Ausatm,may june 2015,final by Olawale Idreez, John E.Smith Jr.

AFRICA USA TODAY MAGAZINE

Poliosocionomics of World Peace

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Publisher’s Editorial Arise & Shine (Part 2): The Good Book said, "He who speak in tongue, builds himself up, and edifies the church. But he who prophesy speaks the mind of God. I will rather prophesy." Said by Apostle Paul in the book of 1st Corinthians 14:15. I intentionally borrowed this powerful scriptures to emphasize the power of tongue, as related to brief conversation four years ago (precisely on February 11, 2011) at the political volunteer venue, 4086 North Broadway street, Chicago. Olawale Idreez, It ensued between my humbleself, and the incumbent mayor of Chicago, His Excellency, Publisher Mayor Rahm Emanuel's mother. After the campaign routine of the said date, she gave the volunteers pieces of Dunkin Donuts to eat. Then I told her, Mom, you know your son was going to win tomorrow (being February 12, 2011) and would win by 55% to 59% (with margin error of 3 to 4%). The woman graciously smiled at me, and said, "I just wanted Rama to win by 51%, so there would be no runoff elections. I repeated, Mom, your son would win by 55 to 59% tomorrow. She gave me an extra donut. And you, my readers know there's something about Dunkin Donuts that I cannot resist; especially when you mixed it with extralarge cup of Dunkin Donut coffee, and coupled with Big and Tasty French toast. You might be surprised at what $5.76 can do to your tongue. Stop laughing! Ladies and Gentlemen, the next day, the now (reelected) Mayor Emanuel won by exactly 55% that fateful year of February 2011. The two guys that witnessed the scenario, at the volunteer venue (Seth and Mark) saw me at the victory party at 10PM, and shouted, "Wally, you called the magic number, you called the magic number!). My humble spirit soliloquized, "Be quite, no one can take God's glory; unless you want "Mr. Devil" to come and have Groupon sales in your backyard. (God forbid!). But that the scriptures might fulfilled, "He who speaks in tongue, edifies himself and the church. I humbly reiterate this story based on the interview conducted by WCL's T.V. Host, Ms. Val, during Runoff campaigns for April 7, 2015 election. She asked Mayor Emanuel, "There has never been runoff election in history of Chicago politics. Why now?" As if she was directing the question at me (in my living room). My mind went straight to a brief conversation that ensued between Mayor Emanuel's mom four years ago at the campaign headquarter. That, if 'Mom' had agreed with the spirit in me that said, "Your son would win by 55 to 59%; but (like any good and caring mother, like my mother also would do). She was more concerned about avoiding runoff elections.The Book of Job said, "The thing that I feared most finally occurred." God forbid! The following elections, the runoff finally occurred. That the scriptures might be fulfilled. Prophesy and Politics manifested four years later. Glory be to God, her son won in the runoff election by 55% against a strong and formidable candidate, "Chuy" Garcia, who could have easily bagged the victory, with vigorous campaign put up at the end of finishing line, albeit to little, to late. He, Mr. Chuy Carcia automatically became a Garcia prime time celebrity in Chicago, and its environs. Hard work pays! It is worth noting that education was the most important issue on the voters' mind going to the polling stations, prior to April 7th mayoral runoff elections. Because most Chicagoans were dismayed with the incumbent mayor's closing many public schools for chattered schools. Politics, as in many issues of our lives, sometimes, need tough decision to be made. It often take a very courageous leader to make it, and be ready to face the ramification. The outcome of the tough decision is now paying off. Though this may not be a popular opinion to many people. But I commute the Red Line train from the north side to 95th very often, with lots of minority

AFRICA USA TODAY 3

MacArthur Launches $75M Initiative to Reduce America's Use of Jails Published February 10, 2015

