AfriMETRO Honors Prominent Africans at New YorkGala
By Pamela Appea
Published by Amandla Newspaper
Volume 9 Issue 12 973-419-0073 / 973-731-1339 An African Community Newspaper December 15, 2010 - January 16, 2011
AfriMETRO, a nonprofit and professional networking association and New York University’sWagner Students Alliance for Africa hosted a Holiday Gala and “Golden Jubilee” on December 8 at NYU’s Kimmel Center in the East Village, attended
by more than 125 participants.
The gala was a fundraiser for global literacy; honoring several community
heroes that have devoted significant time and energy to Africa and the African Diaspora community including essential causes such as literacy, maternal health and human rights.
“This year has been a particularly exciting year for AfriMETRO,” said founder Folake K. Ayoola who the day after the Golden Jubilee NYC event was on route to Houston,
Texas for another professional gala and event.
“AfriMETRO’s work is important in the community because we are one of the very few organizations in the tri-state area with African professionals and “friends of Africa” focused on building a new positive image of Africa and Africans.We do
this by organizing business, charitable and professional networking events that inform, educate, empower, and celebrate Africa and Africans. Our history is grounded in the spirit of collaboration and community, Ms. Ayoola said.
AfriMETRO’s gala featured honored guests including Her Excellency Ambassador Joy Ogwu Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and Former Nigerian
Foreign Minister and Former Director-General of NIIA and the Honorable Ibrahim Auwalu, Consul General of Nigeria to the United States. The Consul General of Angola
Júlia de Assunção Cipriano Machado also attended.
The event boasted a fashion show with original designs, dozens of Nigerian and African dishes, music, a silent auction and networking opportunities with dozens of professionals who came from every point around the globe.
Special celebrity guests included the Gala Host Ngo Okafor, a model and former two-time heavy-weight champion and Actor Gbenga Akinnagbe who is known for his breakout
role in the acclaimed HBO series “TheWire.” Mr. Akinnagbe will star
in an upcoming Warner Brothers comedy “The Lottery Ticket” and currently is a guest star in the CBS series “The Good Wife.”
AfriMETRO gala honorees included Dr. Chika Onyeani, publisher and Editor-and Chief of Africa Sun- Times; Dr. Bruce Charash, founder and Chair of the Board “Doc to Dock”, a nonprofit that collects medical supplies and services and ships them to African countries; and Immaculee Ilibagiza, a human rights activist, author and survivor of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 who was
unable to be present.
In a brief but emotional address to attendees, Her Excellency Ambassador Joy Ogwu Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Stations emphasized how essential it was for her to be present since AfriMETRO is involved in essential and outreach involving such needs as health, literacy for youth and infrastructure in Africa.
“This is a compass for all of us especially for the youth. …. I want to tell
you that I share your aspirations not only for Nigeria, not only for Africa, but for the world. By contributing to your own community, you are also contributing to everyone’s community.….We believe that you will set the path to the future, grandchildren,” said Ambassador Ogwu who referenced the current tense political
situation in Ivory Coast as the reason she was unable to stay for the full
length of the gala.
Keynote speaker Dr. Emeka Akaezuwa, a software technology expert and creator of the Universal Search Operating Software System that is used throughout the world, is
a founding trustee of the Global Literacy Project. In his remarks, Dr. Ekaezuwa discussed his role in working towards sending 1.9 million books to underserved communities in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, India, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
This nonprofit works to ship books to Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, working not only to provide underserved community with books, but also in constructing
library spaces, training library staff and providing technological resources to African school children and the community at large.
Gala attendees viewed a short excerpt of the 2008 documentary on the “Doc to Dock” nonprofit, learning about how a rural Ghanaian hospital benefited from $400,000 in donations of medical equipment. As the program showed, once equipment and medical supplies went to a hospital in the Tepa District in Ashanti Region of Ghana, the hospital was able to better serve all patients particularly its’ very youngest:
newborn babies and prematurely born infants. The hospital—and entire region— received their first sonogram as a result of the “Doc to Dock” supplies. The Tepa District also received incubators, baby radio heaters, birthing beds, mattresses,
surgical and obstetric instruments.
Dr. Bruce Charash noted this Ghanaian hospital is one of many throughout Africa that have serious shortages. Shockingly based on his professional observations on average,
one out of five hospital patients in underdeveloped regions sleep on the floor.
