AFRICA USA TODAY MAGAZINE
Politicosocionomics of World Peace
www.africaustodaymag.com 312/880-7016 August- September 2016 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds
Taste of Chicago Lollapalooza Highlights Media Club Africa News Olympics in Rio 2016 African Festival of the Arts Black Harvest Film Festival $402 Million in Americorps Funding Announced
“Salute to 2016 Olympiads in Rio de Janeiro” This 23rd edition of your/our online publication, Africa USA Today Magazine is unequivocally dedicated to all the participants in 2016 Olympics. Olawale Idreez, Publisher
Congratulations to USA teams with winning Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals and even the ones who could not win any medal. The fact is, you had the opportunity to grace the beautiful land of Rio, and you can bring souvenirs back to your respective nations. It’s an awesome opportunity to be there! You should cherish that forever. I also take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all readers, and advertisers of the online magazine. Most importantly, thank God Almighty for computer technology that made it possible for the steady increasement of our readership ( not just in the USA, or Nigeria), but across the globe. Please keep on doing what you are doing, to support this humble vision; and we will keep doing what we’re doing. For without you, there’s no us! We look forward to seeing you at the 27th Annual African Festival of the Arts in Washington Park, Chicago, IL for a Labor Day relaxation. We also invite you to a VIP Special Gala for Africa USA Today Magazine on October 29, 2016, 3-10 p.m. at the Chicago Drake Hotel. The event is titled “Bridging the Gap Honorees Gala”, recognizing great achievers, both local and international. In sum, just as the Olympiads are encouraged to cherish the opportunity to be there, we should all embrace what the Olympics really stand for; exercising faith, hope, energy, and harmony among nations of the world. Through patience, justice, and love, not hate and endless killing of your fellow human beings. Olawale Idreez can be reached at email: usafriglo@yahoo.com, 312/8807016.
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Contents
MAGAZINE
Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography
Politicosocionomics of World Peace
www.africaustodaymag.com 312/880-7016 August- September 2016 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds
Taste of Chicago Lollapalooza Highlights Media Club Africa News Olympics in Rio 2016 African Festival of the Arts Black Harvest Film Festival $402 Million in Americorps Funding Announced
8 Politics
JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Olympic Inspiration
10 National News 12 Events-Taste of Chicago 16 Events- African Festival of the Arts
As Summer starts to wind down, try to savor, and treasured the memories. There are important lessons to be learned from the Olympics such as excellence, teamwork, and harmony, can be experienced in peace with nations around the globe, while being the best you can be and going for the Gold. Work on finding and fulfilling your destiny. Help to make the world a better place. What will your legacy be?
20 Housing 22 Chicago News 26 Olympics in Rio 2016 32 Africa News 34 Lallopalooza Highlights
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36 Africa News 42 Entertainment 47 Book Club 48 Media Club (Opening acts are listed second)
Wednesday, July 6, 2016 Presented by Illinois Lottery
Concert begins at 5:30pm
The Roots
Donnie Trumpet Sold Out
Thursday, July 7, 2016 Media support provided by 101WKQX
Concert begins at 5pm
KONGOS Elle King Transviolet
Friday, July 8, 2016 Presented by 93XRT Concert begins at 5:30pm
The Decemberists Shakey Graves
Saturday, July 9, 2016 Presented by Bud Light Concert begins at 4:30pm
Billy Idol
Sons of the Silent Age
Sunday, July 10, 2016 Concert begins at 4:30pm
The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley
Sheila E.
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EVENTS
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Taste of Chicago Highlights- Sheila E
Photography- John E. Smith Jr.
Taste of Chicago Highlights- Isley Brothers
Photography- John E. Smith Jr.
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Howard Hewitt Africa International House is excited to announce that prolific singer, song writer, producer, and session vocalist Howard Hewitt will join soul and funk wunderkinds Rose Royce as the headliners for this year’s 27th Annual African Festival of the Arts on Monday September 5th on the Woodtor Main Stage! Join us beginning at 7:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets now for $15, or $20 at the gate. Discounts for seniors, as well as fourday and VIP passes are available. Children under 5 are free. Visit http://bit.ly/27afachi. Get updates and share on Social Media and tag us using #AFACHI 16 AFRICA USA TODAY
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EVENTS
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EVENTS
Photography- John E. Smith Jr.
