AUSATM,6-7, 2020

e National Portrait Gallery by More Than 300 rcent

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e the paintings went on view last Tuesday, 72,146 people have visited the MAGAZINE

eum.

Politicosocionomics of World Peace

www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto 312/937-4508, June/ July 2020 Cascone, February 20, 2018 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds

Obamas’ Official Portraits

Artist- Kehinde Wiley

Celebrating Father’s Day Kehinde Wiley, Barack Obama (2018), detail. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

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Mission Statement for Africa-USA Today Magazine INTRODUCTION & BIO: Africa-USA Today Magazine started as a local community news tabloid in 2002, in Chicago Uptown area (north side of Chicago) by a Nigerian-American political scholar named Olawale Idreez, PHD Dr. Idreez lives with his family in Chicago since September 1982. He attended Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), Chicago Illinois from 1987 - 1989 receiving a B.S. (Accounting), and a M.A. in Political Science (International Relations). Later, he further his education online at Kensington University, Glendale, California in February 1996, with a concentration in Political Science (International Relations). He has worked in various managerial and supervisory capacities, including Case Manager at Bobby E. Wright, Comprehensive Mental Behavioral Services Chicago Illinois, as job readiness coach.

Dr. Idreez Passion for Politics and Political Affairs in the global arenas became the focus for using his writing skills, to create a news tabloid called US-Africa Globe Newspaper. No sooner than the new tabloid started, Dr. Idreez created Africa-USA Today Magazine. He formed an association with Mr. John E. Smith, Jr. a Graphic Artist (now the editorin-chief for the Africa-USA Today Magazine). Mr. Smith has successfully taken Dr. Olawale Idreez vision to the next level, beyond the scope imagined by the founder; making the magazine viewed by readers around the world. The Magazine is viewed on Website: www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto.

Africa-USA Today Magazine is a monthly Magazine where Dr. Idreez writes about and discuss Politics and Political Affairs globally.

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GOAL & OBJECTIVES: Dr. Olawale Idreez main goal for the Magazine was to connect, and compare the United States and Africa political, social, and economic systems. Precisely in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Liberia, South Africa, and some part of North Africa.

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Africa-USA Today Magazine is now trending in China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Great Britain, Portugal, Italy, India, Brazil, and most of South America thanks to ISSU.Com. More importantly, He would like to continue empowering the youths to focus on education, as the main tool to be successful. Dr. Idreez states, education is certainly the main key to improve the future of the world. Africa-USA Today Magazine encourage and promote Journalism students globally to submit their term papers or thesis to the magazine for publication and to receive extra credits for their school project. That is our humble way of contributing positively to the community that have invested in you.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: After a decade of extensive media training, while contributing and helping other international magazines to attain their goals, I found this experience absolutely rewarding. And thereby established this publication, titled Africa-USA Today Magazine five years ago.

Although the name has re-established, we have been blessed to surpass our goals: Creating awareness in the local and international communities; covering political, and business interactions between nations; relaying local and international news to part of the world, and to people that have no voice in determining their own portion of the nation›s wealth. Interviewed some creme-de-la-creme personalities in the local and international arenas; covered extensively fashion shows, and fashions trends - not only in Africa, African American vicinity, and Latinos community as well. Focus largely on the entertainment industries, which is no doubt, the next largest money mogul industry throughout the entire 7.5 billion population.

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FUNDING & FINANCIAL NEEDS: We humbly take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the volunteer writers, columnists, advertisers, and youths (in Nigeria and United States) that have been contributing, making this dream to be manifested in our time.

Olawale Idreez can be reached at email: usafriglo@yahoo.com, or phone: 312-937-4508. Thank you Sincerely, Olawale Idreez

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EDITORIAL PUBLISHER OLAWALE IDREEZ

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOHN E. SMITH JR.

EXECUTIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR JUANITA CREAR-PRICE

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museum.

Sarah Cascone, February 20, 2018

Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography

Contents

Percent Since the paintings went on view last Tuesday, 72,146 people have visited the

Artist-Kehinde Wiley, Barack Obama, 2018 (detail) Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery

Art World

For Tearful True Believers, DC’s Obama Portraits Have Become a ‘Secular Pilgrimage’ Destination in the Trump Era A new book captures the surge of interest and energy that took even the National Portrait Gallery by surprise.

Taylor Dafoe, February 12, 2020 Kehinde Wiley, Barack Obama (2018), detail. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

The lines were out the door at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, this weekend, as crowds flocked to see the new official portraits for former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The two paintings, by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, were unveiled to great fanfare last week, becoming a viral sensation.

Why Trump's Juneteenth rally in Tulsa is a 'slap in the face' to black Americans As nation continues to march against systemic racism, president resumes campaign rallies at site of two-day massacre on anniversary of liberation Alex Woodward New York 5 days ago

Alternate covers of The Obama Portraits, Princeton University Press, 2020. Courtesy of Princeton University Press.

It’s rare for a painting to be the subject of international headlines. But this was the case for the pair of portraits that Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald made of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, which made waves around the world.

When the portraits were unveiled at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in February 2018, they were a bona fide cultural phenomenon. The museum’s attendance tripled; its web traffic went through the roof. Lines the length of football fields formed en route to the colorful canvases,

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Anniversary of Tulsa race massacre revives calls for reparations Demand for justice grows nearly 100 years after racist mob destroyed a black neighbourhood with impunity Alex Woodward New York | Saturday 30 May 2020 22:44 |

JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Celebrating Father’s Day In this issue we are celebrating Father’s Day. We look forward to the arrival of Summer, and with it the opportunity to be outside in the sun.During these times we need to uplift our own spirits and attitudes. We hope you are making the most of your time to renew yourself.

Stay safe.

Happy Father’s Day!

Related video: Trump claims he 'dominated streets with compassion' and announces new policing plan in black communities ( Getty )

Donald Trump will resume his campaign rallies amid the coronavirus pandemic on a day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people and in a city that recently recognised the anniversary of the worst race massacre on US soil.

AFRICA USA TODAY 7

SHANNON WRIGHT

3) SAY I LOVE YOU WITH A SONG A chat with SHANNON WRIGHT Photo Credit: BLÄQ + WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s time to celebrate Dad! Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21st.

How will you say, “I Love You?” Chicago-based vocalist and actress Shannon Wright says, “Say it with a song.”

She tapped into her entrepreneurial skills and put a new virtual twist on the classic telegram. On Mother’s Day she delivered over 25 heartfelt, virtual sentiments of love to surprised mothers.

Each testimony by the emotional mothers emphasized their appreciation and gratitude for the unique gift.

Shannon is now offering singing telegrams for Father’s Day, and all occasions for $50 per session. Book your session now for June 19th -June 21st at (312) 927-3927.

Singing Telegrams by Love, Shannon XO! How will you say, “I Love You" this Father’s Day? Say it with a song.

When asked about how this Sing a Telegram idea came about, Shannon responded, "I decided to start singing to my friends, family and essential workers in order to cheer them up during #COVID-19. It was a way to honor them and to give some encouragement. In turn, it encouraged my soul. In the end, the singing telegrams are the result of work halting for many actors and artists. Moreover, while being furloughed during quarantine, I chose to squeeze Covid lemons into sweet lemonade.

Delivering songs virtually has been inspiring. Sharing my heart in song and lifting the spirits of family and friends has been a blessing to me and to my clients.

We are all #athometogether due to the #quarantine. We have fathers, father-figures, brothers, uncles, cousins, co-workers, neighbors, mentors, essential workers, loved ones and friends who need cheering, celebrating, honoring, lifting and healing in these times."

