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Poliosocionomics of World PeaceIssue III.XIV www.africaustoday.dotcom.wordpress.com 312/880-7016
September-October 2013 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds
AFRICA US TODAYMAGAZINE
City of Chicago celebrates Multi- Grammy award winner, Chaka Khan’s 60th birthday and 40 years in Music business
Managing Nigeria Road/Rail Transportation for Economic and Social Development Forum
Scenes from Summer Black World Music Festival America’s Supermarket Dilemma
EbonyLife TV- Nigerian Woman Mosunmola Abudu launches Entertainment TV Network
AA
Vee-Vee’sAfrican Restaurant6232 N. BroadwayChicago, IL 60660
773/ 465-2424“Serving Chicago and the Nation
since 1991”
2 Africa US Today
Publisher’s Opinion: Spiritual Vitamins: Our
God Is Awesome, He moved very sporadically at the African Festival of
Arts 2013
Olawale Idreez, Publisher
After completed four of five days volunteered at the Moody’s Church (TMC) with more than 450 beautiful children from all walks of life, par-ticipated in Kids Summer Blast Fest, these children not only have great summer time, (and perhaps had the best time of their young lives), but they were also anointed and empow-ered; that they absolutely look like they were ready to turn a great city of Chicago into New Jerusalem. Yes! New Jerusalem, that is void of unnec-essary violence, that steadily keep-ing the young and talented persons, that could be very productive in their respective families and communities; rather than flooding the lucrative prison system business; and to set a stage for the returning of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
As if that was not enough fun in one week, then someone turned the Radio to FM 90.1, and I heard two of the gospel greatest songs, “Jesus, Lover of my soul……. I’ll never let You go…..” coupled with, ‘I’m Deeply in Love with You, Precious Jesus…..I’m deeply in love with You, O Lord…..”. I felt like someone had just deposited that $448 million (with nine zeros; the lotto jackpot that was just won in New Jer-sey last week), into my spiritual bank account. That is to say, it felt soooo good. Seriously! I just have to get that out of my system, for the synopsis.
Our God is truly awesome in Chicago. He caused the abundant of rain to grace the land at the Washington Park (Chicago) at the 24th Annual celebra-tion of African Festival of the Arts during the Labor Day weekend.
As a writer born, raised, seasoned, and breast-fed in one of the most colorful and charming oil-favorable production nations called Nigeria (I
love and hail thee, Nigeria – Happy Independence Day, Oct 1st in ad-vance); it is the old adage belief that said, “When you put your humble request in prayer and supplication to Almighty God. And He replied with a sign of abundant of rain; or more abundantly with Rainbow (as in the days of Prophet Noah, after the Great Flood. Or as in days of Great Prophet Elijah, which rained for 3 1/2 years consecutively after the previous 3 1/2 drought in the land). That is a sign of favor”. I humbly had no choice, but jumping and singing one of the gospel greats, “Healing Rain is falling”. On the other side of the token, he can answer with fire to consume his enemies. But our God is awesome, that, he graced our land with abundant of rain at the 24th annual Festival of the Arts.
Unfortunately, the sponsors of the event were initially nervous because of the non-stop pouring down. Who wouldn’t be? Then I witnessed four people that evening, while it was pouring down, who refused to stop praising the Lord; and assuring the vendors, that everything was going to be alright, That, after the flood, there must be rainbow. True enough, Our God is awesome. The next two days, brought a sigh of relief. The Blues legend, Otis Clay band took the stage, and mesmerized his audience with different tunes. It was a different Blues tune at the Washington Park in Chicago. Of course, it was Labor Day, and we know Chicago celebrates it big time.
As if that was not enough good time rolling, on the final day of the festival, two of the world’s fabulous sensation-al artists, Senabella, the gorgeous and fabulous singer from the Bronzeville, Chicago dazzled the audience with her passionate jazz classics. Her music was the food of love, that suffeitted my appetite, like that king in the Shake-spear story,” As you like it”. I had to be selfish, and not calling my friend, Mr. John Smith, the editor-in-chief. I guessed he was too busy taking pho-tos of Gov. Pat Quinn, who graciously paid courtesy visit to the festival right
before the young and talented singer, “Brandy” got the over-crowded spec-tators, screaming and chanting, “Bran-dy, Brandy, and Brandy!” and flashing their ipod and apps and videos lighted the Washington Park like the lightings that struck on the previous days. Seri-ously, it was off-the-chain.
