Week of 20th January: Afrobeat Vibrations, The African Market Mobilising Resources for Africa, Focus Best From Africa Showcase, Bernadine Evaristo, Lela's Lounge, Chinas Engagement with Africa, AFRUCA Children's Champion

Amosi (Hello in Luo)

As we get through the middle of January, Proud to be African Clothing has another week of fascinating

events from markets, drumming classes, talks on Puntland, Angola, Ethiopia and much more.

The International ROOTS Festival Trip to Gambia takes place between 9^th and 17^th May 2014. The Roots programme is designed to enrich and enlighten people of African descent, by integrating with various tribal groups as they go on a pilgrimage through different villages embracing Gambian traditions, customs, values and culture. The cost is £699.00 for 7 nights, £899.00 for 14 nights and £1,099.00 for 21 nights (inclusive of accommodation, bed and breakfast and airfare).  To secure a place, a deposit of £199.00 is required by 31^st January, with final payment by 31^st March 2014. For more details enquire by email or check the website or else phone Angie on 07903 591 426 or 07508 913 114 or Hughie on 07940 081 651 or: 0203 441 6277

  

Enjoy the week

Monday 20^th January

At 11.00am Chatham House presents Towards Somali Federalism? Insights from Puntlands Presidential Elections at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. With Dr Michael Walls (UCL) discussing the outcome of the election in Puntland, the first of Somalia’s Federal units to attempt to transition from clan based representation to democratically elected government, the effects of Puntlands relationship with the Federal Government and the build up to Somalia’s national election in 2016. To attend contact Chris Vandome.

At 3.00pm Chatham House presents South Africa’s Future: Reflecting on two Decades of Democracy at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House. Chaired by Professor Jack Spence OBE (KCL), Colin Coleman (Goldman Sachs International)  will present the main findings if their recent report: Two Decades of Freedom: What South Africa is Doing With It, And What Now Needs To be Done and discuss this year’s election and policy options in the 20^th year since its first multi party election, with Martin Plaut (Institute of Commonwealth Studies). To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome. 

At 3.00pm the Overseas Development Institute hosts Misconceptions, realities and unanswered questions: China’s engagement with Africa at ODI, 203 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8NJ. Chaired by Dr Dirk Willem te Velde (ODI), with Professor Raphael Kaplinsky (Open University), Professor Xiaolan Fu (University of Oxford), Associate Professor Christopher Alden (LSE), Dr Stevan Lee (DfID), Dr Dan Korbel (Economic and Social Research Council) and Zhenbo Hou (ODI) who will examine China’s role in Africa and its potential for economic development. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

Tuesday 21^st January

From 3.00pm to 5.00pm AFFORD and AMREF present Mobilising Resources for Africa: What role for young Africans in the Diaspora in Room G50, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. To attend his FREE report launch' email Emma Orefuwa or phone 0203 326 3750.

At 7.00pm Progressio presents the London Launch of the Unbreakable Campaign at St Marys Moorfield Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, EC2M 7LS. Suad Abdi, Progressions programme head in Somaliland will introduce their campaign to improve women’s lives and let their voices be heard. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm The Royal African Society presents China, India and the Global Struggle for Oil in Sudan and South Sudan in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS. Chaired by Charles More (Africa-Asia Confidential), with speaker Dr Luke Patey (Danish Institute for International Studies) and respondents Ali Askouri (Africa’s Resource based Conflicts) and Michal Meidan (Eurasia Group), looking at the politics of oil giants Sudan and South Sudan before and after separation and the ensuing stalemate rooted in territorial disputes and how Chinas involvement in the extraction and purchase of crude and the entry of India affect the dynamic. RSVP this FREE event here. 

Wednesday 22^nd January

At 4.00pm Chatham House presents Partners in Prosperity? UK-Angolan Relations for Trade and Economic Growth in Committee Room 4A, House of Lords, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, SW1A 0AA. Chaired by Lord Grocott (Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Angola) with Lord Marland (Prime Ministers former Trade Envoy) who will reflect on his experiences leading the UK’s biggest ever Trade mission to Angola and discuss opportunities and priority sectors for investment. To attend, register here. 