She presents clients with a list of songs from multiple genres. Choose between several delivery methods; she even accommodates older relatives who can’t FaceTime or Zoom. Together you’ll explore how you can encourage your loved one for Father’s Day, an anniversary, birthday or just because. How will YOU say, I Love You” on Father’s Day? Say it with a song."

To listen to sample telegrams, visit: www.singatelegram.com.

Again, BOOK your singing telegrams for Father’s Day now for sessions beginning Friday, June 19th through Sunday, June 21st.

To order a telegram 312.927.3927 or hello@loveshannonxo.com $LoveShannonXO Follow Shannon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoveShannonXO www.facebook.com/ShannonWrightWorld Twitter/Instagram: @_loveshannonxo_ Follow on the New YouTube Channel: Love, Shannon XO #TelegramsbyLoveShannonXO #SingingTelegram #LoveShannonXO #LSXO

AFRICA USA TODAY 9

SHANNON WRIGHT

#SayitwithaSong #SingaTelegram #singograms #songograms #FathersDay #Birthday #Graduation #Anniversary #UniqueGiftIdeas #SHANNONWRIGHTWORLD ######

Cheers!** Warm regards, Love, Shannon đ&#x;’‹đ&#x;’‹ XO :| SHANNON WRIGHT, DTM|: Vocalist | Actor | Designer | Luxury, Fine Art Photographer | Owner | Director Love, Shannon XO Hello@loveshannonxo.com 312.927.3927| Studio 312.927.4796| Mobile FOLLOW Instagram and Twitter @_loveshannonxo_ www.facebook.com/loveshannonxo www.facebook.com/shannonwrightworld Future Bookings: Hello@loveshannonxo.com #LoveShannonXO #LSXO #SayitwithaSong #SingaTelegram #singograms #songograms **Written Reviews, Testimonials, Commenting, Following on Social Media, Tips and REFERRALS are great compliments and always appreciated. $Love,ShannonXO | PayPal.me/ShannonXO Zelle: s@shannonwright.us ____________________________________________ "It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone." | Marianne Williamson | “Dirige Deus Gressus Meos.â€?

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SHANNON WRIGHT AFRICA USA TODAY 11

Shanita Baraka Akintonde, Columnist

#GirlDad, #GoodDad

Though its been several months, the country is still hitting the reset button after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and several other people. As news of the tragedy hit airwaves, the term #GirlDad took center stage. The tributes to the beloved athlete have seen steady steam, and I have a feeling there will be a resurgence on social media as we get closer to this year’s Father’s Day celebration. While these hashtag heuristics are due in large part to an overwhelming show of support for lost lives, they also stand as an acknowledgment of the symbolic and symbiotic relationship between fathers and their children. Bryant’s relationship with his four girls put a much-needed spotlight on Black fathers, a group that is often incorrectly depicted as absentee derelicts. In the book, All In, author Josh Levs points out that 2.5 million Black fathers live with their children.

According to a 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, Black men, compared to Hispanic and white counterparts were more involved in their children’s day-to-day lives, which could include [pickup/drop off] and day-to-day conversations. That means Black fathers are the most involved in the Daddy demographic.

This is not new news to members of the black community. Aside from 12 AFRICA USA TODAY

Bryant, there are stellar examples of Black #GirlDad figures such as President Obama, actor Samuel Jackson, comedian Chris Rock, and late heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali among others.

Men who have fathered sons, children who may themselves be members of the #GirlDad community one day, deserve recognition on Father’s Day too. That’s because the father/son relationship is critically important as well, particularly today. These are men like my own husband, Jimmy, who has spent countless days and nights over the past 24 years ensuring that both of our sons never have to work as hard as he did building a successful company—UJAMAA Construction, Inc. Jimmy built UJAMAA, builders of the President Obama Center, by putting family first. For that feat alone, he gets the banner #GreatDad. Jimmy is the type of father who is short on words but long on action.

The result is our two outstanding sons, Jimi, a civil engineering major at Illinois Institute of Technology, and Anthony, a man of Morehouse.

Jimmy serves as a stellar example of the premise that it takes a man to teach a child how to become a man. As much as a mother’s love and support can influence this dynamic, a woman can NEVER teach a man how to become something in which she has no firsthand experience. #EnoughSaid So this message is to ALL the fathers out there, particularly black fathers who have and will continue to give special attention to ALL of their children regardless of gender. These men realize that behind many amazing adults is a #GoodDad. Shanita Baraka Akintonde, MBA, M.Ed., DTM is an award-winning professor and firecracker communicator propelled by love. Born in Stuttgart, West Germany, and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Shanita draws on her experience in the fields of education, business, leadership, and media communication when engaging audiences around the globe. When not managing her role as a faculty member at Columbia College Chicago where she has taught for the past 20 years, Shanita can usually be found spending time with her husband and two sons!

AFRICA USA TODAY 13

COVER STORY

The Obama Portraits Have Boosted Attendance to the National Portrait Gallery by More Than 300 Percent Since the paintings went on view last Tuesday, 72,146 people have visited the museum.

Sarah Cascone, February 20, 2018

Kehinde Wiley, Barack Obama (2018), detail. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

The lines were out the door at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, this weekend, as crowds flocked to see the new official portraits for former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The two paintings, by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, were unveiled to great fanfare last week, becoming a viral sensation.

14 AFRICA USA TODAY

COVER STORY The Obamas made history by commissioning the first African-American artists to paint official portraits for the president and the first lady. The couple has a strong interest in contemporary art, which is reflected in the works, both a marked departure from the traditional representation figurative painting typically favored by presidential portraitists. Wiley painted Barack seated against a vibrant background of green foliage, while Sherald referenced black-and-white photography by rendering Michelle’s skin in shades of gray.

Igor Bobic @igorbobic

The line to take a photo of Obama’s portrait stretches out of the Portrait Gallery, into a stairwell, and out into the courtyard. Insane.

2,371 12:47 PM - Feb 16, 2018 808 people are talking about this A representative from the museum told artnet News that the institution’s website has seen a huge uptick in traffic thanks to the new portraits. Over the past year, the average number of daily sessions was just 1,875. By comparison, the NPG is averaging 23,680 web visits per day for the month of February. That peaked last week, with 399,192 visits between Sunday, February 11, and Thursday, February 15, or 79,838 sessions per day. (The new #myNPG hashtag, introduced alongside the new portraits, also racked up 98 million impressions on Twitter and 33.3 million on Instagram.)

The works’ online success has translated into the real-world attendance, where the NPG saw a 311 percent increase in visitors year over year for President’s Day Weekend. Compared to 16,041 visitors over the same three days in 2017, the holiday weekend saw 50,024 guests cross the threshold this year, with over 20,000 on Sunday alone. Since the paintings went on view Tuesday, 72,146 people have visited the museum.

AFRICA USA TODAY 15

COVER STORY

Former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama stand next to their newly unveiled portraits during a ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, on February 12, 2018, in Washington, DC. Photo courtesy of Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

With lines out the door, guests waited as long as 90 minutes for their chance to see Wiley’s painting, which is on view in the “America’s Presidents” gallery. The Sherald canvas can be seen on the first floor with other recent acquisitions.

Though the critics—and social media commentators—have been divided on the artworks’ merit, the NPG is happy to have a conversation-provoking hit on their hands. “What I loved most about it is people are talking about portraiture,” NPG director Kim Sajet told the Washington Post. “There was a lot of intrigue about them, they had heard about them, and they had a lot of questions.”