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MacArthur today announced an initial fiveyear, $75 million investment that seeks to reduce overincarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails. The Safety and Justice Challenge will support cities and counties across the country seeking to create fairer, more effective local justice systems that improve public safety, save taxpayer money, and lead to better social outcomes. Jail populations have more than tripled since the 1980s, as have cumulative expenditures related to building and running them. “For too long America has incarcerated too many people unnecessarily, spending too much money without improving public safety,” said Julia Stasch, MacArthur’s President. “Jails are where our nation’s incarceration problem begins; there are nearly 12 million jail admissions every year, and jails too often serve as warehouses for those too poor to post bail, nonviolent offenders, or people with mental illness. With this substantial, longterm commitment and investment, MacArthur hopes to support and demonstrate alternatives to incarceration as usual, and to create demand and momentum for change across the country.” The Challenge will support jurisdictions across the country working to safely reduce over reliance on jails, with a particular focus on addressing disproportionate impact on lowincome individuals and communities of color. Core to the initiative is a competition through which the Foundation will fund up to 20 jurisdictions to design and implement plans for creating fairer, more effective local justice systems using innovative, collaborative, and evidencebased solutions. The Foundation released a request for proposals for the competition today. 4 Africa USA Today

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Announces $5 Million in Funding Available to Chicago Small Businesses Expanded Small Business Opportunity Centers Program Will Allow More Neighborhood Small Business Owners Access Capital

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced new partnerships that will help small business owners in neighborhoods throughout Chicago access needed capital. Following a successful pilot, the Small Business Opportunity Centers program (formerly Capital Access Centers), which helps small business owners prepare for loans, will expand from three to eight centers across Chicago and $5 million in funding is available for Chicago small businesses. "Small businesses are the economic backbone of Chicago and when they succeed, our neighborhoods and our city succeeds," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "By connecting our entrepreneurs with the resources and capital they need to thrive, they can create the jobs that our neighborhoods deserve and help to keep every community in Chicago more vibrant." New partners Somercor 504, Inc., Goldman Sachs, and the Chicago Business Opportunity Fund have more than $5 million available to lend to qualified small businesses. Both centers provide loans between $50,000 and $250,000 to small businesses a loan size that more small businesses are having trouble securing. They will join the Latin American Chamber, Sunshine Gospel Ministries, and the Women's Business Development Center, along with the three pilot partners, Greater Englewood CDC, the Resurrection Project, and Chatham Business Association in counseling small businesses through the lending process and matching them to available sources of capital. The announcement coincides with the Chicago Microlending Institute (CMI), recently awarding its 200th microloan. In 2012, Mayor Emanuel launched the Chicago Microlending Institute with $1 million to help businesses access loans up to $25,000. In 2014, the Mayor and the City Treasurer invested an additional $1 million to provide critical loans that would help support roughly 300 new businesses by 2016 and ensure that the CMI program can be selffunding through 2016. The CMI revolving loan fund now has loans totaling approximately $2 million, which has supported close to 200 businesses and has helped create or save 817 jobs across the City of Chicago. A map of every loan is available on the Chicago Data portal at www.data.cityofchicago.org/CommunityEconomicDevelopment/ChicagoMicrolending InstituteCMIMicroloans/dpkgupyz.

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Africa USA Today Magazine

DARLENE HUMPHREY

VERA GILES-NORRIS QUEEN BUNMI AJIBADE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARBARA KENSEY MEDIA CONSULTANT TORNU PRYNCE ARMAND J. AZAMAR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CYNTHIA HENDERSON JUANITA CREAR-PRICE, MS REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL

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Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography

Contents

Spring is Coming!

JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Stylist, Model: April Gayles

PhotographyJohn E. Smith Jr.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Election

2015 Lagos Carnival

4 MacArthur Launches $75 M Iniative 8 Housing & Education 13 Taste of Africa 14 Black Fashion Week USA 18 Supporting Historic Pullman National Monument 22 Africa News

Spring, flowers bloom & a time to rejuvenate This issue celebrates the the coming of Spring and rejuvenation. We take a look at the Nigerian Elections, Black Fashion Week USA, 2015 Lagos Carnival, and more. Find time to rejuvenate and appreciate Spring beauty . Enjoy!

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Intensive Tutoring Proves Effective for Chicago Youth Published February 3, 2015

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Participants in Match Education, an intensive tutoring and mentoring program for lowincome Chicago youth, performed substantially better on tests and failed less frequently in multiple academic areas, according to a preliminary evaluation of the program by the University of Chicago Crime Lab, a recipient of the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Evaluation researchers assert that the large variance in student achievement in public school systems creates a “mismatch” between the types of support that many youth need to succeed in school and what most education interventions provide. Match’s model of high intensity individualized math tutoring – twoonone instruction for an hour a day – allows students to catch up to grade level and reengage with regular classroom instruction.

