Africa USa Today MAGAZINE
Politicosocionomics of World Peace www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto 312/937-4508, April/ May 2022 U.S.- $10.00 Canada- $10.00
NATO SUMMIT 2022
60th Consecutive Issue
Dr. Delmar Denise “Dominique” Peterson, PhD h.c.
“The Best is yet to come” Olawale Idreez, Publisher Dear Advertisers, Readers and potential Sponsors of the AFRICA-USA TODAY MAGAZINE, We give thanks to the Almighty God in the Highest, for the wisdom, favors, and vision to continue this humble project. we may not be wwhere we need to be yet, but we are humble and grateful for where we are currently. It’s been said many times, “To keep doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. That’s the definition of madness.” Having published 60th consecutive online Editions of the AFRICA-USA TODAY MAGAZINE, with no substantial or tangible fiancial breakthroughs can be very frustrating. Of course, the passions and enthusiasm to continue to link the African businesses with the US markets in the Global Arenas still present. However, this zealousness does not necessarily pay the bills, or the voluteer services provided by the people who unselflessly believe in this humble vision. I truly salute them. Thank you so much. We will not forget to congratulate Mr. Ephraim Martin, Justice Shelvin Hall, and the entire members of the 40th Anniversary of the Chicago Music Awards coming to Chicago, Illinois, USA. This issue will definitely unmask the unexpected scene at the 94th Anniversary of the Hollywood Oscar Awards between two super celebrity actors (Will Smith and Chris Rock) that has people’s attentions from all sectors of the ultimately rated higher than the Russian/ Ukraine war, or President Biden taking his case to the NATO Ally meeting. Overshadowing even temporary high inflation and gas prices in which a noble Samaritan from Chicago named Willie Wilson doing what he does best, spreading the wealth of the nation to the communities that needed rescue from the from the high gas prices.The line was long and some drivers tried to muscle other drivers. I observed a very frustrated Police Officer who said “is it really worth it, is it really worth it !”. I soliloquized, “Heck yeah!” If you’re paying attention to your gas meter rather than watching the red lights, just don’t run out of gas before you get to work. If a good samaritan is giving out free $50.00 gas. Yes, Officer, it is worth the wait. LOL.
Congratulations to all the nominees for their Awards, Thank you. Olawale Idreez, PhD/ Publisher AFRICA-USA TODAY MAGAZINE 312-937-4508
Email: usafriglo@yahoo.com 2 AFRICA USA TODAY
EDITORIAL PUBLISHER OLAWALE IDREEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOHN E. SMITH JR. EXECUTIVE VIDEOGRAPHER/ EDITOR RAQUEL SANTIAGO REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL PR CONSULTANT WEALTH PRODUCER ADVISOR TINASTACEE WASHINGTON DR. LANG MARKETING/SALES MANAGER WILLIAM ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS LOGISTICS MANAGER MORGANNA WILLIAMS EDITORIAL ADVISOR DR. COLLINS AWOSIKA ADVISORY DR. ROBERT L. SCOTT SR. MARY L. SWOPES GANIYU BISIRIYU PUBLIC RELATIONS RAQUEL LACOUR
Dr. Delmar Denise “Dominique” Peterson, PhD h.c.
Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography
Contents
JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
WITNESSING HISTORIC EVENTS PAST AND PRESENT In this issue we are witnessing unprecented events on the local as well as the international stage. For too long, the contributions of Women and Black History has been neglected in receiving the recognition it deserves. It has become necessary to rediscover forgotten History such as the Oscar winning documentary “Summer of Soul”. We take a look at some of the legacies of those who made and continue to make history.
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Dr. Delmar Denise “Dominique” Peterson, PhD h.c.
Cover Story
Meet Dr. Delmar Denise “Dominique” Peterson, PhD h.c.
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h.c.
World News
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Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month Celebration at U.S. Capitol
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressing audience at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Hillary Clinton, guest speaker
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John E, Smith Photography
Women’s History Month Celebration at U.S. Capitol
John E, Smith Photography
Women’s History Month
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EVENT
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National News
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CHICAGO POLITICS
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has made her endorsement in a local congressional race. Mayor Lightfoot gathered with others at the Chicago South Loop Hotel on West 26th Street on Saturday afternoon to pledge her support to 7th District Congressman Danny Davis.
