AUSATM,6-7,2021,WEB

Africa USa Today MAGAZINE

Politicosocionomics of World Peace

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Re: Heart of Gratitude: Congratulations to all the Re: Heart of Gratitude: Congratulations to all the "2021 AUTM's 7th Annual Media Awards “2021 AUTM’s 7th Idreez Annual Media Awards for for Global Distinction/Eventbrite Tickets by Olawale Global Distinction/Eventbrite Tickets From: olawale idreez (usafriglo@yahoo.com) To: jes3122001@yahoo.com Olawale Idreez, Publisher Cc: morgannaw@att.net

by Olawale Idreez

Date: Thursday, July 1, 2021, 10:55 AM CDT

Greetings!

It's a great honor and privilege to nominate and announce this year 2021 Recipients for the local and global Champions that are keeping our lives moving strong, and stronger even in the pandemic we found ourselves.

You do not need to be a rocket scientist to feel the negative impact of the year 2020 invisible enemy called Covid-19 pandemic.

Definitely, God in His infinite mercy deserves all the praises, glory, honor, and magnification in the highest, for keeping, and helping us to survive this unprecedent challenge, that mandated us to stay six feet distance, or observed CDC hygienic protocols: Wash your hands, wear face masks, or better yet, take your best shots twice. Vaccine shots, that is.

Speaking of wearing face masks. I know this is not funny, but I have to say it anyway. Forty years ago (before I came to this great nation called USA). I used to watch lots of Chinese movies in Lagos, Nigeria (Sheila Theater on Broad Street, and PLAZA Theater at Victoria Island area, Lagos, Nigeria): Fist of Fury, Enter The Dragon, Shaolin Temples, and so much more. I used to be very curious, and amused as to why did those Actors usually wore masks in those movies.

Now, 40 years later, I found myself wearing the same mask that I used to laugh at. And it's not funny at all, as I discovered. That is to show us how amazing but fragile our world can be.

In essence, one of the most lessons we learned from the horrible pandemic, is to appreciate each other (as human beings, and as citizens of this gracious planet earth); and to be stronger together, in the words of 2016 former U.S Presidential Candidate, Mrs. Hillary Rodham-Clinton, A Phenomenal Woman!

More importantly, we cannot shy away from dedicating this missive to the lives of those victims of the said Covid-19 pandemic both locally and globally. We are not better than them. It's only by special grace of the Almighty God that's keeping us alive.

AWESOME GOD!.

May their precious souls rest in peace. And May the Good Lord have mercy upon us that are still alive. Amen.

As a Publisher of this humble Chicago-based online international publication called AFRICA-USA Today Magazine, and in collaborations with other talented Editorial Super 'AAA' Team, I congratulate all the honorary recipients of this year 2021 AUTM's 7th Annual Media Awards for Global Distinction. You deserved it, and more. Much more!

I must also say, that there are thousands of people around the world that equally deserved this award but due to budget constraints, we deemed it fit, to keep it minimum this time around. Hopefully if the Lord tarries, we will do it bigger and "humongously" better next time, in the words of Queen Oprah Winfrey. Thanks Queen O'.

Lest I forget to address the controversial issue of why did we deviate from focusing on just simply Awards for the Global Women of Distinction? Actually the plan still remains the same, but lots of able Men decided to support the phenomenal women in this year's AUTM Awards. It was a tough decision. But we thought it's okay to be recognized, too. One thing is clear though, we will do it bigger and better separately next time. Thanks for letting us get away with it this time. You are all invited on this 2021 celebrations weekend around Chicago, and around the nation, USA, USA, USA. Until then, let's go and kick buttocks.

Oops!

I meant to say, let's go and have fun on these gorgeous weather weekend in Chicago on Friday July 2nd, and Saturday July 3rd, 2021/EVENTBRITE TICKETS Still OPENS. 4 AFRICA USA TODAY Again, on behalf of the Publishing World of the AFRICA-USA Today Magazine International, Congratulations to all the recipients of the "AUTM's 7th Annual Media Awards for Global Distinction". Thanks for your support. God bless you, and

constraints, we deemed it fit, to keep it minimum this time around. Hopefully if the Lord tarries, we will do it bigger and "humongously" better next time, in the words of Queen Oprah Winfrey. Thanks Queen O'.