Grantee Profile: University of Chicago Crime Lab

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AFRICA US TODAY MAGAZINE

Africa-US Today Polisocionomics

Polisoconomics of World Peace

Issue III.X www.africaustoday.dotcom.wordpress.com 312/ 880-7016 January– February 2013 U.S. $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds

The Year In Review 2012

Chicago’s Mayoral Race

U.S. President Barack H. Obama re-elected 100 years ANC South Africa The Future of Nigeria Community Enterprise Achievement Gala Writer’s Club Chicago Music Awards A Conversation with The Honorable Dorothy Brown

Invitation to “Bridging the Gap Honorees” Awards An Elegant Evening you don’t want to miss

Please don’t forget our event ceremony. An elegant night to remember! Event: “ Bridging the Gap Honorees” Gala Date: Friday, August 28, 2015 5 p.m.-12:00 p.m. Venue: Palmer House Chicago, IL 60601 Ticket: $150.00 ( includes Live entertainment, Poetry, Awards ceremony, Raffles, Business Networking, Elegant attires (mixed English & Afrocentric) for photo ops, Fun and more fun!) You don’t want to miss it! Incentives for our Sponsors and Vendors include: A. $1,500 Sponsorship Package: 6 months ads in our hard and online prints of Africa-US Today Magazine, with local and international viewers/ subscribers, Award of Honor plaque presentation, surprise gift bag, and a chance to network with our business associates. B. $750.00 Sponsorship Package: 3 months ads, Award of Honor plaque presentation, surprise gift bag, and an opportunity to meet and network with our business associates. C. $250.00 Sponsorship Package and Vendors: 1 month ad in our publication, Award of Honor presentation, surprise gift bag, and opportunity to meet and network with our business associates. Thank you for supporting the businesses that caters to our communities.There’s greater strength in unity! Please support the magazine that connects local businesses with international markets, Africa-US Today Magazine, (www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto) Olawale Idreez, 312/880-7016 Olawale Idreez- Publisher John E. Smith Jr., Editor-in-chief Email: africatoday14@gmail.com

“ Bridging the Gap Honorees”

A Night of Elegance SAMPLE COPY OF PROGRAM AWARDS CATEGORY FOR AUTM MEDIA AWARDS/FUNDRAISER ON SAT. JULY !8th, 2015

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Africa USA Today Magazine at the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL RSVP at www.africaustodaymag.com AWARDS CATEGORIES: PLEASE NOMINATE YOUR CANDIDATE FOR EACH CATEGORY, AND SHORT BIO: WHY HE/SHE DESERVES THE AWARD. MAIL TO: PUBLISHER, AFRICAUS TODAY MAGAZINE, P.O.BOX 10284, CHICAGO, IL 60610 (USA).EMAIL:AFRICATODAY14@GMAIL.COM *WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED ON SATURDAY JULY 18, 2015, AT THE CHICAGO PALMER HOUSEHILTON. STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION. 1. SENIOR CITIZEN AWARD: 2. PHILANTHROPIST AWARD: 3. MEDICAL ACHEIVEMENT AWARD: 4. EDUCATION CHAMPION AWARD: 5. ADMINISTRATIVE CHAMPION AWARD: 6. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD: 7. SPIRITUAL MENTORSHIP CHAMPION AWARD: 8. ARTS & CULTURES CHAMPION AWARD: 9. MEDIA SPECIALIST AWARD: 10. HEROES AWARD: 11. PARENTS OF THE YEAR AWARD: 12. FASHIONS SPECIALIST AWARD: 13. POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AWARD: 14. BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD: 15. JOURNALIST AWARD: 16. POET/SONGWRITER AWARD: 17. YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD: 18. GOSPEL ALBUM/CD AWARD: 19. DANCING/COMMUNITY ENTERTAINER AWARD: 20. CELEBRITY MOTIVATIONAL PERSON AWARD: ALL PROCEEDS WILL jonBE ANNOUNCED AT THE EVENT ON SATURDAY JULY 18, 2015. SAVE THE DATE!

