AFRICA USA TODAY MAGAZINE
Politicosocionomics of World Peace
www.africaustodaymag.com 312/880-7016 April 2016 / May 2016 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds
Happy Mother’s Day The Joy of Motherhood One Woman’s Journey Tribute to Prince The Black Woman Expo
Mayor Emanuel launches initiative to help close Digital Divide in Chicago
The Next Africa Made in India Week
Spring into Action!
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Sweet Home, Chicago Olawale Idreez, Publisher
Editorial Opinion: “ SWEET HOME, CHICAGO!” Black Hawks downed by St. Blues, taking the Stanley Cup trophy away from the Sweet Windy City. That’s not good, albeit the good news is the NFL Draft has come back to the Windy City again starting April 28-30. In addition, the 100th IFOL/CMA (International Festival of Life/ Chicago Music Awards) is coming to Union Park (Randolph & Ashland) on July 1-4, 2016: on top of that, the Lollapalooza Fest (event of alol events) will be at the Grant Park again this summer. Chicago, you just have to fall in love with the city, seriously. Oh, lest I forget, there’s the Taste of Chicago this summer. Now tell me what you don’t like about Chicago? LOL. Okay, okay, the cold weather. Fine! It is still sweet home, Chicago. It’s so nice and sweet to the extent that I’m really thinking of proposing, to go on my knee, with a fat, juicy, well-done, and “humongous” turkey drumstick on my right hand, and Merlot red wine (oops! I meant to say, H2O... lol) and say, please marry me Chicago, I love you! Please stop laughing! P.S. Read the story in our new website for special Mother’s Day edition of Africa USA Today Magazine. Dedicated to all beautiful women incarcerated in prisons across the nation. *May the Light of the Lord shine on you, and come back home soon to take care of some of these children running in the streets, with their saggy pants below their belly-bottom, like chickens without heads on their shoulders. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Arise & Shine! Olawale Idreez can be reached at email: usafriglo@yahoo.com
4 AFRICA USA TODAY
Strong Women only IntImIdate Weak men
Africa USA Today Magazine
SHARE THIS BOOK WITH 10 OF YOUR FRIENDS
DARLENE HUMPHREY VERA GILES-NORRIS QUEEN BUNMI AJIBADE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARBARA KENSEY MEDIA CONSULTANT TORNU PRYNCE ARMAND J. AZAMAR
PATIENCE WALTERS
312/ 582-0111
Email: jes3122001@yahoo.com jesmithphoto.wix.com/jes 6 AFRICA USA TODAY
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS REV. ROD REINHART JUANITA CREAR-PRICE, MS REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL
MAGAZINE
Spring into Action!
Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography
Contents
AFRICA USA TODAY
JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
11 Politics
Spring into Action!
12 The Joy of Motherhood 14 One Woman’s Journey through defeats and triumphs
18 Chicago News 20 Events
In this issue we celebrate the coming of Spring and wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. Spring is a signal to renew and rejuvenate your life. Take time to smell the flowers, enjoy nature and become a new you. There are a lot of activities going on. Make sure you Spring into Action!