Event

Lest I forget to address the controversial issue of why did we deviate from focusing on just simply Awards for the Global Women of Distinction? Actually the plan still remains the same, but lots of able Men decided to support the phenomenal Re: Heart of Gratitude: Congratulations to all But thewe"2021 7th Media Awards women in this year's AUTM Awards.

It was a tough decision. thoughtAUTM's it's okay to be Annual recognized, too. One thing is forthough, Global Tickets next

by Olawale Idreez clear weDistinction/Eventbrite will do it bigger and better separately time. Thanks for letting us get away with it this time. You are all invited on this 2021 celebrations weekend around Chicago, and around the nation, USA, USA, USA. From: (usafriglo@yahoo.com) Until then,olawale let's go idreez and kick buttocks.

Oops!

To: jes3122001@yahoo.com I meant to say, let's go and have fun on these gorgeous weather weekend in Chicago on Friday July 2nd, and Saturday July Cc:3rd, 2021/EVENTBRITE morgannaw@att.netTICKETS Still OPENS. Date:on Thursday, JulyPublishing 1, 2021, 10:55 AM Again, behalf of the World of CDT the AFRICA-USA Today Magazine International, Congratulations to all the recipients of the "AUTM's 7th Annual Media Awards for Global Distinction". Thanks for your support. God bless you, and God Bless America. Amen.

Greetings!

Humble regards, It's a great honor and privilege to nominate and announce this year 2021 Recipients for the local and global Champions Olawale Idreez, Publisher that are keeping our lives moving strong, and stronger even in the pandemic we found ourselves.

John E. Smith, Jr; Co-Publisher/Designer AFRICA-USA TodaytoMagazine You do not need be a rocket scientist to feel the negative impact of the year 2020 invisible enemy called Covid-19 312-937-4508 pandemic.

Email: usafriglo@yahoo.com Definitely, God in His infinite mercy deserves all the praises, glory, honor, and magnification in the highest, for keeping, LinkedIn@Olawale and helping us toIdreez survive this unprecedent challenge, that mandated us to stay six feet distance, or observed CDC hygienic protocols: Wash your hands, wear face masks, or better yet, take your best shots twice. Vaccine shots, that is.

Subject: Congratula ons: Honoree the 7thI AUTM's Media of Global Speaking of wearing face for masks. know this is Award not funny, but I have to say it anyway. Forty years ago (before I came to Dis this nc on: great nation called USA). I used to watch lots of Chinese movies in Lagos, Nigeria (Sheila Theater on Broad Street,

and PLAZADanny Theater at Victoria Island area, Lagos, Nigeria): Fist of Fury, Enter The Dragon, Shaolin Temples, and so 1. Congressman K. Davis, U.S Congress much more. President I used toCook be very 2. Toni Prekwinkle, Countycurious, and amused as to why did those Actors usually wore masks in those movies.

3. Dr. Shaffdeen Amuwo, African American Global Leadership on mask Health that I used to laugh at. And it's not funny at all, as I Now, 40 years later, I found myself wearing theAward same 4. Dr. Princess Moradeun Ogunlana, African Women Health Project international discovered.

That is to show us how amazing but fragile our world can be.

5. Dr. Margaret King: Global Economic impact 6. Dr. Ewa I. Ewa: Global Human Rights Award 7. Olatunji K. Sanni:one Realof Estate Business Guru Champion In essence, the most lessons we learned from the horrible pandemic, is to appreciate each other (as human 8. Dr. Collins Awosika: Africa-USA. beings, and as Government citizens of Liaison, this gracious planet earth); and to be stronger together, in the words of 2016 former U.S 9. Dr. Stacee Lang: Smart People's Network Wealth Producer Champion Presidential Candidate, Mrs. Hillary Rodham-Clinton, A Phenomenal Woman!

10. Dr. Krystal Okeke: Global Youths Multicultural Ambassador 11. Chief Wole Duro-Ladipo: Nigerian-American Cultural Ambassador (MOREMI MOVIE PROJECT) More importantly, we cannot shy away from dedicating this missive to the lives of those victims of the said Covid-19 12. pandemic Queen Bunmiboth Ajibade (Mama Miliki): Yoruba Juju Ambassador locally and globally.