"He knows," the Mayor said to a round of applause, "that as the West Side goes, there goes the city of Chicago," The 80-year-old Davis was first elected to represent 7th district-which covers parts of Chicago and several suburbs including Oak Park and River Forest-in 1996. Davis is being challenged in the June Democratic primary by Kina Collins. Her campaign released a statement to WBBM which said: "This is the most serious challenge Rep. Danny Davis has faced in his 25 years in office, and it’s clear that he understands that. I’m looking forward to a healthy primary, good debates, and for the voters of IL-7 to have a chance to vote for change and a representative who will fight for them in Washington.”
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Welcome to our market!
BUSINESS
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ENTERTAINMENT
Favorite "CODA," about a deaf fishing family and their hearing daughter, won best picture at Sunday's 94th Academy Awards. Will Smith and Jessica Chastain took home the top acting prizes and Jane Campion won for best director for her Western "The Power of the Dog." The Academy Awards returned to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and had a host (three of them, actually) for the first time in four years. Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes co-hosted the festivities, which had strict COVID-19 protocols in place: Guests were required to show proof of vaccination, as well as undergo several rounds of testing. Who took home honors at the 94th annual Academy Awards? Check out the list of Oscar winners (in bold): 'Was that real?' Social media is stunned about Will Smith smacking Chris Rock 'Love will make you do crazy things': Will Smith apologizes to Oscars after hitting Chris Rock onstage
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ENTERTAINMENT
Chris Rock was supposed to present the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 94th Academy Awards last night. He did do that, but that wasn’t the takeaway from his time on stage, given that after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith got on stage and slapped him. After the incident, though, Rock did manage to present the award, giving it to Questlove’s film Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised). In an already emotionally charged atmosphere, Questlove (who shook Smith’s hand and hugged him on his way to the stage) gave an acceptance speech, in which he too got emotional. Pausing on multiple occasions, Questlove said:
“It’s not lost on me that the Harlem Cultural Festival should have been something that my beautiful mother… and my dad… should have taken me to when I was 5 years old, and… This is such a stunning moment for me right now. But this is not about me. This is about marginalized people in Harlem that needed to heal from pain. And just know that in 2022, this is not just a 1969 story about marginalized people in Harlem. This is a story of… I’m sorry, I’m just overwhelmed right now. I’m going to get myself together and thank everyone properly when I get off stage. […] I’m so happy right now, I could cry. Thank you.” During a recent Late Night With Seth Meyers interview, Questlove noted the success of the movie has exceeded his expectations, saying, “At least I know with music what a goal is, but with the movie world, I just had no clue. I just wanted to make something really cool and hopefully they were gonna show it in a few classrooms, and then maybe discover it 20 years from now, like, ‘Yo, you know Questlove did this thing?'” 42 AFRICA USA TODAY
ENTERTAINMENT
Oscars 2022: Samuel L. Jackson Receives His First Academy Award from Denzel Washington Ross Tanenbaum March 29, 2022
MORE ARTICLES: MOVIES Published on
Samuel L. Jackson is a prolific actor whose career extends through multiple decades. Up until this point, Jackson has never received an Academy Award. Now, Jackson has received an honorary Oscar for his career in movies and it was presented to him by his longtime friend and excellent actor in his own right, Denzel Washington.
Samuel L. Jackson has a long career in movies Samuel L. Jackson | Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Jackson began his movie career with a small role in Milos Forman’s Ragtime in 1981. He began to gain attention with roles in Coming to America, Goodfellas, and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. His breakthrough performance came in 1994 with his role as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. His role as Winnfield earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. However, he lost to Martin Landau for Ed Wood.
Jackson has been a part of some of the highest-grossing franchises of all time, including Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact, he is continuing his role in the MCU as Nick Fury in many upcoming projects including The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantummania, and Secret Invasion. To this day, Jackson is the highest-grossing actor of all time. According to People, his movies have earned a cumulative worldwide total of $27 billion. While many know him for his more high-profile roles, he is still a tremendous actor and his Academy Award is well-deserved.