I must admit, even if the winners of that lotto jackpot in New Jersey transferred their $ 448 million into my humble account, I’m not sure if I’ll be happier……..em, em, em! Stop laugh-ing, please.
Anyway, the 24th African Festival of the Arts season ended with much gratitude to God, and to the organiz-ers of the events, and the board. I was supposed to have interviewed Mr. Pat. Woodtor, the founder of the event, who lost his wife years back, but humble enough, to carry on legacy to benefit the Chicagoans, and the global entertainers, who travelled from far and near, and received their money’s worth in Chi-Town, a city I love so much, I barely missed propos-ing to her to marry me at the Grant Park’s events of all events, the Lolla-palooza.
The only two words I can utter to Mr. Woodtor, was “Congratulations, sir”. And we hope the next year com-memorating the quarter of a century, will be superlatively elaborate than this, God willing, reflecting all the works and great people that invented and participated in this event that benefitted mankind. And Pa David Olupitan, Dr. Ewa, Dr. Amuwo, Mr. Abdul Brimah, Ms. Kelly Price, Mr. Washington, Ms. Lakeisha, Ms. Bar-bara Kensey, and the writer agreed together, and said, “Amen to that!”
Olawale Idreez is the publisher and founder of Africa-US Today Magazine. He can be reached at email: [email protected], or 312-880-7016. www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto; Please read our next editorial opinion: “True Message of Movie, The Whte House Down”. Jamie Foxx is not only talent-ed, but superbly hilarious.
Africa US Today 3
Founder and president, Good Food Organics™
Born and raised in Chicago, Ambassador Carol Moseley
Braun’s interest in agricultural practices began as a child
while spending summers on her great-grandmother’s pecan
farm in Union Springs, Ala. There she learned what she
would later recognize as Biodynamic agriculture — a way of
farming in close harmony and connection with the natural
environment. Her great-grandmother taught her many
things about the land, including the herbal remedies that could be made from the
plants they collected in the nearby woods. She also taught her to see the land as a
source of bounty, vitality and good health.
Ambassador Braun ultimately pursued a career path that fulfilled her desire for public
service, and she devoted much of her professional life to legal issues concerning the
environment and social justice. Hailing from a largely agricultural state, she became
involved in agriculture policy during her term as a United States Senator. She earned
the distinction of “Ethanol Queen” by Illinois farmers in recognition of her renewable
fuel efforts. Working towards improved food safety, health and nutrition were also
priorities for Ambassador Braun during her years in the legislature.
Transitioning to the private sector in 2001 after nearly 30 years in public service,
Ambassador Braun relished the opportunity to go back to the farm and reclaim her
agricultural roots. She was introduced to the Michael Fields Institute in East Troy,
Wis., where her path to the organic products industry started with an initiation into
Biodynamic agriculture. Harkening back to her summers in Alabama, Ambassador
Braun became a strong advocate for this holistic agricultural system. She realized her
commitment to a healthier environment and better quality food production would be
best expressed through entering the Biodynamic and organic products industry
realm.
In 2005, she founded Good Food Organics™, a premium, Certified USDA Organic and
Biodynamic products company. The Ambassador brand is part of Ambassador
Braun's Good Food Organics™ holding company, which follows the triple-bottom-line
business approach of financial profitability, environmental sustainability and social
ethics.
Ambassador Organics - 1634 E . 53rd St., Box 123-Suite 201, C hicago, IL 60615 USA - Tel: (773) 288-3700 -
Fax: (773) 288-3708 - Email: info@ambassadororganics .com - Web s ite: ambassadororganics .com - ©
A mbassador O rganics
Africa US Today 5
JOHN E. SMITH JR.EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Robe
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Scenes from Summer
AFRICA US TODAY 7
Summer always seem to go so fast. In this issue we will look at some of the highlights from this past summer. Take a moment to savor scenes from summer and make the most of what remains.
Fall is fast approaching and the changing seasons are a reminder of it’s harvest time. Time to harvest the good memories and the friends and family we share it with. So get to work! Make the most of your day.