16 AFRICA USA TODAY

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ARTS Art World

For Tearful True Believers, DC’s Obama Portraits Have Become a ‘Secular Pilgrimage’ Destination in the Trump Era A new book captures the surge of interest and energy that took even the National Portrait Gallery by surprise.

Taylor Dafoe, February 12, 2020

Alternate covers of The Obama Portraits, Princeton University Press, 2020. Courtesy of Princeton University Press.

It’s rare for a painting to be the subject of international headlines. But this was the case for the pair of portraits that Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald made of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, which made waves around the world.

When the portraits were unveiled at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in February 2018, they were a bona fide cultural phenomenon. The museum’s attendance tripled; its web traffic went through the roof. Lines the length of football fields formed en route to the colorful canvases, AFRICA USA TODAY 19

ARTS

snaking through hallways and stairwells out into the museum’s courtyard.

But it wasn’t just the amount of attention surrounding these paintings; it was the tenor of it. Stories of visitors praying or breaking down in tears before the portraits circulated on social media. An image of a two-year-old girl, Parker Curry, went viral after a stranger snapped her looking up in awe at Michelle’s image. (The girl’s mother had to hire a publicist to field all the ensuing interview requests.)

Photo: Paul Morigi. Courtesy of Princeton University Press.

The portraits transcended art and politics, inspiring the kind of spiritual experience typically associated with religious icons. In fact, that’s not far off, says Kim Sajet, the NPG’s director.

“It’s a form of what I call secular pilgrimage,” she tells Artnet. “Much like people go to Graceland or John Lennon’s grave—the response has that quality to it.”

Now, two years after the frenzy, the museum is taking stock of the artworks’ impact with a new book published by Princeton University Press.

The Obama Portraits, out this week, retraces the portraits’ journeys, from behind-the-scenes looks at Wiley and Sherald in their studios, to the much-publicized unveiling, and finally to the burst of popular attention and interest that followed.

20 AFRICA USA TODAY

ARTS

Photo © 2018, The Washington Post. Reprinted with permission.

“I think it would be true to say that we were all caught off guard,” says Sajet of the response to the paintings. “We knew they were going to be popular but we had no idea that they were going to be this popular. It was extraordinary. We joke about it now, but it was 24/7 here at the time. We had staff coming in on weekends and in their spare time just to be here to talk to crowds who were lining up.

Brochures that we had printed for six months lasted six weeks.”

The director recalls a meeting with the museum’s design team prior to the portraits going on view.

They wanted to put up stanchions in front of the canvases to keep viewing experiences orderly.

“I said, ‘Guys, I think you’re being a little overzealous. Do we really have to do that?’”

Ultimately, Sajet sided with the design team, and she was glad she did. Not only did the stanchions lend a sense of organization to the chaos that ensued, they changed the way people interacted with the paintings, giving onlookers the space to share a rare, intimate moment with the works.

AFRICA USA TODAY 21

Politics

In a Sign of a Divided America, President Trump Will Not Unveil Barack Obama’s New Portrait in the White House Anytime Soon For the first time in decades, the former and sitting presidents will not meet for the debut of the official artwork.

Caroline Goldstein, May 19, 2020

22 AFRICA USA TODAY

Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks on the stage as he attends an Obama Foundation event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13 December 2019. (Photo by Zahim Mohd/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

POLITICS

Breaking with a tradition that goes back more than forty years, President Trump will not welcome his predecessor, Barack Obama, into the East Wing for the grand reveal of his White House portrait.

Amid an escalating war of words between the current and former presidents, NBC News reports that neither wants to take part in the ritual. Portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama will therefore likely not be installed until Trump is out of office.

The White House displays portraits of every president since George Washington. These official artworks are created through a highly specific process: they are commissioned by the White House Historical Association, a privately funded heritage organization, with the artists being selected personally by the former president and first lady. When complete, the Association donates the paintings to the White House, whose curator places them.

According to NBC, the artists for the Obama portraits were selected in early 2017, though because of a confidentiality agreement, the details remain unknown. Recent White House portraits have been

by John Howard Sanden, who painted both George W. Bush and Laura Bushin 2012; Simmie Knox, who painted Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in 2001; Herbert E. Abrams, who painted George H.W. Bush in 1994; and Chas Fagen, who painted Barbara Bush, also in 1994.

AFRICA USA TODAY 23

BUSINESS PROFILE

Olivier Kamanzi, Brief Bio. Olivier Kamanzi is Capital markets expert, International Financial Sector Development Consultant, Global Speaker, and Philanthropist. He is Co-Founder and Chairman of Africa Global Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Chicago. Mr. Kamanzi is Chairman of African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region – Illinois Chapter. He is Founder and CEO of Globrock Financial Group Inc., a global management Consulting and investment advisory firm with its headquarters in Chicago and its subsidiaries both in US and Africa. He is former Deputy CEO of Capital Market Authority of Rwanda, former Senior Investment Specialist of Citigroup (Citibank) and Executive employee at JPMorgan Chase. He is Founder and Chairman of The Olivier Kamanzi Foundation – a public charitable organization. Also, he is President of the Board of Directors of Saint Sabina Academy an affiliate to Saint Sabina Catholic Church based in Chicago, United States.

Mr. Kamanzi assisted in the establishment of the Rwandan capital markets industry and the creation of the Rwanda Capital Market Authority and Rwanda Stock Exchange. He initiated different policies including the East Africa Regional Financial Market Infrastructure Development and Regional Capital Markets harmonization and integration. Mr. Kamanzi is current Doctorate Candidate in Philosophy Organizational Leadership and Entrepreneurship with specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

He holds MBA in Finance from Ashford University, the Forbes School of Business in Iowa and a bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.

His hobbies are running, reading, and serving the community by mentoring youth, providing financial literacy classes, and he teaches Stock Market Program to 8th Grade.

He appeared in various radios, TV, and written media including WVON Radio, BBC World Services, Voice of America, African Union Magazines, CNBC Africa, Reuters, Nation, East African, GhanaWeb, and many more. He has written multiples articles on financial and leadership matters.

24 AFRICA USA TODAY

Welcome to our market!

Politico

McConnell says he was wrong on Obama pandemic playbook Matthew Choi Politico May 14, 2020, 8:58 PM CDT

McConnell says he was wrong on Obama pandemic playbook

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday he was mistaken in claiming that the Obama administration had failed to leave a pandemic playbook for the Trump White House.

“I was wrong,” McConnell said in an evening interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. “They did leave behind a plan. So, I clearly made a mistake in that regard.”

McConnell had claimed during a Monday campaign event for President Donald Trump that the current White House had not been briefed by the previous administration on preparing for a pandemic at the scale of the novel coronavirus. He also slammed former President Barack Obama for criticizing Trump’s coronavirus response (Obama had privately told former aides that it was an “absolute chaotic disaster”), saying Obama “should have kept his mouth shut.”

“We want to be early, ready for the next one, because clearly the Obama administration did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this,” McConnell said on Monday during a virtual interview with Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and campaign adviser.

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Politico

McConnell says he was wrong on Obama pandemic playbook Matthew Choi Politico May 14, 2020, 8:58 PM CDT

But POLITICO had reported in March the existence of a document, written by Obama officials that laid out how the incoming Trump administration should respond if faced with a pandemic. The 69page document contained hundreds of recommendations for dealing with many of the problems plaguing the nation’s coronavirus response — from shortages of personal protective equipment to the need for unified public guidance on the crisis.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that the “Obama-Biden plan that has been referenced was insufficient,“ and said the Trump administration had prepared its own pandemic report and exercises last year.