At 7.00pm Black History Studies will be screening Great black Inventors- The Life and Legacy of George Washington Carver at PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 2LN, this documentary covers the life and legacy of George Washington Carver one of the most prominent scientists and inventors of his time, devising over 100 products from the peanut. Admission is £5.00, RSVP by email, more details here. 

Thursday 23^rd January

At 6.00pm AFFORD presents Educate a Girl,  Educate a Society at The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, Westminster, SW1P 3BU. This meeting seeks to explore ways of supporting Ethiopian girls to enter and stay in higher education, discussing policy implementation, diaspora remittances and skills transfer. Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm Magenta Dating hosts Mix and Mingle (Black Singles Event) at All Bar One, 106-107 Houndsditch, EC3A 9BD. This social mixer event for professional black singles is scheduled to break the January detox and hopefully match a lucky couple in time for Valentine’s Day! Admission is £10.00 from here. 

Friday 24^th January

At 7.30pm Focus Organisation presents The Best From Africa Live Showcase Festival at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Featuring Gaspard Zamble traditional Zaouli dancers from Cote d’Ivoire, Koko Kayinda and the Congo All Stars, performing soukuos from Congo, the Heritage Survival Band performing soukous from Zimbabwe and JP Kairo. Tickets are £7.00 from here.

At 5.30pm AFRUCA presents Conversations with AFRUCA’s Children’s Champions in the Conference Room, 1^st Floor, Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, Islington, N1 3QP. Chaired by Debbie Ariyo OBE this evening of conversations led by 2 AFRUCA Children’s Champions with backgrounds in Social Work and Education will explore child protection issues, parenting practices and how they relate to black/ African children. Refreshments will be provided at this FREE event. Register to attend here.

At 7.00pm is the UK Black Entrepreneur and Professional New Year Party at Holiday Inn Express Hotel Stratford, 196 High Street, Stratford, E15 2NE. This networking party for business owners, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals cost £15.00, RSVP here

Saturday 25^th January

From 11.00am to 5.00pm Open the Gate presents The African Market at Old Spitalfields Market, Shoreditch, E1 6EW, with an eclectic range of original and ethical fashion, accessories, jewellery, skin and hair care products, shoes, books, music arts and much more. Entry is FREE!

At 3.00pm NABSS holds its Monthly Workshop on Educational Advocacy at Birkbeck University, Stratford Circus, University Square, Stratford, 1 Salway Road, Stratford, E15 1NF. This interactive session will teach parents how to engage with schools and colleges, children’s and carers/ parents rights with Hellen Adom. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 9.00pm Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Vibrations will be shaking at The New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, E8 3RL. As well as the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, there will be special guests Fellowship of Groove as well as stalwart DJ Koichi Sakai on the decks. Admission is £8.00 before 10.00pm, £12.00 thereafter or £10.00 in advance from here. 

Sunday 26^th January

At 6.00pm is Michelles Urban Quiz Nite at Cottons Rhum Jungle, 70 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QP. This monthly event is an urban trivia quiz with questions on film, TV, music, sport, world affairs, general knowledge, charades, name that tune with an urban twist, there is a set menu serving African Caribbean food. Admission is £7.00

 At 3.00pm the African Caribbean Book Club hosts Meet the Author: Bernadine Evaristo at 5^th View, 5^th Floor, Waterstones bookstore, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE. The Book Club will be discussing the authors latest work ‘Mr Loverman’ after which the author herself will attend to answer questions and discuss the book

At 7.00pm Lela Lounge presents Talk To Me: Lock and Key Party, at the Stone Bar, 68-70 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY. This dating event is aimed at over 21s, each male will receive a key and females a lock and as the evening progresses go round the room seeing which key opens which lock. Every time a lock opens you get a new lock and get entered into a raffle draw. Admission is £15.00 from here.