Black Uhuru performs at the Cedar in Minneapolis on Sunday, November 24.
Black Uhuru performs at the Cedar in Minneapolis on Sunday, November 24.Black Uhuru performs at the Cedar in Minneapolis on Sunday, November 24.
Black Uhuru – one of Jamaica’s oldest and most successful reggae bands will perform at the Cedar in Minneapolis this Sunday, November 24. Uhuru is a Swahili word for freedom. One of their successful hits that is popular in Africa is World is Africa.
The band was formed in 1972 with a line-up of musicians that included Garth Dennis, Derrick “Duckie” Simpson and Don Carlos. The current roster includes Simpson, Andrew Bees and Kaye Stahr.
This is the Cedar’s 25th anniversary season and the venue seems to be on track to win the “Best World Music Venue” title for the third year in a row with musicians from around the world coming to celebrate the venue’s milestone.
The 25th anniversary season celebration goes on through the summer of 2014.
Bruce Corrie, Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright, Kenny Odusote and Gene Gelgelu at the launch of Little Africa in Saint Paul, Minnesota on November 14, 2013. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale
Bruce Corrie, Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright, Kenny Odusote and Gene Gelgelu at the launch of Little Africa in Saint Paul, Minnesota on November 14, 2013. Photo: Tom Gitaa/MshaleBruce Corrie, Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright, Kenny Odusote and Gene Gelgelu at the launch of Little Africa in Saint Paul, Minnesota on November 14, 2013. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale
Only two weeks ago Abdi Warsame was elected to the Minneapolis City Council, becoming the highest-ranked elected official of Somali decent in the country. The overwhelming support he received reflects the power in numbers held by African immigrant communities on the brink of a new realm of civic engagement.
The official launch of Little Africa St. Paul, a budding business and cultural district, marks a push towards higher visibility and greater recognition of the economic power—$1.4 billion— within those communities.
State Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright attended the celebration, held at the Snelling Café at 638 Snelling Avenue North. Owner Afeworki Bein served a tantalizing buffet with two cakes provided by Rebecca Bakery. The night included interludes from dancer India Jamal. Community leaders from four African nations offered remarks, followed by a Q & A session and comments from Wright.
Wright said she sees Little Africa and it’s Free Library as an example of the pride the community has, “not only in America but in our countries of origin and our ancestral roots.”
The “political tectonic plates” that shifted with the election of Warsame, Alondra Cano and Blong Yang were helped by the redistricting panel Wright chaired, said Bruce Corrie, Vice President at Concordia University and a panelist at the launch.
“We lift as we climb. We share our resources for the good of the whole,” said Wright. “This is our legacy.” Little Africa also embodies community by merging values and traditions while opening a path for new customs and practices to guide the community forward, she said.
The African Economic Development services cultivated Little Africa over the past two years, in step with their mission to build wealth within African communities through entrepreneurism. The district, between St. Paul’s La Fond and University Avenues will become a foundation to build business and culture and strengthen ties between African communities, said Gene Gelgelu, AEDS executive director.
“The idea is for all of us to be part of this organization,” said Ghas Mends of the Sierra Leone Community. “The name of the game is the economy.”
Kenny Odusote, president of Minnesota’s West African Collaborative also sees this as a chance to foster intercultural understanding.
“Little Africa brings together all the ethnic groups within individual countries,” said Odusote. “We hope we will be able to have Minnesotans understand more of the continent of Africa.”
AEDS has also partnered with the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative, Nexus Community Partners and Concordia for the launch. Ethiopia, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the Oromo communities were represented but more work needs to be done in order to bring all potential stakeholders to the table, Gelgelu said.
“We are a small community in Skyline Tower,” said Hadi Khalif, during the Q & A. “How does [Little Africa leadership] engage the community? We have never had a time to discuss our plans or issues.”
“We appreciate your presence,” Gelgelu told Khalif. “We’ve had some time to share our plans to have an international marketplace. We from Little Africa would welcome a representative of Skyline Tower to be a part of our leadership team.”
Michael Fondungallah, representing Cameroon, called the push for Little Africa strategic. His wish is to see some of the Cameroonian businesses in Brooklyn Park relocate to Little Africa St. Paul and add to the sight of more reminders from home.