“There are no sheets, no linens. There is a shortage of fundamental supplies, conditions are shockingly bad, he noted, fresh from a recent trip earlier this week to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In accepting a service award from AfriMETRO, Charash noted to the audience “You’ve come from a wide range of African countries… you are familiar with the many rural and
urban hospitals with tremendous needs. But still we want to remind you that these hospitals need you. … I don’t think you should be motivated by guilt but by gratitude of how lucky we are and how much we can do to help others. …. Once again, I thank you as a fellow African.”
Before receiving the award, Dr. Charash, a cardiologist by training, told Amandla that a doctor’s job is never done: In recent weeks and plane trips, every time he has flown individuals have often fallen unconscious
and required medical evaluation and assistance. Indeed the night of Dec. 8th was no exception, moments after AfriMETRO recognized Dr. Charash, he momentarily
left the gala to speak to well-wishers. At the elevator he encountered a sick
youth who was participating in a nearby Hanukkah party on the same
floor who became unconscious and required immediate medical attention. Dr. Charash stayed with the youth until an ambulance came and then returned to the gala.
During the gala, AfriMETRO also publically acknowledged the organization’s
2010 scholarship recipients who included Fatoumata Waggeh, a first-generation Gambian-American who is a sophomore at New York University; Dianne Mbeo a student
at University of Houston and Ihuoma Nwaogwugwu originally from Benin City, Nigeria who is a collegebound high school student in Marietta,
Georgia.
Key AfriMETRO staff were also acknowledged including Elizabeth Omondi, AfriMETRO’s Community Liaison Officer and Nekpen Osuan, AfriMETRO’s Member of the Year.
The event included authentic West African cuisine including Jollof rice, chicken, Designer stew, fried plantains and more provided by Tope Durosinmi, owner of the Mirage African Restaurant in Brooklyn.
AfriMETRO was founded by Ms.Folake K. Ayoola, who is also Chair and President of the Board. She currently works in Washington, D.C. as an attorney-advisor in the Division
of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ms. Ayoola attended Columbia University, School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees in 2004 and 2002, respectively. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York Bar Association and president of the Nigerian Lawyers Association. In 2008, she was recognized as the Top 40 Under 40 Nigerian Female Professionals by NiPRO International,Inc. for her academic prowess, professional excellence, community involvement, and philanthropy.
Ms. Ayoola is active in numerous charitable associations and causes including breast cancer prevention and Dress for Success.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Immigrants Know Your Rights: Office of Manhattan Borough President Releases Handbook
Immigrants Know Your
Rights: Office of Manhattan
Borough President
Releases Handbook
By Pamela Appea
Amandla Newspaper
Volume 9, Issue 11
November 16-December 15, 2010
Over the past few years and well into the Obama administration, African and other New York City undocumented or out of status New York City residents continue to see high deportation numbers, including mothers and fathers of American-born children.
Many of these thousands of New York City immigrants, often sign away their rights after being placed in detention by the Department of Homeland Security, and provide information that dooms their chances to stay in the U.S., placing them on an automatic course for deportation proceedings. And legal immigrant African individuals
who possess decades old drug or criminal arrests or non-arrest criminal citations are
finding admitting such records on their U.S. citizenship application and/or interview can mean the difference between successfully becoming an U.S. citizen or getting deported.
In light of these recent deportations and legal issues that many immigrants face, the Office of the Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer recently released a
handbook, “Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information you need to know to participate in the life of New York City” The booklet is geared towards newcomer immigrants, low-income immigrants and individuals with immigration status
issues and legal immigrants with criminal or drug histories.
“We’re very excited to release this manual that comes from taskforce work that started in 2006,” said Jimmy Yan, general counsel of the Office of the Manhattan
Borough President. “We believe this is something that has never been done before,” he said, noting that a few years ago The New York Times published a Guide for New York City Immigrants. The Office of the Manhattan Borough President’s booklet is free and focuses on legal rights, accessibility and low-income immigrants.
As a child of East Asian immigrants, Yan is a passionate supporter of immigrants and
immigrant rights—including undocumented immigrants.
“Critics ignore how much our economy relies on immigrants, including undocumented immigrants. Our goal is to prosper and the hard work of all immigrants gets us to a stronger, more vibrant economy,” Yan said.
