Atlanta HBCU students have trip of a lifetime to Senegal for hands-on experiences
The students from Clark Atlanta University, Spelman, and Morehouse colleges took the trip as part of the mission of the HBCU Green Fund Fellows program to shape the next generation of Black climate leaders.
'We went, we cleaned up the beach. we also planted trees to combat deforestation and climate change. We also went and did tours around the ecological center over there, and seeing how they're using these different plant medicines and using them as fertilizer. Really just learning to work with the nature that is around you in the environment,' Latajah Lassus from Clark Atlanta University told Channel 2 Action News.
'It also made me realize that if this country can be sustainable with what they have, and for them it's not just 'Oh I want to be sustainable,' it's they have to be sustainable. Their infrustructure cannot sustain as much as ours can. If they can do it, then we can do it,' Ashley Felix, a student at Spelman College said.
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The program is a year-long commitment where students improve the sustainability of their college campuses, lead climate justice advocacy, and get real-world experience to lead a green economy after graduation.
Monsurate Amoo studies sustainable fashion at Spelman College.
'Sustainability is their way of life. It's an innovative aspect of their lifestyle. and over here, I feel like we attack it in such an impoverished manner, whereas, at least for my section of sustainability, when it comes to fashion, and ya know, second-hand clothes, and stuff like that, it's seen as an impoverished idea. Whereas, over there, they are more into a circular economy, using the resources that they have,' Amoo said.
Although their trip was unique and influential, the students say you don't have to travel to Africa to make a difference.
'It's very important that we get involved in small ways. You know, you may not be able to plant trees, but you can start by removing plastic from your home or just limiting your waste,' Lassus said.
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Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Brant resident was one of Canada's first Black women to attend university … then she vanished
Local residents rallied to have a new Grand Erie school named after Blanche E. Williams , one of the first Black women in Canada to attend university on the same terms as white students. Now, they're searching for the rest of her story. 'She sort of completely disappeared, like her family disappears … we don't know what happened,' Angel Panag told The Spectator. Historian Sarah Clarke happened upon Williams' trail-blazing accomplishment while researching the Black community in Brantford in her spare time. 'It's not super well-known, I don't think, that there was a very early Black community in Brantford, many of whom would come up here during slavery,' she told The Spectator. Clarke was searching an African American newspaper database while she was at Western University and typed in 'Brantford.' A story popped up in the Huntsville Gazette in Alabama. 'OK, how does the U.S. have an article about this person from Brantford, Ontario, that we've never heard of?' Clarke recalled thinking. The clip, dated 1885, named Williams as the first Black woman accepted to University of Toronto with the same privileges as white students. From there, Clarke found other articles noting her accomplishment. 'There was all this coverage … And I'm like, 'how did that story not continue?'' Clarke said. The search took on a greater purpose after the Grand Erie District School Board put out a call for names for a new school in West Brant. Construction for the $34-million school is underway at Shellard Lane and Strickland Avenue in Brantford. Along with Clarke and Amanda Mersereau — fellow members of the grassroots organization Unite Against Hate — and community members, Panag brought Williams' name forward. 'I was talking to some people around Brantford who thought that the name should be reflected in the community,' Panag said. He began a community campaign to elevate Black and Brown voices in the naming process, something he felt was particularly important in West Brant — a diverse area with many newcomers. Panag knows firsthand the power an inspirational name can have for kids — especially if they're the first generation of their family attending post-secondary school. He completed law school in 2023 and is working toward his masters of law. 'I remember living in Brantford, I used to hear about a young guy who became a lawyer and was a hip-hop artist and went to North Park (Collegiate and Vocational School), where I went too, and it just made it sound like that was possible,' he said, referencing Salman Rana, who is also known as YLook. The group was successful in its efforts. 'With education as the path to transformation, Blanche Williams interrupted racial barriers and showed us what's possible,' GEDSB superintendent of education Liana Thompson said in a news release announcing the name. 'Naming our school after her is a celebration not only of her groundbreaking achievements, but her story inspires all of us to be courageous, strong and to persevere to achieve our dreams,' it said. The $34-million school is expected to open September 2026 at Shellard Lane and Strickland Avenue. The project is a partnership with the City of Brantford and will include a library and recreation centre. A University of Toronto document shows Blanche E. Williams enrolled in the Faculty of Arts. A local group hopes someone might know what happened to her afterward. Census records indicated Williams' family came to Brantford from the United States after the Civil War, around 1867. 'I imagine at that time, they probably were living in the northern states because slavery had ended, but there was still a lot of (racism). So I think maybe they came up for more opportunities,' Clarke said. They found baptism records for Williams and her mother, Josephine, at First Baptist Church in Brantford around 1870. They learned her father, Charles, transferred his barber position from the Kerby House Hotel in Brantford to the affiliated Palmer House Hotel in Toronto the year Williams started at U of T. But from there, they lost track of the family. 'From what we can tell, she did not finish her studies at U of T,' Clarke said. 'Maybe she got married and was studying under a married name,' but her folks seemed to disappear from local records too, Clarke said. They pursued a number of potential theories of where Williams ended up. The name turned up on a land record in Michigan. A hairdresser advertisement in Vaughan or Markham. 'One of them is a church and jazz singer in Philadelphia,' Panag said. An obituary for a fellow who was 'beloved by his sister Blanche Williams.' But in any of the cases 'it's hard to know if that's the same person,' he said. 'The interesting thing, believe it or not, is that there are many Charles, Josephine and Blanche (Williams) families,' Clarke said. However, Blanche's middle initial seems to be a distinctive feature. 'We're hoping that when people read this article, they might know something' and reach out, Mersereau said. Anyone who has information about Blanche E. Williams or her family can email uniteagainsthatebtfd@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
a day ago
