Ayub Ogada- Spendid

I listened, again, this morning to Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina’s “How Not to Write about Africa” and this time I was pull into this piece by the background music.  I wondered how I had not first said OMG, who is this.  Well, it’s Kenyan musician Ayub Ogada.   He is splendid.  Listen.

The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth; Kick It With A Geek

If you’re a fan of Will.i.am, of the Black Eyed Peas, you know he is a technology fan. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to learn that he is even a bigger fan of promoting young people to explore the sciences and make their own inventions. Listen to following video to learn more.

Here is a link to learn more about the science program I Am First: http://iamfirst.dipdive.com/


And here is a great scholarship opportunity from Goggle for those interested in computer science, software development or computer technology in general.

As part of Google’s commitment to advancing computing and technology, they are providing scholarships to support students in their study of computer science.

The Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field. Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first) so long as they maintain criteria for renewal. Recipients will also be invited to attend Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) in the summer of 2012.

Who Should Apply?
Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-2013 school year
• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related program
• Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community
• Strong record of academic achievement
• A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female, or a Person with a Disability)
• Demonstrates financial need.
For complete details, visit the Generation Google Scholarship site.
Deadline to apply: Monday, February 20, 2012 Questions? Email us at generationgoogle@google.com

For more information about student opportunities at Google, check out www.google.com/students

The Versatile Blogger Award- Sojo’s Trumpet ?

I'm the girl with the bows. I'm with my family in my grandfather's village in Cote d'Ivoire. It's all about memories.

We have all read books that have moved us forward in some important way and made us wonder about the world and our place in it.  After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Non-Violent Resistance by  Anne Sibley O’Brien and Perry Edmond O’Brien is one of those books that made me want to go out and  change the world for the better because it gave examples of people who did just that.  Here is my review of this book almost three years ago. This is the best gift you can get to inspire a young person in your life to see the possibility of one’s actions making a real, moral difference:  http://trumpetworld.blogspot.com/2009/05/after-gandhi-one-hundred-years-of.html

I am revisiting this book today, because recently Ms. O’ Brien was kind enough to nominate me for the Versatile Blogger Award.  I thank her and here is a link to her blog- Coloring Between the Lines;  Reflections  on Race, Culture and Children’s Books  http://coloringbetween.blogspot.com/

The Rules

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 5  blogs you enjoy reading.
4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

Seven things you didn’t know about me

1.       I am one of the 55 finalists for the 2012 Knight Foundation Arts Challenge/Philadelphia.   More than 1200 people applied.

http://www.knightarts.org/community/philadelphia/55-finalists-named-in-knight-arts-challenge-philadelphia

2.      I am from the Baoule ethnic group in Cote d’Ivoire and one of my heroines is Queen Pokou:
http://www.pascalmpeck.com/Paintings/Queen-Pokou.html

3.       I am now a major fan of Junot Diaz  and his novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97336132

     4.       I am also a major fan of  French tennis player Gael Monfils:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW9zKEiy77A

      5.      I am also a Philly girl and no one represents us better than Jill Scott: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCXr79Rkcw

6.      I support the honesty and goal of the new film Pariah. Go see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbBiTlGhrPY

7.      I love Korean food and my Korean language skills are coming along. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t3ch-UAbo0&feature=relmfu

  Blogs I Enjoy

1.       Coloring Between the Lines;  Reflections  on Race, Culture and Children’s Books  http://coloringbetween.blogspot.com/

2.      Africa is a Country  http://africasacountry.com/

3.      Black Girl Flow  http://www.blackgirlflow.com/

4.      Girls’ State of the Union  http://womensmediacenter.com/blog/girls-state-of-the-union/

5.      Amnesty International    http://www.amnestyusa.org/

Remember the Golden Rule- Happy New Year

The Problem We All Live With-Norman Rockwell, 1963; In honor of Ruby Bridges

Southern Justice-Norman Rockwell, 1965; in honor of the three young Civil Rights activists who were killed while trying to register people to vote in the South-James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner

Negro in the Suburbs,  Norman Rockwell, 1967; Take note how each set of kids has a baseball mitt

I want to open the New Year with a post about the power of love and how as artists our work can be influenced by who we love and how the right kind of love can make us brave.  For many older people like my grandfather, who introduced me to the work of the illustrator and painter Norman Rockwell, Mr. Rockwell was a beloved, almost iconic figure, even for African-Americans who rarely were represented in his work which appeared on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post for more than 40 years.   I learned that the Saturday Evening Post and many publications at that time had an editorial policy that African-Americans could only be presented in subservient or menial positions.  When African-Americans did show up in Mr. Rockwell’s paintings we were there just as background.  

But he found in his third wife,  Molly Punderson,  the encouragement to open his eyes and make a big leap into the kind of  artistic work that makes a statement  and takes a stand.   Mr. Rockwell left The Saturday Evening Post and joined Look Magazine where he did the kind of illustrations I admire him for. 

Please click on the images to learn more about the subjects of the illustrations and give it up for the power of love.