The report urges legal immigrants with drug and/or criminal backgrounds (including those who served no time in jail) services of an immigrant lawyer who
specializes in these cases and can provide skilled professional counsel.
COMMUNITY NEWS
(continued from page 1, front page)
Immigrants Know Your Rights: Office of Manhattan
Borough President Releases Handbook
“If you are detained in immigration custody, you should not say anything
about your immigration status or sign anything giving up your right to an immigration hearing or any other rights. Do not lie. Do not admit to any charges and do not go into detail about your case. If you are arrested for a criminal charge unrelated to your immigration status and are detained in Riker’s Island, you should also follow the rules above for people in immigration custody. Immigration enforcement agents work at Riker’s Island and will interview people being detained there about their immigration status. You have the right not to respond to questions about your status. You should also not sign anything giving up any rights.”
As the report continues, “A recent 2010 Supreme Court decision, Padilla v. Kentucky, now requires criminal defense attorneys to advise their clients about the potential
adverse immigration consequences of their criminal charges. This means that a criminal defense attorney must advise the client whether a guilty plea could result in deportation [now or in the future].If a defense lawyer does not provide this advice and the lack of advice affects the outcome of the case, the client might be able to challenge the conviction.”
Additionally, immigrant individuals and their children who are entitled to food stamps, social security disability benefits, health insurance or worker’s compensation disability claims should feel free to apply to these services for themselves (if they are eligible due to low-income, need for services or disability) or their children without providing specific immigration related status information or enduring immigration related questioning.
Additionally, all children are entitled to attend public or private schools in New York without ‘proving’ immigration status or parent’s immigrant status.
Mr. Yan, counsel for the Office of the Borough President, said there
are immediate plans in place to translate the brochure into French,
Creole, Chinese, Spanish and several other languages but due to current
funding limitations these translations may not be available until 2011 or later.
“If you know of any African immigrant groups who would benefit from the translation of the “Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information you need to know to participate in the life of New York City.” in their native language (including French) please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and we would do our best to assess if this translation might be possible,” he noted to Amandla.
Mr. Yan also continued that any Manhattan or non-Manhattan community organization who is interested in a group presentation outlining the handbook should contact the contact the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and ask for a copy of the
“Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information you need to know how to participate in the life of New York City.”
Individual copies are available free of charge and larger quantities for nonprofit and community organizations can be requested. The booklet is also available online
as a free download at:
http://www.mbpo.org/uploads/irm2010.pdf
Rights: Office of Manhattan
Borough President
Releases Handbook
By Pamela Appea
Amandla Newspaper
Volume 9, Issue 11
November 16-December 15, 2010
Over the past few years and well into the Obama administration, African and other New York City undocumented or out of status New York City residents continue to see high deportation numbers, including mothers and fathers of American-born children.
Many of these thousands of New York City immigrants, often sign away their rights after being placed in detention by the Department of Homeland Security, and provide information that dooms their chances to stay in the U.S., placing them on an automatic course for deportation proceedings. And legal immigrant African individuals
who possess decades old drug or criminal arrests or non-arrest criminal citations are
finding admitting such records on their U.S. citizenship application and/or interview can mean the difference between successfully becoming an U.S. citizen or getting deported.
In light of these recent deportations and legal issues that many immigrants face, the Office of the Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer recently released a
handbook, “Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information you need to know to participate in the life of New York City” The booklet is geared towards newcomer immigrants, low-income immigrants and individuals with immigration status
issues and legal immigrants with criminal or drug histories.
“We’re very excited to release this manual that comes from taskforce work that started in 2006,” said Jimmy Yan, general counsel of the Office of the Manhattan
Borough President. “We believe this is something that has never been done before,” he said, noting that a few years ago The New York Times published a Guide for New York City Immigrants. The Office of the Manhattan Borough President’s booklet is free and focuses on legal rights, accessibility and low-income immigrants.
As a child of East Asian immigrants, Yan is a passionate supporter of immigrants and
immigrant rights—including undocumented immigrants.
“Critics ignore how much our economy relies on immigrants, including undocumented immigrants. Our goal is to prosper and the hard work of all immigrants gets us to a stronger, more vibrant economy,” Yan said.
