The City of Minneapolis Climate Change grant initiative has won the Minnesota Environmental Initiative’s 2009 Environmental Initiative Award in the Energy and Climate Change category. The City pioneered these first-in-the-nation innovative grants in 2007, creating partnerships and leveraging funds for neighborhood and business groups, faith-based organizations and nonprofits whose efforts inspire their members to curb climate change.

Minneapolis, MN—The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) has been awarded a grant from the European Union (EU) to expand its treatment work in Central and Eastern Africa.

This funding will increase mental health services to clients suffering from the effects of torture and war trauma as well as develop local capacity to sustain such healing treatment for the long run. CVT’s work represents the organization’s belief that healing the effects of torture is integral to the process of rebuilding a post-conflict society.

By Seyoum Tesfaye

EGS (Eritrean Global Solidarity) takes Eritrea’s 18th Independence Day as a solemn occasion whereby we encourage Eritreans all-over the world to Celebrate Independence Day with a sense of a heightened purpose and rededication to engage in a proactive civil resistance to challenge the massive human and civil right abuse being imposed on our people by the ruling regime. 

Air cargo companies involved in illicit or destabilizing arms transfers to African conflict zones have also been repeatedly contracted to deliver humanitarian aid and support peacekeeping operations, according to a report released recently by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Prime Minister Raila Odinga leaves the country on Monday for a three-week tour of the United States.
 
It will be the first time that Mr Odinga is visiting the US after the election of President Obama, whose father was Kenyan. The prime minister was not expected in Washington.
 
Last week, US Asst Secy for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, was in Kenya and met President Kibaki and Mr Odinga.
 

“Now is the time for us to listen attentively, address and eliminate rancor, heal demoralized spirit and work toward reconciliation" Green

BY WILLIAM D. GREEN, J.D., PHD.
Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools

Reports from wide-ranging sources of information about a recent incident at Burroughs Community  School in the Minneapolis Public School District and an outcry from community members of all different backgrounds with varying beliefs and conflicting opinions have brought deep-seated tensions and evidence of racial polarization in our community into front and center view. This is a painful picture to witness and we must not ignore it.

(GIN) –  Uppity Films, the production company of Oscar-nominated Samuel L Jackson's has secured rights to the real life story of Andrew Mwangura, Kenyan pirate negotiator.

 Head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program for over 12 years, Mwangura, 47, works without pay to track down missing ships, investigate deaths at sea and negotiate the release of hostages.

By Ndze Ntuv Evaristus Tunka

Walking into 1st Cup Café in Minneapolis’ Southside, you are not welcomed by the usual smiles of waiters and waitresses, but rather by eye-catching masks and abstract paintings being displayed on the walls and made-do table in the coffee eatery-depicting the sui generis of African culture.

As you look around in astonishment and wonder, trying to grasp the interpretation of the art; one of the conservators of the display walks up to you to explain the inspiration and significance of the art. Listening to the conservator and the chattering of other art lovers who have come to view the display, you begin to get an insight on the brilliance of the displayed art.

Hospital treatment and arrests increased while self-reports of victimization decreased 

A recent review of five sources of data on sexual violence in Minnesota revealed mixed news. While hospital treatment and criminal arrests have increased in recent years, reports to law enforcement of sex offenses have remained stable, and two self-report surveys indicated a decrease in victimization.

From Tanzania to Kansas, comes a man on a mission to change the international film industry, one film at a time.

By: Nneka Onyilofor

Josiah Kibira is that man; the man that came to the U.S. to attend school at Bethany College in Kansas, and ended up founding his own production company, Kibira Films.

"Sweet mother, I no go forget you, For the suffer, wey you suffer for me eh" -Chorus: Sweet Mother, Prince Nico Mbarga & the Rocafil Jazz

By Rita Apaloo

Growing up, my home was one of millions in Africa and around the world that owned a copy of Prince Nico Mbarga and the Rocafil Jazz's album with the hit “Sweet Mother.” Recorded in 1976, 13 million copies of the album were sold and it was later recognized as one of Africa's greatest songs.

In addition to its uplifting rhythms, the wonderful thing about “Sweet Mother” is that it put into words sentiments of Africans that was hardly ever talked about. A mother's love and devotion toward her children were expected and “natural” (so why make such a fuss about it). In the same way, a child's love and appreciation for his or her mother was expected, considering the pain and suffering of childbearing and raising children. So through the song, we could finally honor our mothers and celebrate them in a culturally familiar way—through music and dance.

By Ndze Ntuv Evaristus Tunka 

You can’t watch, listen to, or read news articles without seeing captions or headlines about the piracy in Somalian waters. While this has become a heated debate topic in media houses and among governments, there’s still been no clarity on how to address this cankerworm that has sailors trembling as they sail through the Suez Canal.

Further investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health has determined that two of Minnesota’s cases of probable H1N1 novel influenza virus are in persons in two schools. As a result, school officials have decided to close the schools beginning Monday as a precaution. One of the individuals is in Orono High School, which is on a campus with two elementary schools and a middle school, all of which will close Monday.