“In other words, the Obama-Biden paper packet was superseded by a President Trump-style pandemic preparedness response plan,“ McEnany said.

“Which was much better,“ Trump followed up. “We were given very little when we came into this administration.“ But Rick Bright, the vaccine expert who was recently ousted from the Department of Health and Human Services, painted a far less organized image of the Trump administration‘s pandemic preparedness.

McConnell says he was wrong on Obama pandemic playbook

Bright testified before Congress earlier Thursday that the Trump administration severely botched Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday he was mistaken in claiming that the its coronavirus response and misled the public on its handling of the outbreak. Bright contends Obama administration had failed to leave a pandemic playbook for the Trump White House. that he was quickly pushed out of his post because he objected to a political drive for a malaria medication as aMcConnell coronavirus treatment.

Brightinterview crafted awith 63-page whistleblower complaint on leave the “I was wrong,” said in an evening Fox News’ Bret Baier.

“They did administration’s handling ofmade the outbreak, making the first federal official to openly dispute behind a plan. So, I clearly a mistake in thathim regard.”

Trump’s claims of a successful response.

McConnell had claimed during a Monday campaign event for President Donald Trump that the During Thursday interview on Fox News, McConnell demurredoninpreparing commenting current his White House evening had not been briefed by the previous administration for aon how playbook factored in toHe the Trump administration’s response. the Obama-era pandemic at thepandemic scale of the novel coronavirus. also slammed former President Barack Obama for criticizing Trump’s coronavirus response (Obama had privately told former aides that it “As to whether or not the plan was followed and who is the critic and all the rest,” he said, “I don’t was an “absolute chaotic disaster”), saying Obama “should have kept his mouth shut.” have any observation about that because I don’t know enough about the details of that, Bret, to comment it inearly, any detail.”

“We want on to be ready for the next one, because clearly the Obama administration did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this,” McConnell said on Monday during a virtual interview with Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and campaign adviser.

AFRICA USA TODAY 29

Politico

McConnell says he was wrong on Obama pandemic playbook

Michael

11 hours ago

Matthew Choi Politico May 14, 2020, 8:58 PM CDT

For those of you complaining about Trump being blamed for the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic: I thought I would post a little history lesson for everyone on both sides of the political divide. I think it’s important that we understand the truth, especially come November when it’s time to vote. Forgive the length, but hey, we all have time on our hands to read, correct?

In December 2013, an 18-month-old boy in Guinea was bitten by a bat and died a brutal death a day later. After that, there were five more fatal cases. When Ebola spread out of the Guinea borders into neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone in July 2014, President Obama activated the Emergency Operations Center at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. The CDC immediately deployed CDC personnel to West Africa to coordinate a response that included vector tracing, testing, education, logistics, and communication.

Altogether, the CDC, under President Obama, trained 24,655 medical workers in West Africa, educating them on how to prevent and control the disease before a single case left Africa or reached the U.S. Working with the U.N. and the World Health Organization President Obama ordered the re-routing of travelers heading to the U.S. through certain specific airports equipped to handle mass testing.

Back home in America, more than 6,500 people were trained through mock outbreaks and practice scenarios. That was done before a single case hit America.

Three months after Obama activated this unprecedented response, on September 30, 2014, we detected McConnell says he was wrongPresident on Obama pandemic playbook our first case in the U.S.A. A man had traveled West Africa to Dallas Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursdayfrom he was mistaken in claiming thatand the somehow slipped through the testing protocol.

He was immediately detected and isolated.

Hethedied a week later. Two nurses who tended to him Obama administration had failed to leave a pandemic playbook for Trump White House. contracted Ebola but later All the protocols hadBret worked.

It was “I was wrong,” McConnell said inrecovered. an evening interview with Fox News’ Baier. “They didcontained. leave The Ebola epidemic could easily become behind a plan.

So, I clearly madehave a mistake in that regard.”a pandemic, but thanks to the actions of our government under President Obama, it never did. Those THREE EBOLA CONFIRMED CASES were the ONLY cases of Ebola in the McConnell had claimed during a Monday campaign event for President Donald Trump that the U.S.A. because Obama needed to be done THREEonMONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRST CASE. current White House had not did beenwhat briefed by the previous administration preparing for a pandemic at the more scale ofcontagious the novel coronavirus.

He also slammed former President Barack Ebola is even than COVID-19.

Had Obama not acted swiftly, millions of Americans would have Obama for criticizing Trump’s coronavirus response (Obama had privately told former aides it seen how Ebola kills, it’s horrific). died horrible, painful, deaths like something out of a horror movie (if you’ve that never was an “absolute chaotic disaster”), saying Obama “should have kept his mouth shut.”

It is ironic because since President Obama acted decisively we forget about his actions since the disease never “We want our to beshores. early, ready for the next one, because clearly the Obama administration did not reached leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this,” McConnell said on Now the story of COVID-19 and Trump’s response that we know about thus far: Monday during a virtual interview with Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and campaign Before adviser. anyone even knew about the disease (even in China) Trump disbanded the pandemic response team that Obama had put in place. He cut funding to the CDC, and he cut our contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Trump fired Rear Admiral Timothy Ziemer, the person on the National Security Council in charge of stopping the spread of infectious diseases before they reach our country - a position created by the Obama administration.

When the outbreak started in China, Trump assumed it was China’s problem and sent no research, supplies or help of any kind. We were in a trade war, why should he help them?

In January he received a briefing from our intelligence organizations that the outbreak was much worse than China was admitting and that it would definitely hit our country if something wasn’t done to prevent it. He ignored the report, not trusting our own intelligence.

When the disease spread to Europe, the World Health Organization offered a plethora of tests to the United States.

Trump turned them down, saying private companies here would make the tests “better” if we needed them.

However, he never ordered U.S. companies to make tests and they had no profit motive to do so on their own.

According to scientists at Yale and several public university medical schools, when they asked for permission to start working on our own testing protocol and potential treatments or vaccines, they were denied by Trump’s FDA. When Trump knew about the first case in the United States he did nothing. It was just one case and the patient was isolated. When doctors and scientists started screaming in the media that this was a mistake, Trump claimed it was a “liberal hoax” conjured up to try to make him “look bad after impeachment failed.”

The next time Trump spoke of COVID-19, we had SIXTY-FOUR CONFIRMED CASES but Trump went before microphones and told the American public that we only had FIFTEEN cases “and pretty soon that number will be ZERO. 30 AFRICA USA TODAY

POLITICS Paul Brandus

Published: June 17, 2020 at 9:47 a.m. ET

By Paul Brandus Never very popular, Trump is now shackled with a terrible economy and a persistent pandemic

GETTY IMAGES -0.36%

When the year began, I thought President Donald Trump was in pretty good shape to win a second term.

This obviously isn’t the case now. I don’t have to tell you what the pandemic, the economic collapse that followed, Trump’s own behavior—which seems to be getting worse—and more have done to weaken him electorally.

Trump de ed history four years ago, and he could certainly do so again in November. But history is not on his side in several critical ways.

AFRICA USA TODAY 31

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Why Trump's Juneteenth rally in Tulsa is a 'slap in the face' to black Americans As nation continues to march against systemic racism, president resumes campaign rallies at site of two-day massacre on anniversary of liberation Alex Woodward New York 5 days ago

Related video: Trump claims he 'dominated streets with compassion' and announces new policing plan in black communities ( Getty )

Donald Trump will resume his campaign rallies amid the coronavirus pandemic on a day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people and in a city that recently recognised the anniversary of the worst race massacre on US soil.