The report urges legal immigrants with drug and/or criminal backgrounds (including those who served no time in jail) services of an immigrant lawyer who
specializes in these cases and can provide skilled professional counsel.
COMMUNITY NEWS
(continued from page 1, front page)
Immigrants Know Your Rights: Office of Manhattan
Borough President Releases Handbook
“If you are detained in immigration custody, you should not say anything
about your immigration status or sign anything giving up your right to an immigration hearing or any other rights. Do not lie. Do not admit to any charges and do not go into detail about your case. If you are arrested for a criminal charge unrelated to your immigration status and are detained in Riker’s Island, you should also follow the rules above for people in immigration custody. Immigration enforcement agents work at Riker’s Island and will interview people being detained there about their immigration status. You have the right not to respond to questions about your status. You should also not sign anything giving up any rights.”
As the report continues, “A recent 2010 Supreme Court decision, Padilla v. Kentucky, now requires criminal defense attorneys to advise their clients about the potential
adverse immigration consequences of their criminal charges. This means that a criminal defense attorney must advise the client whether a guilty plea could result in deportation [now or in the future].If a defense lawyer does not provide this advice and the lack of advice affects the outcome of the case, the client might be able to challenge the conviction.”
Additionally, immigrant individuals and their children who are entitled to food stamps, social security disability benefits, health insurance or worker’s compensation disability claims should feel free to apply to these services for themselves (if they are eligible due to low-income, need for services or disability) or their children without providing specific immigration related status information or enduring immigration related questioning.
Additionally, all children are entitled to attend public or private schools in New York without ‘proving’ immigration status or parent’s immigrant status.
Mr. Yan, counsel for the Office of the Borough President, said there
are immediate plans in place to translate the brochure into French,
Creole, Chinese, Spanish and several other languages but due to current
funding limitations these translations may not be available until 2011 or later.
“If you know of any African immigrant groups who would benefit from the translation of the “Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information you need to know to participate in the life of New York City.” in their native language (including French) please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and we would do our best to assess if this translation might be possible,” he noted to Amandla.
Mr. Yan also continued that any Manhattan or non-Manhattan community organization who is interested in a group presentation outlining the handbook should contact the contact the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and ask for a copy of the
“Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information you need to know how to participate in the life of New York City.”
Individual copies are available free of charge and larger quantities for nonprofit and community organizations can be requested. The booklet is also available online
as a free download at:
http://www.mbpo.org/uploads/irm2010.pdf
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Africa @ 50: Progress or Regress
Africa @ 50: Progress or Regress
by Pamela Appea
Amandla Newspaper
Volume 9, Issue 9
September 16-October 15, 2010
The Sixth Annual African Development Institute (ADI) Policy Forum took place on Tuesday evening, August 31st at The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts in Manhattan. Participants of the forum entitled “Africa @ 50” Progress or Regress” hotly debated issues involving politics, corruption, socio-economic disparities, the issue of a unified federation of African nation-states and the rights of African women.
As the 50th anniversary of independence for some 17 African nations has been reached this year, reflection, assessment and the setting of new goals are a natural area to focus on. But some panelists believe time will tell if the majority of African citizens would see significant socio-economic progress, while other panelists charge that gradualism and keeping the status quo of existing political and social policies within so-called African democracies fail to solve anything.
“Is Africa free today? Is Africa united? Is Africa developed? For those three questions, I’m going to say no. Without a united Africa, it is going to be difficult for Africa to progress …” said Enock Mensah, ADI’s co-founder and president and advocate of a united federation of African states.
“We require new leadership and bold thinking… until or unless an African Federation
is created, the African continent is doomed,” Mensah said. Following an intense audience reaction, he went on to note, “People say if you cannot even get Nigeria together, then how can you get the entire continent on board … I say, if we have five, seven or more states [on board] then the rest will follow.”
In contrast, Dr. Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome, a professor of political science at Brooklyn College, said, “There is a tendency for us Africans to write off everything
we do as inadequate. If you are looking for a revolution it will be bloody. Yes, many people say Africa is on the regress side and many people tend to be hung up on economic growth or inequality,” she said. But from a basic standpoint, the immediate goal of independence, the professor explained, was for these African nations to achieve freedom from colonialism, to function independently and to serve as a homeland for possibility.