“Hopefully, this is something we will cherish and leave for our children,” he said.
The regular Illinois drivers license is on the left while the TVDL that undocumented immigrants will be given to allow them to drive legally in Illinois is on the right.
The regular Illinois drivers license is on the left while the TVDL that undocumented immigrants will be given to allow them to drive legally in Illinois is on the right.The regular Illinois drivers license is on the left while the TVDL that undocumented immigrants will be given to allow them to drive legally in Illinois is on the right.Secretary of State Jesse White holds up a new temporary visitor drivers license edged in purple and a regular drivers license edged in red at news conference announcing new license procedures. Photo; Rossi Rosalind/Sun-Times Media
Signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn January 27, the Secretary of State’s Office began accepting appointments to enroll in the Temporary Visitor Drivers License (TVDL) program November 12.
“As soon as the General Assembly passed and the governor signed this legislation into law, my office began planning to implement the program in a way that improves road safety, highlights customer service and underscores the importance of license integrity and security,” White said in a release. The program will cost $1 million to implement. “Through driver license testing, verification of identity, and maintenance of accurate motorist records, this law will improve road safety and guarantee that more drivers will purchase and maintain auto insurance.”
An estimated 100,000 people will enroll. But because officials don’t want them all to converge on their facilities at the same time, an appointment system was set up to help manage the high volume of people expected to apply. The in-person appointment process should take two hours per person, with the cost of applying set at $30 per person.
Critics of the program think it has a potential for identity fraud and argue the state should be cracking down on illegal immigrants, not accommodating them. They believe TVDL will make Illinois a more attractive place for them.
To try and curb this, a photo of the applicant will be taken during the application process and then processed through the state’s facial recognition database. After the documents have been verified for authenticity, applicants will receive their TVDL via U.S. mail at a later date.
While none of the information collected will be shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, however if subpoenaed by law enforcement the applicant’s information would be turned over. But this would only happen in very specific cases where law enforcement officials were seeking a high alert person that was flagged for investigation.
“I want to reassure the public that my office is implementing this law thoughtfully, efficiently and effectively,” said White. “Over the last 10 months, we worked in collaboration with community organizations and have developed thorough procedures to ensure that the TVDL is a safe and secure document.”
To schedule an appointment go to cyberdriveillinois.com or call 855-236-1155. Website application procedures and phone operators are available in English, Spanish, Polish, Korean and Chinese.
Mother of George by director Andrew Dosunmu is one of the featured films at the Images of Africa series that runs November 15-21, 2013 in Minneapolis.
Mother of George by director Andrew Dosunmu is one of the featured films at the Images of Africa series that runs November 15-21, 2013 in Minneapolis.Mother of George by director Andrew Dosunmu is one of the featured films at the Images of Africa series that runs November 15-21, 2013 in Minneapolis.
The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul has unveiled its lineup for Images of Africa, a series of films highlighting the cinema of Africa. Part of the Film Society’s Diaspora Project, will feature 30 narrative and documentary films from 15 countries. The series will showcase from November 15-21, with all its Minneapolis screenings taking place at St. Anthony Main Theatre and Mixed Blood Theater.
It is the most ambitious showcase of African film in the Twin Cities with a wide variety of subject matter explored. The works posted on the Society’s website draws titles from the work of established directors Ousmane Sembene (Senegal) and Merzak Allouache (Algeria) and established film production regions like Senegal, Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria, as well as from emerging directors like Andrew Dosunmu(Nigeria/US) and film production countries that include Mali, Kenya, Somalia and Rwanda.
“Although Images of Africa is specifically developed with Minnesota’s new African communities in mind, it will also showcase the long tradition of film making from across Africa and by Africans,” Susan Smoluchowski, executive director of the Film Society, said in a statement announcing the lineup.
The Film series opens with The Square, a documentary directed by Jehane Noujaim, which chronicles the events that coalesced into the January 2011 demonstrations in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, eventually leading to the toppling of Hosni Mubarak as president. Director Jehane Noujaim (Control Room) has recut her film several times to keep up with events unfolding in Egypt.