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Chicago News The Chicago Urban League Releases 10-Year Plan with Focus on Dismantling Structural Racism and Achieving Racial Equity for African Americans CHICAGO, Aug. 10, 2016 – The Chicago Urban League today launched its Blueprint for an Equitable Chicago: A 10-Year Plan, a comprehensive roadmap designed to improve opportunities for residents of the city’s most underserved communities identified in the organization’s March 2016 research study, The Impact of Chicago's Racial Residential Segregation on Residence, Housing and Transportation. The enduring segregation of a number of predominantly African American communities in Chicago has resulted in racially concentrated areas of poverty. These emerge from the intersection of residential segregation and income inequality, where over 40 percent of the residents live below the federal poverty level. For 19 of the 77 Chicago community areas that meet the criteria for a racially concentrated area of poverty, the challenges are greater and burdens more significant than other areas in Chicago. Over the next 10 years, Chicago Urban League will shine a light on the significant challenges faced by these communities since the Great Migration nearly 100 years ago, highlighting the ways in which the myriad policies and practices developed under a system of structural racism have resulted in decades-long disinvestment in neighborhoods and the residents living therein. The League will lead a coordinated and sustained effort to 1) change the narrative regarding why these systemic structural inequities exist; 2) shift the focus from addressing the symptoms – poverty, violence, and family dysfunction – to addressing the root causes of inequality; and 3) encourage meaningful and sustainable reinvestment in the impacted areas to reduce violence, create more livable communities, and build a pipeline of talent to grow the Chicagoland economy. In parallel, the League is also tackling gun trafficking and gun violence, symptoms of inequality that increasingly threatens the health and well-being of our communities. “There’s a lot of great working being done by organizations across the city in trying to address the systemic socioeconomic issues that our communities face; however, dismantling structural racism requires a critical, collective effort,” said Shari Runner, President and CEO, Chicago Urban League. “It is with this sense of urgency that Blueprint for an Equitable Chicago provides concrete strategies with measurable outcomes to drive policies and practices that advance racial equity.” Working from the core belief that education, employment and economic development are crucial to both individual well-being and the creation of strong, stable communities, the League’s 10-Year Plan includes concrete measurements of success to track the impact of the plan in reducing rates of racial inequity: · Education as the Foundation for Future Success o Increase African American youth high school graduation rates by 15%. · Employment as the Foundation for Financial Security and Poverty Reduction o Increase African American youth employment rates by 30%. o Increase African American adult employment rates by 20%. · Economic Development as the Foundation for Financial Asset Building and Wealth Building o Increase African American business ownership rates by 5%. o Increase African American home ownership rates by 10%. The League will take great care in conducting a careful review of these areas to better understand the transformative work currently underway in the community. Its goal is to support and expand these efforts through partnerships with government, corporate, nonprofit and community stakeholders. 22 AFRICA USA TODAY
TIONAL
MODEL / VENDOR CALL AFRICA USA TODAY 25
OLYMPICS IN RIO 2016
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SPORTS
THE MOST DECORATED SPRINTER OF ALL TIME, USAIN BOLT IS DETERMINED TO OUTDO HIMSELF AT RIO 2016. In between winning his first Olympic 100m title at Beijing 2008 and his 11th world gold – in the 4x100m relay in the Chinese capital seven years later – Usain Bolt pocketed another 15 Olympic and world championship gold medals. In the process he became the greatest sprinter the world has ever seen, reprising his signature “Shh” gesture and “Lightning Bolt” celebration pose at arenas all over the world.
Reflecting on his unique status in the buildup to Rio 2016, the sixtime Olympic champion said: “I never really accepted that title, till after the Olympics, then I said: ‘You know, I’ve done something no other athlete has done. So that’s when I started taking it on, but I want to do more to make it even bigger and to make my status in the sport greater.”
