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.

Illinois DREAM Act Passed both House and Senate!

The Illinois House passed the IL DREAM Act yesterday with a bipartisan 60-54 vote. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Pat Quinn, and he has committed to sign it!

What an amazing victory! It means hope for thousands of undocumented youth who can now access university education in the Land of Lincoln. Yeah, Illinois is not Arizona!

Wow, I feel like drinking a cup of coffee on Mount Kilimanjaro!!!

Illinois DREAM Act on Fox News

I had fun last night in a debate (click here to view it) with Rick Biesada, an anti-immigrant member of the Chicago Minuteman Project. It was clear from the start that Rick had not even bothered to read SB2185. The bill is a common-sense, no-cost legislation to allow immigrant youth to pursue their dream of a higher education. It has broad support from faith leaders, law enforcement, elected officials, university presidents, and community-based organizations across the state. Rick and his anti-immigrant group represent a tiny minority with no real solutions to fix our broken immigration system. I'm glad that Illinois is a national leader in welcoming immigrants!

The African Youth Network Gives Back!

AYN members, Africana, Kama, and Mayah, help serve breakfast to summit attendees.

We witnessed a huge turnout of yellow-shirted Young Africans at the 5th Annual Chicago Summit on African immigrants and refugees this weekend. It was amazing because waking young college and high students up early on Saturday mornings is not an easy thing. Members of The African Youth Network (AYN) were able to wake up and prove me wrong! For this reason, I will like to applaud those AYN members who took time out of their busy lives to help make this event a success.

Being at the Summit was a great opportunity for AYN members. They had the chance to witness what the first generation is and has been doing for African immigrants and Refugees in the city of Chicago. They were able to be in an educational and resourceful environment which helped enlighten their perspective and change the way they will target and speak on issues in their local communities and in City of Chicago. AYN members had the chance to network and greet attendees from all walks of life. By discussing with other attendees, AYN members had the chance to understand the importance of being at a formal occasion like the Summit. 

With their volunteerism AYN displayed that they’re next in line to take leadership roles in the African community. AYN also displayed an important image to the first generation Africans by showing them that the African Youth Network in Chicago is fired up and ready to go!  Giving some time back to the community is one of the many objectives that AYN promotes. To join and be part of the AYN, please feel free to email me, Garcon Morweh at garcon.morweh@uniteafricans.org.