John E. Smith Jr. Photographs
Contents
We have our finger on the pulse of the African American Community and African immigrant. A great resource for Consumers and cost effective
for Advertisers.
issuu.com/jesmithphoto
AFRICA US TODAYMAGAZINE
5 Good Food Organics Founder & CEO, Carol Moseley Braun8 Chicago celebrates Chaka Khan’s 60th birthday and 40 years in Music Business10 Managing Nigeria Land Transportation for Economic and Social Development Forum14 Governor Quinn signs legislature to give Ex-Offenders a Second Chance17 Ebony Life TV, Nigerian woman Mosunmola Abudu launches Entertainment TV network18 World Music Festival20 Bud Biligan parade22 Bishop T.D. Jakes Ministry24 $58 Billion Unclaimed: Is Some of it Yours?26 24th Annual African Festival of the Arts 2013 27 Wilbourn Sisters Designs29 One Creative Summer project gives students skills and positive male role models
Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy, the 10-time
GRAMMY® Award-winner is looking forward to a celebration of a lifetime. A songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist,
entrepreneur and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in
seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, jazz and classical. Affectionately known around the world as
Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music
style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, “She
[Chaka] sings like my horn.” And the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin says, “[Chaka] is a one- of- a -kind, premier vocalist.”
Throughout her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up ten #1 Billboard magazine charted
songs, seven RIAA certified gold singles and ten RIAA certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recorded music has
produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements.
Early on, she caught the attention of music icon Stevie Wonder, who penned her first smash hit with Rufus, “Tell Me
Something Good.” The single from the group’s 1974 platinum-selling album, Rags to Rufus, earned Chaka her first
GRAMMY® Award. With Chaka as the group’s dynamic center, Rufus became one of the most popular acts around selling
out shows throughout the country and dominating the airwaves with hit after hit with songs such as “You Got the Love,” which
Chaka co-wrote, “Once You Get Started,” “Sweet Thing,” “Everlasting Love,” “Do You Love What You Feel?” and “Ain't
Nobody,” Chaka’s second GRAMMY Award-winning song with Rufus. Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA certified
gold and platinum albums during their time together.
It was inevitable that a singer with Chaka's star power would eventually venture out on her own. In 1978, Chaka blazed
onto the music scene as a solo artist with the release of the smash hit “I'm Every Woman” written byAshford & Simpson.
Paired with the late producer extraordinaire, Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler), her catalog grew even more
impressive with hits such as “Clouds,” “Papillon,” and “What 'Cha Gonna Do For Me?” It was during this time that Chaka
began pursuing her love of jazz. She and Arif brilliantly re-worked the classic song “Night in Tunisia” with the song’s
originator, Dizzy Gillespie, on trumpet. Chaka also recorded an album of jazz standards titled Echoes of an Era, which
featured such luminaries as Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Her crowning achievement in jazz was the
GRAMMY® Award-winning tune, “Be Bop Medley.” The song’s album, titled Chaka Khan, also won a GRAMMY® for Best
Female R&B Vocal Performance.
However, the song that made Chaka Khan a household name and propelled her to superstardom the world over was “I
Feel For You,” written and first performed by Prince. This chart-topping, GRAMMY® Award-winning song also made music
history. Released in 1984, it was the first R&B song to feature a rap, which was performed by Grandmaster Melle Mel. Chaka
also topped the charts with “This Is My Night” and the instant classic, “Through The Fire.” Now in top demand, Chaka lent her
voice and producer skills to two of the biggest hits of 1986, Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to
Love.” Both were GRAMMY®-winning songs.
In 1995, she made her musical theater debut on London’s West End, where she starred in Mama I Want to Sing. In 2002
she traveled to Las Vegas, where she starred in Signed, Sealed Delivered, a critically-acclaimed mus ical based on the
music of Stevie Wonder. Her Broadway debut came in 2008, when she took over the role of Sofia in Oprah Winfrey’s musical
The Color Purple.