Bolt made his Olympic debut as a 17yearold at Athens 2004, where, hampered by a torn hamstring, he went out in the opening round of the 200m. By the time he returned to the Games at Beijing four years later, the tall Jamaican sprinter was a firm favourite to claim an Olympic sprint double, having set a new 100m world record of 9.72 seconds in late May in New York and then run the fastest 200m of the year in 19.67 a few weeks later in Athens.
Taking to the track at the Bird’s Nest in his distinctive gold spikes, Bolt duly etched his name in track and field history, taking his world record down to 9.69 in winning the 100m at a canter. Another gold and another world record followed in the 200m, with the Jamaican stopping the clock at 19.30 to eclipse Michael Johnson’s time at Atlanta 1996.
A third gold and a third world record then followed in the 4x100m relay, Bolt running a lightningfast final bend as he, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell clocked 37.10.
“I want to share it with my team,” said Bolt after completing his hattrick. “It’s down to them that I beat the world record today. When you beat the relay world record, you feel four times happier.”
His unprecedented achievement of setting three world records in winning three sprint golds made him the star of Beijing 2008 along with US swimmer Michael Phelps and earned him an ecstatic reception on his return to Jamaica in early September. 28 AFRICA USA TODAY
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MICHAEL PHELPS’ PATH TO BECOMING THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OLYMPIAN OF ALL TIME LOOKS IN RETROSPECT ALMOST PRE DETERMINED. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit disorder, Phelps was directed towards swimming in 1992 at the age of just seven in order to provide him with an outlet for his unbounded energy. After that, his transformation into an unbeatable swimmer appeared inexorable, and he broke record after record as he rose through the age categories.
The Baltimore Bullet’s first Olympic appearance came in 2000 in Sydney when he was chosen for the US swim team at the age of just 15 – the youngest American swimmer selected for a Games in almost 70 years.
He failed to win a medal in Australia but it was clear that Sydney was just a learning experience and this was to prove no setback. A year later Phelps became the youngest male swimmer to break a world record with a win in the 400m freestyle at the 2001 World Aquatics Championship – a taste of future glory.
The next two years saw Phelps amass a haul of gold and silver medals at international swim meets and break numerous world records in the 200m and 400m individual medley races. His tally at the 2003 World Aquatic Championship of four golds and two silvers, along with five world records, set the scene for a thrilling performance at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece.
Phelps did not disappoint. In his first event, the 400meter individual medley, hewon with a world record time of 4:08.26 to take his first Olympic gold medal.
Though he lost out to Ian Thorpe in the 200m freestyle, the socalled “Race of the Century”, the following days saw the young American scoop gold in the 200m butterfly, the 4x200 freestyle relay, the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m medley. Six gold and two bronze medals meant Phelps had achieved the secondbest performance at an Olympics Games – he was second only to the legendary swimmer of 1972, Mark Spitz.
Phelps’ home town duly named a street in his honour – The Michael Phelps Way.
