#GuyFieri

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Dear Friends,

I had the honor of delivering the 4^th FW de Klerk Annual Memorial Lecture in Cape Town, South Africa last week.

I was privileged to work with former South African President FW de Klerk at numerous Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates, an organization founded by President Mikhail Gorbachev which convenes Peace Laureates at extraordinary conferences on a regular basis and with which I am honored to serve as its Representative to the United Nations. I draw your attention to the Final Declarations, which contain expressions of collective wisdom and practicality. President de Klerk’s contributions were always substantive, terse, and clear.

We traveled together on a delegation hosted by Bahrain which the Global Security Institute helped coordinate. He demonstrated courage in his work to help end apartheid in South Africa and I observed his humility, and warmth wherever he went.

Ambassador Thomas Graham, a member of GSI’s Board of Directors was instrumental in the creation and signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as the lead diplomat for the United States on the issue. His historic analysis is essential reading for anyone serious about understanding its creation and importance. The Treaty’s relationship to the stability of the nonproliferation regime and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is the focus of an in-depth, but short, study by  the European Leadership Network.

President Clinton’s characterization of the Treaty is succinct and accurate… “I was honored to be the first of 146 leaders to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, our commitment to end all nuclear tests for all time — the longest-sought, hardest-fought prize in the history of arms control. It will help to prevent the nuclear powers from developing more advanced and more dangerous weapons. It will limit the possibilities for other states to acquire such devices… Our common goal should be to enter the CTBT into force as soon as possible, and I ask for all of you to support that goal.” Note also quotes from Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy on the subject.

You might also enjoy my thoughts regarding the recent apparent order by President Trump to resume nuclear testing and U.S. votes on this subject in the UN General Assembly, addressed in a syndicated article by the Inter Press Service. My quotes are outstanding in their unique grammatical awkwardness, unnecessary loquaciousness, exemplifying an overly pedantic series of run-on sentences, which in summary strongly urge against the resumption of testing and emphasize the need for cooperation to address an abundance of threats to us all.

On 21 November, I will address the third Annual Digital Power of Women Conference. This distinguished event powerfully advances much-needed gender balance. I hope you can join virtually.

GSI Advisory Board Member Honorable Douglas Roche’s very personal article Creative Dissent: A Politician’s Struggle for Peace merits a serious quiet read. It is inspiring because it reveals the character of one of the most effective, wise, and passionate advocates for nuclear disarmament and human security of our time.

With Respect,

Jonathan Granoff,

President, Global Security Institute

EVENTS

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World Madam International Culture Week, hosted by World Madam Foundation and jointly presented by World Madam Group, took place from December 10th to 15th locally in New York. UN ambassadors, elites from all walks of life and candidates from all regions attended the event ceremoniously in batches.

On December 12, Dr. Djibril Diallo, the former United Nations General Assembly Press Secretary served as World Madam 2024 chairman of the annual review committee; Daniel del Valle Blanco, Chairperson of the Youth Advisory Committee of UN-Habitat, led World Madam Global Authentication Officer representatives and the former World Madam Global Winner representatives formed the 13-member jury. After reviewing of videos and live speeches, talents, Chan Laifong from Macao and Liora Michelle Green from America tied for first place as World Madam 2024 Global Overall Champion. At the same time, nominated by the Chair of judges, ? was awarded the honor of World Madam 2024 Global Honorary Champion; and Shayana Rex from Canada won the title of World Miss 2024 Overall Champion, Helena Hou from New Zealand claimed the victory of World Junior 2024 Overall Champion. More than 20 candidates from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Guyana, Bolivia, EI Salvador and other countries and regions, as well as their families and friends added color to the culture week activity.