Broken Dreams, a documentary by Director Fathia Absie is one of the featured titles at the Images of Africa Film Series. In 2008, several Somali youth in Minnesota disappeared from their homes and went to join Al-Shabab, a development that shocked the community they left behind. In Broken Dreams, Fathia Absie documents the families of these men as they openly talk about the hopes and dreams of their sons, and provides context through interviews with area youth and community leaders.
Closing the series will be the noted film Mother of George by Director Andrew Dosunmu. The film features Zimbabwean-American Macalester College graduate, Danai Guirira (her of The Walking Dead). Adenike (Danai Gurira) and Ayodele (Isaach De Bankolé) are Nigerian couple living in Brooklyn while facing challenges urging them to question and defy familial and cultural expectations.
The African Gallery at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts has reopened after months of renovation.
The African Gallery at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts has reopened after months of renovation.
Renovations at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts have kept the African Gallery boarded up for the past ten months. Now they’ve opened their doors to a new way of taking in the art of Africa.
MIA has moved their collections off the walls and into the floor space, prompting visitors to walk around the various objects, viewing them from all angles. Additionally, they’ve expanded their cultural diversity to include eastern Africa in greater variety.
General admission to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee.
Museum hours: Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Monday closed. For more information, call (612) 870-3000 or visit www.artsmia.org.
Rokia Traore will perform in Minneapolis on November 25 as part of the Cedar's 25th anniversary season. Photo: Frank Socha via Rokia Traore
Rokia Traore will perform in Minneapolis on November 25 as part of the Cedar's 25th anniversary season. Photo: Frank Socha via Rokia TraoreRokia Traoore will perform in Minneapolis on November 25 as part of the Cedar's 25th anniversary season. Photo: Frank Socha via Rokia Traore
Good things come in threes and Rokia Traoré’s appearance at The Cedar Cultural Center on November 25th will be her third gig at their venue, as if following a timetable every four years. This time will be no exception as she arrives with a new album, Beautiful Africa (2013), which further expands on her already eclectic repertoire.
As in the past her new album includes her languages of Bambara and French with a smattering of English. Her past concerts have been likewise delivered. She brings her homeland, Mali, to her audience, but tempered with a world-view, an objective view, as well as an intimate and loving view of one who dearly loves her country, but no longer resides there.
Ms. Traoré will work her musical magic on a Monday, setting the tone for the rest of the week. If you go, you’ll still find yourself feeling grateful for the experience come Thanksgiving later that week. If you don’t, you might have to wait until 2017 if she sticks with her current pattern of touring to Minnesota and that would be a shame.
Ticket Information:
Monday, November 25, 2013 – 7:30pm
Doors Open: 7:00pm
Advance: $30.00
Day of show: $35.00
Standing show (open dance floor)
At The Cedar
Ticket options and info
On sale date: now
Phone: 612-338-2674 ext 0 between 12 noon and 4pm ($2 fee per ticket)
In person: From a Cedar volunteer in the front lobby during events (no fee; cash, check, credit card), Depth of Field (no fee; cash or check only), or Electric Fetus (approximately $2 fee)
Online: Ticketweb (typically $2–$3 fee/ticket) (click on red Buy Tickets button at top of this page)
The Cedar is an all ages venue
Students with ID, seniors over 65, and children under 12 may purchase tickets at a discount at the door.
This screen grab of a YouTube video shows a Somali-American youth speaking out against violence. A peace rally is planned at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis on Saturday, November 9 2013.
This screen grab of a YouTube video shows a Somali-American youth speaking out against violence. A peace rally is planned at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis on Saturday, November 9 2013.This screen grab of a YouTube video shows three Somali-American youth speaking out against violence.This screen grab of a YouTube video shows a Somali-American youth speaking out against violence. A peace rally is planned at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis on Saturday, November 9 2013.
In an effort to rally the community against violence and remember family members and friends lost to violence, a peace march organized by Minnesota’s Somali youth will be held at Karmel Mall this Saturday, November 9 starting at 2:00 PM.
Karmel Mall is located at 2910 Pillsbury Avenue in Minneapolis, one block north of Lake Street on Pillsbury.
Going by the moniker “Youth Against Violence”, the group organizing the peace march seeks to end the cycle of youth violence and crime in Minnesota.