We Music are not better than them. It's only by special grace of the Almighty God that's 13. Rogers Fruits Market: Evanston Community Entrepreneur Award. keeping us alive.

14. Pastor & Mrs. Bamidele & Victoria Kings: Sr. Pastor, Wells of Salvation Ministries AWESOME GOD!.

Chicago 15. Pastor, & Mrs.precious Larry McCarthy, Pastoral Mentorship TMC.Good Lord have mercy upon us that are still alive. Amen.

May their soulsJr:rest in peace.

AndAward, May the 16. Attorney Darlene Pinkston: 2021 Best People's Lawyer 17. Mr. Temitope Temitayo: Best improved Publisher/Wazobia Global Times (Detroit, As a Publisher of this humble Chicago-based online international publication called AFRICA-USA Today Magazine, and Michigan). *18.inAmbassador Mary L.Swopes: Lifetime Achievement Award/Mahogany Heritage collaborations with other talented Editorial Super 'AAA'Black Team, I congratulate all the honorary recipients of this year Award 2021 AUTM's 7th Annual Media Awards for Global Distinction. You deserved it, and more. Much more! *19. Ephraim Martin: Lifetime Achievement Award/Global Reaggea Music Ambassador 20. Raquel LaCour-Marsh: 7th AUTM's Publisher's Award/Columnist must also say,OLAOYE, that there are APOSTOLIC thousandsCHURCH/Community of people aroundPastoral the world that equally deserved this award but due to budget 21. IPASTOR SEGUN CHRIST Leadership. constraints, we deemed it fit, to keep it minimum this time around. Hopefully if the Lord tarries, we will do it bigger and 22. Mr. John E. Smith, Jr: 7th AUTM's Best Co-Publisher's Award "humongously" better next time, in the words of Queen Oprah Winfrey. Thanks Queen O'.

23. Mr. Olivier Kamanzi: Africa-USA Global Business Leadership Award 24. IYANZE NIGERIAN RESTAURANT: 2021 African Cuisine Award.

25. Lest DEMERA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT: BEST UPTOWN COMMUNITY I forget to address the controversial issue of why did we deviate from focusing on just simply Awards for the Global ENTREPRENEUR 2021..

Women of Distinction?

Actually the plan still remains the same, but lots of able Men decided to support the phenomenal **************************************** women in this AUTM It was a tough decision. But we thought it's okay to be recognized, too. One thing is *Congratulations to allyear's the Honorees forAwards. the 7th AUTM's GLOBAL AWARDS clear though, we will Although do it bigger andwas better separately next for time.

Thanks for letting us get away with it this time. You are Distinction/Eventbrite Tickets. the vision initiated as a recognition Women's championship but fortunately, men stepped up to be recognized and to support all invitedrecognition, on this 2021 celebrations weekend around Chicago, and around the nation, USA, USA, USA. our Women's efforts, too. So, we deemed it fit to celebrate this year 2021 Awards together.

Hopefully, if the Lord tarry, we will do it bigger and better. (Please read the Publisher's Untiltitled, then, let's goofand kick Congratulations buttocks. opinion "The Heart Gratitude: to all the Honorees for the 7th AUTM's GLOBAL AWARDS OF DISTINCTION" by Olawale Idreez Oops!

To be a sponsor, kindlylet's contact via email: I meant to say, gousand haveolawaleidreez@gmail.com fun on these gorgeous weather weekend in Chicago on Friday July 2nd, and Saturday 312-937-4508 July 3rd, 2021/EVENTBRITE TICKETS Still OPENS. 312-478-9831 ******************************************

Again, on behalf of the Publishing World of the AFRICA-USA Today Magazine International, Congratulations to all the recipients of the "AUTM's 7th Annual Media Awards for Global Distinction". Thanks for your support. God bless you, and God Bless America. Amen.