AFRICA USA TODAY 33

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Tulsa Race Massacre Anniversary News > World > Americas

Anniversary of Tulsa race massacre revives calls for reparations Demand for justice grows nearly 100 years after racist mob destroyed a black neighbourhood with impunity Alex Woodward New York | Saturday 30 May 2020 22:44 |

34 AFRICA USA TODAY

Injured and wounded prisoners are taken to hospital under guard after the Tulsa, Oklahoma race riots in 1921 when up to SUBSCRIBE NOW LOGIN 300 African-Americans were massacred by white mobs ( AFP/Getty Images )

Tulsa Race Massacre Anniversary

On 31 May, 1921, white mobs staged a two-day massacre of a thriving black town in Oklahoma, mounting one of the bloodiest episodes of racist violence in US history.

After a black man in Tulsa was accused of assaulting a white woman, an armed mob supported by law enforcement and city oďŹƒcials stormed the Greenwood neighbourhood, where 35 blocks of homes, businesses, libraries, hospitals, schools and churches were destroyed within 14 hours.

Dozens of families were left homeless, and hundreds were killed. The city's oncefamed "Black Wall Street" never recovered.

AFRICA USA TODAY 35

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"The only way to move forward in our work to bring about reconciliation in Tulsa is by seeking the truth honestly," Tulsa mayor GT Bynum said in a statement. "As we open this investigation 99 years later, there are both unknowns and truths to uncover. But we are committed to exploring what happened in 1921 through a collective and transparent process -- filling gaps in our city's history, and providing healing and justice to our community."

Set to begin on 1 April, the excavation has been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

While the Covid-19 outbreak has delayed the unravelling of a crucial but oftenneglected episode in America's bloody history, human rights organisations are urging Oklahoma officials to "act swiftly" to provide reparations to still-living victims and their descendants, and to provide a clear legal path for residents to file civil claims related to the massacre.

36 AFRICA USA TODAY

"DecadesNOW of black SUBSCRIBE

prosperity and millions of dollars in hard-earned wealth wereLOGIN wiped out in hours but nobody was ever held accountable and no compensation was Tulsa Race Massacre Anniversary ever paid," said Dreisen Heath, US program advocacy officer at Human Rights Watch and the author of a 66-page report detailing the case for reparations.

"Government authorities have an opportunity to fully reckon with these historical and contemporary wrongs by finally doing what they should have done a long time ago, providing reparations to massacre descendants and the black people in Tulsa today."

In the aftermath of the massacre — later whitewashed as "riots" — Oklahoma declared a state of martial law, moved black residents into internment camps and failed to prosecute a single person for any crime.

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Its legacy remains a dark stain in the state's history, following enslavement, Reconstruction and a Jim Crow-era marked by public lynchings and the beginnings of mass incarceration emerging from slavery.

This year, the Oklahoma Department of Education is expected to incorporate the massacre's history into its curriculums for the first time.

The massacre received new attention earlier this year as a central event in the acclaimed HBO series Watchmen.

AFRICA USA TODAY 37

AFRICA NEWS Fw: “My Quarrel with Murtala Muhammed Was One of the Reasons He Overthrew Gowon”

By Chief T. O. Akindele From: Olawale Idreez (africausatodaymag@yahoo.com) To:

jes3122001@yahoo.com

Cc:

idreezolawale@gmail.com

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 02:15 PM CDT

I LOVE THIS NIGERIA News/Story Wale 312-937-4509 ***************************************************************************************************** ----- Forwarded Message ----From: Sunshine Nigeria <omoba@goodbooksafrica.com> To: "africausatodaymag@yahoo.com" <africausatodaymag@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 10:44:07 PM CST Subject: “My Quarrel with Murtala Muhammed Was One of the Reasons He Overthrew Gowon” By Chief T. O. Akindele

“My Quarrel with Murtala Muhammed Was One of the Reasons He Overthrew Gowon”

By Chief T. O. Akindele Interview by INCENT AKANMODE Otunba Theophilus Oluwole Akindele was the Director-General of Communications at the time the late Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammed, was the Federal Commissioner for Communications during the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The 88-year-old retired civil servant who is billed to launch his memoirs at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos on Thursday, provides fresh insight into the bickering that led to the overthrow of the Gowon regime in 1975. He speaks with VINCENT AKANMODE. My Civil Service Days I retired from the Nigerian Civil Service on the 15th of September, 1975 after spending about 32 years in the service. But I did not retire voluntarily. I was forcibly retired. That was during the military era when about 260 civil servants were retired. And I was the last to be retired on September 15, 1975.

In fact, since then, the civil service has not come back to what it used to be during our own time, because so many experienced people were retired.

What position did you hold at the time you were retired?

38 AFRICA USA TODAY

AFRICA NEWS

I was the Director-General of Communications. I was the first Nigerian Director-General of Communications. I took over from the Europeans a few weeks after Independence. I took over from the expatriate Director-General of Communications, which was the highest position in the communication field. If you can remember, during the colonial era, there was nothing like a cabinet.

What we had were departments, and all the heads of department were responsible to the Governor-General.

Being the first indigenous director-general of communications must have been challengingâ&#x20AC;Ś It was very challenging. In fact, that is one of the reasons I had to write an autobiography. A substantial number of Britons were still in the service. They were going to hand over one by one. But when Nigeria first got her independence, they were happy to work for Nigeria as technical officers or engineers. That gave us time to train our own people, and I was one of the people to be trained to take over from the Europeans. I went to Britain, became an engineer, came back in 1949 and started working as an executive engineer in the P&T Department as it was called at that time. The P&T Department was a very big department then. It took charge of even what the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation is doing now. We also took care of the train services so that two trains would not collide on a lane. I was the principal Telecoms Engineer in charge of the Lagos area. Now they are called Territorial Controllers. At that time, we had thousands of names on the waiting list. So, even up till the time I retired, telephone services were still insufficient.

When I came in, there were about 50,000 lines throughout the country. At the time I left, there were a little over a million lines. So, it was a challenging job.

Working for the colonial government Read More: https://sunshinenigeria.com/blog/my-quarrel-with-murtalamuhammed-was-one-of-the-reasons-he-overthrew-gowon-by-chief-t-oakindele/ Sunshine Bookseller, Suite 41, Elim Vision Plaza Opposite University of Ibadan 2nd gate, Ibadan, Oyo, 23402, Nigeria

AFRICA USA TODAY 39

Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 10:40:32 AM CDT Subject: Register Now for Start-up Express 2020 Pitching Final (Live Broadcast)

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Live Broadcast for Start-up Express 2020 Pitching Final Date : 10 June 2020 (Wed) Time : 14:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17:00 (HK Time) Language : English

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Register Now Start-up Express 2020 Organised by HKTDC and supported by Strategic Partner, AMTD Group, Start-up Express aims to assist the winners in building network, seeking partners, exploring markets and enhancing brand awareness through a series of capability building, mentoring sessions and marketing activities.