The award ceremony was held in Oheka Castle, the largest private castle in New York. The attendees were over 200, including: Anni Huang, founder of World Madam Foundation and World Madam Global Brand, Lisa Chen, Global Authentication officer, Cici Zhang, Europe Authentication officer, Fei Fang, U.S. Authentication Officer, Adem Erol, Turkey Chief Executive, Xuefen Mo, New Zealand Chief Executive, Alice Liao, Canada Chief Executive, Lily Yan, Northern California Chief Executive, Alan Yang, Director of World Madam Group, Zaozao Wang, 2021 World Madam Global Audience Choice Champion, Lili Han, 2022 World Madam Global Overall Champion, Sepideh Behboudi, 2023 World Madam Global Overall Champion, World Madam regional organizing committee representatives and people from fields of art, education, finance, diplomacy, media, etc..

At the award ceremony, World Madam Global Organizing Committee presented Star Organizing Committee Award to New Zealand Organizing Committee, and World Madam Lifetime Achievement Award to Xuefen Mo. Peter Cheng, director of Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) Fushou Senior Center which was sponsored by World Madam Foundation for many times, expressed sincere gratitude and awarded honorary medals.

On the afternoon of December 13, World Madam representatives attended the UNCA 2024 Annual Ceremony, which was supported by World Madam Foundation. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Ambassador representatives had a cordial talk with Anni Huang, World Madam representative and took a group photo.

On December 14, part award winner representatives and their friends and relatives shared their New York experience with honor on reception party held by Anni Huang. Finally, accompanied by the blessings of all representatives and award winners, World Madam 2024 International Culture Week wrapped up.

“WORLD MADAM” is an international brand with global influence. The term “madam” in WORLD MADAM is derived from the French “madame.” It is a polite and formal form of address for women in both English and French languages, pronounced as “ma dame.” It’s registered and initiated by Anni Huang in Canada, later, it operates globally in the way of China- America double headquarters by World Madam Group with support of World Madam Foundation. The aim of World Madam is to establish more female role models, promote the training of female talents, maintain social stability, help the underprivileged women and child, so as to facilitate the world peace and development. With the concept of “One Small Step for Madams, One Giant Leap for the World”, it has become a comprehensive service platform providing empowerment for women from all over the world. Through cultural activities that show female charm and spread their inspirational stories, World Madam aims to push forward the commercial layout and operation for global female entrepreneurship and employment.

Over the years, the brand has been considered as symbol of modern women fashion culture, even been called by people in this field as “Oscar” in women’s world. Since its foundation, hundreds of international activities have been taken place, which attracted millions of women from different countries and regions. These women not only demonstrated their personal talents and charm, but interpreted the core value of the brand World Madam and further enhanced the brand’s depth and connotation.

Over the years, the brand has been considered as symbol of modern women fashion culture, even been called by people in this field as “Oscar” in women’s world. Since its foundation, hundreds of international activities have been taken place, which attracted millions of women from different countries and regions. These women not only demonstrated their personal talents and charm, but interpreted the core value of the brand World Madam and further enhanced the brand’s depth and connotation.

According to De Wet, World Madam Group Global Secretary, as of December 2024, World Madam brand has got 80+ independent intellectual property rights around the world, established over 100 city meeting rooms and partner agencies, held more than one hundred large-scale series events and made charitable donations exceeding 100 times. Nearly 1 million women participated in its activities directly or indirectly, and once set a data record of more than 2 million people online watching worldwide, attracting over 700 mainstream media’s follow and report. In 2024, World Madam launched “Double 100” activity (100 madams endorse 100 brands) to build stronger connections with other international brands. Looking ahead, World Madam will continue to create diversified, open and inclusive career development platform for all women by means of brand cooperation and connection; pass positive energy and make greater contribution for our society with continuous innovation and cross-cultural development strategies.

After years of development, World Madam has shaped into a pattern that taking international cultural activities as their main axis, gradually cooperating with the global female and household consumer goods supply chain, and using a modern network operation mode combining online and offline. Besides, it also created salary incentive mechanism to assist global female in their entrepreneurship and employment, so as to form version 1.0 World Madam brand commercial closed-loop layout. This year (2024), keynote speeches and series of activities conducted by Anni Huang, the founder of World Madam, have repeatedly pushed its brand influence to a new high.

