What does Continental African mean? The description covers the US population that traces its presence in the United States to migration from a specific country in Africa. It includes citizens and non-citizens; just the Hispanic/Latino; Jew and Asian communities do not add the word immigrant as part of their description, the descriptor Continental African does not. All of these communities, including Continental African community, are known as Transnational Communities. Why? These populations maintain strong,direct and unbroken (regular) ties with their home countries or continent. They do not assimilate
The Agenda:
May 14 Equity for Africans: Forum with Montgomery County Executive Leggett and Co-chair of the Maryland Council for New Americans, under the Maryland Governor's office
WORKFORCE Diversity. What does this mean ?
A key component of a workforce diversity initiative is the creation of a culturally diverse workforce in the city, county and state and nation through recruitment, development,and upward mobility of workers, which ensures a visibly diverse work force that reflects the population of the city, county, state or nation. The diversity is at all levels, in all professions, with special emphasis on race, ethnicity, and gender. Workforce Diversity is on the table in Maryland but Continental Africans are not accounted for. At the federal level, the White House made the recruitment of Hispanics (started by Bush) and Asians (started by Obama) targeted priorities.
The focus of the May 14 Equity Forum is how to determine the current level of Continental African in the current local work force. The total number and percentage. How many senior level managers, directors of Cabinet? Data is needed. Join this roundtable discussion on May 14 with the Human Resources and Policy Officials.
The agenda focus is on Continental Africans.
The Welcome Back Center is a national program that supports internationally trained healthcare workers who wish to obtain professional credentials. It covers physicians, Nurses, Dentists, technicians.
In Maryland, only the nurse's program has been instituted. 45% are Hispanics; 36% are Continental Africans. A survey indicated that only 10% of foreign trained physicians practice in their specialties. In the Maryland area, let us support the Nurses and Physicians programs because, as we see, it works for Continental Africans. Sonia Mora, the Director of Maryland Welcome Back Center will explain the details, including Work Force Diversity.
Other Items on the agenda:
1) Health and Social Service Resources: There is no comprehensive health and social service for the Continental African population. A few examples: There is no collection of data on the rate of disease and death in order to prioritize intervention resources.
There are official policies that limit or prevent emergency assistance (housing, insurance), even if someone is a legal resident. Even if the child is a citizen and parents are undocumented, the parent who is the head of household will not quality for assistance that affects the child. The Latinos and Asians have powered the tabling of the Immigration Reform Bill.
This is a creative and interactive setting for those who care beyond individual interests to engage the high ranking officials and partners on the issues. Community representatives, your presence, voice and inputs influence decisions and how resources are allocated to equitably serve all populations. The community is excluded by giving the resources to African American and bidding companies to address the health and social services of a community with different cultural orientations, including language barriers. There are too many funerals, some can be prevented; there are too many crises, some can be avoided. Two hours of your time is worth it. Join this Roundtable on May 14 and Empower the community.
2) Economic and Business Resources: How are Continental African businesses fairing? Each year, the state and counties produce reports on the level of support, including loans/grants, to Hispanic, Asian and African American businesses and the number of businesses created. Entrepreneurs, this is your opportunity.
3) Youth Programming: Continental African Youths face a set of unique challenges including cultural erosions. The focus is a strong community involvement and high expectations for all for every Continental African youth. There are needs to develop variety of after school opportunities for learning, recreation and community involvement with: Building skills; Mentoring; Promoting health and well-being; supporting student achievement; cultural activities and volunteerism. Advocates for Children, please join this Roundtable. Partnership is being made for public facilities to be allocated for youth programming and 21st Century Community Centers.
4) Elderly Service: About 20 years ago, this was no concern. Yes, people are not going back to Africa, they are growing old in America and grandparents are migrating, some to care for children. The elderly population is usually isolated and vulnerable, especially those not staying with their families. How can public agencies partner with the community to develop resources for the elderly population? Please this is an important Roundtable to join. Make life better for the elderly.
5) Women Empowerment: The ability of women to address their social and economic welfare is fundamental to women's empowerment. How can this equity be promoted through effective collaboration with public agencies? As they say, when you develop a woman; you have developed a society. Continental African Women step up, get on the podium and define your needs and assets. Manage your development.
6) African Arts and Culture: Cultural Heritage is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Culture defines and projects the presence of a population and its contribution in the American society. The focus is the development of viable means of promoting the African cultural heritage. The process of a national declaration of the African Heritage Month of September is on and going through the US congress. Community and cultural standard bearers, join this Roundtable.
You may check for reference purposes:
http://www.caslight.org/african-heritage-month.html
http://www.caslight.org/what-is-arts--culture.html
For food lovers....
http://www.caslight.org/african-gastronomy.html
Thanks.
You. May 14 is an opportunity to engage and define for public policy outcomes as well as community self empowerment and leadership development for a strong and sustainable African community with a united voice for common cause.
Please disseminate and sensitize in your community. Let the community's voice count.
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