New Design Coming Soon for metroafrican.com

Apologies for our lack of posts lately; we’ve been hard at work preparing the launch of a new and improved metroafrican.com. The new design will allow easier access to the archives, and all articles will be grouped by category, making it simpler to find what you’re looking for. Plus, we think it just looks cooler.

Here’ s a sneak peak at what the new metroAfrican will look like:

2008 Year in Review (Kind of)

Since metroafrican.com launched only about three months ago, a retrospective of the year may seem a bit much, but here’s a look back at the most popular stories of the last quarter of 2008.

• metroAfrican.com launched in September with an appearance on African Roots radio show on KGNU with host Moutiou Yessoufou.
• Yohannes Gebregeorgis of Ethiopia Reads was honored as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of the Year.
• Guy Lumumba, son of Patrice Lumumba, spoke at the University of Denver.
• Sudanese lost girls were amongst those displaced and injured by an apartment fire in Boulder.
• Somali musician K’naan was a no show in Denver, but thrilled a crowd in Boulder
• Bazi Kanani explored Colorado-Rwanda Connections
• The African Community Center hosted a huge multi-cultural Thanksgiving party
• Somalis in Greeley faced difficulties with SWIFT
• The 6th annual Taste of Africa took over UC Boulder
• Metroafrican posted the first in a series of interviews with influential and remarkable Africans in the Denver and Boulder Areas. We kicked it off by talking to Mangar Amerdid of the Leadership Institute of New Sudan

We here at metroAfrican have been incredibly encouraged by the positive response we’ve gotten from so many people, and want to thank everyone who has contributed to making metroafrican.com a valuable community resource. We hope to continue to hear from you in the year ahead, and we will continue improving the site so we can all get the most out of it. As always, if you have ideas for stories or features you would like to see on metroafrican.com, let us know. metroAfrican belongs to you, so please make your voice heard!

We wish a blessed and prosperous 2009 to all!

Winner of Toubab Krewe Tickets Announced

Congratulations to Jane Kirema of Denver who won two tickets to see Toubab Krewe perform live at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest.

Tickets to the shows on the 30th and 31st can be purchased here.

Win tickets to see Toubab Krewe live at Cervantes

photo by David Suskind

Toubab Krewe returns to Colorado to kick off their new tour on December 30th, and you can win tickets.

MetroAfrican has two tickets to the first show of the tour on December 30th at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. To enter the contest, simply send an email to metroafrican@gmail.com telling us why you want the tickets. We will choose one lucky winner to receive two complimentary tickets to see Toubab Krewe live at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. All we ask is that in return you provide our readers with a short review telling us how you liked the show.

More about Toubab Krewe after the jump.

Our Interview with Mangar Amerdid of the Leadership Institute of New Sudan

We had the opportunity to speak with Mangar Amerdid, the founder and Executive Director of the Leadership Institute of New Sudan (LIONS) to learn more about the program. Visit  www.sudanlions.org for more information.

This interview is the first in a series we will be conducting with influential Africans in the metro Denver and Boulder areas. If you know someone doing remarkable things in our community, please let us know. We are always looking for stories about the positive contributions Africans are making in our community.

Christmas and New Year’s Bashes at the Palava

If you have not yet been to the Palava, here are two very good reasons to go. They are throwing a party on Christmas Eve and another on New Year’s Eve. Celebrate the year that was 2008 in style with great music, tasty eats, and an impressive selection of mixed drinks.

Both events begin at 7pm at the Palava – 11002 E Yale Ave. in Aurora

Dikembe Mutombo Partners with Denver Company to Aid Congo

The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation has formed a partnership with Denver-based mobile technology company Mobile Accord to raise awareness and money for the foundation’s work in the DRC.

The system set up by Mobile Accord allows users to donate five dollars to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation by texting ‘Congo’ to 90999 on their cell phone. In an article on nba.com, Mutombo explains:

We are trying to receive international support for the people of the Congo who are suffering daily from deadly diseases such as HIV, AIDS and Malaria. More than five million people have died and that number is growing. Last year, more than 1.4 million children have died from Malaria alone.

Mutombo hopes to raise $2 million this year, which will go directly to help those battling deadly diseases. Read more about this unique partnership at nba.com.

Susan Moi Benefit Concert

This Wednesday there will be a benefit concert to raise funds for Susan Moi and Kaianna Kadivnik, the two young women who suffered severe burns in the Boulder apartment fire last month.

Along with several performances there will be a silent auction. The benefit takes place from 4:30-10pm at the Outlook Hotel in Boulder. Click here for more info.

If you weren’t aware of Susan’s story read this.

Candle Light Vigil For Darfur – New Location

Threatening weather has forced Change the World It Just Takes Cents (CTWIJTC) to relocate the Monday, December 15 “Children to Children – Denver to Darfur” candle light vigil indoors into the downtown St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant Street, on the corner of 16th Avenue and Grant Street.

The event starts and 6:30 pm and free parking is available in the Colorado Education Association parking lot and on the street. The Vigil hotline will be open until throughout the week: 303-596-8210 /303-514-3092.

AfroBlu Remix World AIDS Day – This Saturday at Bar Standard

This national NextAid fundraiser www.nextaid.com promotes aids education and financially assists the youth in Africa orphaned by AIDS. Come get wild at another soulful house, afrobeat party with guest DJ IVY, Blackridge and resident DJs RJ Duran & CES in the name and energy of our fellow African peoples!!! Located at Bar Standard in downtown Denver, expect sumptuous cocktails, high fashion, fabulous people and a fabulous time!

AFROBLU – Afterhours Dance Ritual Remix
World Aids Day 2008
Bar Standard
1037 Broadway, Denver
9pm to 2am
$5 at the door / 21+
Additional donations are always accepted!