We at the United African Organization are excited to bring you our first African Voices Podcast. In this episode:
- About our African Voices podcast
- News and events from the African community in Illinois this month
- Community Leadership workshops, with Cheikh Diop, Community Outreach Coordinator at the United African Organization
- Interview with Angolan immigrant Paulo Bombe, on his journey from Angola to Chicago
- Music from Youssoupha Sidibe, Senegalese Kora-player living in California
If you would like to contribute news, events, issues, interviews or music to our podcast, email us: podcasts@uniteafricans.org or call: (312) 949 9980 between 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri.
Click the link below to see the full details of news, events and music featured on the podcast.
African Voices Podcast, Episode 1
MUSIC
This episode features the music of Youssoupha Sidibe. Originally from Dakar, Senegal, Sidibe now lives in California. He travels around the United States with his music. He is particularly well-known as a Kora player. We featured the following tracks on our podcast:
- ‘Yalla Dji’ from Sacred Sounds (Sacred Sound Records)
- ‘Strong Will’ (collaboration between Youssoupha Sidibe and Midnite) from For All (Sacred Sound Records)
You can find Youssoupha Sidibe on MySpace and Facebook.
ADVICE BOX
You can see the schedule for the UAO’s Leadership workshops here. The next workshop will be Saturday, 19 November, 2011. The workshops take place once a month on 6th floor, IIT Tower, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616. For more information, visit the UAO website, email training@uniteafricans.org. Or call us on (312) 949 9980.
AFRICANS IN CHICAGO: INTERVIEW WITH PAULO BOMBE
Paulo Bombe was interviewed by Kimberly Siebel as part of the Africans in Chicago Oral History Project. Originally from Angola, Paulo has lived all over the African continent, including the Congo, Botswana and South Africa. He speaks seven languages. He runs a shop on the North Side of Chicago called African Safari Imports.
NEWS AND EVENTS
- Elections were held for the leadership of the Union of Liberian Associations in America on 1 October, 2011. Dr. Gaye Sleh Jr., Chairperson of the UAO and a Chicago resident, was elected President. Full results and footage from the pre-election debate.
- The Chicago Tribune this month featured an article on the new law that provides a special category of licenses for hair braiders. The new licenses mean that hair braiders no longer have to go through a long and expensive process in order to practice their craft as professionals. The law took effect last month and will require a hair braider entering the field to have 300 hours of classroom and practical experience to get a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The department intends to offer schools and classes for hair braiders. The United African Organization and the Illinois Association of Hair Braiders were at the forefront of pushing for the new legislation.
- African Community United Methodist Church is holding its HARVEST AND ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY
Date: Sunday, OCTOBER 30, 2011
Time: 2pm-5pm
Venue: African Community United Methodist Church in the building of Berry Memorial United Methodist Church
Address:4754 N, LEAVITT ST, (Lawrence and Leavitt St) CHICAGO, IL 60625The event is open to the public to come and enjoy African music. There is no cost. For more information see their website: africancommunityumc.org or call Pastor Amos @ 773.600.9799 - The Chicago Council for Global Affairs is hosting the following event: Empowering Women for Economic Growth in South Africa
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Time: 12 noon
Venue: The Chicago Club, 81 East Van Buren, Chicago, IL 60605
Speaker:Lulama Xingwana, Minister for Women, Children, and People with Dissabilities, Republic of South AfricaRegistration is required in for this event. Click the link above to register. - The United African Organization invites you to a special, FREE screening of the South African documentary, Forerunners. The screening will be followed by a discussion at which you will have the opportunity to ask the filmmaker questions. Forerunners won the Cannes Festival du Film Panafrican Dikalo Special Jury Prize 2011. The director is bringing the film to Chicago at the request of the United African Organization, after making the rounds at festivals in the United States.
Date: Monday, 31 October, 2011
Time: 5:30pm for 6
Venue: Bronzeville Room, 6th floor in IIT Tower, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616