Meet the semi-finalists 40 AFRICA USA TODAY

Meet the Judges

Calvin Choi Chairman & CEO AMTD Group

Cindy Chow Executive Director Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund

Duncan Chiu Co-Founder & Managing Director

Herbert Chia Venture Partner Sequoia Capital China

Jason Chiu Founder & CEO Cherrypicks

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George Tee CTO Hong Kong Science and Technology Park

Michelle Li CEO AMTD Digital

Mingles Tsoi CXO ParticleX

Patrick Leung Program Director LimeHK

Qven Wong Rudy Chan Senior Manager Venture Partner Venture CoCoon Ignite Investment, Macro Ventures Fund, Hong Kong Cyberport

Tel:Now 1830for 668 Fw: Register Start-up Express 2020 Pitching Final (Live Broadcast) Email: startupexpress@hktdc.org

From: olawale idreez (usafriglo@yahoo.com) To:

jes3122001@yahoo.com

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idreezolawale@gmail.com

Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 10:30 AM CDT

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A. Tunde

HEALTH Okunuga , MD – [W]holistic vs Orthodox Medicine in the Corona Virus Era

Africa USA Today Magazine – June 15, 2020 It gives me much pleasure to introduce myself through such a viable medium as Africa-USA Today Magazine, especially during this world-wide Corona Virus pandemic. My intent is to perhaps stimulate the readers to consider the seriousness of the health situation and how each person and family can utilize my information as a guide to making better decisions for their health. I am so happy to see the attempt to bridge the information and economic gap between the USA and Africa.

As a result of receiving my medical commendation from Medical University of Lublin , Poland , I had to consider what kind of protocol would truly represent my professional and ethical obligation of non-maleficence “Do No Harm”, replace pain with a smile, which is the mantra in American allopathic medicine; and the only answer I could justify to myself and to the human race, is to put into practice the medicine that my ancestors have practiced quite successfully over the past few centuries, using herbal remedies from the garden or harvested from wild fields of rich herbs, fruits, vegetables and their heirloom seeds. Realizing that most pharmaceuticals use a variety of natural herbs in every formulation that they ‘patent,’ I fully support the idea of utilizing as many naturally occurring ingredients derived from plants. Hopefully, someday we can find more ‘herbal-medicinal’ formulations that will be accepted by world-wide health organizations. In the meantime, I prefer to educate the masses regarding the many choices they have that can lead to optimal wellness or the converse, lead to long-standing health challenges .

With all of the wonderful technological innovations of this day in age, we can certainly qualify and quantify the efficacy of herbs in their natural form and/or in their extracted or concentrated forms. The ‘essence’ of natural-based formulations can be manipulated enough to provide substantial relief utilizing a particular measurement of ingredients that can flood the blood system with ‘computer-like precision’ with herbs and nutrients which can help allay or mediate the current condition(s) that the patient presents. Very rarely will a patient present with just one symptom or dis-ease.

To put it bluntly, unless the patient had an accident, for example; a fall that caused brain trauma or a toxin that caused an anaphylactic response, i.e. swollen tissues in the throat as a result of an allergy to peanuts, then the difficulty of discerning or discovering the cause/trigger of the ailment. Providing pathways of relief of the symptomology and/or the root cause of the ailment on the cellular level can evade the keenest minds. I truly believe that our world of medicinal science wants to sway in direction proven to enhance increased life expectancy and decreased hospital visits.

The mass awareness coupled with lack of trust in contemporary pharmaceutical outlets, whose main focus can be construed as ‘economically driven’ and the clinical outcome of their pharmaceuticals are not geared towards a better plight for the patients. It is, therefore, imperative for individuals to be acutely aware of their health concerns to ensure optimal therapeutic benefits. But I ask the question, “how can this dynamic be presented or measured if the patient hasn’t had the benefit or inclination to discover the many wonders of the body’s ability to heal itself once infused with the nutritive components of whole foods and concentrates (supplements) that can influence a healthier outcome?”

In comparing [w]holistic medicine with orthodox, this disparity in the clinical values should be ruled as a general health problem, but for reasons of politics and economic gain, this is far from coming to a reality. [W]holistic or alternative medicine is natural, organic and non-toxic at the cellular level. Firstly, the most outstanding basis for all illnesses is inflammation with signs and symptoms pointing towards pain, increased mucus production, swelling, cellular proliferation, cancer (benign or malignant), autoimmune diseases, etc. There is only a single pathophysiologic cause of inflammation, which it is basically a result of unregulated signaling at the cellular level. However, the trigger may be more than one, but all are centered around stress. Stress does not only inhibit the specific proteins to repair damaged cells thereby causing the cells to defy the regulatory signals, it also lowers the pain threshold, susceptibility to infection and new disease onset.

Pain is a result of inflammation and inflammation without pain is cancer until proven otherwise. Inflammation is physiologically regulated by inhibiting an enzyme, phospholipase A2 ( PLA2) which cleaves phospholipids cell membrane. Any drug that can inhibit the above named enzyme can stop inflammation. The first line drug indicated for treatment of pain and asthma is steroids.

Mediation of pain, asthma and any condition triggered by allergens uses steroids which present with multiples of side effects, some of which can be life threatening. Conversely, holistic or alternate medicine used for treatment of inflammation either uses natural lipids (oils ) to line our cell membrane or cause the membrane stability that makes it impossible for PLA2 to cleave the AFRICA USA TODAY 43

HEALTH phospholipids cell membrane. This route of inflammatory mediation provides a healing effect as opposed to steroids that treats or manages the signs and symptoms coupled with a conglomeration of side effects (orthodox) A host of oils for this example; are also classified as essential because our body is either lacking or not making enough to support normal metabolic activity. Such essential oils and others with similar therapeutic benefits are as follows; Black seed essential oil, tea tree essential oil, lemon essential oil, moringa essential oil, Bergamot, Nano silver, Manuka honey, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Baobab, alkaline water pH > 7.5, coconut oil, wild salmon oils and much more.

It is important to note that microbial infections e.g. viral, bacterial, fungal, protists, parasites and prions cause infection that results in physiologic stress manifesting in inflammation. Different nutrients have a wide variety of other functions that will ultimately enhance healing.

Combining the above listed natural agents will be synergistic in effect with increased efficacy and potency.

My concerns lay heavily on over-medication, mis-diagnosis, and avoidable surgical procedures. Many are well-aware of the opioid epidemic that has been raging for several years, causing innocent victims to become addicted to the pain relief properties of opioids which in many cases has led to family turmoil, financial ruin due to the patient’s inability to perform daily tasks, neglect of responsibilities and sadly, in many cases, lead to suicide. I don’t believe this is the way our creator intended for us to live. However, I do know emphatically that most conditions can be improved upon if proper nutritional supplementation is added to complement temporary prescribed dosages of drugs which can provide some support to the patient’s recovery. That includes psychotropic meds which tend to damage the brain cells quickly although the chemicals in some meds can quickly render the appearance of mental stability for a period of time before the patient’s symptomology reoccurs thus requiring higher dosages until the patient is overcome with toxic buildup, (side effects), which causes a whole new variety of new symptoms to present.

It is obvious to all that the corona virus has caught the scientific world off guard while also defying known viral characteristics and means to stop its virulence . It is equally apparent that there is room for new thought or old remedies to take the main stage to lead us back to some degree of normalcy while providing more protection from spreading the disease or preventing re-infection. I encourage more scientific/medical professionals who can empathize with my position to join me in creating more effective pathways to mediating the pandemic outcomes as well as present quantifiable data that may lead to decreasing the morbid impact of many diseases. I will convey throughout my series of articles, the direct impact that the corona virus can have on the human body, and more specifically increase infection threshold of the vulnerable (people of color) population which appears statistically to have the highest morbidity rate in the world due to profound underlying symptoms of pre-existing imbalances. My immediate concerns are laser-focused on the virus’ impact on the lungs, both during and after the infection. Upon studying various data, it seems to be imperative to focus on lung cleansing and supportive sanitized environments, (clean air inside and outside), less chemically-infused cleaning agents, less chemicals consumed and/or applied to the skin, less toxic chemical aerosols, etc. I theorize that these changes can enhance lung revitalization quickly enough to prevent pneumonia and reduce the incidence of blood clotting from COVID-19 or at the very least lessen the intensity of infection and other debilitating symptomology. Unless circulation is increased with oxygenated blood, we will see a sharp increase in hospitalization and massive deaths in wave 2 and 3 of this ravaging disease.