During her career, she has collaborated with a long list of artists in diverse genres. Collaborators have included Miles
Davis, Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Steve Winwood, Mary J. Blige, George Benson, Larry Graham,
the London Symphony Orchestra and countless others. Chaka has received a steady stream of accolades for both her
artistry and philanthropy. In June, 2012, she was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, joining previously inducted
music greats such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, George Harrison, B.B. King,
Carlos Santana, Donna Summer and Kathleen Battle. In 2011, she was honored for her legendary career with a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the same year, Chaka was honored with the United Negro College Fund’s An Evening of
CHICAGO CELEBRATES CHAKA KHAN’S 60TH BIRTHDAY & 40 YEARS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS
AFRICA US TODAY 9
8:00-8:30am Registration
General Session
Welcome
David Olupitan, CACC Vice-Chairman
General Remarks
Chief Mrs. Shoda Laraba & Co.
Introduction of Nigeria Delegation
Cristal Thomas, Deputy Governor - State of Illinois
Adam Pollett, Director – DCEO
Andre Ashmore, Deputy Secretary Illinois Department of Transportation
8:30-9:00am
Transportation, An Economic Development Asset
Bola Delano, Deputy Director, Planning and Programming, Illinois Department of Transportation IDOT — Multi-modal Planning & Transportation
Bill King, Professor – UIC, Infrastructure-Special Projects
9:00-9:30am Rules and Regulations Governing Road Safety
Kathleen Widmer – Illinois Secretary of State
9:30-10:30am Transportation Funding (General Overview)
Jeffrey South, PE - Bureau Chief, Statewide Program Planning
12:00-1:00pm Break / Lunch
1:00-1:30pm Traffic Safety & Management
Priscilla A. Tobias, PE – State Safety Engineer/Bureau Chief
2:00-2:30pm
2:30-3:00pm
Highways – Maintenance and Management
Dionne Winesberry, South Area Maintenance Operations Manager
Hiram White, Team Section Technician (Bishop Ford Yard)
Railway Management — How It Works
Sam Tuck, Bureau Chief – IDOT
Transportation SeminarSeptember 9-12, 2013 8:00am – 3:00pm
James R. Thompson Center – Auditorium (2nd Floor)
General Session 1 – Moderated by Dr. Ewa I. Ewa, Chief Financial Officer Human Rights Commission
Day I — Monday, September 9, 2013
10 Africa US Today
AFRICA US TODAY 11
CONTINENTAL AFRICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCEIN COOPERATION WITH
SILVER ROCK GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICES LTD. NIGERIA
EMBASSY OF NIGERIA WASHINGTON, D.C.
THE COMMERCIAL SERVICE OF THE U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE
THE STATE OF IL DEPT. OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
COOK COUNTY GLOBAL MARKET PLACE
CITY OF CHICAGO DEPT OF HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTPRESENT
MANAGING NIGERIA LAND TRANSPORTATION FOR
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Sept 9TH-13 TH 2013
MONDAY AND TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH AND 10TH (SEMINAR)
8:30AM TO 2:30 P.M.
AT
2ND FLOOR, STATE OF IL BUILDING
JAMES R. THOMPSON CENTER
100 W. RANDOLPH STREET
CHICAGO, IL
60601
12 Africa US Today
Managing Nigeria Road/Rail Transportation for Economic and Social Development Forum
This is Nigeria Transporters’ capacity building and study tour of U.S. transportation systems which will open doors for export of road transportation/rail equipments to Nigeria.
Once again, we have created another opportunity for many American businesses to
meet qualified African businesses with capacity to do business with their counterparts. Af-rica is the last development frontier in the world, with about 1 billion in population and no less than 400 million middle class, and very rich in mineral and natural resources.
Today America is losing market share in Africa to the countries of BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) because these countries marketed Africa to their business communi-ties as a trade and investment destination. On the contrary, American media has projected Africa to American businesses as a continent filled with all the negative things like wars, poverty, and disease, and with lack of purchasing power. But Africa is very rich in mineral, natural, and human resources today.
There are about 56,000 American companies doing business in China with a single com-pany of Wal-Mart doing about $18 billion turnover annually. Europe runs an annual trade deficit of $100 billion with China. These are among the reasons for the rapid development of China.
African countries are working hard to improve business environments to attract western companies to bring accelerated economic development to Africa. The low level of U.S. invest-ment in Africa can be reversed through an increase of private-sector or commercial loans from U.S.A. to deserving entrepreneurs in Africa.