24 Cultural Calendar 26 African News 32 Chicago Music Awards 34 Made in India Week
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38 Travel 40 Food, clothing, Shelter, & Politics 44 Tribute to Prince 48 Book Club
Today at 8:52 PM
25, 2016 5:20 PM, Shakespeare 400 Chicago <cst@chicagoshakes.com> wrote:
ushers in a stunning showcase of creativity— red by Shakespeare
10
14
stknown and most inventive chefs are turning up the heat on Shakespeare This month, the full lineup of Culinary Complete Works was revealed. In our curated by Alpana Singh—star restaurateur and tastemaker in orldrenowned food scene—participating chefs will artfully translate one of e’s plays into a featured dish, tasting menu or event at their restaurant for
18
44
AFRICA USA TODAY 7
Politics
Why Black Voters Don’t Feel the Bern
W
hen it came to most issues at the Democratic debate in Flint Sunday night, Bernie Sanders was his usual crusty, confident self. But when CNN’s Don Lemon asked a seemingly innocuous question—“What racial blind spot do you have?”—the senator from lilywhite Vermont stumbled, reaching for an ancient bromide from his longago Brooklyn childhood. "When you're white, you don't know what it's like to be living in a ghetto, you don't know what it's like to be poor," Sanders said. Social media erupted. “He knows that all Black people don't live in ghettos, right?” AFRICA USA TODAY 11
The Joy of Motherhood April showers, they bring May flowers and babies too. Every year, lots of babies are born into the world. Thanks be to God for mothers who carry their babies to the point of delivery. These are very happy moments. Little booties, clothing, blankets, sweet smelling lotions, and powders. Time to put everything from the baby shower into use. These moments are either shared by husband and wife or by single parents, (mostly women) and other members of the family. This is the beginning of a long journey to adulthood. As a Christian mother, I had the privilage of raising my children to worship their Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Like me, all my children are believers in Jesus Christ. Now that my children are adults, and have their own children my grandchildren), I see the gift of motherhood reproduced. Ps.127:3kjv.- Lo! Children are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Motherhood is not without its challenges, but with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help, we can from one year to another, celebrate the joy of motherhood in the month of May. Have a happy, prosperous and joyful Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day to all mothers.
By Patience A. Walters
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One’s Woman’s Journey through defeats and triumphs
This is a story of how one woman’s journey through defeats and triumphs led her to what is going to be the largest transfer of wealth in human history. Pam Benjamin (Peebs, as she was dubbed by her three sons) grew up on the east coast, the youngest of 8 children. Her father was an entrepreneur who owned his own successful furniture store. He taught her a great deal about perseverance, faith and persistence. After his entire livelihood “went up in smoke” in a Christmas Eve blaze when she was 5, he ultimately shook the cinders out of his clothes and went on to create not only a new building that would not BURN, but also a “novelty” furniture store that attracted not just furniture shoppers, but also the curious. He purchased 5 metal quonset huts from the military and placed them radiating out from a central entry hub. His bottom line only took 11 years to exceed his pre-fire business. Peebs inherited her Dad’s entrepreneurial spirit and was in sales and marketing with a number of companies and startups. During this time she had to draw on what she had learned from her father about rising above circumstances and perseverance when she had the “business alliance of a lifetime” evaporate not once, but twice, when two separate companies failed along with the indictments of both companies’ CEOs. Brought low, she shook the shards of those shattered alliances out of her hair and undertook the search for the “unbreakable” opportunity that would not only offer her a solution to a solid growing income, but also be her vehicle for “paying it forward”. She developed eight criteria: 1) Low start up cost; high ROI 2) Low overhead 3) Minimal or zero employee base required 4) Product(s) with universal appeal with clear beneficial impact 5) Minimal learning curve from inception to production 6) Unlimited potential, no glass ceiling 7) International Expansion potential 8) Knowledgeable business management team of unimpeachable integrity 14 AFRICA USA TODAY
One’s Woman’s Journey... (contd. from pg.14) Thankfully, the search had not been a protracted one when her solution actually found her; a business friend of 10 years shared what HE had found. All of her criteria were met, but here is how many of her criteria were not only met, but exceeded. The core of the company revolves around the fastest growing industries on the planet: internet and now, mobile commerce. The internet/e-commerce industry has been growing at about 20% per year ( it exceeded $1.2 trillion last year- that’s 1000 billion) but it’s growth percentage was recently surpassed by mobile commerce. Everyone is attached to their mobile devices wherever in the world they are and the mobile device has become the workhorse of the digital age performing multiple tasks. We are in front of that wave with a product of universal appeal: a website/shopping site-neutral app that searches out the best deals on just about anything one may need to purchase. The app is given away for free and as people enjoy the savings on products, services, travel, airfare, hotels, etc., the app provider gets paid. At the helm is a man who has been active and successful in the internet space since 1995 starting with internet expos where the Netscapes and AOLs of the day converged. He has provided the seed capital for several new companies and been instrumental in the installment of management teams of successful internet companies. He is familiar with all things internet and comfortable leading the way into uncharted but very profitable avenues of commerce and technology. In their interactions, Pam has come to know him as a man with great knowledge, ability, compassion and integrity. How is Pam able to “Pay It Forward”? Because the products are internet and mobile based, there are no boundaries and they are globally available. She has been able and is able to continue to help teams of people in the US as well as other countries rise above their circumstances and create a new paradigm of prosperity for their families. Nigeria, the UK and Singapore are just a few of what she plans will be many more countries. The goal she shares with her business partner is to make a difference in 1 million lives in the remaining time the good Lord has assigned to her. Associations, ministries, churches, school sports teams and more can all raise significant funds using the process of providing a product of value for free and being rewarded for doing so. The advent of e-commerce has strained local commerce quite thin with the concept of “click and order” as compared with the “brick and mortar” sale. There is a product in beta testing that will help local businesses to level the playing field by providing advertising and promotion (daily deals and couponing, etc.) via mobile devices at no upfront cost to the merchants. There is a need in the marketplace for a powerful way to reach customers and this will be a $billion winner in its own right.
