Every year, August 17 marks the Marcus Garvey Day, which is one of the national days of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD). This year, for this special occasion, Dr Julius Garvey, who is Marcus Garvey’s son, and Dr Louis-Georges Tin, Prime Minister of SOAD, have just signed a cooperation agreement the aim of which is « to create a maritime company called The New Black Star Line, to revive the Black Star Line, the company once created by Marcus Garvey », as stated in article 1 of the text.

Last year, on december 31, 2021, both parties had already signed a cooperation agreement. Now, this new article is added to reinforce this important cooperation. As explained in article 2, « the company will work on repatriation, to support the African Diaspora in their effort to reconnect with the continent, and it will also encourage Africans from the continent to visit the Diaspora ». But it will also work with cargo « in an effort to promote South-South commercial relationships » (article 3). Though it is very recent, this initiative has already raised a lot of interest. Different partners on the international scale have expressed their desire to be part of the story.

The Prime Minister declared : « The New Black Star Line is an effort to continue and reinforce the example set up by Marcus Garvey. While our ancestors were deported from Africa, the New Black Star Line will help us to reverse this bad energy and go back to Africa. To sign this cooperation agreement with Dr Julius Garvey is a privilege. This initiative is not only commercial, it is also political, I would even say spiritual ».

Upon signing the document, Dr Julius Garvey concluded : « It is time to carry forward my Father’s Legacy.

Members of the JDF - Source: News Americas Now

“One love, one heart,
Let’s get together and feel alright”

From the country that the “no problem, mon” motto has sprouted from, seems to alight frequent and senseless crimes, especially murders. The most recent news gripping the hearts of the Jamaican people was the traumatising killing of Kemisha Wright and her four children in Clarendon. The questions that are now on the tongues of every citizen appear to be, “When will it stop?”, “When will the government orchestrate a feasible crime plan?” and “When will hanging return?” However, we must pause to release that the problem with crime in the Jamaican society is everyone’s prerogative. The solution to the crime problem rests within our homes, schools, and communities.

It is said that “the home is where the heart is” and “there’s no place like home.” Indeed, a child spends the first years of his/her life at home where the first stage of socialisation is said to take place. A child is a product of their home as it is easy to tell what happens at home in interactions with children, as they tend to be less filtered about sharing the undiluted facts. This then behoves us to make a conscious effort in raising the children in the homes, not to expose them to harmful content or praise negative behaviours when they are performed. Children, once they reach a stage of understanding, should be involved in the tenets of life and be taught to make a positive contribution to society. When the lyrical content of the music at a two-year-old’s birthday party can be promoting drug abuse, crime, and illicit sexual activities, it is rather inevitable that such a child will grow up neglecting these ideas. When violence becomes a child’s preferred mode of conflict resolution then the problem is now seen outside of the home setting.

Another key component in the upbringing of a child is his/her involvement in the school system. The classroom is a culmination of various ideologies which were developed from the different homes. There now arises a battle of belief systems which continues throughout the stages of education. When negativity and corruption gain societal acclaim, children who have been subscribed to this philosophy from the home, will showcase this behaviour and the element of peer pressure will promote these undesirable behaviours. The teachers are now responsible to ensure that they not only teach from the book but from the heart and help to instil good moral principles. This element too is under attack since some teachers have accepted the popular notion of individuality, where they are no longer concerning with others but themselves. Although one may detest the argument, it is understandable for this reaction since the children have a stronger home base and are unapologetic in attacking those who should be respected, including teachers. As much as the school is responsible, the spotlight is still on the home’s responsibility.

Marketing is as important as robots

Almost everyone is supposed to have some knowledge of marketing, whether it be by direct, hands-on experience in studying and practicing the various principles or being a marketing representative or even by being enticed to partake of something that was well marketed. Evidently, the importance of marketing is far-reaching as it educates individuals about things that are important and, in some cases, not important to them. Essentially, marketing describes any venture to promote and sell products and services which means it takes place constantly and, in many forms, since we are always in need of a product or service.

