The Minnesota African American Museum (MAAM) has been designated as one of the official United States locations, by South Africa’s embassy, to host in Minnesota the Nelson Mandela International Day celebration on July 18, 2013, from 8:30am to 1pm.
The day annually remembers Nelson Mandela’s achievement in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela who is currently hospitalized in critical condition turns 95 on July 18.
The day seeks to empower communities everywhere in a day of service.
A press release from the museum says volunteers are welcome to come and plant a tree in Mandela at museum. Children will be attending the event from the Northside gardening task force made up of Summer Step-Up youth working with/for Project Sweetie Pie, Afro Eco, and Ejam and Northside Fresh. Also youth from the southside Blaisedell YMCA will be attending the event to plant along with children in the Stevens Neighborhood.
Program speaker at 10am will be Francie Cooper, Consul Political from the South Africa Consulate Chicago. Other speakers include Minnesota Honorary Consul for South Africa, Judge LaJune Lange (ret.) and Roxanne Givens, MAAM Founder.
The mission of the relatively new Minnesota African American Museum and Cultural Center (MAAM) is to increase understanding and appreciation for the contributions made by African Americans in Minnesota. One of the museum’s exhibits includes Minnesota North Star Pioneers which chronicles the journey of African Americans to Minnesota and documents the African American contribution to the settlement and development of the Midwest.
The event is free and open to the public.
Nelson Mandela International Day
@ Minnesota African American Museum
Co -Sponsored by the South Africa Consul General in Chicago
1700 3rd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN
Thursday, July 18 2013
Time: 8:30am-1:00pm
1700 3rd Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
www.maamcc.org
About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
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