Pam Benjamin globalpeebs@gmail.com
AFRICA USA TODAY 15
16 AFRICA USA TODAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2016 CONTACT: Mayor’s Press Office 312.744.3334 press@cityofchicago.org
Wendi Taylor Nations 312.553.4938 wtnations@worldbusinesschicago.com
MAYOR EMANUEL LAUNCHES CONNECT CHICAGO INITIATIVE TO HELP CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN CHICAGO Initiative Will Make Digital Skills Training Available at Nearly All Chicago Public Libraries
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a coalition of public and private partners today launched Connect Chicago — a civic leadership initiative to make Chicago the most skilled and connected digital city in America. Connect Chicago will expand digital skills training throughout the city, and to nearly all Chicago Public Library locations.
“By teaching digital skills, we give Chicago a stronger and more dynamic economy,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Connect Chicago will allow us to expand digital skills training throughout the city and benefit residents of all ages in every neighborhood.” Connect Chicago will expand digital access and training resources across the city by expanding evidence-based programs in partnership with trusted institutions with a history of serving lowincome Chicagoans. Initial investments announced today include the citywide expansion the Chicago Public Library’s CyberNavigator program, which provides computer tutors who help provide access to information resources for adults and youth. The expansion will take CyberNavigators from 48 public library branches to nearly all of the 80 branches across the city, creating an additional 350-400 new training hours per week across Chicago.
Connect Chicago will also fund the integration of digital skills training into Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago Financial Opportunity Centers’ programming. Under this investment, LISC Chicago projects to train 1,000 more residents in digital skills during 2016 – 50 percent more than their current capacity. In 2011, LISC Chicago found that patrons who participated in digital skill training alongside other support services at financial opportunity centers were 50 percent more likely to get a job than those that didn’t. 18 AFRICA USA TODAY
BWE Phenomenal Woman Awards
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
P. Andrews-Keenan
312-206-2821 PKeenan@TallulahGroup.com Twitter: @PKeenan1
Black Women’s Expo presents inaugural #SheMatters Award posthumously to Sandra Bland Phenomenal Woman’s Award to recognize nine women leaders
(CHICAGO) - Apr. 5, 2016 –The Black Women’s Expo (BWE), one of Chicago’s most anticipated annual experiential events will host their Phenomenal Woman Awards Reception on Thursday, April 7, paying tribute to ten outstanding Chicago area women whose excellence in a variety of fields commands recognition. The event will be held at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Avenue, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Continental Ballroom. The event will be emceed by ABC 7’s Karen Jordan. The inaugural #SheMatters Award will be presented posthumously to Sandra Bland, the 28-year-old Naperville woman who authorities say hanged herself in a Texas jail cell on July 10, 2015. Bland’s was among a number of deaths in police custody or during arrest that propelled the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Her mother, Geneva Reed-Veal will accept the award. The #SheMatters Award is given to a woman who has impacted the country’s way of thinking about the value of African-American life.