AFRICA USA TODAY 5 Humble regards,

Politics

6 AFRICA USA TODAY

Politics

AFRICA USA TODAY 7

Politics

8 AFRICA USA TODAY

Politics

AFRICA USA TODAY 9

EDITORIAL PUBLISHER OLAWALE IDREEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOHN E. SMITH JR. EXECUTIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR JUANITA CREAR-PRICE PUBLIC RELATIONS RAQUEL LACOUR REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL WEALTH PRODUCER ADVISOR DR. STACEE LANG MARKETING/SALES MANAGER WILLIAM ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS LOGISTICS MANAGER MORGANNA WILLIAMS EDITORIAL ADVISOR DR. COLLINS AWOSIKA ADVISORY DR. ROBERT L. SCOTT SR. MARY L. SWOPES GANIYU BISIRIYU

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT PATIENCE WALTERS PR CONSULTANT TINA WASHINGTON

10 AFRICA USA TODAY

Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography

Contents

JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Celebrating 7th Annual Media Awards In this issue we are celebrating our 7th Annual Media Awards for individuals who displayed outstanding qualities in their field of expertise. Also, We are honoring the contributions of Fathers everywhere.

Juneteenth has become a National hoiday recognizing the emancipation of Black people from slavery & for all people to honor and celebrate freedom.

During these times we need to uplift our own spirits and attitudes celebrating our ancestors.

AFRICA USA TODAY 11

FAMILY

Reflections

Breaking the CycleA Father’s Love and A Mother’s Sacrifice

BREAKING THE CYCLE‐ A Father’s Love and A Mother’s Sacrifice By: Raquel LaCour

Children deserve the love of both parents. Fathers are some mes underrated on their significant and important role they have in the life of their child. Many children are abandoned by their father. This o�en causes psychological damage; however, some can overcome the absence of a father, but who wants to play the odds, when you ul mately want the best life for your child. Faced with wan ng a divorce, and growing up without a father, in which my mother had the same fate, of not growing up with her father, I wanted to break this cycle. Although at first it was a painful discovery to know that my ex husband was just as good of a parent as I was, I had to do the best thing for my child, which was to allow him to be a father. It was a painful sacrifice and I was apprehensive, but who was she going to be happier with? Who was going to give her the best life?

Ul mately, who was going to end the parental war? A�er contempla ng and spending thousands of dollars on a orneys and watching my child suffer through this vicious parental war, I began to have remorse. I came to the realiza on, that this father wants to be the most influen al person in the life of his child. In a maim state of mind, I ques oned…Who came to war for me? In turmoil, I sat back and watched this man fight just as hard for his child, and as astonishing as it was, I knew that I may not have chosen the right husband, but I definitely had chosen the right father. This is how the cycle was broken. One must open their eyes and see that a father is a parent too and some mes they may not be the best partner, but can be the best father.

12 AFRICA USA TODAY

* Canna Style Online Business Owner * Organic Hemp/ CBD * Organic Cannabis * 3rd party tested * Black owned & operated * Home base business Bringing and keeping the body into balance experencing pain, inflammation and or anxiety.Helping you with Wakanna For Life LLC online manufacturers and distributors of Hemp/CBD and essential oils, products, services and events.

Contact 24/7 vmail & text Mr. Meridian Brown, 773-213-4961, 24/7- vmail & text hempmeridian.wakanna.com Ms. Shirley McLaurine, 773-209-1523, vmail & text website: wakannasoul.wakanna.com Ms. Laverne Triplett Smith, 773-536-7500 bonniegrunt144@gmail.com

AFRICA USA TODAY 11

ENTERTAINMENT

Reflections

Chicago Gospel ChicagoFest Gospel Fest

16 AFRICA USA TODAY

John John E. E. Smith Smith Jr. Jr. Photography Photography

Chicago Gospel Fest Chicago Gospel Fest

ENTERTAINMENT John E. Smith Jr. Photography

AFRICA AFRICA USA USA TODAY TODAY 31 17

ENTERTAINMENT

Highlights from previous auto shows

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

14 AFRICA USA TODAY 18 AFRICA USA TODAY

Reflections

Reflections

ENTERTAINMENT

Highlights from previous auto shows

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

AFRICA USA TODAY 15 AFRICA USA TODAY 19

Reflections

22 AFRICA USA TODAY

EVENTS

Reflections

Deshauna Barber- Miss District of Columbia crowned Miss USA 2016

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA D E S H A U N A B A R B E R AGE: 26

H O M E T O W N : N o r t h e a s t D C

H E I G H T: 5 ’ 1 0 ”

L A N G U A G E : E n g l i s h

BIO

Deshauna is 26 years old and was born in Columbus, Georgia.