Throughout the centuries, a variety of approaches including strategic planning and a high human effort have been taken to appeal to the targeted audience groups. Presently, with the prevalence of digitisation, flyers, posters, billboards, and town criers have taken an electronic turn. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken a ‘predictive’ stance in our everyday lives, from auto-correct to video recommendations to the brand of water we would be most likely inclined to drink. While this has proven to be a remarkable breakthrough in civilization and technology, the compelling question that arises is, “So, why do we still need a marketing team?”

If an algorithm is able to gather an individual’s information, ascertain such a one’s needs, wants and desires, then market goods and services that are relevant and effective to that person, there would be no need to waste resources on people who have been doing the same thing… right? Wrong. Here’s why.

Regardless of the influx of humanoid robots in this present time, the human element will always be irreplaceable, and the COVID-19 Pandemic has taught us that – the hard way. We must remember that it is the human effort that has developed the software through with the algorithms perform. While the principles and practices that are being learnt are effective, stronger technological methods must be implemented to make marketing sustainable. One solution could be for marketers to learn the coding techniques for these computer systems, nodding to even more efficient AI suggestions. It then behoves marketers globally, to apply the very principles of marketing to enhance their personal brand and secure a sustainable career.

Ayanna Gregory Dedicates Her Life to the Promotion of Black Excellence.

Ayanna Gregory is proof that the apple does not fall far from the tree. In her interview with Denise Isis Miller, host of Rootsology on Roots FM Radio, artist, activist and educator Ayanna Gregory gave insight on how she became successful in her music career.

Exposure is the avenue that paved the path to Ms. Gregory’s success. The influence came from her father, Dick Gregory’s career as a civil rights activist. Dick Gregory was also a comedian who merged his comedic knack to vocalize racism.  He was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960’s, when he protested the Vietnam War and racial injustice.

“I am who I am because of all of them.” The possibility of Ayanna Gregory taking this path was inevitable, because of the influence of her parents. She mentioned in the interview that her mother was also involved in the civil rights movement, which landed her in jail on multiple occasions, sometimes during pregnancy. This made a lasting impression on her.

The production team of Herbology Meets Rootsology & Queenology returns with an exciting collaboration between the Temple of Inner Peace, founders Sharon and Theo Chambers and ICAN Company, founding directors Denise Isis Miller and Cover Palmer dubbed "Herbology Meets Rootsology Greets Queenology”. Queenology is the study and Science of a Queen. The focus is “Queen Healing,” which is being staged during International Women’s Month building on the theme “Break the Bias”. Parris-Chambers said “We aim to shatter the Glass Ceiling with the showcase of seven phenomenal women and their unique experiences and contribution to Health and Wellness.” The programme is staged on March 27, 2022 at the Temple of Inner Peace in West Cliff Estate, Mt Airy, Negril.

Denise Isis Miller, the conceptualizer of the Herbology Meets Rootsology Meets Queenology showcase staged the first production Herbology Meets Rootsology Tour from February 4 to February 27, 2022 in association with Temple of Inner Peace Launch and Nature Ellis Revolution Choice Live Album Launch in an island-wide showcase.  

Seven Words Sounds tells the story of what will unfold when the seven women take to the stage: Passion, Healing, Cleansing, Clearing, Faith, Grounding and Transformation. It will be Magical, with the fire blazing & purifying everything in its path, when Seven women of Worth takes the stage on March 27^th the likes of: Nadia Brown, Tourism Stalwart & General Manager Zoetry Hotel Resort & Spa; Jackie Cohen-Hope, International Buyer of Ethnic Arts & Artifacts and Designer of Mutamba Fashions; Mama Fiyah, Nyabinghi Warrioress; Nadia Brown, Tourism Stalwart & General Manager Zoetry Hotel Resort & Spa; Mama RZion, Founder of RZion Foundation Camp; Claudette Kemp, Manager for Recording Reggae Artisté Capelton and Promoter; and Angella Whitter, CEO Whitter Group of Companies & Philanthropist.

Electrifying speakers will be on hand to stimulate and empower guests during the Queen Healing Showcase: Hope Heaven (Queen Healing In Mind Body & Spirit); SherIne Gayle (Healing with Food as Your Medicine); Mama Lily (Healing from Cancer), Sharon Oshun Chambers (Womb Healing). The programme will be hosted by Denise Isis Miller presenting opening remarks with Theo Chambers. The ambiance will be mystical with Saging for positive energetic flow, Drumming, Wholistic Massage and Reflexology. Delicious Vegan food will be available for sale and Vendors with Herbal and Wellness products, books, ceramics, wood carvings and more will be available to make this showcase truly memorable.