“Many people thought we would now be in the land of milk and honey… achieving all of their hopes and dreams,” she said. “We are forgetting the struggle, the spirit, the energy of Africans. There have been moments in African history that inspire me and should inspire everyone,” she said. “Now at 50, there should be a sense of urgency. We cannot afford to relax. We have to give it what it takes.
Nearly 100 audience members including business professionals, students, grassroots community activists to government civil servants and others, some visiting from Ghana to Uganda to Cameroon to Haiti participated in the ADI question and answer period.
"The best part of the evening was when the audience provided input, particularly the youth. Their willingness, the demand to get involved and to be part of whatever change was inspiring. With young people they don't believe they can fail. They are not inhibited by the past or the mistakes of the past. And they want to
forge ahead and get something done. It was very encouraging. And some of them seemed to be trying to impact change on the grassroots. I just hope that something productive comes out of this forum. This is the beginning of something promising," said Jacki Fisher, a forum attendee.
The policy forum included musical selections by Salieu Suso and forum remarks from Kwame Akonor, president and founder of African Development Institute (ADI); His Excellency Cheick Sidi Diarra; Dr. Mojubaolu Olufunke
Okome; Ambassador Adonia Ayebarre;and Enock Mensah also of ADI.
by Pamela Appea
Amandla Newspaper
Volume 9, Issue 9
September 16-October 15, 2010
The Sixth Annual African Development Institute (ADI) Policy Forum took place on Tuesday evening, August 31st at The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts in Manhattan. Participants of the forum entitled “Africa @ 50” Progress or Regress” hotly debated issues involving politics, corruption, socio-economic disparities, the issue of a unified federation of African nation-states and the rights of African women.
As the 50th anniversary of independence for some 17 African nations has been reached this year, reflection, assessment and the setting of new goals are a natural area to focus on. But some panelists believe time will tell if the majority of African citizens would see significant socio-economic progress, while other panelists charge that gradualism and keeping the status quo of existing political and social policies within so-called African democracies fail to solve anything.
“Is Africa free today? Is Africa united? Is Africa developed? For those three questions, I’m going to say no. Without a united Africa, it is going to be difficult for Africa to progress …” said Enock Mensah, ADI’s co-founder and president and advocate of a united federation of African states.
“We require new leadership and bold thinking… until or unless an African Federation
is created, the African continent is doomed,” Mensah said. Following an intense audience reaction, he went on to note, “People say if you cannot even get Nigeria together, then how can you get the entire continent on board … I say, if we have five, seven or more states [on board] then the rest will follow.”
In contrast, Dr. Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome, a professor of political science at Brooklyn College, said, “There is a tendency for us Africans to write off everything
we do as inadequate. If you are looking for a revolution it will be bloody. Yes, many people say Africa is on the regress side and many people tend to be hung up on economic growth or inequality,” she said. But from a basic standpoint, the immediate goal of independence, the professor explained, was for these African nations to achieve freedom from colonialism, to function independently and to serve as a homeland for possibility.
“Many people thought we would now be in the land of milk and honey… achieving all of their hopes and dreams,” she said. “We are forgetting the struggle, the spirit, the energy of Africans. There have been moments in African history that inspire me and should inspire everyone,” she said. “Now at 50, there should be a sense of urgency. We cannot afford to relax. We have to give it what it takes.
Nearly 100 audience members including business professionals, students, grassroots community activists to government civil servants and others, some visiting from Ghana to Uganda to Cameroon to Haiti participated in the ADI question and answer period.
"The best part of the evening was when the audience provided input, particularly the youth. Their willingness, the demand to get involved and to be part of whatever change was inspiring. With young people they don't believe they can fail. They are not inhibited by the past or the mistakes of the past. And they want to
forge ahead and get something done. It was very encouraging. And some of them seemed to be trying to impact change on the grassroots. I just hope that something productive comes out of this forum. This is the beginning of something promising," said Jacki Fisher, a forum attendee.
The policy forum included musical selections by Salieu Suso and forum remarks from Kwame Akonor, president and founder of African Development Institute (ADI); His Excellency Cheick Sidi Diarra; Dr. Mojubaolu Olufunke
Okome; Ambassador Adonia Ayebarre;and Enock Mensah also of ADI.
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