Come Beijing in 2008, following four years in which he won 17 World Championship gold medals, Phelps broke
. Spitz’s longstanding record. He won his eighth Olympic gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay – setting a new
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Africa News
Folorunsho Alakija:
Nigeria’s wealthiest woman
How One of The Richest Black Women In The World Did It With No College Degree
By: Krystle Crossman
When you go to high school you are pushed to figure out which college you want to attend and what you would like to do with your life. They make college out to be something that you must do if you want to be successful. This is not always the case however. You can still be very successful in life without having a college degree under your belt. That is exactly what Folorunsho Alakija did. She is Nigeria’s wealthiest woman. She revealed recently that she never went to college but yet she has still managed to become a billionaire. Forbes.com estimates that Alakija is worth $2.6 billion. She stresses that college is not the only way that you can be successful in life. She spoke to students at the University of Lagos at the 2014 U.N. International Youth Day and told them: “So I am 63 and I am not yet done. So what is your excuse? I never went to a university, and I am proud to say so because I don’t think I have done too badly.” She did let the students know that a college degree was something that could definitely help them to be successful and that it would help them to get a better job and possibly higher salaries, but it was not a requirement. She told them that they can still reach their dream goals with persistence and hard work. She said that these are the two critical components to becoming the person that you wish to be. When she was younger Alakija studied fashion design and secretarial studies in London. When she went back to Nigeria she was a secretary at a bank. While she was working for the bank she founded Supreme Stitches; a clothing company. The company took off and she began to cater to high-end clientele like the former first lady of Nigeria. She then acquired a license in oil prospecting in 1993 and formed the company Famfa Oil which now has a 60% stake in the oil field. On top of these businesses she has founded a foundation that helps widows and orphans. The foundation is called The Rose of Sharon Foundation. 32 AFRICA USA TODAY
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EVENTS
Radiohead by Cambria Harkey
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Saba by Charles Reagan Hackleman
EVENTS
Small Crowd- Portraits by Maclay Heriot
Radiohead by Cambria Harkey
Large crowd by Maclay Heriot
Large crowd by Roger Ho
Major Lazer by Roger Ho AFRICA USA TODAY 35
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Golden Fellowship Dinner/Centennial Edition On Saturday, November 19, 2016, nearly 1,700 of the region’s most notable corporate, civic and elected leaders will gather at the beautiful Hilton Chicago for the Chicago Urban League’s Golden Fellowship Dinner – Centennial Edition. Honoring the League’s century of service to Chicago’s African American community, this year’s dinner will feature a special concert performance by an iconic entertainer. You won’t want to miss it! Lead Sponsors: Northern Trust, Comed, Boeing, Abbott, BMO Harris Bank, Illinois Tool Works Inc., Dona and Sam Scott, Tyson Foods Event Overview One hundred years ago, the Chicago Urban League organized to address the needs of African Americans arriving north as part of the Great Migration. Our founders were there greeting men, women and children as the trains pulled into Central Station and helping them find housing and secure employment. Reflecting back a century ago, it is manifestly clear that the work of the Chicago Urban League has played a profoundly significant role in the evolution of Chicago’s landscape. The League has consistently demonstrated that we are a movement that incites change. Whether economic development, education, or social justice, we have been there to challenge racial inequality in our city and work for strong, sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation. Our work is supported by a diverse group of funding partners and individuals who are united in a shared belief that a stronger African American community is a better Chicago. We take pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish together; however, there is still much work to do. As our research on residential segregation and education revealed, the effects of systemic segregation and under resourced communities persist. The inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness remain out of reach for far too many African Americans in Chicago. Reversing the impact of policies and practices intended to create and maintain inequity requires an equally intentional counter effort. The 10-year plan, designed to address the root causes of inequality, is built on three focus areas: 1) education as the foundation for future success; 2) employment as the foundation for poverty reduction and financial security; and 3) asset building as the foundation for sustainable wealth creation. In parallel, we are tackling gun trafficking and gun violence, symptoms of inequality that increasingly impact the health and well-being of our communities. We are committed to working in active partnership with the public and private sectors for a more just and equitable Chicago. Our theme for this year’s Golden Fellowship Dinner-Centennial Edition is “Building on our Legacy.” It is our quest and mission to extend and elevate our service to this community while effecting change not only this year, but through our centennial and well into the next hundred years of existence.
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AFRICA NEWS
Business Opportunities in Angola Join the Trade Mission to Angola and Namibia to learn more about these opportunities HEALTH The Ministry of Health will be purchasing medical equipment and medicine for hospitals throughout Angola. The U.S. government has also agreed to support once the government of Angola makes the initial commitment. College of Hospitality Management Benguela, looking for partner to provide training and teaching classes FINANCE FACRA (Angola's Capital Fund), has 250 million dollars for companies that qualify with know-how and viable projects in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and renewal energy INFRASTRUCTURE Porto de Caio (New Port in Cabinda Province), just broke ground on construction and will need companies with knowhow in logistics, material, equipment, etc. AGRIBUSINESS Agriculture and Agro processing, government has been investing in the construction of facilities to support their need to feed the country. Looking for companies with experience in large scale farming and food processing. MANUFACTURING On September 6, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., the government of Angola will be inaugurating a soap factory.