My series will introduce and verify various methods on how a patient may benefit from changing their diet in such way that will curtail sugar (carbohydrate) intake, which is known to promote cancer cell proliferation in addition to creating metabolic syndrome, moderate red-meat intake by replacing it with fish or turkey (white-meat) alternatives while considering to increase the amount of vegetable proportions at each meal. We’ll explore the importance of incorporating alkaline water which can help flush toxic waste build-up in the organs, muscles and tissues down to the cellular level, allowing for higher absorption of nutrients and meds if need be. Once equilibrium (homeostasis) is achieved in the body, dehydration, nutrient starvation, and cellular apoptosis can significantly be reduced and the patient can reap the benefits of incorporating a diet full of wholesome foods and supportive whole-food supplements to enhance wellness outcomes. My closing statement is that all humans can benefit from more precise diets of whole foods and high-quality organic supplementation.

A. Tunde Okunuga, MD

healthyplacebotanicals.com/drtundeholisticconcepts

44 AFRICA USA TODAY

BUSINESS

ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CALENDAR June 15, 2020

The Illinois International Business Calendar is published by the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago (ITA/GC). The Calendar is also available on our website: www.itagc.org.

Inclusion Policy: As a public service to the international business community, we publish a listing of international business events for which we receive written notification, preferably by e-mail (info@itagc.org) or fax (773/725-2294). Any organization may submit events that would be of interest to and are open to the Illinois international business community. There is no charge. All calendar listings are subject to the editor’s discretion. Inclusion of an event does not imply endorsement by any of the sponsoring organizations.

New events, and events with additional/revised information, are indicated in Green.

FEATURED ITA/GC PROGRAMS June 17

ASIAN SUPPLY-CHAIN ALTERNATIVES TO CHINA. Webinar sponsored by the International Trade

June 23

AMERICA’S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP, COVID-19 & THE IMPACT ON ILLINOIS. Virtual Town Hall

June 25

TRADE TRENDS IN THE NEW ECONOMY. Webinar, sponsored by the International Trade

Association of Greater Chicago with the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest. Roundtable discussion led by Dustin Daugherty, Head of North America Business Development, Dezan Shira & Associates. While costs have increased in China, countries in Southeast Asia have increasingly become competitive options for supply chain alternatives. The region’s proximity to China and its established supply chains, the trade interconnectivity of ASEAN, and the low costs that accompany developing markets are only some of the factors that make certain countries in the region strong options to consider.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CDT. ITA/GC & HKBAM Members - $35; Non-members - $50. For information, please see: http://calendar.itagc.org/docs/ITAGC_Calendar_12223.pdf; for registration, please see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asian-supply-chain-alternatives-to-china-tickets-105416537702.

sponsored by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition with the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago. Representative Adam Kinzinger will discuss the positive impact of America's international affairs programs on the state of Illinois. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CDT. No fee; advance registration required. For information & registration, please see: https://www.usglc.org/events/leadingglobally-matters-locally-il-2020-2/?e=c&source=q1-06-09-2020.

Association of Greater Chicago, will be an informal discussion of trade issues, current and future challenges, and mitigation strategies. Please join us to connect, network and share your perspective as we struggle to move forward in an economy where the only thing for sure is that everything will remain uncertain. Participants are asked to prepare 3-5 minutes of remarks concerning a subject of interest (sectoral, financial, geographical, logistical, etc.). 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CDT. ITA/GC Members - $20; Non-members - $35. For information, please see: http://calendar.itagc.org/docs/ITAGC_Calendar_12247.pdf; for registration, please see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trade-trends-in-the-new-economy-tickets-105600481884.

AFRICA USA TODAY 45

BUSINESS Oct. 16

BE A GLOBAL UNICORN. Fifth annual Global Small Business Forum sponsored by: Global

TradeSource Ltd.; Associated Bank; Foley & Lardner LLP; Multilingual Connections; and with support from the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago and others. Panelists include: Lori Novak, VP Foreign Exchange | Capital Markets, Associated Bank; Danny Park, CEO and Co-founder, RoboTHINK LLC; Aisha Ceballos-Crump, CEO and Founder, Honey Baby Naturals; Heather Acerra, co-founder, LUX Blox; Rajiv Khatau, Managing Director, LODAAT Pharma. 8:00 – 11:30 a.m., Foley & Lardner LLP, 321 North Clark Street, Suite 3000, Chicago. Admission - $40; Admission + Vendor Table - $400. For information & registration, please see: http://globalsmallbusinessforum.com/.

Of Note: The World Economy on a Tightrope: The OECD’s June Economic Outlook reports the COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis without precedent in living memory. It has triggered the most severe economic recession in nearly a century and is causing enormous damage to people’s health, jobs and well-being. The Outlook focuses on two equally probable scenarios – one in which a second wave of infections, with renewed lock-downs, hits before the end of 2020, and one in which another major outbreak is avoided. As restrictions begin to be eased, the path to economic recovery remains highly uncertain and vulnerable to a second wave of infections. With or without a second outbreak, the consequences will be severe and long-lasting. The Economic Outlook can be found here: http://oecd.org/economicoutlook?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=report&utm_campaign=ecooutlookjun2020&utm_term=pac.

Trade Deficit Jumps as Exports, Imports Plummet Again: According to a report in the STR Trade Report, the U.S. trade deficit in goods and services soared again in April, up 16.8 percent, as both imports and exports saw historic declines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to trade statistics released June 4 by the Department of Commerce, the monthly trade deficit of $49.4 billion reflected record-high declines of 20.5 percent in exports to $151.3 billion and 13.7 percent in imports to $200.7 billion. Import and export totals were both the lowest in nearly ten years. The complete report is here: https://www.strtrade.com/news-publications-trade-deficit-April-2020-import-export-061120.html.

USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigations of Digital Services Taxes: The United States Trade Representative announced on June 2 that his office is beginning investigations into digital services taxes that have been adopted or are being considered by a number of our trading partners. The investigations will be conducted under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. This provision gives the USTR broad authority to investigate and respond to a foreign country’s action which may be unfair or discriminatory and negatively affect U.S. Commerce. A Federal Register notice (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/05/2020-12216/initiation-of-section-301-investigations-of-digitalservices-taxes) was issued June 2 providing details of the investigations as well as information on how members of the public can provide their views through written submissions. “President Trump is concerned that many of our trading partners are adopting tax schemes designed to unfairly target our companies,” said USTR Robert Lighthizer. “We are prepared to take all appropriate action to defend our businesses and workers against any such discrimination.”

WTO Issues 2020 Annual Report: The WTO’s Annual Report, published May 28, provides a comprehensive account of the organization’s activities in 2019 and early 2020. In his forward, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo writes: International trade faces unprecedented uncertainty amid the coronavirus pandemic and its immense economic fallout…

Cooperation and solidarity among governments and international organizations will be essential for the world to unite to tackle the pandemic and prepare the foundations for economic revival. Trade will have a vital role to play in making a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive recovery. We at the WTO are committed to doing our part. For the report, please see: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news20_e/anrp_28may20_e.htm.