The 2016 Phenomenal Woman honorees are: Corporate - Corliss Garner, BMO Harris; Community Service - Torrey Richardson, Dear Father Letter Writing Movement; Education - Carol “Safisha” Lee, PhD The Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools; Health - JoAnne Glenn, W.O.T. Foundation, Inc.; Faith-Based - Rev. Janette Wilson, Rainbow Push; Entrepreneur – Fallon Johnson, Annie Bell Fragrances; Political - Kim Foxx, Cook County Government; Philanthropy - Nicole Robinson, Mondelez; Launa T. Thompson Spirit Award - Angela Ingram, iHeart Media Markets Group, Chicago Region. “This year’s Phenomenal Woman’s Award is particularly special for the Black Women’s Expo because of our theme of “She Matters”, says Merry Green, founder of the Expo. It is both recognition of the times in which we find ourselves, and our mission to champion the fact that Black women do matter. The women we are honoring fill multiple roles in their family, career and community, and do it with style and grace.”
20 AFRICA USA TODAY
--more --
BWE Phenomenal Woman Awards BWE Phenomenal Woman Awards Page 2-2-2
The Black Women’s Expo offers African American women an opportunity to get informed, empowered and enlightened, while discovering the latest trends and amazing new products and services specifically created for them celebrates its 22nd anniversary in Chicago April 8 - 10 at McCormick Place. The Black Women’s Expo has continued to grow in Chicago, and is now the longest running exposition of its kind. Over 30,000 people, from 14 surrounding states, are expected to attend the expo during its three-day run at the McCormick Place Convention Center. This year that experience will extend to the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. September 16 – 18 and Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center October 7 – 9th. The rich cultural experience, while targeted to women, has elements for men, families and children.
The BWE offers informative seminars and panel discussions presented by notable local and national speakers and lecturers, educational exhibits and corporate displays, and rousing entertainment. Historically, the standing-room only seminars have addressed such issues as health & wellness, racial equality, hair & beauty, travel, career advancement, business/ entrepreneurship, the welfare of our children and much more.
BWE’s seminars and workshops will be far-ranging and engaging, featuring topics that impact women’s daily lives. Additionally, there will be a Town Hall Meeting examining the issues around police involved shootings and protecting our civil rights and a Teen Summit addressing issues pertinent to African American youth.
BWE also offers African American consumers themed pavilions including the Literary Café, which showcases African American authors and booksellers; the Natural Hair Pavilion, featuring products specifically for natural hair; the Health & Wellness pavilion, where local medical institutions provide much-needed health information and screenings; B-Groomed Men’s Den, a space where male guests can experience pampering and grooming, as well as see the best in men’s fashion; the Kidz Korner, sponsored by Mariano’s is an exciting space for young people with interactive games, exercise and fun activities. New this year is an Art Pavilion curated by artist Jonathon Romain featuring 10 outstanding artist.
The Black Women’s Expo is brought to you by Walgreen’s, State Farm, United Airlines, ABC 7 Chicago, Luster’s You Be-Natural and Pink, Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA), Mariano’s, the Illinois Lottery, University of Chicago Medicine, BET Centric, PNC Bank, T-Mobil, ComEd, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Inspiration 1390, V-103 and WGCI. Media sponsors include The Chicago Defender and the Chicago Crusader. Expo hours are Friday, April 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $6 for children; weekend passes are available for $45. Tickets for The Black Women’s Expo can be purchased online at www.theblackwomensexpo.com . Half-priced, advanced adult tickets are currently on sale at participating Walgreens stores. For information or tickets for the Phenomenal Woman Awards Reception, call 312-454-6100. Follow The Black Women’s Expo on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and use the hashtag #SheMatters. .