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Taste of

Africa

Friendship Baptist Church celebrated Taste of Africa last Saturday. See photo with the Honorable Justice Hall and husband Ephraim Martin, along with Pastor Reginald Bachus, Mrs. Mae Paxton, Mrs. Cynthia Greenwood, Mr. Olowale Idreez Africa USA Today, Mack Larki African Spectrum Asst Editor, and others. The African hut Friendship Baptist Church is located at 5200 West Jackson, Chicago. Additionally, Justice Shelvin Hall was given the prestigious Earl Dickerson Award at the Chicago Standard Club. She photo with the Hon. Shelvin Hall, husband Ephraim Martin, sister Hon L. Priscella Hall NY Appellate Court Judge, Naima Hall niece, Dr. Mayme George cousin, and Mr. & Mrs. Bernard, friends.

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Black Fashion Week Melody Boykin

Melody Boykin is a native of Chicago IL and born fashionista. She has applied her skills set gained from her B.A. in Fashion Merchandising /Marketing and Black American Studies as current freelance Fashion Styling, merchandising /marketing/writer among a few of her visual art talents. She has been servicing the Chicago land area with her creative fashion skills. Melody has done work for some of the nation’s popular retailers which include Payless, Kmart, JC Penney, and Bloomingdales. While at Bloomingdales Melody was a sales and styling dynamite driving her own personal clientele selling over a half of million dollars in luxury fashion in her 1st year and gaining the title of top quarterly credit acquisition producer for the store. She was chosen by top management to shop for employees of corporate accounts for the company and served as a special events captain, and department mentor. Her superior skills left the company with the” best be a team award. Most recently she became a freelance fashion executive with Winston Retail Solutions in which she did visual merchandising, and product training seminars for Lucky Jeans, Emporio Armani, Graham and Dunn and PUMA, her biggest account representing the company in the North Chicago land territory. While representing PUMA, she helped to win the corporate visual training contest for her team during wholesale training trips to Boston. Most recently she has serves as media and designer agent for Midwest Fashion week, a production, dedicated to helping emerging designers seek exposure for their brands. Melody is now the founder of Black Fashion America.com “an online fashion media directory highlighting some of the Nations’ most talented African American fashion designers, boutiques and brands. She attends fashion shows to help capture and archive runway presentation for the African American Designer. Chicago Designer Barbara Bates has expressed “I love this concept and the website design” Due to Melody’s love of African American history, she has merged her knowledge from fashion research, and is currently working on a fashion history book scheduled for 2015 and the launch of Black Fashion Week USA, an apparel/fashion trade show for blacks in the fashion industry.

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Black Fashion Week USA

Black Fashion Week USA Hits Chicago This Week Entertainment

Toure Muhammad

February 2, 2015

Hits Chicago Off

This week, Melody Boykin, will be launching Black Fashion Week USA Fashion Show Feb. 6

Melody Boykin launched Black Fashion Week USA Fashion Show here in Chicago. here in Chicago. Boykin is on a mission to combine both the fashion industry and AFRICA USA TODAY 15

Black Fashion Week

16 AFRICA USA TODAY

Femi Photography

Black Fashion Week

Femi Photography

AFRICA USA TODAY 17

Supporting Historic Pullman National Monument Published February 19, 2015

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As President Obama visited Chicago and declared the Historic Pullman neighborhood a National Monument, MacArthur announced a $500,000 grant to the National Park Foundation to help jumpstart critical projects at the new park, including the establishment of a visitor center, educational and experiential exhibits and programming in the Administrative Clock Tower designed to engage children, the community, and visitors about the importance of Pullman to America's collective history. Located between 103rd and 115th streets, Pullman was founded by railroad car manufacturer and engineer George Pullman in 1880. He built a company town, which became home to porters, factory workers, managers and their families and was the birthplace of the African American labor movement.