It is still an evolving youth movement as it is careful to say it “has no appointed leaders (and) no expiration date for its demands”.
At its first peace march at the Brian Coyle Center in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, over 100 participants took part to protest against what they called “the killings of innocent lives”.
In the past week, the group has furiously dialed up its ground work and has lured in energized members of the Somali community to take part in Saturday’s march. The march is open all ages, the group said, as well as “all people that want to show the world injustice is unacceptable”.
A Facebook page has been setup and serves as the information portal for the group. You can find it here.
A YouTube video featuring community members denouncing violence and gangs can be found here.
Youth Against Violence Peace Rally
Saturday, November 9, 2013 @ 2PM
2910 Pillsbury Avenue South, Minneapolis
Facebook page: Go here.
Obama to screen Mandela movie at the White House on November 7
President Barack Obama will today (Nov. 7) screen “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” a film portraying the life of South Africa’s iconic anti-apartheid leader, the White House said.
The movie recounts the political and personal life of former South African president Nelson Mandela, whom Obama has called an inspiration.
Obama will watch the film at the private White House theater at 6 pm (2300 GMT), according to his official daily schedule.
According to Hollywood industry publication Variety, actors Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, who starred in the film, will be in attendance as will two of Mandela’s daughters, Zindzi and Zenani.
“Knowing what a strong relationship President Obama has with president Mandela, it?s an honor for this film to be shown at the White House,” producer Harvey Weinstein was quoted as saying in Variety on Monday.
When Obama made his first presidential visit to South Africa in June, he hailed Mandela as “an inspiration to the world.”
Obama, who was unable to meet with the ailing South African leader during that trip, went to Robben Island and visited the cell where Mandela spent 18 years as a political prisoner.
The US president spoke on the phone with the anti-apartheid icon’s family and called on young people to look up to and honor Mandela, who turned 95 years old in July.
The nearly three-hour film, which will be released in the United States on November 29, is based on the 1994 book of the same name. It portrays Mandela’s life from his childhood in the southern Xhosa village of Qunu to his 1994 election as the country’s first black president.
Robyne Robinson, former news anchor at Minneapolis Fox 9, becomes Director of Arts and Culture at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, a newly created position.
Robyne Robinson, former news anchor at Minneapolis Fox 9, becomes Director of Arts and Culture at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, a newly created position.Robyne Robinson, former news anchor at Minneapolis Fox 9, becomes Director of Arts and Culture at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, a newly created position.
Former Minneapolis Fox 9 news anchor, Robyne Robinson, will be the new Director for Arts and Culture at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. It is a newly created position at Airport Foundation MSP, a nonprofit organization that has operated within MSP International Airport since 1982.
Robinson enjoys a high profile in the Twin Cities arts community including being co-chair of Mosaic, the city-wide arts and diversity festival in Minneapolis. Outgoing mayor RT Rybak appointed her in that role.
As director, Robyne will be responsible for developing both the visual and performing arts programs at MSP Airport, and collaborate with local arts organizations and artists to showcase the best the state and region has to offer to 33 million travelers annually.
The Travelers Assistance volunteers you see at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport when you got there (they number over 450) are a Airport Foundation MSP project. The children’s play areas at the airport are also a service of the Airport Foundation MSP as are the hanging flower baskets on the roadway.
After she left the anchor chair in 2010, Robyne Robinson dabbled briefly in politics as the running mate to Matt Entenza who unsuccesfuly ran for governor of Minnesota.
Her last visible role with the Minnesota African community was as master of ceremonies at the 3rd edition of the African Awards which are organized by Mshale.
Jana Vaughn, the executive director of Airport Foundation MSP said the reason Robinson was chosen from among the candidates considered was because of “her ability to guide the direction of this exciting new arts venue and utilize her connections to draw attention to our regional arts community.”
Her immediate focus at the airport might be The MSP Arts and Culture Program, a partnership between the Airport Foundation MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), owner and operator of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and six other general aviation airports in the metropolitan area. MAC is in the process of modifying space throughout the airport to display art, which the Airport Foundation will manage. The program aims “to provide international exposure for the local and regional arts community through rotating exhibits, performing arts and commissioned installations”, according to Airport Foundation MSP.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be leading this new effort,” said Robinson. “Minnesota has a strong, diverse arts community. The MSP Arts and Culture program has a wonderful opportunity to showcase our vibrant community of artists and their work to the world.”