In 2025, World Madam Group will accelerate it’s brand upgrade to version 2.0 and expand the education and multimedia field. In the future, it will take advantage of the platform to build global live video streaming system, making the unemployed women caused by family issues or postpartum reasons as priority, and help them return to work or start new businesses. These initiatives will further strengthen the brand’s influence and appeal worldwide and present it’s social responsibility and global leadership perfectly.

WORLD MADAM List of winners of the 2024 Global Annual Selection

I. WORLD MADAM GROUP：

1、 World Madam 2024 Global Honorary Champion

Rokhaya Niang ｜SENEGAL

Nonhlanhla Jiyane ｜SOUTH AFRICA

Saran Somparé ｜REPUBIC OF GUINEA

2、World Madam 2024 Global Overall Champion:

Chan Laifong|MACAO   

Liora Michelle Green| AMERICA

3、World Madam 2024 Global Audience Choice Champion：

Xiangling Huang|CANADA

Naomi Parisette|AMERICA

4、World Madam 2024 Global Wisdom Champion：

Chen Yun|CANADA

5、World Madam 2024 Global Talent Champion：

Cheng Zou|AMERICA

6、World Madam 2024 Global Elegance Champion：

Yelin Liu|KOREA

7、World Madam 2024 Global Runner-up：

Jocelyn Bullock|VIETNAM

Haixiang Wang|CHINA

8、World Madam 2024 Global Third Place：

Xiaoying Wu|CHINA

Weiyan Huang|CANADA

9、World Madam 2024 Global Charity Ambassador：

Xu Ling|CANADA

10、World Madam 2024 Global Best in Family Harmony：

Chum Yee Yan|SINGAPRO

11、  World Madam 2024 Global Most Inspirational ：

Sophia So|THAILAND

II. WORLD MISS GROUP

1、World Miss 2024 Global Overall Champion:

Shayana Rex|CANADA

2、World Miss 2024 Global Audience Choice Champion：

Xiaojing XU |CHINA

3、World Miss 2024 Global Elegance Champion：

Aislinn Evans|AMERICA

4、World Miss 2024 Global Wisdom Champion：

Haitong Huang|CHINA

5、World Miss 2024 Global Talent Champion：

Desseri Dubhnath|GUYANA

6、World Miss 2024 Global Best in Vitality：

Maria Belen Paz Soldan De Ugarte |BOLIVIA

Daniela María Vasquez Segovia|El SALIVADOR

7、World Miss 2024 Global Most Fashionable：

Jasmine Metivier |FRANCH

III. WORLD JUNIOR GROUP

1、 –World Junior 2024 Global Overall Champion：

–World Junior 2024 Global Best Wisdom Award：

Helena Hou|NEW ZEALAND

2、 -World Junior 2024 Global Audience Choice Champion：

–World Junior 2024 Global Most Talent Award：

Tiffany Chen|AMERICA

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He was the first professor of Afro-American studies at Harvard University. In recognition of his merits, the Ephraim Isaac Prize for Excellence in African Languages is given annually to the Harvard graduate who writes the best essay in African studies.

Early life
Isaac was born to an Ethiopian mother and a Yemeni Jewish father in Wolega Kifele Hager, Nejo, Ethiopia, in 1936. His actual date of birth is unknown. In high school, he randomly chose 29 May as his nominal birthday. He received his early education in Ethiopia.

Career
Isaac has been a professor at various universities and has published scholarly articles and books. He was the first faculty appointment in Harvard University’s Department of African and Afro-American Studies in 1969, and he played an important role in the early history of the department. Committed to this emerging field of scholarship, Isaac continued as a faculty member until 1977 and taught almost half of the students enrolled in the program.

