Denver

Nigerian-born Masai Ujiri Named 2013 Top NBA Executive

By George Bamu on May 12, 2013

NBA Executive of the Year 2013_Ujiri

Masai Ujiri, the first African-born general manager of a major American sports team, recently accepted the NBA Executive of the Year award.

The NBA Executive of the Year is not just an award, “but the rare NBA honor that is actually voted on by colleagues and front office peers,” according to Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo Sports.

Nigerian-born Ujiri, named to his current position as general manager of the Denver Nuggets in August 2010, came to the Nuggets after three years with the Toronto Raptors.

In this story about the NBA award presented to Ujiri, he “was instrumental in assembling a balanced roster that featured nine players averaging between 8.0 and 16.7 points and a bench that ranked second overall in scoring (41.3 ppg).…

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Amid news of tragedy, Aurora Colorado connotes an American melting pot

By George Bamu on July 21, 2012

Aurora, Colorado City government

 

In reaction to what happened July 20 in Aurora, Colorado; 12 people killed and many wounded in a shooting rampage, the city where this occurred is under examination.

But in the larger realm of existence, Aurora remains unique. While tragedy has struck, there are lots of things that make the city a place to be.  Aurora is described as an “All American City.” You will see signs saying this when you drive around town. It is not only the signs about a welcoming hospitality, diversity and ingenuity of Aurora; it is a reflection of the people of Aurora, Colorado.

“It’s likely that the victims are of all races and shades, because Aurora is a melting pot,” according to Time magazine’s editor-at-large, David Von Drehle, who hails from Aurora, Colorado.…

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Denver “listens to the women of Uganda.”

By George Bamu on June 23, 2012

Ugandan business woman Grace Akello Ouma(center)

At the time that Mohammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh won the Nobel Prize for peace in 2006, the idea of lending to the poor was barely taking root. Yunus and the Grameen Bank, if you recall, won the peace prize because they took the idea of lending to the poor and made it their life mission, and lifting people out of poverty.

In an announcement of their selection for the 2006 peace prize in Geneva, the Nobel committee chair, professor Ole Danbolt said, “lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty.”

The perspective of the Nobel committee is that “development from below” also works to advance “democracy and human rights.”

While the African nation of Uganda is recovering from war with Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army(LRA), the activities of Coloradan, Karen Sugar, is making a difference by lifting Ugandan women out of poverty and giving hope the their dreams through education.…

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Andudu leading Sudan peace efforts from Denver

By George Bamu on March 31, 2012

Andudu with members of the Sudanese communty

He recently marched along side American movie star George Clooney at the Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C, and he is the episcopal bishop of the diocese of Kudugli, capital of South Kordofan or Nuba Mountain State in Sudan. While the Rt. Rev. Andudu Adam Elnail may not have seen a movie by George Clooney, as he readily admits, he is a leading spokesperson for the people of the Nuba Mountains.

Andudu is now in Denver and working to bring peace to Sudan after he could not return home because he was on a list of wanted people by Sudanese government officials.…

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Walking with Africans a summer hit in Denver

By George Bamu on September 3, 2009

The Denver Presbytery’s “Walking with Africans” events, a week long celebration of Africa concluded on August 29. Already the praises, thank you notes, joys and excitements that marked the events are ringing far and wide. Walking with Africans welcomed and heard from the Rev Dr. Obirri Addo, PC-USA minister from Ghana, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Irvington, NJ and professor of African studies at Drew University. Also, Ghanaians from the Ghana Mission Partnership and Presbyterians, Mr. Emmanuel Quaytey, Rev William Quaye were welcomed to Denver by the Peoples Presbyterian Church, Denver.

Throughout the week long celebrations there were discussions about human rights, food, water, healthcare and education in Africa.…

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Talk of transition to internet dominates 2009 CABJ media banquet

By George Bamu on August 1, 2009

Amani Ali & Nadia Gedeon

The 2009 Colorado Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) annual media awards and scholarship banquet is now history, but the key word that was uttered many times throughout the event was transition to the internet. Keynote speaker, Greg Moore, editor of the Denver Post, the 2009 CABJ-Bertha Lynn Legacy award winner as well as the keven Mcneal Grace under Fire award winner noted that journalism needs to be inclusive, relevant and fair. He also noted that the profession and its business model were under threat, the mold has been broken and it was time for journalists to reinvent themselves during such times.…

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Building Cameroon through civic engagement

By George Bamu on May 8, 2009

Cameroon Information and Education Day(CIED) in Colorado

We had an impressive turn out of the community at the Africa Agenda Cameroon information and Education Day(CIED) event at CCA May 7. There were remarks from CCA president Dr. Linda Bowman, Denver City Councilman Michael Hancock , Coordinator of Global Initiatives at CCA, Elizabeth Hirsh. Members of the Cameroonian community in Colorado were there in their numbers including Dr. Cliford Asobo, David Makongo, Inkriz Ndikum, Dr. Ajume Wingo. The Cameroon embassy in DC was represented by communications counselor, Richard Nyamboli.

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We live in perilous times, Africa included.

By George Bamu on February 26, 2009

Rocky Mountain News to publish final edition on Friday, according to the Denver Post.

As if we have not already had enough of this trend, the announcement Thursday that the Rocky Mountain News will publish its final edition Friday did not come as a complete shock. At least, some of us thought the Rocky would find a buyer. But still, this news may be a shock to those who still live in their own cocoons and caves and have no idea about the revolutionary changes occurring around them.

The Post thinks the News has become “the latest casualty in an industry stricken by a spiraling decline in newspaper economics” in an article written by Steve Raabe and posted on its website.…

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CNN hero of the year. Vote for Africa!

By George Bamu on October 18, 2008

Vote for Africa’s own Yohaness Gebregeorgis as CNN hero of the year.

This story has not filtered much into the local media in Colorado but I take
this opportunity to bring it up. After reading about Yohannes
Gebregeorgi’s story many times, I am now compelled to do something about it.
If you have heard all the commercials on TV about preparations for the CNN
Hero of the year, take it a step further and go to www. CNN.com/heroes and
cast your vote for this son of Africa.

Why would I cast my vote for him?

Here is how I see it.…

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Colorado’s Champion for Uganda

By George Bamu on August 17, 2008

Saturday August 16th in Denver

Preparations are underway towards the October 2, 2008 Safari for Hope on the Green Golf and walk event. You can participate and bring hope to Uganda by getting in touch with Christ Aid today. www.christaidinc.org Let me tell you the real story now.

Amongst the multitudes of Africans serving their communities in Colorado, David Mporampora stands out from the crowd. Not only is this gentleman from Uganda funny but he is brilliant, dynamic and charismatic. To say the least, Uganda needs this man more than he needs Uganda. As founder and leader of Christ Aid, Inc, David is a musician, educator and community leader who continues to build bridges between his impoverished nation of Uganda and the United States of America.…

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2011 Africa Agenda