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Africa USA Today 21

Photos from 2015 Lagos Carnival contributed by Regional Editor Ademola Lawal

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Chicago is ranked the #42 most “physically active” city in U.S.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2015 8:02 AM, Ann Murray <ann@prhacker.com> wrote:

Olawale I'm writing to suggest a local story for Africa on some heartpumping new data: Chicago is ranked the #42 most “physically active” city in U.S., according to the BetterDoctor.com Active City Index. To create this ranking, BetterDoctor.com a free consumer healthcare tool that makes it easy to find a great doctor evaluated cities across the U.S. based on important health criteria such as physical activity, healthy weight, and access to quality parks. Here's what they found: *** BETTERDOCTOR.COM "ACTIVE CITY" INDEX *** >> Top 50 Most “Physically Active” U.S. Cities (each city's total score on a 100point scale is shown in parentheses) 28 Africa USA Today

AFRICA USA TODAY 29

Africa USA Today Magazine 312/ 880-7016

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Africa News

SOON---A NEW HOSPITAL FOR NIGERIA BY CYNTHIA HENDERSON Images provided by the GEANCO FOUNDATION THEY WILL SUFFER NO MORE ON MY WATCH. These are the passionate words that gave birth to the GEANCO Foundation and its staunch commitment to build a hospital in southern Nigeria to address the medical needs of the less fortunate. The Foundation is spearheaded by Dr. Godwin Onyema, a celebrated and award-winning obstetrician gynecologist, who hails from Nigeria and who now resides in Chicago. Godwin’s drive emanated with a pledge to his father, whose rearing afforded him the belief that through hard work, all things in life are possible, and to whom he promised to build a hospital for his community. Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker, an active GEANCO supporter, with Nche Onyema, Afam Onyema and Dr. Godwin Onyema.

Augustine Onyema, Godwin’s father and a man with a modest eighth grade education, instilled the importance of education in his children. As he sacrificed, he vowed that his children would be educated to the highest levels possible. Augustine’s determination paved the way for him to send Godwin to the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha, Nigeria. It was in this nurturing environment that medicine touched Godwin and inspired him to pursue a medical career. After graduating from medical school in 1972, Godwin interned at the University Teaching Hospital of Nigeria in Enugu. Upon completion, he and his wife, Josephine, came to Chicago’s Cook County Hospital for his medical residency in obstetrics gynecology. The couple now have four adult children who are sharing in their father’s promise to their grandfather, Augustine. Gozie, Afam, Ebele and Nche all possess the same resolve to bring Godwin’s dream to reality. It is the first letter of their family’s names that compose the GEANCO name and each member contributes time, effort and energy to fulfill GEANCO’S mission. To develop a world-class medical facility, as well as educational and athletic facilities in the African country of Nigeria and to make these available to the poorest and most vulnerable citizens is the steadfast purpose of the GEANCO Foundation.

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Africa News Jesse Jackson with GEANCO family members, Josephine, Afam and Dr. Godwin Onyema at a Foundation fundraising gala.

Together with their mission partners Zimmer Holdings, the largest orthopedic equipment manufacturer in the world, Ernst and Young Accounting, Mayer Brown International Law Firm and the Nigerian State of Anambra, GEANCO has led three orthopedic medical missions to Nigeria. A fourth is scheduled for this year in April. Again, GEANCO will take a United States orthopedic team to perform numerous hip and knee total joint replacements for ailing Nigerians. Through the good grace of the Anambra State, and approval by local community leaders, 200 acres of land have been donated for the Augustine Memorial Hospital. Ultimately, orthopedic surgeries, such as those mentioned above, women and children’s care, infectious disease treatment and education with a focus on HIV/AIDS and malaria will be available in the new hospital. In addition, a cancer center, a cardiac center, radiology and other medical capabilities will be incorporated into the facility.

Site of the future Augustine Memorial Hospital in Nigeria. Currently, fundraising is the chief initiative for GEANCO. The Foundation is seeking only private donations. There will be no government funding. With a growing contingent of strong supporters, such as Academy Award Winner, actor Forest Whitaker, GEANCO is adhering to that goal. They regularly hold creative fundraising events throughout the United States as they strive to raise the estimated $2,000,000 in projected start-up costs for the hospital. Dr. Oneyma says, “Once we have the money we can start hiring consultants and begin construction”. He also says, “With the Augustine Memorial Hospital I want to impact medical health care in Nigeria. I want to live up to the principle that you don’t have to travel thousands of miles for adequate health care. Additionally, I want to deliver high-class, quality medical care to the doorsteps of the people in that region.” To donate to the GEANC0 Foundation and support their mission click on: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/TheGeancoFoundation/OnlineDonation.html OR Contact: The GEANCO Foundation 350 S. Grand Avenue, 25th Fl. Los Angeles, CA 90071 Afam Onyema Chief Operating Officer 708-439-1462 AFRICA USA TODAY AFRICA USA TODAY 35 35