South African cooks join forces to make 67,000 liters of soup to fight hunger on Mandela Day
JOHANNESBURG -- Dozens of South African chefs, community cooks, caterers, and culinary students joined forces Friday in Johannesburg to make 67,000 liters (17,700 gallons) of soup to feed the hungry, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. First officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, International Nelson Mandela Day encourages people to commemorate the birthday and legacy of South Africa's first Black president by volunteering for 67 minutes, which is equivalent to his 67 years of public service. To mark the birthday of South Africa's former head of state, who was born in 1918, cooks all over the country made soup in their own kitchens to contribute toward reaching the target. At the Johannesburg-based HTA School of Culinary Arts, cooks chopped vegetables, added legumes and sprinkled in a kaleidoscope of seasonings to make hearty soups. They braised their broths from early morning until 5:30 p.m., when the final soup tally began. 'The 67,000 liters, it's our take on 67 minutes,' said executive chef and chairman of NGO Chefs with Compassion, James Khoza. 'I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside. It's not your normal kind of soup where you boil everything, then you make the soup out of it. For me, I look at flavor and is it quality as well. 'I know the guys are on the streets sometimes, or the beneficiaries, people tend to just give them whatever they feel like giving, but .... guys like us who come from hotel business, we understand that what we must feed people must be of that level, highest quality, that they feel like they are worthy because indeed they are worthy, " he added. Every year, South Africans volunteer their time on July 18, cleaning up public spaces, helping at schools or hospitals, or performing humanitarian work and making donations. For Chefs with Compassion, a non-profit organization that works to combat hunger and food waste, the food drive is 'a war against throwing away food and wasteful cooking,' Khoza says. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that they've rescued excess food from farmers and shops that would otherwise have been thrown out. Instead, the chefs use it to make large quantities of soup to offer to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who are food insecure. As part of her school's effort to add 300 liters of soup to the 67,000 liters that the collective aims for, Tyra Nyakudya, an 18-year-old college student, spent most of the day cutting vegetables and monitoring the soup pots. Although she was only six years old when the statesman passed away in 2013, she said his legacy of compassion and service remain in the memory because 'he did everything in his power to give back to the community, which is why we're doing this today.' South Africa is among Africa's leading food producers, but the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) report found that 63.5% of South African households were food insecure, which translates to over 20 million people going without food every day and about 10.3 million tons of food being wasted annually. This is primarily driven by poverty, unemployment, and rising food prices, which are exacerbated by factors such as climate change and inequality. Hanneke Van Linge, head of Nosh Food Rescue, said the figures illustrated that food waste and food surplus is a huge problem, which should concern citizens every day. 'There's a lot of beautiful energy around Mandela Day specifically," she said. 'But we would like to implore people, don't just let your involvement stay on Mandela Day.'
The Hill
a day ago
- The Hill
South African cooks join forces to make 67,000 liters of soup to fight hunger on Mandela Day
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Dozens of South African chefs, community cooks, caterers, and culinary students joined forces Friday in Johannesburg to make 67,000 liters (17,700 gallons) of soup to feed the hungry, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. First officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, International Nelson Mandela Day encourages people to commemorate the birthday and legacy of South Africa's first Black president by volunteering for 67 minutes, which is equivalent to his 67 years of public service. To mark the birthday of South Africa's former head of state, who was born in 1918, cooks all over the country made soup in their own kitchens to contribute toward reaching the target. At the Johannesburg-based HTA School of Culinary Arts, cooks chopped vegetables, added legumes and sprinkled in a kaleidoscope of seasonings to make hearty soups. They braised their broths from early morning until 5:30 p.m., when the final soup tally began. 'The 67,000 liters, it's our take on 67 minutes,' said executive chef and chairman of NGO Chefs with Compassion, James Khoza. 'I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside. It's not your normal kind of soup where you boil everything, then you make the soup out of it. For me, I look at flavor and is it quality as well. 'I know the guys are on the streets sometimes, or the beneficiaries, people tend to just give them whatever they feel like giving, but …. guys like us who come from hotel business, we understand that what we must feed people must be of that level, highest quality, that they feel like they are worthy because indeed they are worthy, ' he added. Every year, South Africans volunteer their time on July 18, cleaning up public spaces, helping at schools or hospitals, or performing humanitarian work and making donations. For Chefs with Compassion, a non-profit organization that works to combat hunger and food waste, the food drive is 'a war against throwing away food and wasteful cooking,' Khoza says. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that they've rescued excess food from farmers and shops that would otherwise have been thrown out. Instead, the chefs use it to make large quantities of soup to offer to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who are food insecure. As part of her school's effort to add 300 liters of soup to the 67,000 liters that the collective aims for, Tyra Nyakudya, an 18-year-old college student, spent most of the day cutting vegetables and monitoring the soup pots. Although she was only six years old when the statesman passed away in 2013, she said his legacy of compassion and service remain in the memory because 'he did everything in his power to give back to the community, which is why we're doing this today.' South Africa is among Africa's leading food producers, but the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) report found that 63.5% of South African households were food insecure, which translates to over 20 million people going without food every day and about 10.3 million tons of food being wasted annually. This is primarily driven by poverty, unemployment, and rising food prices, which are exacerbated by factors such as climate change and inequality. Hanneke Van Linge, head of Nosh Food Rescue, said the figures illustrated that food waste and food surplus is a huge problem, which should concern citizens every day. 'There's a lot of beautiful energy around Mandela Day specifically,' she said. 'But we would like to implore people, don't just let your involvement stay on Mandela Day.'