Private sector is the engine of growth of any economy. Africa should be an investment destination for the Americans. The Diaspora community should lead the majority to Af-rica.
America is still the only superpower of the world, the strongest economy in the world that has everything that African countries need for their development.
Chicago is the hub of financial services, manufacturing industries, transportation network, tourism, and a world-class international airport that serves as a gateway to the world.
It is becoming clear and certain daily that the U.S.A. has to educate the American business community aggressively about the great potentials in Africa, particularly in the non-oil sector. Most countries if not all the countries that are growing today are focusing on the African countries in addition to their home economies, and America should do the same.
Thinking globally, think Africa, and please invest and trade with Nigeria. C.A.C.C.
AFRICA US TODAY 13
14 Africa US Today
America's Supermarket Dilemma: Plenty of Shoppers, yet Share of PackagedFoods Still on the Decline
Hartman Strategy report answers the question on how CPG companies can stop the free fall and
revitalize growth
BELLEVUE, Wash. – The "super" is being drained from the average American supermarket's growth engine through a steady
volume shift away from traditional grocery channels and into discount channels. A new report titled Reimagining the American
Supermarket for a New Era in Food Culture finds packaged food and beverage declining in volume across the U.S.
supermarkets.
The report from Hartman Strategy, a leading innovation and strategy consultancy serving major food and beverage
companies, closely examines how this primary food retailing channel can isolate and build new sources of growth.
"Pantry-stocking categories are not driving supermarket growth as volumes continue to migrate to discount channels,"
saidJames Richardson, Ph.D., the top executive at Hartman Strategy and author of the report. "What we believe is that CPG
companies can partner with supermarket chains, large and small, to reverse the channel decline."
"Our category-level analysis reveals that almost 20 percent of sales volume is in low-velocity categories that underutilize shelf
space," Richardson added. "Supermarket velocities are worse in markets with lower income and heavy saturation of
discounters."
The Reimagining the American Supermarket report examines the historical roots of the rise to prominence of the supermarket
in America and the transformation from the purveyor of dry, bulk, unpackaged goods to packaged, prepared foods and the
supersizing of center store.
The report's results illustrate that top-growing packaged foods and beverages in today's supermarket channel are healthy
beverages, snacks, and contemporary cooking ingredients for simple meals.
"Fastest-growing supermarket channels position themselves exclusively upmarket or exclusively downmarket, or they manage
each store location to the relevant market extreme," noted Richardson.
Reimagining the American Supermarket provides an in-depth assessment of the current state of the supermarket channel,
including the super-fresh perimeter, the packaged core of the supermarket, supermarket magnet categories, and performance
segments within the supermarket. It offers strategic thoughts on how to "reimagine" today's supermarkets for the future.
A free copy of the report can be downloaded from Hartman Strategy's website.
About the Report
Reimagining the American Supermarket for a New Era in Food Culture is a comprehensive analysis of the state of the
supermarket in the U.S. marketplace and provides an industry-insider's analysis of the categories and segments within the
store with an upside or downside opportunity. The report is authored by James Richardson, the top executive at Hartman
Strategy, and is the latest installment of Hartbeat EXEC, a free quarterly report for executives within major U.S. food and
beverage companies. A full copy of the report can be downloaded from Hartman Strategy's website.
About Hartman Strategy
Hartman Strategy works exclusively with the largest and most-respected food and beverage companies to identify, create, and
seize growth opportunities that align with America's constantly evolving food culture. Hartman Strategy consultants partner
with senior executives to develop long-term, incremental growth strategies that enable each client to capitalize on both current
and emerging market demand. The company is singularly focused on the food and beverage industry and provides clients with
access to three decades of research on eating behavior, consumer demand, and business strategy. Our core capabilities
include: corporate innovation strategy; analysis of market trends in U.S. food culture; and investment guidance on early-stage
food and beverage companies.
AFRICA US TODAY 15
L• Tracey Edmonds and BET founder Robert L.