Things we always need: Shoes Wheelchairs Walkers Crutches Canes Children's books Baby blankets

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Volunteers

OVER TWO MILLION SERVED... Shoes, that is. Celebrating our 16th year, we, with you -- our volunteers, donors and sponsors -- have put shoes on needy feet both locally and globally. On April 21, theAmerican Red Cross recognized those efforts, presenting an award to Mona Purdy, founder and director of Share Your Soles.

Volunteers helping Share Your Soles with our mission.

WORK TO LEARN, LEARN TO EARN

By rewarding those in need for their own

Succeeding While Black-

On Friday, April 24, 2015 12:57 PM, Marissa Madill <marissa@smithpublicity.com> wrote:

Dear Olawale, Please take a moment to review the below article from Matthew R. Drayton entitled, “Succeeding While Black 5 Ways to Avoid Altercations with the Police.” In the article, Drayton shares his own personal experiences with law enforcement as an AfricanAmerican man and some of the key tips he often shares with the atrisk youth he mentors. Reflecting on recent societal issues related to racial profiling and police brutality, he hopes to provide young people with positive guidance for turning doing things ‘while black’ into a positive reference. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the piece and if you plan to share it with your readers. Thank you for taking the time to read this piece. Best, Marissa ................................ Marissa Madill / SMITH PUBLICITY, INC. t: 856.489.8654 ext 314 / e: marissa@smithpublicity.com Succeeding While Black 5 Ways to Avoid Altercations with the Police by Matthew R. Drayton During the past few months, there has been numerous incidents— some tragic—where police officers were accused of brutality and abuse of power against African Americans, including Ferguson, South Carolina and New York being the most wellknown. Some of the incidents were caught on video. There are nearly 780,000 sworn officers in the United States protecting and serving 319 million Americans. Police officers have a very difficult and stressful job, but that is no excuse to use excessive force. However, we must take into account what these officers go through and understand that all police officers aren’t bad. I have been in situations where I could have easily gotten into confrontations with police officers. Years ago, I regularly worked with local and state police officers in major cities throughout the U.S. I can tell you first hand that there are some police officers that are prejudiced or egotistical, and some that have their own agendas. I remember arriving in Texas to meet and work with local police there. When I reached out to shake one of the officer’s hands, he refused! Later during that same trip, I was almost arrested because the same police officer who wouldn’t shake my hand, failed to tell a group of his fellow officers who I was as I approached them. On another trip to California, a police officer stood two feet in front of me and stared me down while I waited to meet with the Deputy Police Chief. I had never met this officer before, nor did I do anything to him to warrant the stare he was giving me. In both Texas and California, I was the only African American in the group; my coworkers were not subjected to the same treatment. In both cases, I had no choice but to work through whatever issues those police officers had with me. I did not respond to their behavior towards me, and worked more closely with the officers who reached out to me than the ones who didn’t. In the end, we successfully finished our work in both cities, and I made some new friends in law enforcement. My experiences with the police were not all bad; in fact there were more positive experiences with them than negative ones. I realize some of my circumstances and encounters with the police were of a different nature than being pulled over for a routine traffic stop, but the two situations I mentioned above were intense and could have easily become confrontational. I have been stopped and pulled over by the police numerous times over the years, and I can honestly say, I have never been mistreated by a police officer. The following tips have worked for me when I have had encounters with police officers in the past. Hopefully they can help you too.

