Russell Simmons helps to save Africa's "Most Precious Diamonds"

Earlier today, while in front of an interesting panel of professionals in the media, I learned that entertainment and fashion mogul (who wears many hats) Russell Simmons is the Honorary Event Chair for the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) November 8 event, Diamonds in the Sky. The event (now sold out) is a fundraiser to improve education for economically disadvantaged people in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource.

Simmons was in Chicago on Thursday, October 28 and mentioned this endeavor while talking at Macy's about the launch of his new collection, Argyleculture. During the panel, I watched the interview with Simmons by one of the panelists, Aleah Burks-Patterson of WCIU's "Fashion Express" and glanced at an interview with Simmons on the blog of another of today's panelist and award-winning fashion journalist, Barbara Glass.

I've always had a love for Russell Simmons because of his tenacity, drive and vision. For him to be apart of something to help those in need is not surprising. Plus, this makes me think of the efforts by Invisible Children in Uganda, in which they are trying to educate disadvantaged Ugandan youths (that is only part of the many things they are doing in Uganda and in its neighboring countries).

Africa's Property Boom Boom Boom

While many markets across the world are in a recovery stage, many of Africa's markets are booming - especially in regard to real estate. Despite the turmoil and unrest in some African nations, others have been experiencing economic growth and a growing middle class.

Today, I read something in regard to Kenya's real estate markets and how quickly their middle class is able to upgrade their housing.

I found one example from Al Jazeera, which describes Egypt's housing boom (which has been going on for a few years now). The video is below.

BBC News is having an online discussion today about the housing markets in not only Egypt and Kenya, but also South Africa and Sudan. The NPR also talked about Angola's housing boom. Angola, even though it ranks in the bottom 10% of economies, it is one of the fastest growing in the world, with a slowly developing middle class.

If you have the money, I guess you should buy a home some in Africa (maybe even a vacation home) while the prices are low and properties are easy to obtain.

More Info of Degrassi's Shannon Kook-Chun

I have noticed several blog posts about this, so I will let them explain everything about this free event taking place Columbia College Chicago during International Education Week (I did a couple weeks ago).

http://degrassiblog.com/2010/10/04/degrassis-shannon-kook-chun-to-visit-chicago/

http://degrassi-fans.com/?cat=96

http://degrassination.com/2010/10/01/shannon-kook-chun-is-chicago-bound/

However, some of them have not yet stated where to get tickets (so I'm first, LOL). Go to shannonatccchicago.eventbrite.com for tickets (currently, it is password protected to only allow Columbia students, faculty, staff and alumni). Tickets will be available for everyone on Sunday, October 31, 2010.

Again, why I am talking about this? Well, Shannon Kook-Chun is from South Africa and was raised during apartheid and is of Chinese decent. The experiences of other racial/ethnic groups in South Africa during that period is seldom heard. This is an opportunity to hear this experience (as well as other topics relating to him) first hand.

Another Militant Group Trying to "Unify" Nigeria

This has gotten to the point that I am beyond irritated. These militant groups that are popping out of various corners of Nigeria have been talking about unifying the country or trying to impose extremists views on everyone. What really makes my skin crawl are those groups that kill in the name of God.

The Boko Haram movement, an extremist Islamic sect, which means "non-Islamic education is sacrilege" in Hausa, has killed many in northeastern Nigeria (including other Muslims and Muslim clerics). A story came out today on aol.com focusing on this group and how they have murdered 13 lawmen in the past three months.

Along with them, we have people in the oil-rich southeastern region of Nigeria killing people to make a point. I'm sorry, but your point has not been made. Instead you have cost money, time, and most importantly, lives of your fellow citizens.

A Tale of an HBCU's Discriminatory Dress Code?

It's been a hot minute, but I am back with an interesting story.

This week, there were several things I did that are apart of my usual routine (it does change a bit weekly, since I like a little of variety). Particularly, I watched "Real Housewives of Atlanta" and went to the village luncheon hosted by the Office of African-American Affairs at Columbia College Chicago.

Since I am assuming many of you have at least heard of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta," I'll just explain the village luncheon, which is a lunch in which students of African descent can network with Columbia faculty and staff of African descent over food and lively discussion on hot topics that affect the African-American community at large. This luncheon takes place on a monthly basis.