Isaac has also lectured at:

Princeton University Department of Near Eastern Studies, 1983–1985; introduced the first African language course in 1984; was visiting professor of religion and African American studies 1995–2001; and remains a fellow of Butler College.
Hebrew University (ancient Semitic languages)
University of Pennsylvania (religion, Semitic languages)
Howard University (Divinity School)
Lehigh University (religion)
Bard College (religion, history)
His subjects range from those mentioned above to Biblical Hebrew, rabbinic literature, Ethiopian history, the concept and history of slavery and ancient African civilizations. He was a fellow at the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Advanced Studies. He has been a fellow at Harvard University’s W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute (1985–1986) and at the Center of Theological Inquiry at Princeton (1989–1992).

Isaac had a long-running dispute with the president of Harvard regarding the denial of his strong nomination for tenure by the then Department of African American Studies. After several appeals by the president of Harvard to drop the charges, Isaac won a major victory when the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston ruled in his favor by that rejected the president’s appeal, after which the president proposed to settle the case out of court, offering Isaac a fellowship position and paying all legal fees.

In November 2021, Canadian author Jeff Pearce leaked a video that appeared to show Isaac in a virtual meeting with Eleni Gabre-Madhin and several Western diplomats working to topple Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government to create a transitional government in favor of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) during the Tigray War. Despite both being able to refute the allegations, they were barred from traveling to Ethiopia, and a wide range of condemnation came from within Ethiopia and its diaspora.

Peace contributions and activities
Contributions

As a peace activist, Isaac has made important contributions to peace and reconciliation. He founded an ad hoc Peace Committee at a critical stage in 1989. The committee – a dozen Ethiopian elders – facilitated bilateral negotiations between the government and conflicting parties at home and abroad. This created a forum for a peaceful resolution to the violence and bloody conflict. The committee accelerated the July 1991 end of the 30-year civil war in the Horn of Africa. The committee also helped raise funds to defray the cost of the Addis Ababa Conference for a Peaceful and Democratic Transition at the end of the war. A transitional government of Ethiopia was formed, and the Transitional Council later became the Parliament of Ethiopia. He participated in the conference as an observer, and gave one of the three concluding addresses. In 1992, he organized, with the help of fellow elders, Dr. Haile Sellasie Belay and Dr. Tilahun Beyene, an international teleconference of religious reconciliation – with eight conflicting Ethiopian archbishops and several other religious leaders. It resulted in the resolution of serious religious disputes that arose among the archbishops of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church regarding church administration and appointment of a patriarch.

Between 1998 and 2000, he led an Ethio-Eritrean peace delegation to Ethiopia and Eritrea during the tragic war between the two. This delegation was the only group from the region that both sides found acceptable or welcome. Since 2007, he has promoted reconciliation and repatriation of several Ethiopian and Somali liberation front movements in exile. In 2007, he negotiated the release of 30 Ethiopian political leaders and members of parliament. Isaac has also negotiated the release of about 35,000 prisoners and has helped organize inter-political party dialogues, an election board, national police chiefs and justices seminars. This was done in cooperation with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and other experts, and an interfaith symposium to promote the value of democratic and human rights to strengthen peace and reconciliation efforts. In 2009, he was actively engaged behind the scenes in the Ethiopian government treaty with a major branch of the Ogaden National Liberation Front. In 2012, he was involved with the release of two kidnapped Germans and in 2013, the release of two Swedish journalists. He continues his peace and reconciliation work.

Activities
Isaac is currently the international chair of the Horn of Africa Board of Peace and Development Organization (Addis Ababa, Asmara) and the former president of the Yemenite Jewish Federation of America. He founded (1960), and was chair of the Committee for Ethiopian Literacy, the first African/Ethiopian federal tax-exempt organization: the National Literacy Campaign of Ethiopia (NCLO), for which he was executive director from 1967 to 1974, which made millions literate in the late 1960s. In 1959, he organized the founding meeting of the Ethiopian Students Association in North America (ESANA) in Chicago, becoming the first president of the organization.