Ways to Avoid Altercations with the Police

1. Obey the law: If you are breaking the law in any way; it’s only a matter of time before you have to deal with the police. Turn on your flashers, drive slowly and pull over to a well lit busy area if you are pulled over. Cooperate if you are being questioned or arrested to avoid any physical confrontation. 2. Be polite and show respect: Greeting and treating a police officer with respect immediately deescalates the situation. Regardless of how you feel about being pulled over or questioned, the police are authorized to do so. Mouthing off and becoming aggressive towards the police will make the situation worse. 3. Obey police officer orders: When a policeman asks you to do something reasonable, do it. Remember, these men and women are trying to do a job, and sometimes need to gather facts to do their job. Disobeying the police officer’s orders will again only make the situation worse. 4. Make lifestyle changes: Most of the things that happen to us are a result of our decisions. Alcohol, outdated license plates, and erratic driving are a few contributors to police stops. If you are hanging out late at night

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Africa News

Buhari in historic Nigeria election win By Ben Simon, Ola Awoniyi March 31, 2015 11:24 PM

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Abuja (AFP) Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday became Nigeria's president elect after defeating Goodluck Jonathan in the first democratic change of power ever in Africa's most populous nation. The victory writes a new chapter in the country's often turbulent history after six military coups since independence in 1960 and 16 years of unbroken civilian rule by Jonathan's party. The gripping contest also capped a remarkable transformation for the 72yearold former army general, who led a tough military regime in the 1980s but now describes himself as a "converted democrat". Thousands spilled onto the streets of the north's biggest city, Kano, in celebration, shouting his campaign slogan "Sai Buhari" ("Only Buhari") as he took an unassailable lead with one state to declare.

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Africa News

Nigeria vote winner Buhari praises loser's 'statesmanship' April 1, 2015 5:01 AM

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Muhammadu Buhari says: "Our country has now joined the community of nati…

Abuja (AFP) Nigeria's presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday called elections that will lead to the country's first democratic change of power "historic" in a victory speech. Buhari, a 72yearold former army general who briefly led Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1980s, said the vote had proved the country's "belief in democracy." "Our country has now joined the community of nations that have used the ballot box to peacefully change an incumbent president in a free and fair election," he said at the headquarters of his All Progressives Congress party in Nigeria's capital Abuja. "To me this is indeed historic."

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Africa News

Obasanjo writes to Nigeria's Buhari, indicates availability April 1, 2015 1:49 PM

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Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo (C), arrives in the South Sud…

Abuja (AFP) Former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday reached out to presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari, in a possible sign that he is prepared to help the country's leader inwaiting. "I am sure there are men and women of goodwill, character and virtue... that you can mobilise to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and redirection that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on fast lane," Obasanjo said in a letter to Buhari. Both Obasanjo, 78, and Buhari, 72, are both former military rulers of Africa's most populous nation who have gone on to become elected civilian president. Obasanjo, head of state from 1999 to 2007, fell out with the beaten presidential candidate Goodluck AFRICA USA TODAY 43

Africa News How the Nigerian creative industry can create wealth. By Qudus Onikeku.

As many Nigerians take to the street in defiant mood, following the victory of our new presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, the nation overflows with glorious sounds of our music and the ferocity of our dances. Even prior to the elections on 28th of March, our billboards, radio and airwaves were inundated with all sort of creative communications. Yet, as I hungrily scan PresidentElect Buhari’s recently circulated 100 days covenant with Nigeria. It is sourly disappointing to find that music and dance, the arts, culture and the creative industries in general, have been left out of those issues worthy of mention in our new government’s development strategy. Since this is the time to speak of ‘change’, l must keep my heart open, welcome our new president elect and be the ‘Change’ I want to see. On that note sir, you are wrong for trivializing the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to our nation’s growth. On Culture and development. Sir, no civilisation is built on crude oil, or the sheer might of the guns and welltarred roads alone. Civilisations are built on stories; on the myths that shore them up and the tales they tell themselves of their origin and collective destiny.Standards and values are an integral part of our cultures; hence, culture should be the bedrock supporting every development. Sir, in your 100 days covenant – which is a laudable document since it shows your determination to deal with matters of development – a lot of attention was accorded to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on matters relating to the youth. But sir,without a parallel programme that gives voice to those segments of society that often do not have one, any development or policy innovation, may eventually be stifled by the very same citizens for whom they were built. Sir, I believe that a healthy society must strike a balance between the stable needs of the individual and those of the collective. And while our material needs are crucial, in the end they cannot be made to weigh more than the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individuals within the society. A development strategy that gives a bold space to culture and the arts may not only include growth in material numbers, but also a range of nonmonetized benefits,upon which your youth and ICT programs may easily fly. 44 AFRICA USA TODAY

Africa News

Buhari in historic Nigeria election win By Ben Simon, Ola Awoniyi March 31, 2015 11:24 PM

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Grieving Parents Wounded Deeply by Gang Violence Little Children Cried in the Street

Juanita Crear-Price

Wounded deeply by gang Violence, Parents are holding onto Family Pride. Gang Violence destroys families hope and dreams. Parents meet regularly in churches and other venues to share a grief so deep that only those who have walked in their shoes can understand.