### AFRICA USA TODAY 21
22AFRICA USA TODAY
Events International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unity Forum Hosted by Mary L. Swopes Oak Park Library, Oak Park Library
Prayer Breakfast hosted by Evangelist Betty Kellum in Chicago. AFRICA USA TODAY 23
Cultural Calendar
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AFRICA USA TODAY 25
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AFRICA USA TODAY 27
ACE, Ohio Partner on $30M Agricultural Revolution,Create Empowerment Opportunities for over 15,000 Students, Communities
28 AFRICA USA TODAY
Africa USA Today Magazine
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Chicago Music Awards (CMA) Friday, July 1st, 2016 * Union Park, 1501 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois * 5: PM RED CARPET ARRIVAL &VIP RECEPTION, 7PM AWARDS SHOWCASE * VISIT WWW.CHICAGOMUSICAWARDS.ORG
NOMINATION BALLOT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SELECTION COMMITTEE (HONORING THE BEST OF 2015) Dear Entertainment/Music Expert: Again you are called upon to help in the selection of the nominees for the Special 35TH Anniversary of the Chicago Music Awards (CMA), which is scheduled for Friday, July 1st, 2016 at Union Park, 1501 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois. Your decision must be based on entertainers who have lived within a 200 miles radius of Chicago for at least one year. Other determining factors: the sales of records/CDs/DVDs, originality, social relevance of material, local/national performances, quality of performances, stage appearances and social media impressions. Judging period is from December 2014 to December 2015. Please enter your 1st and/or 2nd selection on the line to the far right of each category; then, fill in your contact information and send to: Chicago Music Awards, 1325 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL. 60605 or e-mail: chicagomusicawards@gmail.com . Deadline: 02/28/16. Name: _______________________________________________ E-mail:___________________________________________ Company Name/Affiliation: _______________________________________________________________________________ Address/City/State/Zip: __________________________________Phone: _________________ Categories and Category Sponsor: Pop Superstar of the Year 1 Jazz/Blues Superstar of the Year 2 Pop Entertainer of the Year- Sponsored by NBC 5 Chicago 3.
Signature: _______________
Enter First and/or Second Choice(s):
4. R&B Entertainer of the Year 5. Best New Entertainer 6 Best Female Vocalist 7. Best Male Vocalist- By Rogers Park Fruit Market 8. Best Classical Entertainer 9. Best Reggae Entertainer 10. Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer 11. Best Blues Entertainer- By Kingston Mines Blues Club 12. Most Popular Blues Club 13. Best Rock Entertainer 14. Best Jazz Entertainer 15. Best Spoken Word/Poet 16. Best African Entertainer-Sponsored by African Spectrum 17 Comedian of the Year 18. Best Latin Urban/Tropical Entertainer 19. Best Regional Mexican Entertainer 20. Best Gospel Entertainer 21. Best Country/Western Entertainer 22. Most Outstanding Dance Group 23. Best Hip Hop/Rap Entertainer 24. Best Polka Entertainer 25. Most Talented Kid (s) (Under 12yrs.) 26. Most Talented Teen (s) (13yrs.-19yrs.) . Record Producer of the Year- By Insurance Brokers, Inc 27. 28. Songwriter of the Year- By Bulger & Associates, PC) 29. Record Label of the Year 30. Most Popular Entertainment Club 31. Best Music Video Show 32. Most Outstanding Band or Group 33. Most Popular Music Radio 34 Best EDM Entertainer 35. Most Popular College Music Radio 36. Best House Music DJ 37. Best Reggae/Dancehall DJ Best Urban Indie Entertainer 38. 39. Concert Promoter of the Year Best Steppers Organization 40. Best Steppers DJ 41 SPECIAL: AWARD OF Honor/Lifetime Achievement Award 42 Special thanks to sponsors: NBC 5, mwseq.com, Rogers Park Fruit Market, LaFruteria, Inc, All United Imports, Kingston Mines Blues Club, African Spectrum, Rasta Love Punch and others 32 AFRICA USA TODAY
Make in India Week
Pictures Captions Pic 1: Consul General of India, Chicago Dr. Ausaf Sayeed , Ms. Amy Hariani- Director & Legal Policy Counsel for the US –India Business Council (USIBC), Mr. Kishen Kavikondala, President SK International, Mrs. Poonam Gupta-Krishnan , Founder of Iyka Enterprises , Mr. Brad Perine , VP of Marketing- Esayfe , & Mr. Tom L Kelly, Director of Govenrment Affairs, Clark Hill PLC Pic 2: Consul General of India, Chicago Dr. Ausaf Sayeed , Ms. Amy Hariani- Director & Legal Policy Counsel for the US –India Business Council (USIBC), Mr. Kishen Kavikondala, President SK International, Mrs. Poonam Gupta-Krishnan , Founder of Iyka Enterprises , Mr. Brad Perine , VP of Marketing- Esayfe , & Mr. Tom L Kelly, Director of Govenrment Affairs, Clark Hill PLC Pic
3: Mr. Hardik Bhatt, Chief Information Officer- Office of the Governor, Hon. Bruce Rauner 34 AFRICA USA TODAY
Pic 4: Consul General of India, Chicago Dr. Ausaf Sayeed