He is on editorial boards of two international scholarly journals: Journal of Afroasiatic Languages and Second Temple Jewish Literature. Isaac is a member of the board or advisory council of several interfaith and intercultural groups and organizations, nationally and internationally. These include the Temple of Understanding, the Institute of Religion and Public Policy, Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, Princeton Fellowship in Prayer, Institute for Jewish Community Research, and the Oxford Forum in England. In this capacity, Isaac has contributed to numerous peace and reconciliation dialogues in the Middle East, Africa and Ireland.

In the 1980s he was an active member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Alumni Association against Apartheid. He was nominated twice to the Harvard University Board of Overseers on an Anti-apartheid slate along with fifteen other distinguished Harvard alumni, including those who struggled against South African Apartheid and Archbishop Tutu. In 1993 (Chicago, IL) he was a signatory to the groundbreaking Document Toward a Global Ethic along with the Dalai Lama, the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago, and others, as a Jewish delegate to the Parliament of World’s Religions and a member of the about 150 Assembly of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. He was the first to propose in October 1993 to the Parliament the idea of a “united nations” of world religions (UR) to promote world peace and prosperity. Between 1994 and 2005 (New York, NY), he was an active member of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy at the height of their involvement with the Northern Ireland peace process. In 2004 (Amman, Jordan) he contributed to peace meetings as a member of the peace delegation of Peacemakers in Action of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, sponsored by Prince Hassan Ibn Talal with the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. In 2005 (Amman, Jordan) Isaac also contributed to other peace-building symposia among the three followers of the Religio

#ephraimisaac #afroamericanstudies #harvard #peace #freedom

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January 21, 2024 – In Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Am Yisrael Chai presents a powerful and unforgettable event:

COURAGE and CONVICTION – The Holocaust in Lithuania.

Keynote speakers: Elly Gotz, Grant Gochin and Silvia Foti.

The Holocaust in Lithuania resulted in an almost complete annihilation of the Jewish community. More than 95 percent of Lithuania’s Jewish population (approximately 200,000 Jews) were murdered by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators during the War – mostly between June and December of 1941. This was a more complete destruction than befell any other country affected by the Holocaust. A deep and simmering level of antisemitism fueled this destruction in Lithuania – and sadly, it is not unlike the deepening and unbridled antisemitism we are experiencing around the world today.

Elly Gotz was born in Kovno, Lithuania in 1928. During the War, life became increasingly difficult for Jews. Elly survived 3 years in the Kovno ghetto and was later deported to Dachau. Elly is an author and passionate Holocaust educator.

Grant Gochin is a South African born Jew who lost more than 100 members of his family inLithuania.  He is a philanthropist, author, journalist, politician and activist. He is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Togo, and the Vice Dean of the Los Angeles Consular Corps.

Silvia Foti is a devout Catholic from Chicago, who discovered that her grandfather – who was considered a war hero in Lithuania, was complicit in the murder of Lithuanian Jews. Silvia is the author of Storm in the Land of Rain, journalist, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee (2023). Together, Grant and Silvia expose the truth about the mass murders and killings across Lithuania. Their story is told in the movie – J’Accuse that gives a voice to the victims so cruelly murdered.

Please join us for the movie J’Accuse followed by the Courage and Conviction event featuring Elly Gotz as well as Grant Gochin, Silvia Foti and movie producer, Michael Kretzmer and that includes a panel discussion hosted by Nadia Bilchik.

Date:             Sunday, January 21, 2024

Time:             7:00pm — 8:30pm EST – Online event

After signing up, you will receive a link to the movie, and for the online event.

RSVP required; Signup/Donate at: https://bit.ly/AYCEvent

This event is free and open to the public.

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Hi Paul,

AFRICA RISING” is the fifth release from noted smooth jazz sax leader ANDRE WARD on the Gallery Entertainment/Orpheus Enterprises label. The Chicago native brings together originals and remakes, each with their own distinct flavor. From the hip-hop flavored single, “Casualty Of Love” (with vocalist K’Jon), to the upbeat, brassy remake of Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do.” Andre covers many musical palates.