Parents your child life is important and you must appreciate their lives.You must live for your child. You must speak for your child. You must not allow your child voice to be silent. Speak out! You must go to court to seek resolve against the person or persons who took your child life… your life. Please, continue fighting.You must continue to fight until the powers to be understands your pain. They must appreciate why you are fighting for children lost to violence. Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Proverbs 17:6 (King James) Fathers’ trains up your children, spend time with your children. If you train up then and only then there will be no children crying in the Street. Remember your children had hopes, they had dreams but their hopes and dreams destroyed, destroyed by violence by death. Little children cried in the streets Parents thank you for not wearing a “Mask” to hide your pain. Thank you for not hiding your pain. Thank you for dealing with your grief and providing emotional support to others even though their child was a member of warring gangs. Thank you.

A child is a child no matter what. Salute your home with memorials to your child let the world know your child hopes and dreams lives. Do not allow your child hopes and dreams escape from you. Work harder to disseminate the news.Continue working with other to stop the violence, to stop the heartaches, to stop the tears and to stop the crying. Develop yourself, feel the necessity to ask for help, you have an obligation to your child and to other children of violence to speak out against violence. Your tears and voice matters develop yourself develop the public. “Children at play are not playing it should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity”.Montaigne 15531592 “As long as he lived, he was the guiding-star of a whole brave nation, and when he died the little children cried in the streets”. John Lothrop Motley 1814-1877

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Little Children Cried in the Street

(Contd. from pg. 44)

Fathers train up your children, spend time with your children and if you train up there will be no children crying in the Street. Do not let your child cry in the streets stop the violence. By: Juanita Crear-Price, MS Part II Parents to what extent are we Training Our Children to be Perpetrators and Victims. Unwittingly Children learn aggression from their families and villages. Families and villages where there is training, love and trust there is no violence, there is only love and togetherness. No, love is not supposed to hurt! Historically, African American Villages decrease villager’s social standards silently by committing organizational and nonmilitary violence. Unwittingly families and villages create a safe haven for some villagers to commit violence. Domestic violence is one among the many types of organizational and nonmilitary violencethat men and women have historically used against each other. Constantly families and villages are silence. They have created a substantial cultural consensus regarding the use of domestic violence toward each other. The systematic destruction of a love one or love ones has characterized a number of village’s collective behavior. The proliferation of domestic violence has increasingly destroyed the nucleolus of the African American family. Individually and collectively, families and villages have accepted domestic violence as a way of life. Big Daddy and Big Momma states, “She is hard headed and she needs her butt whipped” or “There is nothing wrong with a woman getting a whipping from time to time!” How many times have you heard “Kick a woman butt to keep the fear of God in her?” Domestic violence reinforces the tendency toward disorder in the family and village. Quantitatively we must stamp out violence and domestic violence in the family and village. Families and villages must value social structures. Families and villages must value the moral judgments. Families and villages must create a society that is devoid of violence. What is important to the families and villages? To engage in a long-range establish internal system, to transfer families and villages social modernization, economic modernization and transferring power from the individual to a collective society. To advance from domestic violence African American must stabilize their beliefs. The perpetrators and victims must learn from their families and villages how not to become a perpetrators or a victims. Families and villages must grapple with a number of questions and the families and villages must take actions on the answers of the questions: 1. What makes one man or one woman dominant over another? 2. To what extent are we? 3. Should we develop focus? 4. What mechanisms must we employ? By: Juanita Crear-Price, MS Part III coming in month publication AFRICA USA TODAY 47 47 AFRICA USA TODAY

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Book Club Feature

Book Club Features Strong Women only IntImIdate Weak men

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