Welcome to the inauguration of our University. It was here that on July 1, International Day of the African Diaspora, we announced the upcoming opening of University of the State of African Diaspora (USOAD).

The theme this year is “Heritage for All”. For everyone in Europe, but also for the whole planet. Heritage is the heritage of everyone around the world. Especially to Africans who have created and endowed the planet with incredible treasures. African heritage must stop being despoiled and must be shared with Africans. Laws must decree as quickly as possible the return of all African heritage to Africa. Human remains, as an extension of what has been decreed for the return, for example of the Venus Hottentot, must be returned without delay.

We should think about a Pan-African heritage day which would allow us, following a careful inventory and identification of the goods of the past, to put in place actions for the future. A program that would determine: the conservation of its goods, the schedule of returns, the exhibitions to be made, the places, the circulation of works of art in a physical or digital way. Everyone should be able to enjoy it. We call for greater inclusion and recognition of diversity; review existing stories for better transmission to future generations.

Within the Faculty of Heritage, we will work on tangible and intangible heritage. On the origins of heritage. Make an inventory to better soak up each object of art.

Sistas of D Ankh and Ma’at Sisterhood Circle welcome Winston Wellington, Chairman of Negril Education Environment Trust, ( NEET) and Jean Brown, Master Teacher, to Child’s Month Program. The event is staged around the achievements of NEET, its principles, discipline, vision and mission, will showcase its successful graduates and current students. To access the Virtual Programme, use the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3898417079 or log on to Zoom.com and type in the User ID: 389-841-7079

In tribute to Mothers on May 9th Mother's Day, Sistas of D Ankh and Ma'at Sisterhood Circle presents a Mother's Day Tribute by Charlie Bobus, Resident  & International Motivational Poet {Time: About 1:10 p.m.)

Joining Mr Winston Wellington will be Jean P. Brown, Master Teacher, formerly with Negril All Age School. Miss Brown is one of the Facilitators of NEET and has been responsible for the program’s success. A Tablet in every child’s hand and computer in every classroom is NEET’s Motto which has guided the program from obscurity to a household name in the parish of Westmoreland.

The tablet program is the foundation of NEET’s mission and goal. The organization aims to provide educational resources to underprivileged youth in Jamaica. We believe by doing this we can reduce crime in the country and ultimately provide opportunities for kids to achieve their dreams. There are many children who with a helping hand can go on to become the stars they were born to be. Join Sistas of D Ankh and Ma’at Sisterhood Circle this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. to welcome Mr Winston Wellington and Jean P. Brown and hear about their Student Exchange Program to Japan and Epcot Center, Florida.

Rt. Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Toronto, (March 20, 2021).

A bronze bust of Marcus Garvey will be installed at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by August 17 to mark the 134th birthday of Jamaica's first national hero.

This is the brainchild of Afroglobal Television, the 24-hour Canada-based network, the Marcus Garvey Institute under the leadership Dr Julius Garvey, its co-founder, chairman and son of the legendary Marcus Mosiah Garvey; also included are the Pan African Technical Association, Strictly Roots, National Association of Kawaida Organizations, The Whirlwind  Group, and renowned artist Nijel Binns of Los Angeles, USA.

PAN-AFRICANISM

Paris, Tuesday 27 April 2021.

The Pan-African Journalists' Caucus was launched by the African Diaspora State on Tuesday 06 April 2021. At this inaugural meeting, the decision was taken to set up a series of structures, including "Country Coordinators", who are the operational arm of the Caucus in its campaigns around the world. This will strengthen Africa's pride and dignity as the "Cradle of Humanity".

On the proposal of H.E. Ambassador Élisée Héribert-Label ADJOVI, Chairperson of the Pan-African Journalists' Caucus, the following Country Coordinators have been appointed:

West Africa: Benin, Joël Samson BOSSOU;  Burkino Faso, Elie KABORE; Central African Republic, Jean Fernand KOENA;
Ivory Coast, Sylvain NAMOYA; Gambia, Sanna CAMARA;  Ghana, Philip Nii LARTEY; Guinea Conakry, Billy Nankouman CONDÉ; Liberia, Hannah N. GETERMINAH; Mali, Paul MBEN; Niger, Mahamadou ABOULAYE, Nigeria; Abdoulaye ISAH;  Senegal, Maymouna N'DIR; Sierra Leone; Theresa R. SESAY;  Togo, Ferdinand GADE.