Born and raised in the Windy City, Andre cites his hometown’s longtime jazz and R&B legacy as an inspiration for his music and career. “My favorite band will always be Earth Wind & Fire, which was founded by Maurice White – who came out of Chicago with his brother, Verdine” says Ward. “When they had the Phenix Horns and the departed Don Myrick on saxophone, that really motivated me to play the sax. I actually started out as a drummer then the trumpet until finally the alto sax – all thanks to an after school program that encouraged kids to learn to play musical instruments.”

Andre went on to Tennessee State University in Nashville, where he formed the quartet Act IV – which won a national contest sponsored by Budweiser to record a single “The Pulse”. From there he attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston – a city where he remains to this day. “My goal was to earn my degree from Berklee, then move on to NYC for gigs and session work, “Andre explains. “However, what wound up happening is I was getting a lot of live music work, just in the Boston area alone! Plus, in 1990, fellow Berklee alum Lalah Hathaway invited me to be part of her touring band when she released her debut album on Virgin Records. This led to backing hit makers such as Will Downing, then Freddie Jackson for nine years – four of which as his touring band’s musical director.”

The time with Freddie Jackson resulted in Andre drawing attention from Hush Productions, with whom Jackson had his deal with Capitol Records. Ward – “Hush started a partnership with Morgan Creek Records, where I recorded my first solo single, ‘Everything I Do (I Do For You) – a remake of Bryan Adams’ #1 pop hit. My version was a smash on the smooth jazz charts but then Morgan Creek was shut down soon after. So for the next few years I became a music educator in the Boston public school system. Fast-forward, I was offered a deal from the Huggins brothers (Charles and Beau).”

Ward’s releases  “Feelin’ You”, “Steppin’ Up” and “Crystal City” were all Top 10 Contemporary Jazz Albums with “Caution” going to #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. “AFRICA RISING” will soon be joining the ranks.  Andre pays tribute to the sound of Earth Wind & Fire with the tune “Secret Place” (with Chantel Hampton on vocals) and tips his hat to fellow Chicagoans the Emotions with his take on their classic “Don’t Ask My Neighbors”. With the single, “Casualty Of Love” with singer/songwriter K’Jon – “We’ve been trying to work together for some time but he had commitments to fulfill for the label. Finally, K’Jon sent over the instrumental track for ‘Casualty Of Love’ and I immediately liked it. What makes this song special is lyrically the story is about the belief of love on a positive note – which is missing in many new tunes out there now. ‘Casualty Of Love’ is about the benefits of love and how it makes life better…puts a positive spin on being a prisoner of love.

Andre now has a new single from the “AFRICA RISING” release, a remake of Sade’s “Kiss of Life” As to why taking on that 90’s classic – “Who doesn’t love Sade! Her catalog is full of wonderful gems and I wanted to give the song my own spin.

It is Andre Ward’s hope that listeners will not only enjoy “AFRICA RISING” but will also find some hope and inspiration. “Africa is a force in the world which inspire those to have a vision and belief in positive things to come, to have hope for the future generations. Not only economically but as far as how driven folks from the motherland are in business and life,” exclaims Andre. “As we as a people are still emerging from the pandemic, through my music we can look to Africa as a driving force to keep us moving forward in life.”

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New York –

SDG Global Group (SDG) and Sustainable Alliances and Initiatives for Africa (SIA-Africa) are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration for driving investment into sustainable projects in Africa.

The initial focus of the collaboration is on the agriculture, fintech, digital finance and related sectors. These are key areas where investment, technology and expertise are required for promoting sustainable economic growth and development and where international businesses and investors can add value and participate in the continuing rapid growth.

