A Prestigious Appointment Recently, Dr. Vera Songwe was appointed as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa (the “ECA”). An economist with extensive experience directing policies relating to the World Bank’s activities in West Africa, she becomes the first African woman to hold the influential position. The United Nations Economic Commission For Africa issued…
Are you intimidated by the gym? Do you feel like it’s too late to get in shape? An 80-year-old grandmother from Baltimore named Ernestine Shepherd is just the person to inspire you to get fit. She has an unbelievable physique and an impressive record. Ernestine’s story proves that anything is possible with determination and…
The use of kerosene lamps in Africa has been a subject of concern for many years now. These lamps are used most commonly in developing Sub-Saharan Africa and the southern regions of Asia. More than 95% of communities without electricity are found in these regions. The Problem For people who live off the grid,…
The Tribeca Film Festival is a modern New York cultural mainstay. Since it began in 2002 as a response to the 9/11 attacks, this springtime festival is devoted to growth, change, and hope in the film industry. This year’s film selection of 98 features is 20% smaller than previous years, making it the most selective…
The European Union is breathing a little more comfortably after the first round of presidential elections in the French Republic. The two highly controversial and surprising political shifts of 2016—the United Kingdom’s Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America—loomed very high over France as voters headed…
Rachel Dolezal Makes an Appearance Rachel Dolezal has reappeared in the media. Most recall her as the white woman who presented herself as black for about a decade before being discovered and resigning from her leadership position in the NAACP. Living as an African American woman, and now going by the name Nkechi Amare Diallo,…
An Ocean of Plastic Surrounds Various Continents Our hydrosphere, already besieged with major issues such as climate change and overfishing, is home to tons of garbage and plastic that could further endanger various ecosystems around the world. According to an alarming study published in April by Science Advances magazine, Spanish researchers discovered a massive accumulation of…
Noëlla Coursaris is not only a well-known model, but she is also a self-described “fierce advocate for Africa’s youth” and an active philanthropist. As a successful fashion model in London and NYC, she has regularly graced the pages of magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Vanity Fair. Her true passion, though, is giving back and championing human rights.…
Barack Obama made his first public appearance on Monday since leaving the White House back in January. Surrounded by the youth of America at the University of Chicago, Obama shared his personal experiences of public service at a town hall meeting. Leading the meeting with a statement about how he entered into public service…
Smartphones are only as smart as the applications developed for their use; to this effect, some of the most clever and useful applications can be found in a few African nations where some mobile apps are improving society as a whole. Such is the case in Tanzania, a country that has partnered with UNICEF…
Tonya Williams believes that there is power in storytelling. As a woman of color working in Hollywood as an actress, director, and producer, she recognized that many voices were underrepresented in storytelling and its power wasn’t being sufficiently harnessed for social good. In 2001, she founded the Reelworld Film Festival to showcase films that explore…
Technology innovation and expansion is in need of constant development by an adequate base of human capital. Major tech companies such as Facebook realize that society demands greater technological advancement, which can only come from human effort. For this reason, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, co-founded by Facebook’s CEO, started investing in Africa a few years…
Cardi B had a huge night at the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards, a feather in her cap after a year full of big successes. Born Belcalis Almanzar, the 25-year-old rapper from New York with Dominican heritage had an unusual path to stardom. She was a stripper who became a viral Instagram star. That got…
The 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards aired on Tuesday night. Hosted by DJ Khaled, the show featured a number of great performances and several artists left with well-deserved trophies. In addition to hosting, DJ Khaled also performed. To start the show, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, and Plies joined Khaled for“I’m So Hood.” Many were…