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2014, through Sept. 17, 2015.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2014, through Sept. 17, 2015.Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2014, through Sept. 17, 2015.
Temporary Protected Status for nationals of Somalia will be extended by 18 months effective March 18, 2014, according to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers, in a statement to Mshale on Wednesday (Nov. 6).
About 470 Somalis applied for the last extension and redesignation in September 2012, according to a USCIS spokesperson.
Temporary Protected Status, or TPS as it is commonly known, is a designation by the United States Secretary of Homeland Security that “due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately”. Somalia has been without a functioning government for well over two decades until just recently when the new national government, with support from African Union forces, has established control in parts of the country but specifically the capital Mogadishu.
Registration period
Current Somali TPS beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during a 60-day period that runs from November 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.
Those already under TPS will need to re-register by submitting Form I-1821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status), according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Those re-regsitering, do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee but the biometric fee will still be required or one can seek a fee-waiver request if aged 14 and over.
Employment
Both new TPS applicants and re-registrants that intend to work must file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) commonly known as EAD.
The new EAD, once granted, will expire on September 17, 2015
Inability to pay
Applicants and re-registrants that are unable to pay the associated fees which can run as high as $515 for first time registrants must fill out Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver).
USCIS is known to be unforgiving when the necesary fees do not accompany the forms. If one is unable to pay and fills out the I-912 (Request for Fee-waiver), the request must be accompanied by supporting documentation as to why you are not able to pay.
It is a little bit cheaper for those re-registering as they do not have to pay the $50 that first time TPS applicants pay but re-registrants (over age 14) wanting to work or keep working need the EAD which costs $380 and another $85 for the biometrics for a total of $465. The $380 EAD fee (Form I-765) applies to everyone aged 14-65
Biometric fees are the same for all applicants aged 14 and over, whether new or re-registering, at $85. There is no biometric fees for those younger than 14 but if they are applying for the first time, there is still a $50 fee for Form I-1821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status).
Abdi Warsame (right) hugs a supporter at his celebration party after winning the Minneapolis Ward 6 seat on November 5 2013 to become the first African-born person elected to the Council.
Abdi Warsame (right) hugs a supporter at his celebration party after winning the Minneapolis Ward 6 seat on November 5 2013 to become the first African-born person elected to the Council.Abdi Warsame hugs a supporter at his celebration party after winning the Minneapolis Ward 6 seat on November 5 2013 to become the first African-born person elected to the Council.
Abdi Warsame today (Nov. 5) became the first person born in Africa to become a Minneapolis City Council member. He beat incumbent Robert Lilligren handily to win the Ward 6 seat. Born in Somalia and raised in London, he is the executive director of the Riverside Tenants Association. The association advocates for the residents who live in the high rises in Cedar-Riverside area, home to many Somali-Americans.
He was the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) endorsed candidate. DFL is what the Democratic party is known as in Minnesota.
The Ward 6 boundaries were redrawn during redistricting and Warsame was active in urging the Minneapolis Charter Commission, that is responsible for detrmining where the different Ward’s boundaries fall, to draw one that will ensure an East African immigrant will be elected. He becomes the first beneficiary of that redrawing.
Somali professionals in Minnesota were early supporters of Warsame and ensured through their campaign contributions that he had the resources to compete. In a story by Mshale in early September, fundraising totals that the campaign is required by law to report, showed him among the most succesful fundraisers, catapulting him to the top tier citywide of succesful fundraisers.
A new wrinkle in Minnepolis elctions this year was the introduction of Ranked Choice Voting which allowed voters to choose up to three candidates in the chocie of mayor, city council member and Park Board elections, in order of preference.
As of the posting of this story at 11:30 PM CST, Warsame was the first choice preference of 64% of the voters while 32% went for the incumbent Lilligren. 42% chose Warsame as their second choice while 28% chose Lilligren as their second choice.
Results from the citywide elections indicate Warsame will be joining one of the youngest City Council group in recent memory with most of them in their 30s and early results showing half of the incumbent council members seeking reelection voted out.