The first showcase entitled Herbology Meets Rootsology Tour was a tremendous success. The event was a novel approach in fusing a trilogy:  knowledge of herbs, grounding with nature and music. Herbology Meets Rootsology Tour showcased the Herbalists, the Herbs & Botanicals endemic to Jamaica and asked Jamaicans to return to using their traditional herbs and herbaceuticals particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Keynote Dr Sherrill Chong, played a pivotal and grounding role as anchor in most of the four sessions held at various venues from Temple of Inner Peace (Negril Hills); Kamila’s Kitchen & Skyline Levels (Jacks Hills); Countryfarm House (Kingston); with the finale at Bob Marley Beach (Kingston). Speakers comprised Moses Chybar, Diana McIntyre-Pike, Arlene McKenzie, Bongo Roach and others.

SOAD-Emergency Response System, Panama, March 25, 2022.

The State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) Emergency Response System (ERS), has answered the call to rescue and evacuate African students and their families out of war-torn Ukraine.

SOAD is a borderless State formalized at the Africa Union Summit in Mauritania on July 1, 2018. It is responsible for the welfare of its citizens in the Diaspora and continental Africa.

The SOAD ERS, was created through a government decree and is comprised of Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Organizations and Volunteers. The ERS is led by Melvin Brown, General Director of the Command Centers and President of SOAD Parliament.

The Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) is pleased to announce the nomination of two new Ministers of Government.

The new Minister of Finance was already an Ambassador of SOAD. Coming from Morocco and the United States, he is an international expert in finance, global assets management, and currencies. He served as special advisor to the former UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, also as special advisor to the former President of the EU Parliament, Dr Enrique Baron Crespo, and he is currently CEO and Chairman of Titanium Capital Mining Corporation.

The new Minister of Youth was also an Ambassador of SOAD, she has been very active in supporting African students evacuated from Ukraine and relocated in Eastern Europe. She has travelled to Ukraine in April, visiting 11 Orphanages. She has successfully established a support network for several families there. She has worked for many years supporting and empowering young people and the disadvantaged in Nigeria and in UK. In 2019, Ambassador Ola was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom as a Member of the Excellent Order of the British Empire MBE. She was also appointed by the Nigerian government as the First Diaspora Ambassador to Nigeria.

 -Source: SOAD News as SOAD ERS
  Caribnewsroom.com           

Left to Right : Melkamsera Fekadu, Keturah Amoako, Jasmin Rowe, Kemuel Guthrie at the African Union Headquarters

The 25^th May, 2022 marked World Africa Day 10^th Year anniversary of the Heads of State and Government, Representatives of the AU, the West Indies, Latin and South America and varied representatives from the African Diaspora who met during the Global African Diaspora Summit in Sandton, Joburg, South Africa and the historic adoption of the AU-African Diaspora Declaration concerning the Diaspora, 6^th Region of Africa.

The Diaspora Declaration can be read here :  30970-doc-global_diaspora_summit_declaration-e

The Roots-Synergy Roundtable which invited Pan-African organisations, civil society organisations, NGOs, CBOs, etc. has taken the initiative to come together to discuss and review 10 years after the Declaration was made and what decisive action or developments have been mobilised or achieved by the AU since its ratification.

The Pan-African Roots Synergy was initiated and spearheaded by Dr. David Horne of the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus; Dr. Barryl A. Blekman of the AU African Diaspora 6^th Region FWG Europe; Dr Chidebere Anelechi Ogbu of African Diaspora Union and Mrs Grace Abena James of 6^th Region African Diaspora Alliance in Tanzania.

Her Excellency Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE and His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, GCON

Recently appointed as a Minister of Youth of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD), Her Excellency Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE, has just initiated discussions with two former presidents of Nigeria: His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo and His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan . The topic of these briefings was the situation of the African students who were in Ukraine and had to evacuate the country. Currently, the Minister of Youth is discussing with former president Obasanjo about the need of scholarships for these African students.