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ENTERTAINMENT While Woodstock grabbed all of the headlines in upstate New York, the Harlem Cultural Festival was happening in New York City.
Never-before-seen footage from that six-week event is now seeing the light of day in a brand new documentary debuting Friday in theaters and on Hulu. "Summer of Soul" is the passion project of a well-known West Philadelphia musician. It's Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's directorial debut. If you've never heard of the Harlem Cultural Festival, don't worry, neither had he. A few snippets of it made it onto one local newscast overnight 52 years ago.
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Alicia Vitarelli chats with West Philly native Questlove about his directorial debut.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Book Club
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Book Club
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Book & Film Club
Madam C. J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana in 1867 to parents who had been enslaved before the Civil War. Orphaned at seven, married at fourteen and widowed at twenty, she spent the better part of the next two decades laboring as a washerwoman for $1.50 a week. Then—with the discovery of a revolutionary hair care formula for black women—everything changed. By her death in 1919, Walker managed to overcome astonishing odds: building a storied beauty empire from the ground up, amassing wealth unprecedented among black women and devoting her life to philanthropy and social activism. Along the way, she formed friendships with great early-twentieth-century political figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington and Mary McLeod Bethune. On Her Own Ground is not only the first comprehensive biography of one of recent history’s most amazing entrepreneurs and philanthropists, it is about a woman who is truly an African American icon. Drawn from more than two decades of exhaustive research, the book is enriched by the author’s exclusive access to personal letters, records and never-before-seen photographs from the family collection. Bundles also showcases Walker’s complex relationship with her daughter, A’Lelia Walker, a celebrated hostess of the Harlem Renaissance and renowned friend to both Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. In chapters such as “Freedom Baby,” “Motherless Child,” “Bold Moves” and “Black Metropolis,” Bundles traces her ancestor’s improbable rise to the top of an international hair care empire that would be run by four generations of Walker women and exists today as MCJW Beauty Culture, a division of Sundial Brands. Along the way, On Her Own Ground reveals surprising insights, tells fascinating stories and dispels many misconceptions. 48 AFRICA USA TODAY
Book & Film Club About A’Lelia A’Lelia Bundles is an engaging public speaker and skilled MC, who brings warmth, intelligence, humor and a strong grasp of current events and history to her presentations.
Author and journalist A’Lelia Bundles is the author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker – a New York Times Notable Book about her entrepreneurial great-great-grandmother – that is the inspiration for Self Made, the fictional four-part Netflix series starring Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer that premiered in March 2020. She is at work on her fifth book, The Joy Goddess of Harlem: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, a biography of her great-grandmother, whose parties, arts patronage and international travels helped define that era. A’Lelia is brand historian for MADAM by Madam C. J. Walker, a line of hair care products developed in partnership with Sundial Brands and Walmart. In February 2022 she was named the inaugural Center for Africana Studies and Culture Prestigious Fellow in the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. She is the founder of the Madam Walker Family Archives, the largest private collection of Walker photographs and memorabilia. She is a vice chair emerita of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees and chair emerita of the board of the National Archives Foundation. She is a member of several boards that reflect her interest in history, journalism, political activism, social justice and historic preservation including the March on Washington Film Festival, the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Indiana Landmarks, Columbia Global Reports and the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative. A’Lelia was a network television news executive and producer for thirty years at NBC News and then at ABC News, where she was Washington, DC deputy bureau chief and director of talent development. Her articles and essays have been published in the New York Times Book Review, Variety, TheUndefeated.com, Al Jazeera, Parade, Ms., O Magazine, Essence, several encyclopedias and books, and on her blog at www.aleliabundles.com. As a speaker and emcee, she has appeared at universities, corporations and book festivals, as well as on ABC, CBS, MSNBC, NBC, NPR, PBS and BBC. She has served as an advisor for numerous documentaries, museum exhibits, biographies, scholarly papers and history texts.
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