SDG and SIA-Africa are developing a digital platform to serve investors, businesses, entrepreneurs and specific communities in Africa. The platform will provide data on projects, markets, businesses, and other information to enhance the understanding of the rising opportunities in Africa, and bridge the gap between businesses and investors from around the world and their counterparts in Africa.

Simon Littlewood, CEO of SDG, said: “There is increasing interest in investing in and conducting business in Africa, and from Africa businesses in finding international partners and markets. Currently there is a lack of trusted information, which is hampering business and investment. Our collaboration aims to address that gap.”

Nene Kodjoe, Founding Chair and CEO of SIA-Africa, said: “Sustainable impact investments in Africa is very key to our mandate. We are delighted to partner with SDG Global, their vision and reach is to be commended and we look forward to a successful campaign.”

About SIA-Africa: sia-africa.org
SIA-Africa’s mission is to support initiatives that impact education, health, city planning, trade and economic investments, by matching resources with needs and opportunities. Their goal is to facilitate the delivery of direct impact investments and encourage the youth of Africa to embrace ethical governance, entrepreneurship, science, ICT, technology, engineering and electrical connectivity.

It facilitates action by helping partners connect, collaborate, and invest resources in the communities. We ensure that the projects we support can sustain themselves financially and environmentally. SIA-Africa Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on developing sustainable global alliances to transform education, healthcare, technology, economy and policy across Africa.

About SDG Global – www.sdgglobalgroup.com
SDG is an investment, consulting and advisory group that focuses on investing in and building scalable business in the sustainability sector. The SDG management team has been operating in the sustainability sector and Emerging Markets since the 1980’s. The team has a track record in direct investment, fund management, advisory and capital markets globally, across a wide range of industry sectors. It is highly experienced at bridging the gap between the requirements and expectations of international investors, organizations and businesses, and the realities and difficulties of operating in emerging markets.
In order to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, SDG is building a global network of funding platforms, investment products and partners to meet the urgent need to address climate change by providing the know-how to access unprecedented levels of capital globally for sustainable investment with positive development and returns.

For additional information, please email info@sdgglobalgroup.com

1.) Who is Nene Kodjoe and why did you start SIA-Africa?

2.) What are some initiatives you have going and future events do you have planned for SIA- Africa?

3.) Who benefits from the work SIA-Africa does?

4.) The U.S Africa Leaders summit starts next week in DC, what do you want to see come out of it?

#nenekodjoe #sia-africa #africa #sia #siaafrica #sustainable #alliances #initiatives #projects #investment #technology #expertise #growth #development #bridgethegap #simonlittlewood #globalgroup #education #health #cityplaning #healthcare #economy

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(New York, NY) Each year During the New York General Assembly Opening at the United Nations, Forbes Hosts their Forbes Best of Africa Awards 2022, which celebrate the work of leading lights whose individual efforts contribute to the growth of the African continent.

At a September 20^th, 2022 reception held at the Museum of Art and Design at Columbus Circle sponsored by Invest Africa in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank and Divo International four individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where honored for their work.  The DRC was identified by Forbes as deserved of special mention for the progress they have been making to improve their business climate and thereby attract investors.

Those Honored by Forbes included;

His Excellency Mr. Nicolas Kazadi, Finance minister, for his leadership in the growth of state revenues and the good management of public finances.

Mr. Pascal Kinduelo Lumbu for having dedicated his career to fostering entrepreneurship in the DRC by encouraging innovation across several sectors of the economy.

Inspector Jules Alingeti for his relentless efforts against those who would exploit public finances and leading the fight against corruption.

His Excellency Patrick Muyaya, Communication and Media Minister, for the new country communication strategy organized with brilliance, which allows the development of a new narrativeand a fresh look at the DRC.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Congo for the work done recently in respect of the norms and ensuring a good control of the Congolese currency, which reassures investors.

