Kenyan Marathon Dinner

Become a US Citizen Today!

For more information and help applying for citizenship, you can call us at (312) 949-9980, visit us at 3424 S. State Street Suite 3C8-2 (on the corner of 35th and State Street), or email us at info@uniteafricans.org. We are here to help you!

African Cultural Dinner and Fundraiser!

Come enjoy African food, fashion and art, with entertainment by professional dancers and musicians! Hear from World Vision representatives about the life-changing work they are doing in Africa!

Donate $50 or more to an athlete today to reserve your admission!

• Go to support.worldvision.org
• Click 'donate'
• Search Sandra Dodds
• Donate on my participant page

Please include name/s of attendee/s and note 'fundraiser event' in memo line!

Tanzanian Bye Bye Summer BBQ

Event: Bye Bye Summer BBQ

Date: September 29th

Time: Noon to 6pm

Location: Schiller Woods West Forest Preserve Grove Number 9, on the intersection of Irving Park Ave. and Cumberland Ave. 

This will be a great chance to enjoy the final days of warm weather in Chicago, meet TCA members, TCA Leaders and friends of Tanzania and be a part of organizing our next big event. Please bring food and drinks to share, and don't forget to bring your family and friends and clothes to play soccer in!

The South African Handspring Puppet Company will be performing Woyzeck on the Highveld at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago from September 27-30th. The play is about a migrant worker in South Africa under apartheid. Tickets ae $28 for MCA members, $35 for nonmembers, and $10 for students. 

Uganda Independence Day Celebration

Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequality

“Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity" is designed for dialogue and works to disentangle internal beliefs, attitudes, and pre-judgments about race. The film and workshop helps to build skills that address the structural drivers of social and economic inequities. At the event, film clips will be braided with dialogue facilitated by Shakti Butler. This program is ideal for anyone yearning for change yet wary of conversation about race. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 9 am to 2:30 pm.

African Pillar of Excellence Award Winner - Almaz Yigizaw

Almaz Yigizaw 

African Pillar of Excellence Award

 

Almaz Yigizaw was born in Gondar in Ethiopia. She arrived in Chicago as a refugee in April, 1982 at the age of 16. She attended High School and College in Chicago. 

While taking a business class, Almaz developed the idea for the Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant. In August 1996, she opened the first Ethiopian Diamond restaurant in Chicago. She opened a second Ethiopian Diamond branch in 2010. Almaz has made an enormous contribution to her community in Roger's Park and to the broader African community in Chicago. Two generations of children on the North Side have grown up on her food, and been introduced to the rich culture of Ethiopia through her restaurant. Almaz' Ethiopian Diamond restaurant has become a center for African immigrants and refugees on the North Side. 

Almaz always opens her restaurant to the community for events ranging from advocacy meetings and bridge-building functions to birthdays and baptisms. Through her leadership, energy and culinary prowess, Almaz Yigizaw has played a huge role in empowering Chicago's African community.

Kwame Nkrumah Visionary Award Winner - Gregory Nimpson

Gregory Nimpson 

Kwame Nkrumah Visionary Award 

Gregory Blamoh Nimpson is a native of Pleebo, Maryland County, in Liberia.  He is the second oldest of 5 brothers and 1 sister (deceased).  Greg came to the United States as a teenager and attended schools in Montana, Indiana, and finally Chicago.  He has been a Chicago resident ever since. 

Greg is extremely involved in the Liberian community in Chicago because he knows that his contribution can and does make an impact.  He served on various committees of the Organization of the Liberian Community in Illinois (OLCI), and later served as president, and chairman of its Board of Directors.

He is a past Secretary and current President of the World Soccer League, a recreational league comprised of local teams with players from Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean.  Greg served as Chairman of the steering committee that restructured the United African Organization, including developing new guidelines for membership, establishing a new focus, and implementing a new structure.

As a member of the Our Lady of Fatima and St. Francis High Schools Alumni Association in the Americas, Greg contributes to annual scholarships to sponsor students in Maryland County who are attending those high schools.  Gregory is the father of three adult daughters and grandfather of 11-month old Yanaa.