Ambassador Olasubomi, a Director of Lightup Foundation, who was then a SOAD ambassador, organised a tour of European nations that share a border with Ukraine. This initiative was to ensure that African refugees would receive the necessary support they required for evacuation, to help identify needs and see how such needs could be urgently met.

The Ambassador went to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary Germany and Romania. In two of these countries, she helped the communities to call the media and to organise the fundraising activities that were so necessary. She also engaged with universities such as Cyprus International University CIU which has provided scholarship support for students fleeing the
war in Ukraine.

Also, in Germany, the Ambassador helped the refugees to manage the situation in a context where they could not understand what they were asked to sign, because of the langage barrier, and some of them had their travel documents seized.  She advocated for the release of all seized documents, after several advocacies, the German government acknowledged they were wrong and returned all seized documents. As at today many of the refugees in Germany have been registered and they are currently receiving €350/month from the German government.

June 10, 2022, Panama City, Panama.

State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) Emergency Response ERS has been working behind the scenes to assist African Students in Hungary, Germany and Czech Republic to relocate, resettle and bring some normality back to their lives.

SOAD is a borderless State formalized at the Africa Union Summit in Mauritania on July 1, 2018. It is responsible for the welfare of its citizens in the Diaspora and continental Africa.

SOAD ERS command center is providing crisis management in the evacuation and resettlement of African students from Ukraine, victims of the Esmeraldas Earthquake and Rehabilitation of Ukraine Orphans.

Ambassador, Olasubomi (Ola) Iginla Aina, MBE, SOAD and a Director for Lightup Foundation, UK has displayed outstanding bravery in the face of danger during her recent mission to rehabilitate Orphans in Lviv, Ukraine. Recently, Ambassador Ola’s selfless work has resulted in her appointment as Minister of Youth for SOAD. She has also reported that Germany is resettling its African Migrant Students, several have been awarded €350. She did not waste any time to forge new linkages. In her new capacity, Her Excellency made official courtesy calls on two former Nigerian Presidents – His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria in her new capacity. Excellency Ola Aina also sought much needed scholarships for African Students.  In addition, Goodwill Ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Tingling, based in New York, also assisted with Scholarships.

The ERS has procured financial assistance for African Students in Budapest, Hungary. However, more funds and support are greatly needed from humanitarian organizations, churches and volunteers to offset the growing need for accommodation for students in Budapest and Czech Republic. ERS is also providing advocacy with immigration matters as some students are facing possible deportation.

Meta (Facebook) is Reportedly Planning to Launch Retail Stories to Sell VR, AR and Other Digital Connection Tools

According to The New York Times, “Meta has discussed opening retail stores that will eventually span the world, said people with knowledge of the project and company documents viewed by The New York Times. The stores would be used to introduce people to devices made by the company’s Reality Labs division, such as virtual reality headsets and, eventually, augmented reality glasses, they said.”

The big idea is that to guide users towards Meta’s vision of the ‘metaverse’, an immersive digital world of endless possibilities, Meta will have to get more of these tools into more homes. Subsequently, physical stores may be a better way to establish direct-to-consumer supply chains, while also enabling new showcase opportunities to generate more sales.

Currently, you can purchase Facebook’s products in retail stores, but they’re stacking the shelves alongside many other competing devices and options. If Facebook wanted to invest more into direct marketing, and highlighting its next-level plans, it would be best to do so via its own, dedicated promotion and product displays, which it could directly control within its own stores, built specifically around its offerings.

On November 1, 2021, Instagram officially launched the 'Add Yours' Sticker to facilitate more engagement in stories. This feature enables users to prompt others to respond to their Stories content, in order to create more engaging reply to threads to Stories posts. When users respond the sticker, they’re added to the profile bubble listing on the sticker, which, when tapped, enables users to go through all the other responses to the thread, building a response chain within Stories that can help prompt more engagement.

How to use this new feature

Step 1: Once you’ve captured or uploaded a photo or video in Stories, tap the Stickers icon at the top of the screen.

Step 2: Tap the “Add Yours” sticker.

There has been a growing interest in short videos, which has been adopted by almost every social media platform. YouTube has started sharing a regular “Shorts Report” to provide updates on what’s trending.