Jules Alingeti, General Inspector of the IGF (Photo Credit: Deo Kasongo)

His Excellency, Mr. Patrick Muyaya, Communication and Media Minister, Democratic Republic of Congo (Photo Credit: Deo Kasongo)

Mr. Pascal Kinduelo Lumbu, Businessman and Entrepreneur (Photo Credit: Deo Kasongo

PRESS CONTACT:

Norah Lawlor | Lawlor Media Group | www.lawlormediagroup.com

Norah@lawlormediagroup.com | Tel: (212) 967-6900

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http://goodnewsplanet.com/happy-juneteenth-weekend/
Good News was invited to The Positive Community Magazine” 20th Anniversary
Inaugural Great American Emancipation Day Awards Banquet, it was a powerful and important event.
Honoring Champions of Community Progress on
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Sponsored by Prudential Financial
Awards Banquet to be Held New Year’s Day from 2 pm-6 pm ET in the
Grand Ballroom at the Historic Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ
Emcee: Liz Black of Inspiration with Liz Black”, WBLS/WLIB Radio
NEWARK, NJ – January 01, 2020 – In celebration of its 20th anniversary, The Positive Community (TPC) is hosting the first annual Great American Emancipation Day Awards Banquet honoring three extraordinary individuals for their exemplary community service with the Torchbearer Award: Hon. Mildred C. Crump, president Newark Municipal Council; Hazel N. Dukes, president New York State Conference, NAACP; and Rev. Calvin McKinney, general secretary National Baptist Convention, USA on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, from 2 pm-6pm ET in the Grand Ballroom at The Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ.
Joining the three honorees will be organization honorees: African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, John Harmon, president; African-American Clergy and Elected Officials (AACEO Brooklyn), Rev. Robert Waterman, president; and Friends of Harlem Hospital, Rev. Jacques A. DeGraff, president.
The awards banquet purposely takes place on New Year’s Day, an important date in American history, especially for African Americans. On New Year’s Day, January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slaves within the rebellious states free. The Emancipation Day Awards Banquet is sponsored by Prudential Financial, AARP, United, PSE&G, McDonald’s, Berkley College, and Two Fish and Five Loaves.
“Prudential’s partnership with The Positive Community is steeped in our alignment around financial literacy and creating pathways to financial wellness for all,” says Shané Harris, Vice President of Corporate Giving and President of the Prudential Foundation. “We are particularly honored to be a part of TPC’s Great American Emancipation Day Awards Banquet to celebrate and highlight the progress of the Black community. We congratulate The Positive Community for two decades and service to the Black community, and we salute the awardees for their dedication and service to this continued progress, particularly in our hometown of Newark.”
WHEN: Wednesday, January, 01, 2020
TIME: 2;00pm – 6:00pm
WHERE: The Robert Treat Hotel
50 Park Place, Newark, NJ
BACKGROUND: “January 1 is a date of deep meaning to African Americans,” says Adrian A. Council, co-founder and publisher of The Positive Community. “It is our day of liberation, the start of our freedom journey. Without this day there would be no Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., no Motown, no Juneteenth, no Godfather of Soul no Queen of Soul.” The vision of TPC co-founders Council and Editor-in- Chief Jean Nash Wells was to create a balanced medium that accurately reflects the community building efforts of churches, small businesses, corporations, and concerned individuals.
In 2012, TPC created and introduced The Cultural Narrative. Written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Great Emancipation, the document is an account of America’s freedom journey condensed into 281 words. On New Year’s Eve 2012, hundreds of churches participated in TPC’s Great Watch Night Initiative which involved singing the Negro National Anthem; having a young person read The Cultural Narrative before the congregation; and concluding with everyone exiting the sanctuary singing the Negro hymn We’ve Come This Far By Faith. What started as an initiative is now an established tradition among many churches and clergy groups.
Launched in 2000 by Adrian Council, Publisher and Jean Nash Wells, Editor-in-Chief, The Positive Community (TPC) is the only faith-based lifestyle magazine targeted to the African American consumer in the New York/New Jersey market. For nearly two decades, the magazine has delivered on its tagline, focusing on Good News from the Church and the Community.

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