Mshale

Sometimes I'm so blinded,
By pain, poverty, hunger.
I fail to appreciate the blessings
Of family, friends, my land.
To see the beauty that surrounds me
In my country Kenya.

Magenta, yellow, coral, gold, kente, stripes, peacock, mesh, cheetah, red, black and green. Rarely have I witnessed this myriad of colors and prints in the same place at the same time and liked it. But this time it was different. This time it was rich and beautiful. This time it was deep and vibrant. This time it was Africa.

Scholar says he is in the race and promises a new direction for the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota.

Wynfred "Billy Dee" Russell, a Liberian-born educator and longtime resident of Minnesota, announced Thursday that he will contest for the presidency of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, adding excitement to what is already braced to be a contentious election year.

President George W. Bush extended the stay of Liberians who are on Temporary Protected Status yesterday, ending the anxiety that has been looming over citizens of that country, as the Oct. 1 deadline for them to leave the United States came closer.

A non-profit organization started in Minnesota three years ago to help African immigrants entrepreneurs navigate a complicated U.S. financial system, honored some of them Saturday for their success in business.

At midnight, the atmosphere at the Eritrean Community Center was one of a regular social gathering rather than a concert. A few people danced to the East African tunes that DJ Dan from Kenya was mixing on the turntables, but the great majority were in their seats chatting with buddies.

POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. – The detectives investigating the murders of a Kenyan mother and her two daughters, whose badly battered bodies were discovered on Aug. 1 in their Atlanta area home, said they have made significant progress in the case.

Teachers of Islam should refrain from actions that go against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad in order to keep the faith of their flock strong, Islamic scholars said at a Minnesota conference held during the Labor Day weekend.

Lt. Frank Musisi, a U.S. Army Reserve from Los Angeles, Calif., won the presidency of the Ugandan North American Association Sunday, handily defeating incumbent Abdul Kimbugwe of Boston, Mass., and narrowly surpassing challenger Moses Wilson, also from Los Angeles by a mere 10 votes.

SAN FRANCISCO – Vice President Gilbert Bukenya addressed the Ugandan Diaspora Saturday, reiterating hopes that their country can export more finished goods, and optimism about newfound oil and natural gas resources.

SAN FRANCISCO – Ugandan finance and banking officials had a simple message Friday for citizens who gathered for the annual Ugandan North American Association conference being held in San Francisco, Calif.: “bring your money home.”