Johnson to launch faith-focused digital
network, Alright TV
• 'Top Model' Toccara takes her search for
love to TV
• Taraji P. Henson slams 'TV Guide' cover
snub
• Tracey Edmonds shares wisdom on
producing films, raising kids and finding love:
'A woman can have it all'
• MGM gives Bounce TV a new rival
AGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A woman
who could be considered Africa’s
Oprah Winfrey is launching an
entertainment network that will be
beamed into nearly every country on
the continent with programs
showcasing its burgeoning middle
class.
Mosunmola “Mo” Abudu wants EbonyLife TV to
inspire Africans and the rest of the world, and
change how viewers perceive the continent. The
network’s programming tackles women’s daily life
subjects — everything from sex tips to skin
bleaching.
“Not every African woman has a pile of wood on her head and a baby strapped to her back!” the
glamorous Abudu, 48, told The Associated Press from a hotel’s penthouse floor against a backdrop of
the Atlantic Ocean and high-rise buildings flanked by palm and almond trees.
EbonyLife TV: Nigerian woman Mosunmola ‘Mo’ Abudulaunches entertainment TV networkby Michelle Faul, Associated Press | July 2, 2013 at 10:09 AM
2 of 5
Related Posts
In this photo taken Sunday June 30, 2013, Steve Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of
Forbes Media, left, and Mo Abudu, chief executive officer of EbonyLife TV pose
for photographers during the launch of Africa’s first global black entertainment
network in Lagos, Nigeria. In this photo taken Sunday June 30, 2013, Steve
Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, left, and Mo Abudu, chief executive
officer of EbonyLife TV pose for photographers during the launch of Africa’s
first global black entertainment network in Lagos, Nigeria.In this photo taken
Sunday June 30, 2013, Steve Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, left, and
Mo Abudu, chief executive officer of EbonyLife TV pose for photographers
during the launch of Africa’s first global black entertainment network in Lagos,
Nigeria. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
AFRICA US TODAY 17
18 Africa US Today
Dominican University Presents Black World Music Festival River Forest, IL –Dominican University will host a Black World Music Festival, featuring culturalperformances from African-American, African, and Caribbean musicians and dancers, on Saturday,October 5 from 6-11 p.m. in the Lund Auditorium on Dominican's Main Campus, 7900 West DivisionStreet, River Forest. Cultural performances reflecting various black world nationalities include the Caribbean Gizzae ReggaeBand, the Ghanaian Sankofa Dance Ensemble, the Cameroonian Mankon Cultural Group, the NigerianWawa Children’s Ojionu Dance Group and Ngwa Masquerade, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, andL.Y.R.I.C. (Let Your Rhymes Inspire Creativity) Group. Tickets for this program are $15 for adults, $7 for students, and free for children. All proceeds from thetickets will support a scholarship fund for Dominican students studying Black World Studies. Dominican hosted its first Black World Music Festival in 2011. From those ticket sales and contributionsfrom the Black World Studies Elders Council and the Dominican community, $25,000 was raised tosupport the scholarship. The University then matched the contribution for a total of $50,000. The Elder’sCouncil’s goal this year is to raise another $50,000. To purchase tickets for the Festival, contact the Dominican University Performing Arts Center Box Officeat (708) 488-5000 or visit dom.edu/pac. For additional information, contact Nkuzi Nnam, professor of philosophy and director of the Black WorldStudies program, at (312) 927-4725 or (708) 524-6952. Jessica MackinnonDirector of Public InformationDominican University7900 W. Division StreetRiver Forest, IL 60305(708) [email protected]
AFRICA US TODAY 19
Bud Biligan Annual Back-to-school parade is the largest Black parade in the United States
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
20 Africa US Today
24 Africa US Today
AFRICA US TODAY 25
26 Africa US Today
The Wilburn sisters came to Chicago and the African Arts Festival (held during the Labor Day weekend), sassy,
flashy and full of energy. They brought their original fashion designs that are versatile, beautiful, stylish and
colorful.
Carolyn and Janice were born and raised in Jackson, TN. They are the youngest of seven sisters. Their mother
Elizabeth, a single parent learned to sew from her mother as they made clothes and did alterations for the police
department and others throughout the city. Janice remembers having the job of picking up scrapes at 2 years of
age. The family has been in business for over 50 years.
As young women they both moved to Heildlberg, Germany to live with and older sister. In Germany they
became the personal designers for a German woman. Later Carolyn moved to Paris and furthered her fashion
design career.