Kingston, Jamaica: Womanbition celebrates March, not just as International Women's Day, but a month where we are appealing to all women starting in Jamaica to come together and take a stand against crime and violence against our women and children.

Furthermore, this appeal comes in the wake of the murder of 20-year-old Accounting Clerk Khanice Jackson, missing 13-year-old Camperdown High School student Lameka Lamount since March 26, 2021, and visually impaired student Jasmine Dean who is still missing.

"Enough is enough; if our men can't protect us, if our government can't protect us, we MUST protect ourselves by whatever means necessary. We are the mothers, the caregivers, the sisters, the wives, the women who feel the pain from giving birth to burying in the dirt!"

These sentiments were uttered by an outraged mother who herself had been a victim of abuse. It is alarming to see that as women are being celebrated, they are also being killed. With this years' Women's Day theme "Choose To Challenge", Womanbition have chosen to challenge crime and violence, rape and any other form of abuse directed at women and children. We dare to do so through organized activism, awareness and standing up for justice.

March 24, 2021. Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I.  Keynote speakers Angella Whitter and Paula Hurlock are slated to speak at the Sistas of D Ankh and Ma’at Sisterhood Circle on March 28, 2021 as the final speakers on the Sisterhood roster for Women’s Month. The virtual but very live Zoom platform can be accessed using the Zoom ID # 389-841-7079 .

Angella Whitter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Whitter Group of Companies and Joe and Angella Whitter Foundation, which was recently launched on December 11, 2020 in celebration of the 10^th Anniversary of Whitter Village. The Foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships to tertiary students and persons with comorbidities from illnesses related to kidney, heart and optical diseases. Mrs. Whitter will be speaking on the topic “How Women’s Roles are Evolving in the New Normal.”

Paula Hurlock is a Developmental Specialist and Convenor of “I AM Light Jamaica”.  She is imbued with the ability to implement initiatives that do not yet exist. In her most recent position at Sutherland Global, Paula developed and implemented their global social impact program, which copped both the 2019 Microsoft Excellence Award for Impact Sourcing Leadership and the IAOP/Rockefeller 2020 Global Impact Sourcing Award in New York and then in Florida. Hurlock will share the motive behind the I AM Light Jamaica event, trauma carried by African people, the female thrust in Spiritual Empowerment and healing of Melaninated people, as well as, our role as wisdom keepers.

Sistas of D Ankh, founded by Hazel Yahmin Williams-Vaz and founding member, Pettia Williams, Wholistic Administrator, combined with Sharon Oshun Parris-Chambers, founder of Ma’at Sisterhood Circle, assembled on August 2020 to host webinars on the Zoom platform with the sole purpose of uplifting women and providing spiritual reparation. “This collaboration grew to include the production team: Nadia Oshun-Brown, Theo Chambers and Ralston Francis whose aim is widening the network of support available for women in Jamaica and the Diaspora,” said Sharon Oshun Parris-Chambers.

Dr. Sherrill Chong

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA- March 12, 2021 – The illustrious Dr. Sherrill Chong, an esteemed researcher in clinical therapy and SOAD Minister of Family & Social Economy will present at the Sistas of D Ankh & Ma'at Sisterhood Circle on the topic: ‘Physical Health and Wellness of the Family & Community.’ The virtual event will take place via Zoom on March 14, 2021 and can be accessed with the link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3898417079. Meeting ID: 389 841 7079.

Dr. Sherrill Chong, who is described as a coach extraordinaire has worked in various capacities. Her main goal through her association with E & S Chong Health Ministries is to ‘empower Caribbean people world-wide through Motivation, Training, and Implementation Strategies to regain and sustain Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual health.’ With her expertise in Holistic Health where she provides assistance in lifestyle transformation for individuals, families, communities and nations, there is much assurance that she will be an excellent speaker that will have all the attendees engrossed in her presentation.

Thursday, March 4, 2021 (Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.) The State of the African Diaspora, Jamaica on March 1, 2021 rolled out its campaign to sensitize, educate and register Jamaican citizens to access the LUMI Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Stimulus Program.  It is a thirty-six-month stimulus package which began October 28, 2020 and ends September 28, 2023.

