Shop for a Cause, Train for a Future, Watch Four Great Films

As part of our guiding principles, we advocate for great causes and engage our diverse audience of shining stars. I want to bring your attention to three exciting events that are coming up in the next few weeks. These include an opportunity to shop for unique items, start a small business, and watch award-winning films about inspirational African women leaders.

Shopping for a Cause: Partners for Women's Equality (PWE) is holding an benefit event at Ten Thousand Villages in St. Paul on Wednesday, September 26 from 5PM to 8PM. This is a great place to shop for Fair Trade items create artisans in 130 countries. Ten Thousand Villages will donate 20% of the proceeds during this three-hour event to PWE.

I have served on the board of PWE for over two years. This organization provides leadership development and organizational support to empower marginalized women and girls around the world. So, while you are shopping please stop by our table--I will be there--and learn more about our Kenya Girls for Change Scholarship Program and Bridge to Change Leadership Training Course.

Training for a Future: African Career, Education, and Resource Inc. is offering a 12-week Microentrepreneur Development Training and Support Program at the North Hennepin Community College starting October 18 through February 7. The tuition is $99 and scholarships offer $50 are available upon request. This program provides technical assistance and other helpful information to equip new microentrepreneurs to start and operate their businesses. Participants will have a chance to apply for small business loans from $500 to $10,000. Applications for this program are due September 28. Contact Denise Butler at DBulter@acerinc.org or 763-493-8106 to apply or more information.

This program is provided by ACER in partnership with Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), North Hennepin Community College, Hennepin County Housing, Community Works and Transit / Public Works, and the City of Brooklyn Park.

I have volunteered with ACER for events twice this year--Job Fair in April and Walk, Run and Bike in September. This organization offers valuable programs to people of African descent and other underrepresented communities of color that are focused on Education, Health and Wellness, Community Economic Development, and Advocacy.

Watching Four Great Films: The African Women's Development Fund USA (AWDF)-Minnesota Network is hosting their Pan-African Women's Film Forum at St. Catherine University in St. Paul on October 20 from 1PM to 8PM. This is part of AWDF's Celebrate Mother Africa campaign. They are featuring the following Four Award-Winning Independent Films:

"Daisy Bates: First Lady of Arkansas"

  

"Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai"

"Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed"

"Iron Ladies of Liberia"

I hope that you can find time to check out these wonderful events and inform others who might be interested. These are great organizations doing their part in making this a better world.