• more youth forums, more often
• expand forum to include more participants from different backgrounds and different immigrant communities
• suggestions of other topics to cover

The most striking, and perhaps over-arching theme that our participants came to was that immigrants are everyone; groups of people who come from another country, another root. 

It was said that "even though we are all different, we all come from one earth".

This THURSDAY: Forced Out: A Unity Forum on Immigration and Incarceration

Forced Out: A Unity Forum on Immigration and Incarceration takes place this Thursday, April 5, from 9:30am-2:00pm at UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted Street. It is free and open to the public. 

Program Outline

9am-10am: Arrival, Registration, & Art Exhibit
10am-10:50am: Opening Session
11am-11:40am: Break for Food, Art and Action Fair
11:50am-1pm: Workshops
1:05pm-1:55pm: Closing Session
2:30pm-4pm: March to End Mass Detention

This county-wide forum provides a starting place for a conversation among individuals and families impacted by “mass detention.” It also gives students, activists and allies a chance to make connections across issues that are often seen as separate and even competing. By educating people about the shared logic of the prison and immigration systems, Forced Out will increase the links among affected groups and help to create a more unified voice for policy change across all communities. Working together, everyday people can create a culture of solidarity and demand real changes that improve public safety while strengthening our society for all.

7th US-Africa Trade and Investment Forum

Date: Wednesday, May 16 - Friday May 18, 2012

Venue: IIT, 3300 S. Federal St. Chicago IL 

-and-

SIX10 at Spertus Center, 610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago IL

Time: 9:00am- 5:00pm