They have established a factory in Lithia Springs, GA, and they travel throughout the United States modeling,
displaying, and selling their creations. They sell worldwide, specializing in designs for all occasions including;
weddings, cruises, fancy parties, balls and red carpet affairs.
The atmosphere around the Wilburn sisters was full of life, joy, excitement and awe as women of all sizes and
ages found flattering fashions that made them feel beautiful and attractive. They say their designs soothe the soul.
The overall vision for Wilbourn Sisters Design, Inc, is “Mother’s Legacy.” They aspire to pass on the sewing
and design to future generations.
You can find Wilbourn Sisters Original Designs in Macy’s/Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, GA and other specialty
boutiques throughout the United States. To shop online go to: www.etsy.com/shop/wilbournsisters
AFRICA US TODAY 27
28 Africa US Today
AFRICA US TODAY 29
Chicago Public School students- mostly from Crane High School participated in the One Creative Summer program, as part of the City of Chicago’s Summer Youth Program. Classes were held at One Stop Production, 340 N. Ogden, in Chicago’s west loop. Class instructors were John E. Smith Jr., Renard Allison, and Bryan Spencer, & Executive Producer was Robert L. Scott Sr.. The 6 week paid summer internship takes students through the process of photography, and film-making. The students setup lights,equipment, sound, direct, shoot, edit, interview and get a sense of being a part of a production team. Each student chooses a job in pre-production, production, and post production that gives them a sense of working with the equipment, teamwork, and having positive male role models.
One Creative Summer project gives CPS Students Positive Male Role Models, marketable skills
John E. Smith Jr. Photographs
872-223-9994
9/11/13 BabaKen.com
africanmusicsource.com/biography.html 1/5
BIOGRAPHY MUSIC TEACHING ACCLAIM GALLERY CONTACT EVENTS LINKS
BABÁ KEN OKULOLO
BIOGRAPHY and DISCOGRAPHY
“In Africa, music is created to help people rise above the pain and
suffering of daily life, to transcend all evils with the joy of music.”
-- Babá Ken
Nigerian master musician Babá Ken Okulolo is one of the few popular
African musicians of today whose roots extend deep into his country’s
musical history and tradit ions. As a bandleader and educator, he spreads
a universal, uplift ing message, sharing the healing magic of African music
with every audience, while preserving and impart ing its techniques with
accuracy and integrity.
Babá Ken’s early career spans the Nigerian palm-wine, highlife, Afrobeat,
and Afro-rock eras. He is known for early st ints with many Nigerian music
legends, including A frobeat creator Fela Anikulapo Kut i, King Sunny Ade,
Tony Allen, Dr. Victor Olaiya , Steve Rhodes, Orlando Julius and the seminal Afro-rock group Monomono.
The Nigerian Journalists’ Associat ion has five t imes voted Okulolo the country’s best bassist . He is the
founder of the international super-group KOTOJA.
Now based in the U.S., his warm, smiling personality enlivens three dist inct groups: the excit ing AFRO-
GROOVE CONNEXION, the all-star WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND, and the acoust ic NIGERIAN BROTHERS.
He teaches African percussion, instrumental techniques and music appreciat ion to students of all ages,
and he is an instructor at UC Berkeley’s Young Musicians Program.
Babá Ken was born into the Urhobo ethnic group in Nigeria’s Delta Region, to a family of t radit ional
dancers and musicians. His small fishing village was surrounded by deep forests and placid lagoons
traveled by dugout canoes. There, he was steeped in the tradit ional parables, stories, rhythms and
songs of his people. He learned the arts of drumming, song and dance from his parents and elders.
At eight years of age, he was sent to the city of Warri to be educated in the Anglican missionary
schools. While living with relat ives and undergoing the exacting discipline of the school headmasters,
he diverted himself by sneaking out to see the historic touring highlife bands of the era. On short-wave
radio, he listened avidly to broadcasts of jazz, rhythm and blues, Afro-Cuban and Congolese music.
Inspired, as a teen he apprenticed himself to his uncle, the late guitarist Miller Okulolo. He began
playing bass, sit t ing in with groups coming through town. Soon, he was touring regionally with the
highlife band Harmony Searchers, and he was heard by a talent scout for the great bandleader Dr.
