A UN-Sponsored Organization In 1997, the United Nations helped several organizations combine their resources to found the African Women’s Alliance (“the AWA”). This international nonprofit enterprise draws upon the talents of African women residing in their own nations and across the world. It was incorporated in 2001 as a nonprofit organization. Its members hope to enhance the lives…
With nearly 39 million mobile phone subscriptions and a device penetration of almost 90 percent, Kenya could be described as one of the most wireless nations not just in Africa, but also in the world. Kenya is not only a global leader in smartphone usage, but also in development of mobile technologies. At any given time,…
There was a time when the Syrian Arab Republic was not the site of an out-of-control civil war where government forces carry out chemical weapon attacks against civilians, and where an abominable terrorist organization has set out to destroy rich archaeological treasures dating back several centuries. Less than a decade ago, Syria was a country…
In late 2016, Fadumo Dayib made history when she announced her candidacy for the presidential elections of Somalia, thus marking the first time a female politician aspired to the highest office of the troubled nation. Dayib was not in Somalia at the time of the announcement, which she made from Finland—the nation that welcomed her…
Esi Edugyan is an award-winning novelist whose cultural heritage and diverse education fuels her rich stories of history, race, and finding one’s place in the world. Born in 1977 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Edugyan began writing poetry as a teenager and her talents were soon recognized by a high school teacher. She started her…
Time Magazine has released their annual list of the most influential people of 2017. The list includes important figures including world leaders, artists, and athletes. The 2017 list includes a number of African and African-American individuals of note. Among those who made the list this year are athletes LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Colin Kaepernick, musicians John Legend and Alicia Keys, actress Viola…
An explosive new Vanity Fair report about the Donald and Melania Trump marriage has also provided new insight into the relationship between Melania and Ivanka Trump. President Trump’s relationships with both women, his wife and his daughter, have always been closely scrutinized. Both relationships are certainly unlike any we’ve seen with any previous First Family. As First…
A Nigerian government official attracted worldwide attention this month for cutting off the hair of a number of female employees. Andrew Kumapayi is a commander for the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Rivers State, Nigeria. He was performing a “routine inspection of officers’ hair and nails” when he determined some hairstyles to be non-compliant. Images…
Israeli musician Idan Raichel blends styles to share music with a message of peace. A keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and composer, his music draws from Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African musical styles. His lyrics are almost always in Hebrew and he often uses bits of traditional Hebrew texts. LA Times described what Raichel does as creating “a zesty…
Oprah Winfrey and Viola Davis are two of the most powerful women who continue to leave their incredible imprints on the world. The pair have been recognized in a most deserving way, landing on People magazine’s World’s Most Beautiful issue this year. Congratulations, Oprah and Viola. Your glamour both on and off the red carpet, stunning features, poise, intellect and confidence…
The fertile soil of Africa could hold the key to economic development by giving young entrepreneurs an opportunity to become part of the next generation of billionaires. The African Development Bank believes that global consumer demand for farming products is something that the Continent should rise up to meet; to this effect, a youth program…
Africa is shaping up to be one of the most attractive markets for mobile app development; this socioeconomic trend was clearly on display at the AppsAfrica.com Innovation Awards ceremony, which was held in Cape Town, South Africa on November 6. More than 300 apps were evaluated by a panel of judges selected by their experience and…
Did you know that making snide, careless or sarcastic comments can land you in trouble in Zimbabwe? Such is the case for 25-year-old American citizen Martha O’Donovan who is currently being detained in Zimbabwe over a tweet. In her tweet, she referred to “a goblin whose wife and stepson bought a Rolls-Royce.” While she…
It is generally believed that black people first came to England as slaves. That assumption is a common misperception and one that historian Miranda Kaufmann is working to correct with her first book, Black Tudors: The Untold Story. This remarkable book explores the heretofore unknown history of black people in 16th century England—individuals who lived freely…