Community Hero Award Winner - Akoto Berko Owusu

Akoto Berko Owusu 

Community Hero Award 

Akoto Berko Owusu aka “The Journalist” is the publisher and editor of African Spectrum Newspaper.  He is a graduate of Roosevelt University.   

Since 1999, African Spectrum has covered various issues pertaining to people of African descent.  Mr. Owusu and African Spectrum have sponsored many major events that feature  people of color including the African Festival of Arts, African Caribbean Festival of Life, Ghanafest and the International Reggae and World Music Awards to name a few. 

Mr. Owusu has received numerous citations from many organizations such as the Mahogany Scholarship Foundation, Black Heritage Awards, Ghana National Council, the State of Illinois and the Cook County Treasurer's office.  Mr. Owusu has also been instrumental in helping many Africans in the Chicago area obtain and find jobs in the health field as certified nursing assistants.

Ubuntu Leadership Award Winner - Alice Cottingham

Alice Cottingham 

Ubuntu Leadership Award

Alice Cottingham has worked in and for the nonprofit sector for more than thirty years.  She began in community organizations focused on issues close to her heart: reproductive rights, women’s rights and health, youth development, and immigrant and refugee rights.   

She then worked in social justice grantmaking, with the Crossroads Fund, the Fund for Immigrants and Refugees, and Girl’s Best Friend Foundation.  Five years ago, she formed her own business to consult with foundations and community organizations.   

Alice lives in Oak Park with her husband, Dave, a social worker, and son, Sam, a high school junior.   She is touched and honored to be recognized by United African Organization, whose work and mission she enthusiastically supports.

5 Great Reasons to Purchase Your Ticket to the Gala NOW

1. UAO provides lots of great FREE services to the African community in Chicago everyday

2. It will be a really fun party to celebrate the African community and its achievements this year.

3. Nigerian artist Ugochi will be performing music from her new album Afro Soul Effect

4. There will be AMAZING food from Yassa (Senegalese), Marakech (Moroccan), Ethiopian Diamond (Ethiopia), Pizza Capri (Italian), Cedars (Mediterranean), and Norman's Bistro (American Creole). There will also be DELICIOUS desserts from Brown Sugar, Divine Chocolates, and Terry's Toffees

5. It will be a great opportunity to network with African in Chicago

Please purchase your tickets by clicking HERE!

Meet Our Award Winners!

This week we will be revealing the award winners for this year's African Unity Gala and Awards event. To find out who the winners are and learn more about their contributions to the African diaspora community in Chicago continue to check in to our blog each day for the big reveal at 5pm each day.

Alie Kabba on WVON Today

UAO Executive Director Alie Kabba is talking now on Chicago's WVON radio station. He will be on from 2-4 pm talking about the South African mine strike, the African Unity Gala and Awards event, and other topics related to African news and the diaspora in Chicago.

You can listen now on WVON 1690AM or by clicking HERE!

Eniyan

Need something to do tonight in Chicago? Nigerian playwright Wale Ogunyemi and director Sina Odukoya will be presenting their adaption of the classic Nigerian play Eniyan or Everyman at the Iyanze African Restaurant from September 14th to the 16th. The restaurant is located at 4623 N. Broadway and parking will be available. The show starts at 8pm on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday at 4pm. UAO representatives will also be there tonight selling tickets to our African Unity Gala & Awards event and raffle tickets.

Download African Voices Episode 12

Please go to iTunes to download this month's episode of African Voices! This month's episode features Therese Kennelly talking about news stories from Chicago and the African continent, advice on petitioning for family members to come to the US, a Ghanaian recipe, and interviews with Nigerian musician Ugochi and Guinean fashion designer Kadiatou Diallo.

Click HERE to download African Voices Episode 12

The African Unity and Gala Awards Event is Only a Week Away!

Next Saturday (September 22nd), please join us in celebrating African unity and culture and honoring the accomplishments of our 2012 Awardees! There will be live music, poetry, refreshments, and a raffle! The event will occur at the IIT Tower Bulding (10 W. 35th Street) from 6:30-9:30 pm.

