Yearly Archives: 2008

For Madin Dula, this election is different. The thought of casting her vote makes her smile. This is her second U.S. presidential election, but the first one in which she can vote.

In spite of the difficulties in obtaining travel visas for international artists visiting the United States, some musicians are still touring from Africa and Europe and elsewhere around the globe. 

St. Paul, Minn— On September 12th the Minnesota and African communities did more than reconnect at The Minnesota History Center for the Books for Africa 20th Anniversary Gala. They celebrated their connection and renewed their pledge to support each other in the noble cause to end Africa’s book famine. In a jam packed auditorium, attendees wearing brightly colored and beautifully patterned African outfits keenly listened as representatives from Africa and local leaders praised and encouraged the organization for its work.

Minneapolis, MN—African immigrants in Minnesota have been urged to come together to address their common issues related to their wellness.

The 27th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, popularly known as The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America®,will be this Sunday October 5, 2008.

This year, African-born marathoners include Zeddy Chepkoech, Richard Kandie, Callen Moraa and Macharia Yuot who will be running in the elite field. Zeddy, Richard and Callen were born in Kenya and are from the Duma Runners Club. Macharia is one of the Lost Boys from Sudan who arrived in the US in 2000 and joined Team USA in August 2008.

Over the years Minnesota has been home to immigrant communities from different countries all over the world. In the last ten years, Minnesota has seen the exponential growth of immigrants, especially refugees from Liberia, Somalia and Ethiopia.

African countries need to develop a hybrid of governing styles to achieve modern-day democracies was the consensus at a recent conference in St. Paul.

Minneapolis, MN—Liberian-born Helene Cooper, author and diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times, was here on a promotional tour of her book “The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood.”

Seattle, WA—Asha Mohamed knew America was the place for her soon after her arrival in a Kenyan refugee camp. “They gave me two books, a Bible and a pamphlet that talked about the American Constitution.” She was familiar with the former, but found the latter “the most fascinating document that I could ever read.”

NEW YORK - The soaring cost of fuel and basic foods over the past year has left many countries in sub-Saharan Africa unable to adequately fund critical activities, such as health care and the provision of safe drinking water, their leaders told the General Assembly's annual high-level debate today.

It’s been eight months and Isaiah Washington, 18, is getting frustrated. He’s pounded the pavement knocking on doors and he’s faxed resumes all to no avail.