Events at the Chicago Council for Global Affairs

The Chicago Council for Globa Affairs is hosting two events of particular interest in October and November. Here they are:

Navigating the Immigration Debate and Chicago's Experience

Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: InterContinental Hotel, 505 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

At the talk, a group from the Emerging Leaders class of 2009 will present their report on immigration. An expert commentater, Alejandro Escalona, a columnist from the Chicago Sun-Times, will provide framing for the discussion. Marshall Bouton, President of the Chicago Council for Global Affairs will introduce the program. Executive Director of the United African Organization, Alie Kabba, provided guidance to the panel early on.

The talk is free but you must register in advance.

Empowering Women for Economic Growth in South Africa

Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Time: 12 noon
Venue: The Chicago Club, 81 East Van Buren, Chicago, IL 60605
Speaker: Lulama Xingwana, Minister for Women, Children, and People with Dissabilities, Republic of South Africa

Registration is required in for this event. Click the link above to register.

UAO and Illinois Association of Hair Braiders in the news

UAO Director, Alie Kabba, flanked by hair braiders Amazon Smiley, left, and Frances Simmons, right. (Photo courtesy of Keri Wiginton, Chicago Tribune / October 4, 2011)

The Chicago Tribune today features an article on the new law that provides a special category of licenses for hair braiders. The new licenses mean that hair braiders no longer have to go through a long and expensive process in order to practice their craft as professionals. The law took effect last month and will require a hair braider entering the field to have 300 hours of classroom and practical experience to get a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The department intends to offer schools and classes for hair braiders. The United African Organization and the Illinois Association of Hair Braiders were at the forefront of pushing for the new legislation. "We saw this as a social justice issue," said UAO Director, Alie Kabba. You can see the article on the Tribune website!

Good news for 'DREAM' student Nadia

On Friday 29th September, the ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) decided to provide a stay of removal for Stony Brook University student, Nadia, after incessant pressure from immigrant rights groups. Nadia was brought to the United States from Bangladesh when she was one year old. Nadia is DREAM-eligible - in other words, under the provisions of the DREAM Act, she and other qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service. Up until Friday, ICE was set to deport Nadia and her mother, Nazmin. Now both can stay, at least in the short term.

However, according to Nadia’s attorney, Aygul Charles, “There is still a big chance that Nadia and her mother will be deemed deportable after the expiration of the stay of removal. Also, the stay of removal can be lifted by ICE at any moment.”

To find out about and support other young people in the same position as Nadia, go to dreamactivist.org. For more information on the DREAM Act, visit the DREAM Act Portal.

Last week ICE wanted to deport a young student from Bangladesh. Next week, it could be a young African immigrant, eligible for the DREAM Act. We are all in this together. Let's keep supporting our brothers and sisters!

Elections: Leadership of Liberians in America

Elections were held for the leadership of the Union of Liberian Associations in America on 1 October, 2011. See footage from the lively election debate in Maryland, USA, on 30 September, 2011. Watch community politics in action!

Click on one of the images below to see video highlights from the event. Candidates for:

President | Vice President

General Secretary | Secretary

Videos courtesy of Moses Bombo Tambason.

The results of the election are now out. Dr. Gaye Sleh Jr., Chairperson of the UAO and a Chicago resident, was elected President. For the full results, click here.

African Unity Gala & Awards

I'm looking forward to the African Unity Gala & Awards!! I hope you will be among our guests at this wonderful celebration of African unity and culture!

You will meet and greet our honorees:

Attorney General Lisa Madigan

Nelson Mandela Social Justice Advocate Award

Crossroads Fund

African Pillar of Excellence Award

Prudential Financial

Corporate Partner of the Year Award

Dr Erku Yimer

Kwame Nkrumah Visionary Leadership Award

James Thindwa

Amilcar Cabral Spirit Award

You will enjoy spectacular culinary diversity as you taste food from Ethiopia, Morocco, Jamaica, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc.

You will love live jazz performance by Tammy McCann!

You will appreciate the opportunity to network with community leaders, supporters and allies.

And you will be inspired to support the work of the United African Organization!

There is still time to purchase your ticket. Click HERE to purchase your ticket now. You also have the option to purchase your ticket at the event on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616. The program starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. with live jazz!!!

African Unity Gala & Awards

Planning for the African Unity Gala & Awards is in full swing. I look forward to it because it is a joyful occasion to celebrate our achievements and thank our supporters. Join us on September 24, 2011 for an evening of great entertainment! Don't miss the delicious food and great networking opportunity!!

Click here to purchase tickets or sponsorship opportunities. Hurry and purchase your tickets today!

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the event!

See you at the gala on September 24, 2011!!

A Must See Film! " A SMALL ACT"

He was once a young Kenyan Child with no hopes while living in Africa. One Day, his life significantly changed when his education was sponsored by a Stranger from Sweden. Now he is a Human Rights lawyer. His Name is Chris MBuru and he is giving you the chance to see and hear his story in a award winning Film. What a Blessing? Why wouldn’t you want to be next to or around someone who turns his hopes into reality? “A SMALL ACT” is a MUST see film. Join Chris and Team on June 6, 2011 at the Facets Cinematheque on 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614. Come see how you can apply A SMALL Act to help Chris as he aims to repeat the kindness he was blessed with by founding a scholarship fund to aid the new generation in Kenya. For all who share similar stories with Chris or to those who seek knowledge on how A SMALL ACT can impact one life, please take the time and come out to the film screening on June 6, 2011 at 7pm. Tickets are only $9 for General Admission. Call 773-281-4114 to purchase your tickets.