Background on SOAD and Eco-6 Region

The State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) is part of the Economic Community “Sixth Region” of the African Union (AU), which came to life with the bold actions of Dr. Louis-Georges Tin, now Prime Minister of SOAD. It is a Pan African vision for African liberation and sovereignty.

In 2014, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President-in-Office of the African Union gave a mandate to Dr. Louis-Georges Tin, Chairperson of the Representative Council of Black Associations (CRAN) at the time, to set up the African Diaspora, to “give substance” to the Sixth Region. In 2018, Dr. Louis-Georges Tin presented to the African Union representatives the results of his mission: A constitution, a government and development projects. These elements were validated by President Aziz, and the State of the African Diaspora was formalized at the AU Summit in Mauritania on July 1, 2018. For more information, visit www.thestateofafricandiaspora.com .

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA- February 26, 2021 – The renowned international storyteller, Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks will present at the Sistas of D Ankh & Ma'at Sisterhood Circle on February 28, 2021 at 1:00 P.M.

Guests can expect to have a life-changing experiences as she delivers a powerful presentation on using storytelling to rebuild, educate and transform the African community. The virtual event can be accessed via Zoom with the link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3898417079 and Meeting ID: 389 841 7079.

Amina Blackwood Meeks, who is a writer, director, performer, and custodian of our oral tradition is confidently described as ‘a voice that must be heard.’ This, along with her expertise and charisma makes her one of the most dynamic and deliberate voices of our time. She is also the founder and programmes director of Ntukuma, The Storytelling Foundation of Jamaica, which is committed to exploring the relationship between the ancient wit and wisdom of African ancestry and modern needs.

Sistas of D Ankh, founded by Hazel Yahmin Williams-Vaz and Ma’at Sisterhood Circle, founded by Sharon Oshun Parris-Chambers, assembled on August 2020 to host webinars on the Zoom platform with the sole purpose of uplifting women. “This collaboration grew to include the production team: Pettia Williams, Nadia Oshun Brown, Theo Chambers and Ralston Francis whose aim is widening the network of support available for women in Jamaica and the Diaspora,” said Hazel Yahmin Williams-Vaz.

As I read of the desperate measures being taken by some parents towards ensuring their children are receiving an education during this pandemic. I cannot help thinking that not enough is being done by the Government to ensure that our nation’s children are not left behind. In a recent visit to a local Internet cafe I observed two young children with their school books, an ear plug sitting in this small crowded retail shop trying to do online schooling on the computer, this was when I realised the seriousness of this situation. Whilst I try to put this from my mind, today’s headline “Online Schooling by the Roadside” (Gleaner, October 21) further sent reminders to me that I need to share with Jamaicans my concern and support of the cry of these parents in their desperate need. This, I trust, will help bring more attention to their plight in an effort to return some element of normality to educating our children.

I also ponder the thought on the continuation of policy that keeps all schools across our island closed. The continued lack of traditional teaching in traditional classrooms, coupled with the lack of resources to reach the masses, particularly those in rural areas must be returned to normalcy. Special consideration should be given to those with special needs and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, should be urgently reviewed. Already there has been concern regarding learning capacity and the health nutrition impact on our children depending on their socio-economic background. (Clarke et.al,1991).

 Whilst I understand the challenges for our country from this global pandemic, we have found ways to re-open our international borders, and all but few industries have remained closed. The Ministry of education had promised the reopening of our schools for this school term; however, this has not happened with the recent announcement and protocol which has prohibited all schools against reopening and instead classes are being held online.

Jamaica should best adopt the protocol of other countries in making efforts to return to classroom education, recognising the important role of traditional learning on the mental health and wellbeing of our children.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.

• Twitter gave an update late on Friday on its investigation into the highly visible hack of dozens of verified accounts on Wednesday.
• Twitter said 130 accounts were targeted, of which 45 had their passwords reset and tweets sent by the hackers.
• Up to eight accounts also had their data fully downloaded by hackers. None were Verified accounts, the company said.

The hackers who hijacked dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts this week may have had a second, less visible purpose.

The hack took place on Wednesday when the hackers successfully gained access to accounts belonging to public figures, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Kim Kardashian, as well as some company accounts like Apple and Uber.

Hijacking these accounts, the hackers tweeted out a Bitcoin scam, asking followers to send Bitcoin to a specific wallet address and promising to send back double the amount.

Twitter said on Friday that it believed 130 accounts were affected by the hack and that only a "small subset" actually tweeted anything.