One of the topics brought up was Morehouse College's new dress code. Morehouse, one of the many historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), is an all-male school in Atlanta that prides itself in molding the "ideal" African-American men. The new dress code prohibits the follow:

• Do-rags, hats, and hoods worn in classrooms or any other indoor venues
• Sunglasses worn in class or formal events
• Jeans at major programs and no sagging pants on campus
• Clothing with derogatory or lewd messages in words or pictures
• Clothing usually worn by women (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, etc) on campus or college-sponsored events

Many of these regulations I understand and I personally do not have a problem with (even though I could argue that there is a sense of "whitening" in some of them, but that's for another posting), but the last one seemed like there was an obvious form of discrimination against gay African-American males (remember how I said I was going to talk about homosexuality in the African-American community?).

Based on what I have seen on "Real Housewives of Atlanta" and also how the Advocate dubbed Atlanta as America's gayest city earlier this year, I know that many of the gay African-American men in Atlanta regularly dress in clothing typically designed for women, not in the sense of cross-dressing. Morehouse College, being an educational institution in Atlanta, must be fully aware of this and for them to make this rule, obviously they have had students that have regularly dressed like this and I assure you most, if not all of them, are gay.

During the village luncheon, one student angrily protested how this rule is discriminatory, while many argued that even though it is discriminatory, Morehouse College has a right to create that rule since it is private.

My question to all of you is, regardless if you think this is discrimination or not, is it wrong for a private institution of higher education to have a rule that may marginalize a group? Would it only affect the institution? What does this say and do to the African-American male that is gay? What positive and negative affects could this have on the African-American community overall?

One Nation Helps Another

Many of us remember the tragedy that struck Haiti earlier this year. Well, the African nation of Senegal is sending a jet to Haiti to pick up Haitian students so they can study in Senegal. Read the touching story to learn more.

Many of you are probably wondering where the "Diaspora of the Week" has been. Currently, it's on hiatus because school and the planning of International Education Week (IEW) has gotten me tied down. For the week before and during IEW, I am planning something special for my Black Adventure and I think all of you will love it.

Arrest Made For Recent Mass Rapes in the DR Congo

Finally. That's the one word I said when I found this out. It looks like the UN is trying really hard to apologize for their mishap that led to nearly an entire village being raped (the count is so far 303 men, women and children that have been raped).

A UN spokesman stated that the man arrested was Lt. Col. Mayele of the Mai Mai rebel group and he was turned in by one of his comrades. This makes me wonder if the group has something up their sleeve for them to turn in one of their own men. I am hoping more is revealed as the investigation goes on. Read the article for more details on this ongoing investigation.

Degrassi Cast Member to Appear in Chicago

Okay, peeps. I am more than overjoyed to share this news with you all. This is seriously going to be something I will continually blog about for the next few weeks.

You may be wondering what Degrassi has to do with Africa or its diaspora. In this case, something big.

For the global holiday International Education Week, Degrassi cast member and South African Shannon Kook-Chun (who plays Zane Park) will be answering questions on Thursday, November 18, 2010 about his background and how it affects him as an actor at Columbia College Chicago. This will be a ticketed event, but all the tickets are free. The tickets are currently not available, but should be within the couple of weeks for Columbia staff, faculty and students, then later for the general public.

As more details become available, I'll let you all know. International Student Organization at Columbia College (ISO) hasn't put out an official press release yet. Meanwhile, check out ISO's fan page on Facebook for more updates.

Just Found This Out - MTV African Music Awards (MAMA) to be held in Lagos

The announcement for this event was made back in April, but silly old me just found out today. Check out the info for this big event! It is also held on my BFF's birthday this year, so I have TWO things to celebrate!

Nigeria is considered by many Africans as the entertainment capital for the continent. Everything from music to film is most popular from here across the continent and has a growing following in many places abroad.

To find out more about entertain in Nigeria or in other African nations, go to http://www.jamati.com/.

Here's a package from Kenya's Citizen's TV from the 2009 MAMA, held in Nairobi.

Happy Nigerian Independence Day Made Sad

This morning, I woke up from a great deep sleep and realized that it is Nigerian Independence Day. A smile drew itself across my face. Plans for the outfit I am going to wear for the Nigerian Independence party tonight started to materialize. Then I check the news and I find out some party poopers attempted to rain on my parade.

A militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), has been upset with the conditions of Nigeria. This oil-rich country has the third largest economy in Africa, but yet poverty is suffered by the majority of it's people. I do understand their frustration (I have been irritated by this for a while, too), but this holiday is one for every Nigerian to be proud of. Mend, why don't you become a political party instead and try to make a difference through the government instead of killing fellow Nigerians? Thanks for raining on my parade (and everyone else's). Check out the full story.