Listen to African Voices on your Cell Phone!

We are collaborating with Legend Talk Radio to bring you the latest African Voices Podcast on your cell-phone! The podcast is split into two segments – Chicago African News featuring news, events, issues and the Advice Box; Africans in Chicago Oral History featuring interviews with members of the community. You can now dial this number from your phone at the times below to listen to the podcast (all times are in US Central Time)! TUNE IN:

1-832-280-0017

To listen from outside the US on your phone or on Skype-Out, dial 001-832-280-0017. But beware of being charged international rates.

Chicago African News with AfricanVoices Schedule

Days Time

Mon 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, 9:00pm
Tue 9:00am, 3:00pm, 6:05pm, 10:00pm
Wed 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, 9:00pm

Thur 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:05pm, 10:00pm

Fri 9:00am, 3:00pm, 6:05pm, 9:00pm

Sat 9:000am, 12:05pm, 5:00pm, 7:05pm

Sun 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, 10:00pm

Chicago Oral History Report (Africans in Chicago Stories)

Days Time

Mon 6:30pm

Tue 3:30pm

Thur 12:30pm

Fri 3:30pm, 9:30pm

Sat 5:30pm

Spotlight: Alabama

It is a few months after Governor Robert Bentley signed a tough anti-immigration law in Alabama. It is time to take stock of the effect the law has had.

As the ICIRR writes, the law "essentially turns educators, business owners, landlords and citizens into immigration officers, and punishes anyone caught hiring, housing or even giving a car ride to an undocumented person in the state." Particularly worrying is that the law requires school superintendents to request that new students provide proof of US citizenship when they apply. Although federal law prevents undocumented children from being turned away from Grade school, Alabama's law makes immigrant parents fearful of enrolling their children. The law flies in the face of legislation like the DREAM Act, which was passed in Illinois earlier this year. Under the provisions of the DREAM Act, qualifying undocumented youth ARE eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship.

Alabama's tough immigration laws have forced many immigrants to flee the state. In the process, many families have been split up. Listen to NPR's report on family splits. The laws have also brought to light racial profiling, even of high school students in Alabama. DREAMActivist.org reports that DREAM-eligible student, Christian, 17 years old, was arrested after a routine traffic stop and sent to jail. He was released only to be re-arrested three days later. While Christian was taking his girlfriend to the rodeo, a police officer asked, "why are you here, you should have been in Mexico by now!" As a result, Christian has spent the last month in jail, instead of in school.

Alabama has only a small percentage of undocumented immigrants. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates 2.5 percent of the state population and 4.2 percent of its workforce – and they pay sales tax just like everyone else, taxes that support schools, law enforcement and other services vital to the state.

Let's keep an eye on Alabama, Arizona and other states targeting immigrants to the United States. And let's stand in solidarity with these immigrants who, like us, make important contributions to the United States.

JahGhana and UIC students support UAO

Members of JahGhana and the UIC Student Council presenting the check to UAO staff Alie Kabba and Nancy Asirifi-Otchere on Saturday, October 15th, 2011.

Entertainment Group JahGhana teamed up with the UIC (University of Illinois in Chicago) Student Council to raise funds for the United African Organization this month! They hosted their annual Afro Entertainment Awards show on October 8th, 2011. Some of the funds raised from the event were donated to the UAO. This is community support at its best! Thanks to JahGhana and UIC Student Council for their incredible contribution!

Next Leadership Workshop Saturday, October 15

Friends,

Our next leadership workshop will take place on this Saturday, October 15th from 9:00am - 1:00pm at 10 West 35th Street, 6th floor (University Room), Chicago, IL 60616.

The workshop will cover the following important topics:

• Community organizing models for social justice change

• Building a better future through community action

• Building transformative social movements

Oscar Chacón will facilitate the workshop. He is currently Executive Director of the National Alliance of Latin American & Caribbean Communities (NALACC). Until December, 2006, Mr. Chacon served as director of Enlaces América, a project of the Chicago-based Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights. Mr. Chacón served for most of the 1990’s as executive director of Centro Presente, Inc, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He served for many years as president of the Salvadoran American National Network (SANN). Mr. Chacon is a frequent lecturer in national and international conferences, as well as a media spokesperson on Latino immigrant issues in the U.S. He brings a transnational perspective to community organizing and social movements that is both fascinating and essential as we seek to empower our community.

Please invite your network for this FREE leadership workshop. RSVP at training@uniteafricans.org. Or call us on (312) 949 9980. You have until Friday to RSVP.

See you on Saturday! Light refreshment will be served.

Empowering Voices Talks with Alie Kabba, United African Organization about Immigration Discrimination

Trinity United Church of Christ featured United African Organization Director, Alie Kabba, on their program Empowering Voices. Alie was interviewed by Rev. Joan R. Harrell. He spoke about the work of the UAO, immigration policy, African immigrants to the US and the contributions of immigrants to US society. He also spoke about the need to recognize systemic injustices in our society and to empower people in our communities.

You can watch the interview HERE.