August 2023 Edition

Culture & News

Ex-Mississippi Mayor Moves to Africa

Anthony Witherspoon is the former mayor of Magnolia, Mississippi who moved to Tanzania to start a tourism business. He wants to encourage others from the African Diaspora to explore relocation options to Africa. The continent of Africa currently has 54 countries with diverse cultures and languages. It also had several different nations in antiquity. For example, France and Germany are on the same continent of Europe, but they are recognized as different nations with their own cultures and customs. The same is true of Africa.

In September 2021, I was able to travel to Africa for the very first time. I arrived in Accra, Ghana as a twenty-times great granddaughter of those enslaved African ancestors, who in all probability, passed through the Cape Coast Castle. To read the travel essay: Glorious Ghana and see my photo album of the trip click here. It was a fortunate experience to make this pilgrimage at least once in my lifetime. I especially encourage African-Americans to take a trip to the motherland at least once, if they are able.

There has been a growing exodus of African-Americans moving to the continent of Africa for a while now. And this is a personal decision. There are options to explore dual citizenship, residency, seasonal living, or for a one-time pilgrimage. The African Diaspora of America is also moving to the Caribbean. For life in places such as the U.S. Virgin Islands or the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. They are no longer on the American mainland and can still have the benefits of the U.S. currency. And it’s not just retirees making the move. Younger individuals are moving abroad to seek better opportunities for entrepreneurship and more racial harmony.

Some American industries report a “brain drain” of African-American talent, who have moved to other countries for new opportunities, and have not returned. There is no utopia anywhere, every country will have pros and cons. You must weigh what’s best for you, your family, and situation.

The ancient Biblical world had wars and times of uncertainty–go back and read those stories. The comforts of living in a modern prosperous nation can induce forgetfulness. But that Biblical world still exists today, it’s just a little older. Remember activate faith not fear. And prayer is your GPS. When it comes to travel, the world is your oyster!    

*Notice: The article “Ex-Mississippi Mayor Moves to Africa” was first published in the May 2022 Special Edition: A Nation in Apostasy? To view the full edition click here.

💖For Additional Reading (8 Articles)

1.) ‘I am here in the Motherland’: Ex-Mississippi mayor moves to Africa, starts businesses (2021)

https://www.wlox.com/2021/02/01/i-am-here-motherland-ex-mississippi-mayor-moves-africa-starts-businesses/

2.) ABC 6 Action News: Camden Students Travel to Ghana (includes video, 2018)

https://6abc.com/new-jersey-news-camden-students-travel-to-ghana-mastery-high-school-of/3621822/

3.) USA Today: ‘I’m leaving, and I’m just not coming back’: Fed up with racism, Black Americans head overseas (2020)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/06/26/blaxit-black-americans-leave-us-escape-racism-build-lives-abroad/3234129001/

4.) The Philadelphia Tribune: The List of Blacks Leaving U.S. Mainland Grows (2017) 

https://www.phillytrib.com/commentary/mitchell-the-list-of-blacks-leaving-u-s-mainland-grows/article_e3fdf3da-4bde-55bb-b222-4c5992144843.html

5.) U.S. Department of State: How to Apply for a Passport

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

6.) Fortune: America’s Black brain drain: Why African-American professionals are moving abroad—and staying there (2020)

https://fortune.com/2020/08/10/black-african-americans-leaving-us-moving-abroad-professionals-race-opportunity-careers/

7.) Slate: The Supreme Court might destroy affirmative action because this white woman’s grades weren’t good enough. Fisher v. University of Texas (2015)

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/06/fisher-v-university-of-texas-the-supreme-court-might-just-gut-affirmative-action-this-time.html

8.) The Atlantic: The History of Russian Involvement in America’s Race Wars (2017)

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/10/russia-facebook-race/542796/

Art/Film/Literature News

Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business

Sarah Breedlove “Madam C.J. Walker” was born in 1867 and became a self-made millionaire in the hair care industry. The Rebel Girls Series features her in the book: Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business by Denene Millner & illustrated by Salini Perera (2023, 128 pages, kindle or paperback). She went from humble beginnings on a cotton farm to a fine lady wearing diamond hairclips.

This chapter book has an engaging storyline that includes Sarah’s early life, her anti-lynching activism, and chauvinistic encounters with Booker T. Washington. It has good writing and beautiful illustrations that predominantly feature various shades of orange, coral, and golden orange hues.

Book Quotes:

“Moses admired how kind and eager Sarah was.”

“Growing hair is like growing collard greens…We loosen the soil so that all the good nutrients can get down to the roots.”

“You’re pretty successful for a lady.”

Business/Non-Profit News

Mahogany Books

Mahogany Books of Washington, D.C. hopes to quench the thirst for literature by being an oasis in a “book desert.” The husband and wife owners, Derrick and Ramunda Young, named the bookstore in honor of their daughter, Mahogany. They offer a variety of genres that feature African-American authors, such as Cultural Literature, Fiction, Children & Young Adult, and Non-Fiction. You can visit the bookstore or make a purchase online at their website.

Subscribe to their free newsletter to receive updates on new releases and sales. Their recent email “7 Summer Titles You Need to Know” features The Vibes You Feel: What I’ve Learned about Life and Relationships Through the Holy Spirit (2023) by Kierra Sheard-Kelly. I’ve already added it to my reading list. Happy Summer Reading!

NBC: Black Bookstore Opens in South D.C. ”Book Desert” (2018)

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Black-Bookstore-Opens-in-Southeast-DC-Book-Desert-473706253.html?amp=y#referrer=https://www.google.com

9 News: Family Brings Black Literature to African American Community with No Bookstores (2019)

https://www.9news.com/article/news/family-brings-black-literature-to-african-american-community-with-no-bookstores/507-c63b48c3-60c8-4bef-8d4f-939bf088f83e

*Notice: Mahogany Books was first published in the December 2019 Edition. To view the full edition click here.

Book Review

World War III: The United States Of America Vs China And Russia

Do you need a good book to read with all that’s happening on the world stage? The book: World War III: The United States Of America Vs China And Russia (2022, 78 pages, kindle edition) is a brief overview of the historical context and geopolitics of a potential World War III. It begins with factors that contributed to the first two world wars, that were primarily European-on-European nation-state violence, with global consequences. Other topics include: the natural resources of China and Russia, anti-German sentiments in America, leadership, money safe havens, and the economy.

The author provides an interesting political opinion on three possible outcomes for how WW III would play out. There is also a fun fact about former President Trump’s paternal history. A good read!

Book Quotes:

“This book was designed to help others comprehend what it means to be at war.”

“China and Russia are viewed as major long-term competitors of the United States.”

“The United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany. At this point, the Second World War officially begun.”

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