New Special Edition African Voices on Nigera and multinationals

Now online is a special edition of the African Voices podcast, featuring a longer version of our interview with Anslem John-Miller, from Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). An abridged version of this interview is available in Episode 2 of African Voices. The release of this podcast coincides with a special day for the Ogoni people from Nigeria – November 10, 1995 – the anniversary of the death of one of their most important leaders, Ken Saro-Wiwa. We intend this episode of African Voices to raise awareness around not only the effects of Shell oil company on the Ogoni people but also to initiate discussion around the often exploitative role played by multinational companies all over Africa. We also want to generate debate on the impact these multinationals have had on the movement of immigrants and refugees from the African continent to the United States.

Our interviewee, Anslem John Miller, was born in Nigeria. He is a member of MOSOP, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People. He came to Chicago as a refugee in 1996, to escape threats to his safety. He now works in the area of HIV Aids.

Listen and comment

Other links of interest:

UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) Report on Ogoniland, Nigeria (at request of Nigerian government)

MOSOP's website

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

African Voices Podcast released!

We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest project: the 'African Voices' podcast! The Internet has democratized radio and TV by providing space for people with few resources and limited professional media experience to get their voices heard. The United African Organization would like to be part of this process. That's why we are launching our free podcast, 'African Voices'. Through our podcast, we are offering the African community in Illinois the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Our first podcast is now online! The podcast features October news and events from the African community in Illinois, information our Leadership Development Program, an interview with Paulo Bombe about his journey from Angola to Chicago (from our Africans in Chicago Oral History Project) and music from Youssoupha Sidibe, an artist from Senegal currently living in California.

You can listen to it on our podcast website. Make sure to subscribe to our podcast to be informed of future episodes! If you would like to contribute to our podcast, email podcasts@uniteafricans.org. Be sure to check out the guidelines for contributions.

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.