Thinking about ways to support the event? Well, here are five easy steps:

(1) Please click HERE to purchase a ticket now!

(2) Click HERE to RSVP to the event on Facebook

(3) Click HERE to advertise in our program booklet.

(4) Click HERE to sponsor the event.

(5) Spread the word!! Tell your network to attend the gala on September 22, 2012 and support a worthy cause!

With your support, you ensure that UAO continues to promote for social and economic justice, civic participation, and empowerment of African immigrants and refugees. So come out and have fun!

For more information, please e-mail gala@uniteafricans.org or call 312-949-9980.

Vote for UAO in Chase Community Giving Program

Until September 19, you can vote for us in the Chase Community Giving Program We need your vote to advance opportunities for our community! Your vote will help us win a grant ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, which will support our programs and services aimed at community development and empowerment. Click to vote How to vote If you are on Facebook: You can vote for the UAO on Facebook  Earn 1 extra vote on Facebook by sharing the UAO link from the Chase Community Giving app to your Facebook timelines. If one of your friends clicks on the Chase app and casts a vote of their own, you'll earn an extra vote for UAO. If you are a Chase Customer: As a Chase customer, you can vote TWICE for the UAO - ONCE on Facebook and ONCE on Chase.com/ChaseGiving

Western Union Family Scholarship Program!

The Family Scholarship Program is helping immigrant/migrant fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and brothers and sisters move up the economic development ladder through education. 

Scholarships are used for college tuition, language acquisition, technical training and GED classes, with two family members receiving a scholarship to help achieve the type of education they need in order to create a brighter future for their entire family.

Eligibility requirements:

• All applicants for scholarships must be age 18 or older.
• Both applicants are members of the same family.
• Applicants must have been in the United States for 7 years or less.
• Both applicants must have been born outside of the United States.
• Both applicants must be living in the United States currently.
• Applicants must reside in one of the following U.S. locations: Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, DC; Miami, Florida
• The educational institutions for both of the family members must be in the United States.
• The application must include educational institutions for both the primary and secondary award recipients (the two family members).
• Scholarships may be used for tuition for college/university education, language acquisition classes, technical/skill training, and/or financial literacy.
• Scholarships may not be used for advanced degrees (such as Masters, PhD).
• Scholarships will only be made to nonprofit accredited higher education institutions and nonprofit training/educational providers.
• Western Union employees, Western Union Agents and dependents are not eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Process for Selection

Scholarship recipients are determined in a selection process independently managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE), an international non-profit educational exchange organization. All scholarship awards will be paid directly to the educational providers. No payments will be made to individuals.

Timeline

August 27, 2012: Application open and available
September 25, 2012: Application due date
November 5 - 9, 2012: Notifications made

Contact Information

For questions related to this scholarship program, please contact the administering organization, Institute of International Education (IIE) by phone, fax, or e-mail at:

Institute of International Education
1400 K St. NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202)326-7861
Fax: (202)326-7696
Email: wufoundation@iie.org

African Unity Gala & Awards!!

Join us for an evening to celebrate African unity and culture!

On September 22nd, join us in celebrating African unity and culture and honoring the accomplishments of our 2012 Awardees! There will be live music, poetry, refreshments, and a raffle! 

Honoring

Alice Cottingham 

Ubuntu Leadership Award 

Almaz Yigizaw 

African Pillar of Excellence Award 

Gregory Nimpson 

Kwame Nkrumah Visionary Award 

Akoto Berko Owusu 

Community Hero Award 

Details:

Saturday, September 22 at 6:30 PM - 9:30PM

IIT Tower Building

10 W. 35th Street

Chicago, IL 60616

With your support, you ensure that UAO continues to promote for social and economic justice, civic participation, and empowerment of African immigrants and refugees. So come out and have fun!

Thinking about ways to support the event? Well, here are four easy steps:

(1) If you have not done so already, please click HERE to purchase a ticket now!

(2) Click HERE to advertise in our program booklet.

(3) Click HERE to sponsor the event.

(4) Spread the word!! Tell your network to attend the gala on September 22, 2012 and support a worthy cause!


For more information, please e-mail gala@uniteafricans.org or call 312-949-9980.