For more information, please contact Vivienne Sequeira at vsequira@corporatecouncilonafrica.com
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
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Julius Caesar Written by William Shakespeare Directed and Adapted by Michael Halberstam and Scott Parkinso SEPTEMBER 7 - OCTOBER 23, 2016 LOCATION: 325 Tudor Court Shakespeare’s masterpiece of power and conspiracy, friendship and betrayal, stands as the greatest political drama ever written. Caesar has made Rome the world’s most powerful Empire through his brilliant military strategies, and upon his return from the wars the citizens of Rome wish to abandon the Republic and crown him king. When his fellow senators decide that his advancement must be halted, they come to a brutal and extreme solution: the great man must fall. AFRICA USA TODAY 39
BLACK HERITAGE AWARDS GALA CELEBRATION 2016
Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the Drury Lanes, 100 Oak Brook Terrace, Oak Brook Terrace, IL BENEFIT GALA DONATION: $100.00 Black Tie/ Red Carpet Interviews- 5 p.m., Global Opening- 6 p.m., Dinner following Experience an inspirational, spirit filled evening http://www.mahoganyheritage.org
ENTERTAINMENT
Saving Barbara Sizemore
To Sleep With Anger
Agents of Change: Black Students and the...
22nd Black Harvest Film Festival August 5 September 1
From August 5 through September 1, the Gene Siskel Film Center presents the 22nd Annual Black Harvest Film Festival, celebrating the best in contemporary independent filmmaking exploring the stories, images, heritage, and history of the black experience in the U.S. and around the world. Encounters with filmmakers are the festival’s pride and joy, and this year we present more filmmaker appearances than ever, with more than forty scheduled as we go to press.
OPENING NIGHT The big 22 calls for a doublewhammy opening, and we’ve got ‘em for you! On Friday, August 5, join us for ACTIVATE’s preopening street party SEE, followed by a celebratory 9:30 pm screening of PURPLE RAIN. On Saturday, August 6, NBC 5 Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter MCs A Black Harvest Feastwith special guests and an exciting homecoming reunion of "Black Harvest" filmmakers past and present. Immediately after the show, the audience is invited to a reception across the street at the Joffrey Ballet studios.
CLOSING NIGHT Our September 1 closing night features directors Frank Dawson and Abby Ginzberg with their provocative documentary AGENTS OF CHANGE, on the transformative effects of black student activism in the Sixties and Seventies. The closing night party, sponsored by the Reva and David Logan Foundation, follows the screening.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE All films are eligible for the Black Harvest Audience Award; ballots available in our lobby. Be sure to check back for added appearances and special events.
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Saving Barbara Sizemore
To Sleep With Anger
Agents of Change: Black Students and the...
22nd Black Harvest Film Festival August 5 September 1
From August 5 through September 1, the Gene Siskel Film Center presents the 22nd Annual Black Harvest Film Festival, celebrating the best in contemporary independent filmmaking exploring the stories, images, heritage, and history of the black experience in the U.S. and around the world. Encounters with filmmakers are the festival’s pride and joy, and this year we present more filmmaker appearances than ever, with more than forty scheduled as we go to press.
OPENING NIGHT The big 22 calls for a doublewhammy opening, and we’ve got ‘em for you! On Friday, August 5, join us for ACTIVATE’s preopening street party SEE, followed by a celebratory 9:30 pm screening of PURPLE RAIN. On Saturday, August 6, NBC 5 Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter MCs A Black Harvest Feastwith special guests and an exciting homecoming reunion of "Black Harvest" filmmakers past and present. Immediately after the show, the audience is invited to a reception across the street at the Joffrey Ballet studios.
CLOSING NIGHT Our September 1 closing night features directors Frank Dawson and Abby Ginzberg with their provocative documentary AGENTS OF CHANGE, on the transformative effects of black student activism in the Sixties and Seventies. The closing night party, sponsored by the Reva and David Logan Foundation, follows the screening.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE All films are eligible for the Black Harvest Audience Award; ballots available in our lobby. Be sure to check back for added appearances and special events.
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