22 AFRICA USA TODAY

AFRICA USA TODAY 23

Travel

Reflections

Cruising to Catalina Island John E. Smith Jr. Photography

Going on a cruise is a great way to celebrate the holidays. We found a Carnival cruise from Los Angeles, CA to Catalina Island, & Ensanada, Mexico at a great price that was all- inclusive with airfare, cruise, and food for 4 days. The ship had plenty of activities,and food to enjoy, day & night. We enjoy visiting places, exploring different cultures, and having new experiences. I highly recommend taking a cruise as a great way to travel and see the world.

John E. Smith Jr.

24 AFRICA USA TODAY

Travel

Tutartifacts

AFRICA USA TODAY 25

Reflections

EVENTS

Ghanian Margaret Ayertey celebrating her 70th Birthday

Joliet, IL

26 AFRICA USA TODAY

Bolingbrook Golf Club

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

EVENTS

Ghanian Margaret Ayertey celebrating her 70th Birthday

Joliet, IL

Bolingbrook Golf Club

John E. Smith Jr. Photography

AFRICA USA TODAY 27

AFRICA NEWS

28 AFRICA USA TODAY

Reflections

Reflections

AFRICA USA TODAY 29

Book Club

30 AFRICA AFRICAUSA USATODAY TODAY 26

Welcome to our market!

ART NEWS

WAK- ( Kevin Williams), artist on a mission

INFO

WAK is an artist on a mission, but his is no solo trip: He wants to take you on the journey, too. His destination is a place where more African-Americans will appreciate, own and even create fine art that honors their rich heritage and hope filled destiny. So far, tens of thousands of people have willingly followed Williams to that vista – including talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, and actor comedian Bernie Mac. From celebrity homes to small businesses, corporate offices and women’s spas, Williams’ original and lithograph artwork hangs from coast to coast. In fact, his collection of 50 lithograph prints – created under the “WAK Artistry” signature – is the most widely circulated urban fine arts series in the nation. Diverse in their themes, the art is painted by Williams in mixed mediums, and then produced as lithographs in various limited – and broad – edition quantities.

32 AFRICA USA TODAY

BLACK ART DEPOT

ART NEWS

AFRICAN AMERICAN ART GIFTS, COLLECTIBLES, DECOR

WAK

About The Black Art Depot The Black Art Depot was founded in 2004 in Atlanta, GA by Kani Saburi Ayubu. Our goal is to be the number one supplier of African-American art, gifts, collectibles and African decor in the world. We believe that our products can be used as a tool to turn houses into homes, to motivate and inspire lost souls, and to bring happiness into the hearts of others.

When you shop with The Black Art Depot, you are purchasing from a company that not only sells art, gifts and collectibles but also values and appreciates all that they represent and understands the many ways these items can be used to improve the life of our customers.

As a proud 100% minority owned and operated business, we believe in giving back to the community and our company and staff financially support and are active in a variety of community focused organizations and initiatives.

Please feel confident that when you shop with The Black Art Depot, you are purchasing from a high integrity organization, that views our customers as extended family, believes in exceeding the expectation of our customers and strives to ensure that our customers receive the highest level of service at all times.

We are active members of the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau of Atlanta, GA. Let us help you "Turn Your House into a Home Today"!

The Black Art Depot

"Turning Houses Into Homes Since 2004"

AFRICA USA TODAY 33

Book & Film Club Features

AFRICAUSA USATODAY TODAY 34 8AFRICA

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

AFRICA USA TODAY 35

Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest

W E D N E S D A Y , 5 P M S K Y L I N E

C L U B |

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1 4

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THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND SO IS HKBAM! WE'VE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR THIS! JOIN OLD AND NEW FRIENDS TO MIX AND MINGLE - AND INCLUDE HONG KONG IN THE CONVERSATION!

W W W . H O N G K O N G M I D W E S T . C O M