Along with what is trending, the Shorts Report also highlights popular users and creation notes to help in your Shorts process. These notes include information on how to maximize shorts engagements, using audio in your clips, and how to build an audience.

YouTube also has a Shorts educational video series. Shorts are already scoring 6.5 billion daily views, so you may want to take this into consideration.

Below is October’s Shorts report:

Social media platforms have been incorporating the trend of live-stream commerce. The newest platform is Pinterest, which will launch live shopping events on a new initiative called “Pinterest TV”.

Pinterest TV will host creators on its live platform, and the app’s “pinning” feature will come in handy to make these live streams available for view later.

A statement from Pinterest’s newsroom on October 29, 2021:

“Today we’re announcing Pinterest TV, a series of live, original and shoppable episodes featuring creators right on Pinterest. Pinterest TV episodes are refreshed each weekday and will be recorded and available for Pinners to view on-demand, and save and rewatch later.”

Social media platforms have been incorporating the trend of live-stream commerce. The newest platform is Pinterest, which will launch live shopping events, on a new initiative called “Pinterest TV”.

Pinterest TV will host creators on its live platform, and the app’s “pinning” feature will come in handy to make these live streams available for view later.

A statement from Pinterest’s newsroom on October 29, 2021:

“Today we’re announcing Pinterest TV, a series of live, original and shoppable episodes featuring creators right on Pinterest. Pinterest TV episodes are refreshed each weekday and will be recorded and available for Pinners to view on-demand, and save and rewatch later.”

Investing in customer service is a powerful marketing strategy as loyal customers will help you acquire new customers, free of charge, by convincing prospects to interact with your brand. Their positive testimonials will be more effective than any of your current marketing efforts — and cheaper, too!

Most people relate to each shopping experience by having either recommended stores with good experiences or complaints about the ones they didn’t like. Therefore, your customers’ experience should be number one on your list of priorities. Of course, not everything will always go according to plan. However, when there’s an issue, ensure to turn your problems into opportunities and solutions.

In addition to good customer service, you can keep customers happy by providing incentives and getting them to feel invested in your brand. Here is a list of ways to gain some goodwill from the community that keeps you in business.

 Give customers a reason to come back. If you can capture customer data, send an email expressing your gratitude or text along with a coupon. You may also encourage them to return sooner rather than later by making the coupon time bound.

Oct. 7, 2021 - Tertiary Scholarship Award Recognition. Lf. to Rt. Front Row: Father Hollis Lynch and Angella Whitter, CEO, Joe & Angella Whitter Foundation. They are joined by Tertiary Students awardees. Photo Credit: Darren Grant

Joe & Angella Whitter Foundation is helping to fulfill the dreams of young men and women with vision through its mandate of providing scholarship to assist tertiary level students enrolled in select educational courses in Western Jamaica. To date the foundation, which earmarked $4 million for education and $1 million for medical needs, has awarded $2.9 million to 26 students enrolled in Caribbean Maritime University, Montego Bay Community College, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, University of the West Indies and University of Technology, Jamaica.

The Foundation was launched December 2021 on the heels of the 10^th Anniversary Commemoration of the Whitter Village one of the flagship properties owned by Mrs. Angella Whitter and her late husband Slidie “Joe” Whitter, the main benefactors of the foundation. The foundation has as its mandate the awarding of annual scholarships to qualified students from Western Jamaica.

Students should be studying in the areas of entrepreneurship, business management, construction, building management, architecture and engineering with a Grade Point Average (GPA) more than 2.5.

Mrs. Angella Whitter, an ardent advocate for higher education, is passionate for developing nation building and in speaking to the foundation board recently said “the need of students in Western Jamaica far outweigh what the foundation can provide in 2021.  I thank each member of the foundation board for your achievements to date, yet challenge you to do more for 2022.”

What is the African Diaspora ?

It is a group of more than 350 millions inhabitants in the world. Some of them left Africa a few years ago as migrants, others left the continent as slaves as they were deported several centuries ago. All are people of African descent, living in Brazil, Jamaica, United States, France, India, etc. It is the third population in the world, after China and India, before United States and Indonesia.

What is the State of the African Diaspora ?

The State of the African Diaspora is an entity that has one goal : to reinforce Africa through the Diaspora, and the Diaspora through Africa.

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.