Illinois Seeks Foreign Direct Investment Program Manager: Under direction of the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment Director, serves as the Foreign Direct Investment Program Manager; plans, directs and formulates policy for the Agency's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Program; develops long-term FDI marketing strategy for foreign investment projects; represents the agency in the application and coordination of Foreign Direct Investment Programs; speaks on behalf of the Director pertaining to incentive programs and resources and possesses full line authority of the Director to make commitments; formulate program budget; and supervises staff. Requires knowledge and skills equivalent to the completion of four years of college with courses in business, international trade and marketing; requires four years of experience in the field of marketing with an emphasis in international trade, marketing and business administration. Requires ability to meet travel requirements of the position. Please submit resumes directly to: margo.markopoulos@illinois.gov.

46 AFRICA USA TODAY

BUSINESS Trade Impacts Resource Page: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. has launched a page featuring information on the effects the COVID-19 pandemic is having on international trade. It includes updates to trade operations and import/export restrictions worldwide, as well as broader information on how the pandemic may affect trade generally.

The page is here: https://www.strtrade.com/f-covid-19-trade-impacts-resource-page.html.

ARGO Translation Releases CDC/WHO Guidelines in 11 Languages: ITA/GC member ARGO Translations has translated the CDC’s general recommendations for coronavirus prevention into the most common languages in the U.S. Download them for free: https://www.argotrans.com/covid-19/.

Boomerang carnets® Opens First Carnet Distribution Center in Downtown Chicago: Centrally located at

One East Erie Street, customers can pick up carnets conveniently from anywhere downtown, making it especially convenient for customers in RUSH situations. The new downtown location is equal distance from both O’Hare and Midway airports, allowing for easy pick-up of the export document prior to air travel. Passports and visas are also available from this location. An ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted customs document used for boomerang freight®. By presenting an ATA Carnet to foreign customs, your temporarily exported merchandise or equipment passes duty and tax free into carnet countries for up to one year. For details, please call 800.282.2900. ******* June 15

OVERCOMING THE FRAYS: COVID-19’S IMPACT ON THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY. Webinar, sponsored by Braumiller Law Group, will cover: Assessing current risks; Supporting strategic partners; Developing a post-pandemic game plan; Finding the silver lining. 10:00 a.m.

CDT. Fee: $25. For information & registration, please see: https://www.bigmarker.com/braumiller-law-

group-pllc/Overcoming-the-frays-COVID-19-s-Impact-on-the-Textile-and-Apparel-Industry?show_live_page=true.

June 15

OPEN INNOVATION – THE NORM FOR FUTURE BUSINESS SUCCESS? Webinar sponsored by

June 15

HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE EXPORT PLAN. Webinar, sponsored by the World Trade Research

June 16 18

FABTECH CANADA 2020 (TORONTO). The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment invites

June 16

TARIFF CLASSIFICATION. Webinar sponsored by the Global Training Center. Topics include:

June 16

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES IN BRAZIL’S WATER AND WASTEWATER SECTORS. Webinar,

Invest Hong Kong. Speakers will discuss models from: Agorize; Eureka Nova; Kaleidoscope Lab; Global Acceleration Academy (GAA) from Hong Kong Science and Technology Park. 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. CDT. No fee; advance registration required. For information & registration, please see: https://www.investhk.gov.hk/en/events/invest-hong-kong-webinar-open-innovation-norm-futurebusiness-success.html.

Institute, will help you learn all the aspects that go into an export plan and how to put them together for success in foreign markets. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. CDT. Fee: $65. For information & registration, please see: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eh377me4641db32d&oseq=&c=&ch=. qualified Illinois firms to participate in a trade mission to Canada’s largest and most comprehensive CANCELED trade show for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing. Exhibitors at FABTECH Canada showcase tools, equipment and solutions for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing needs. FABTECH Canada only happens every two years – so don’t miss this chance to make new connections, strengthen your business and increase profits in Canada. For more information, please contact Godfrey Angara: godfrey.angara@illinois.gov.

Harmonized System Convention; Overview of Harmonized Tariff Schedule of U.S.; The Export Schedule B; Classification Process; Extrinsic Interpretive Aids; Duty Determination; General Notes; Mechanics of Classification; Classification Exercises. 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT. Fee: $545 (by May 16; $595 thereafter). For information & registration, please see: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/event/tariff-classification-webinar-3/. sponsored by the U.S. Commercial Service, will highlight the opportunities in Brazil’s water and sanitation sectors as presented by local experts who will discuss the business environment, common pitfalls, and advice for succeeding in Brazil. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CDT. No fee; advance registration required. For information & registration, please see: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=0QKK. AFRICA USA TODAY 47

Book & Film Club Features

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Book Club

Synopsis For the first twenty years of my life this is what I knew about my background: I was born in Eritrea a tiny country on the north­east coast of Africa. My mother died in childbirth, my father soon afterwards, I was placed in an orphanage in Asmara, the capital, by a distant relative, or perhaps a neighbour. That’s it. The sum total of my family knowledge. Six months later I was adopted by a British academic and that’s how I ended up growing up in a white family in Manchester. And then one day, when I was a student in Liverpool, I received a letter with an Eritrean postmark. It was from my brother in Asmara, the one I never knew I had.

My Fathers’ Daughter is Hannah Pool’s brave and heartbreaking story of her return to Africa to meet the family she lost – and the father she thought was dead…

Reviews for My Fathers’ Daughter: "Remarkable...Pool's candor is striking...Her story is as much about an adopted child facing up to the challenge of tracing her biological family as it is about her search for African roots...[She gives] a sense of what it is like to be a young person of African descent who is unquestionably British." ­­ The Observer (U.K.) "What a story. So vivid, honest and moving." ­­ Andrea Levy, author of Small Island "In this beautifully honest book, Pool gives us a front­row view of how identity is built up, but also how it's dismantled...Simply engrossing." ­­ Time Out London "Hannah Pool [is] a thoroughly engaging storyteller [who] offers us a different way of seeing...layered with subtleties. Although passages bring tears to the eyes, the sentiment is never pity. Rather awe ­­ at the depth of Hannah's experience, her courage in confronting it and her success, finally, in making sense of it all." ­­ The Sunday Times (London) "Engaging and moving."' ­­ Mail on Sunday "A moving story that sent shivers down my spine in its final moments. Hannah is an engaging raconteur, reporting her emotional highs and lows with insight and humor." ­­ The Bookseller "[A] truly moving exploration of identity." ­­ Sunday Times

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Photo: Shaull, L. (Photographer). (2020, June). Mural of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved from Wikipedia Commons.

NORTHEASTERN ANNOUNCES THE CREATION OF THE GEORGE FLOYD SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP Northeastern Illinois University President Gloria J. Gibson, Ph.D., and the NEIU Foundation are proud to announce the establishment of the George Floyd Social Justice Scholarship at Northeastern Illinois University.

"We will create this scholarship as one of the many ways to demonstrate our University's investment in students who will lead our communities and promote social justice," said Gibson. "I am very proud of our students â&#x20AC;&#x201D; many of whom are already engaged in activities to fight against injustice."

The George Floyd Social Justice Scholarship will establish a permanent financial resource for NEIU students dedicated to pursuing leadership roles in the multifaceted, intersectional work of social justice. Students applying for funding can be from numerous majors.

Through contributions to the NEIU Foundation, the University will build an endowed Home Contact | About | Giving | Update Your process record and applicant scholarship with an initial| fundraising goal ofUs $50,000.

The application criteria will be developed and announced when they are finalized.

"Our 'new normal' must be a full and sustained commitment to justice and equality," shared Gibson. "This is one step toward that larger goal, and it starts with me, it starts with you, and it will be implemented through all of us, working together."

Visit neiu.edu/georgefloyd to learn more or to make a contribution.

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