A group of rival crews shot up a funeral procession in Washington, leaving one dead and two injured. Untold innocent bystanders are caught in cross fire intended to settle beefs. Gang activity has also shaken cities around the world from Chicago to Capetown, South Africa.
What’s being done to combat this problem? FullyConnected.com looks at funding over the years, efforts by leaders such as President Obama to control guns and various initiatives — those that seem to work and others that didn’t. This will be an ongoing, multi-part series. We will seek to involve at-risk youth who will compile video diaries. How better to see it up close and personal than employing teen journalists who are close to the action.
Moshood designs clothing for men and women, T-shirts and accessories.
With a message to “wear yourself,” Moshood has draped the masses in his loose-fitting, funky fashions for more than 15 years. Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, the designer planted a seed on Fulton Street in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn that has grown into a cult following of devotees to his “spirit of Afrikan pride.”
Moshood’s eponymous company is one of many businesses started by foreign-born blacks in the United States, whose population has mushroomed over the past 25 years. Here’s a look at diverse business owners in Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and other cities across the country.
Aaron Arefe portrays Anberber in “Teza” by Haile Gerima. The Ethiopian filmmaker’s 11 movies also include “Sankofa.” Credit: Mypheduh Films
Action. Romance. Historical facts. Humor. “Teza” has it all. Ethiopian-born filmmaker Haile Gerima spent 15 years preparing “Teza,” which is narrated in Amharic with subtitles in German and English.The film, which received widespread acclaim internationally, is available on DVD.
The story is told through the eyes of a man named Anberber, played by Aaron Arefe. Anberber is a passionate young man who grew up in Ethiopia, but left to study medicine in Germany during the regime of Ethiopian dictator Haile Mariam Mengistu.
While in Germany, Anberber grows as an intellectual, finds and loses love, and builds life-long friendships. Yet, in the end, he remains loyal to his country and returns to his homeland in hope of curing the sick and making a difference in Ethiopia.
“I try to marry cinema with my culture,” explained Gerima, who has made 11 films including “Sankofa,” also the name of the Howard University professor’s film, video and bookstore café in the heart of Washington, D.C., on Georgia Avenue.
“Teza,” which has breathtaking scenes of Ethiopia, has won numerous awards. At the 65th Venice Film Festival, “Teza” was awarded the Special Jury Prize and the OSELLA for best screenplay. It also won the 2008 Cinema for UNICEF Award.
At the 2008 Arab-African film festival of Carthage, Tunisia, the film swept away five awards, including the Tanit d’Or for the best film. It was also awarded the Golden Unicorn for the best feature film at the Amiens International Film Festival in France and won prizes at the 2008 Dubai International Film Festival and 2009 Rotterdam International Film Festival.
“Teza” was first out of 128 films at the 21st Pan-African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.—Jasmine Norwood
Somali-Canadian artist K'naan. Credit: knaanmusic.com
Keinan Abdi Warsame, better known as K’naan, had people around the world literally “Wavin’ Flag(s)” to the No. 1 single that raised fan fever during the World Cup as well as funds for victims of Haiti’s earthquake. Mitt Romney even used the song as he claimed victory recently in Florida’s Republican primary’s camp. K’naan put a stop to that since Romney didn’t have permission and wouldn’t have gotten it if his camp had asked.
Keeping his collaborations out of politics, the Somali-Canadian singer and rapper has performed with everyone from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett to Mos Def. His latest EP, “More Beautiful Than Silence,” features Nelly Furtado and Nas.