Victor Olaiya. The young bassist with the 'roots' feel was persuaded to leave his homeland and head for
the giant city of Lagos. Gathering his courage, the young man embarked upon what would become a
32 Africa US Today
AFRICA US TODAY 29
Book Club Special Feature
What we offer:
● Expert assistance with letters of credit, consular invoice,
cargo insurance and regulatory documentation.
●Proven expertise forwarding large format/out of gauge
project cargo, including turnkey and project management
services.
●Scheduled consolidation shipment services.
●We operate a fully staffed travel and tours agency. We offer
some of the best rates in international and domestic travels
and tours to choice destinations all over the world.
Our ocean staff understand sea freight. We combined the best and the
most eff icient w ay to possible to meet your ocean cargo criteria,
containers, breakbulk, f latracks, LCL and gatew ay consolidations,
HAZMAT, or import and export. Supreme International handles
international shipment originating from the USA, to virtually all
destinations.Our ocean freight department coordinates movement for full
container load (FCL). As a licensed freight forw arder, w e offer less
than container load (LCL) movement from any major US porrt to the
destination of your choice. You can rely on us for quick cargo
processing.
Additional Benefit:
● Expert servicing dynamic markets including India,Thailand, China, West, Central, East, South Africa andEastern Europe.
● Internet based tracking System.
Supreme International Ltd2100 Sibley Blvd, Calumet City
IL 60409United States
ph: 708-832-9050fax: 708 730 9904alt: 773 844 1922
TrucksFreightliner Trucks- Supreme, provides vehicle and freight transportation in the
continental United States. We are currently partnered w ith several approved
carriers to bring you fast and reliable logistic services w ith the most competitive
rate in the industry. We handle autos, containers, heavy machinery, motor cycles,
truckload and volume LTL. There is no move too small for us, call us today for a
free quote.
Contact:
Supreme International Ltd
2100 Sibley Blvd, Calumet City
IL 60409
United States
ph: 708-832-9050
fax: 708 730 9904
alt: 773 844 1922
Home | About Supreme International Ltd. | Media Room
Copyright ? Supreme International Ltd. All rights reserved.
Supreme International Ltd. is Independent Owned Company
Treat Yourself to Supreme touch!
What we do: We are a licensed freight forw arding
company offering shipping services for a w ide range of
ocean shippment types. Full container, less than a container
loads (LCL), consolidation, heavy equipment, boats,
vehicles, tractors, commodities, household goods and
personal effects from and w ithin the USA to all parts of the
w orld. We w ill pick up your automobiles, boats etc from your
door steps in the USA and deliver to most major ports of the
w orld. If you are moving overseas, and need international
shipping services or just exporting commercial cargo call us
for a free no hassle qoute, our logistic expert w ill advice
you on your best options free of charge! We have the best
rates on containers, and RoRos,“Roll on Roll off”. We deal
w ith the best and reputable ocean line companies in the
w orld. We w ill pick up your cargo and load for you at our
loading dock w ithout you having to lif t a f inger! You w ant to
load yourself? No problem! We w ill drop off your container
at a place of your choosing and pick up w hen you f inish
loading.
At supreme, operate a full service travels and tours agency
for business and leisure travels.
Currency Converter >
Cargo Law >
American Export-Import Bank>
US Custom Service >
Shipping Insurance >
Call Us Today
Call us today at
+1.708-832-9050 or
+1.773.844.1922 for a quote
or email us at
Please contact us anytime! We
look forw ard to hearing from
you.
Home | About Supreme International Ltd. | Media Room
Learn more at www.cityofchicago.org/bacp
For information call 312-744-2086 or email [email protected]
2013 AFRICAN SMALLBUSINESS EXPO
PRESENTED BY
NEW AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS SERIES
Chicago entrepreneurs and small business owners are invited to a free expo, which offers resources on:• How to finance a small business• How to start the licensing process• How to understand and comply with tax
laws and other legal requirements• Business planning and counseling
• Where to connect with chambers of commerce and other resources
• Business education• Networking opportunities• And much, much more!
Saturday, October 26When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Where: Harry Truman College
1145 W. Wilson Ave.Cost: FREE Free Parking Available
