No examination of African American history and culture would be complete without a look at music. Gospel music, spirituals, blues, jazz, and R&B all weave a rich tapestry of history. The acapella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock has been using that historical foundation for more than 40 years. Their music is sublime, but they…
National Albinism Awareness Day takes place on Tuesday, June 13. According to the Albino Foundation, the United Nations General Assembly made a declaration at its sixty-ninth session on December 14th, 2014 that International Albinism Awareness Day would take place every year on this day. This day of celebration is used to “draw attention to states and members…
As the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes has special significance. Belmont Park, in Elmont, New York, is the place where some of the most thrilling wins have taken place and major records have been set by horses like Man o’ War and Secretariat. It’s also the toughest race, nicknamed “Test of…
Esther Muthoni Passaris is known in Kenya in the world of politics and philanthropy. Born in the coastal city of Mombasa to Greek and Kenyan Kikuyu parents, she has become a successful businesswoman and philanthropist, establishing the much lauded “Adopt-A-Light” program, which succeeded in reducing crime by increasing lighting in many poverty-stricken neighbourhoods. She also possesses…
Chibu Dangote calls himself “The Rolls Royce Musician From East Africa,” and he’s fondly known to fans by the stage name Diamond Platnumz. He admits to very humble roots, and before he hit the big times, the Bonga musician, born Nasibu Abdul Juma, used to sell “mitumba” or clothes for a living. Now the dazzling star…
In the wake of the controversial 2016 presidential election that she was widely expected to win, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been staying busy even though she currently does not hold a political post. A few months after the election, Clinton embarked on a speaking tour to thank her supporters and to share…
United States President Donald Trump is a liar and a clumsy politician unable to orchestrate Machiavellian plots; such was the characterization that can be inferred from the testimony given by James Comey, the ousted former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, before the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8. Although Comey had prepared a lengthy…
There was a time when an African nation was proud to be the “S” in the BRICS acronym used to describe the most powerful emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. After the spectacular crash of Wall Street at the height of the global financial crisis in 2008 came to pass, the BRICS…
“The subtle dance of seduction.” That is the basis of up-and-coming Nigerian designer Amaka Osakwe’s gorgeous line of the Maki Oh Fall 2017 fashion collection to Vogue. The pieces are casually elegant, sexy and modern and crafted with playful construction. The designer toyed with both soft and hard designs, including Nigerian prints, bold colors and peek-a-boo…
An Ivory Coast footballer whose superb midfield skills are warmly remembered by fans who follow the English Premier League unexpectedly tragically passed away as he was training for an upcoming match in China. Cheick Tioté was only 30 years old and in the midst of a new career in the lucrative world of Chinese professional…