“India is Fast Emerging as the International Manufacturing Hub”Consensus among Global Players at a Seminar on “Make in India Week”, Hosted by Consulate General of India in Chicago Chicago IL: The Consulate General of India, Chicago, in partnership with International Business Council, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, hosted an Executive Seminar on “Make in India Week” on Wednesday, February 03, 2016 at the premises of the Chamber. The Seminar was attended by nearly hundred leading business persons and entrepreneurs working in different sectors of economy in the US-Midwest, besides senior officials of the State of Illinois, World Business Chicago, Sister City International, Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, US-India Business Council (USIBC), US-India Chamber of Commerce, and the Kellogg School of Management. “IMF
in its World Economic Outlook sees India as the world’s fastest growing economy in 2016-’17, with GDP growth of 7.5%. India continues to be the Top Global Destination for FDI with 32% of investors ranking India as Most Attractive Market in 2015 while 60% placing it among the top 3 investment destinations”, said Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India in Chicago while highlighting the robust health of Indian economy. He said that at present India is considered as one of the most open economies in the world allowing 100% FDI in most of the sectors of its economy. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal is “Reform to Transform” in order to make India the easiest and simplest place to do business by eliminating paperwork and easing out cumbersome procedures. The
Consul General stated that “Make in India” is one of the flagship programs of the Government of India which is aimed at transforming the Indian economy from services-driven to intensive manufacturing-driven growth model not only to increase productivity but also to promote India as an international manufacturing hub. He said that there are at least 30 key economic sectors which international companies can consider for setting up manufacturing bases in India, adding that the manufacturing sector in India offers USD one trillion of economic opportunity. The Consul General mentioned that there is considerable synergy between the States in India and those in the US Midwest which could be effectively utilized to boost the manufacturing sectors in both the countries. A promotional
film on “Make in India” was shown as a part of the presentation.
Hardik
Bhatt, Chief Information Officer of the State of Illinois, said that Illinois is one of most important business partners of India. He said that as a leader in the field of education, global connections, and innovation ecosystem, the State of Illinois is keen to collaborate with India in developing smart cities, citing his recent useful interactions with the visiting high-level trade missions from the States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Amy
Hariani, Director and Legal Policy Counsel, US-India Business Council (USIBC), said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi›s Government has made steady progress to deliver on its promise of economic reforms. She stated that initiatives such as lifting of FDI caps in several sectors, reducing red tape, implementing a transparent tax environment, and improving the country›s intellectual property regime have sent a crystal clear message to the global investment community that India is ready and open for serious business. “The results of these efforts are also visible in India›s rise in the World Bank›s ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’. The US enterprises have also displayed their commitment to the ‘Make in India’ program in a number of areas such as defense, health, power generation, media and entertainment, and technology and have the potential to do much more”, she added. Tom Kelly, Director of Government Affairs in Clark Hill’s Washington D.C. office and Kishen Kavikondala, President S.K. International, gave a joint presentation on introducing the American skilled training model to the Indian students. Poonam
Gupta, Founder and CEO of Iyka Enterprises, Inc., gave a presentation on simplifying technology for the manufacturing industry and customizable data management solutions to a specific, targeted market. Brad
Perine, Vice President of Marketing of M/S Esayfe, gave a presentation on software security applications to protect and secure sensitive data, while expressing their company’s interest to support the ‘Make in India’ initiative. AFRICA USA TODAY 35
Make in India Week
The seminar concluded with an interactive “Question & Answer” session. The
Consulate General of India, Chicago has since mobilized four major business delegations -- one each from the States of Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri to participate in “Make in India Week”, scheduled in Mumbai between February 13 and 18, 2016.
Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA
Suresh Bodiwala Chairman
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Disclaimer: Asian Media USA Asian Media USA press release and Newsletter are event oriented and published after careful review and examination of the contents without bias or without being influenced by race, color, nationality or religious persuasion. In other words we are completely neutral according to generally accepted journalistic principles and long established conventions governing Newspaper reporting. Asian Media News Letter (PDF file) goes to all email addresses such as temples, Masjids, Gurudwaras, Churches, Indo-American Associations / Organizations, school, colleges, Political, Sports, Entertainment groups. “The information in this e-mail and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee or addressees. If you are not an intended recipient, please delete the message and any attachments and notify the sender of misdelivery. Any use or disclosure of the contents of either is unauthorized and may be unlawful. All liability for viruses is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender states them, with requisite authority, to be those of the Asian Media USA. If for any reason including but not limited to prior written authorization, Newspaper or similar entity do not give the credit for the content and photographs, Asian Media USA reserve right to take legal action to prosecute for violating copy right law to the fullest extent of the law. Asian Media USA will hold dispatcher and News media responsible for legal actions for violating copy right laws, fines and Court cost of upwards of $250,000. 36 AFRICA USA TODAY
Entertainment
On Friday, March 25, 2016 5:20 PM, Shakespeare 400 Chicago <cst@chicagoshakes.com> wrote:
Spring ushers in a stunning showcase of creativity— all inspired by Shakespeare
Our city’s bestknown and most inventive chefs are turning up the heat on Shakespeare 400 Chicago! This month, the full lineup of Culinary Complete Works was revealed. In this culinary tour curated by Alpana Singh—star restaurateur and tastemaker in Chicago’s worldrenowned food scene—participating chefs will artfully translate one of Shakespeare’s plays into a featured dish, tasting menu or event at their restaurant for varying lengths of time throughout 2016. Theaterlovers have two more weeks to catch James Vincent Meredith in the title role ofChicago Shakespeare’s Othello, hailed by Evanston Review as “one of the most thrilling performances on stage so far this year.” Meanwhile, Time Out Chicago gives four stars to Gift Theatre’s “crownworthy production” of Richard III at Steppenwolf. And there’s even more to look forward to. In April, Ricardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra begin a month of Shakespeare concerts, the heavenly voices ofThe Tallis Scholars soar to new heights at Fourth Presbyterian Church, a Supernatural Shakespeare exhibit opens at Art Institute of Chicago and an interactive Shakespeare
AFRICA USA TODAY37
Travel
Stars on Hollywood Blvd.
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What Policy for Housing? James D. Shilling DePaul University Within the US, a subject of growing importance for US policy makers is whether this or the next government needs to reign in house prices. Questioning Whether US Housing Prices are in a Bubble Some argue (including Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller) that housing is off on another bubble. These economists point to graphs of US house prices (like the one shown below) and conclude that low interest rates are promoting another housing bubble. Index of US House Prices (in Real Terms), 1880-2015
Source: U.S. Home Price and Related data, for Figure 3.1 in Robert J. Shiller, Irrational Exuberance, 3rd. Edition, Princeton University Press, 2015, as updated by author. This Housing Boom is Different The latest housing boom is different. In January 2006, single-family housing starts in the US peaked at an annual unit rate of 2,273k (see chart below). In April 2009, US housing starts troughed at an annual 478k unit rate. There followed a rather unprecedented intervention by the Fed to boost housing and keep recession at bay, including unusually easy monetary policy and non-conventional monetary policy (dubbed quantitative easing (QE), later becoming QE1, QE2, and QE3) directed not at expanding the Fedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s balance sheet, but at increasing the availability of mortgage credit and thereby boosting the overall demand for homes. In spite of this, as can be seen in the chart below, residential construction in the US has still not reached the average level of new construction over the past 55 years of 1,400k units. 40 AFRICA USA TODAY
A Simple Supply-and-Demand Argument These considerations lead to a simple explanation which can explain the recent house price movements in many markets. All else being equal, with a below-normal supply, house prices will generally increase. But this raises the question, what, if anything, should be the policy response? Should the US Federal Reserve, for example, raise interest rates and pop the bubble? Or would this simply bring on a recession? Anyway, if consumer prices are stable, should the US Federal reserve even care about house price inflation? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Not Just a US Problem Rising house prices is not just a US problem, but a problem directly affecting other countries as well. Consider, for example, the case of the UK housing market. As the chart below makes clear, house prices in the UK are up to 20-25 percent higher today than they were at their peak in the late 2008.
To be continued
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Tribute to Prince
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