Tascc 2008 a

“Think Global.Be(come) International.Earth is Our Home.”Tallahassee and African Sister Cities Coalition, Incorporated(TASCC)

D r . W i l l i e B u t l e rFounder and CEO

TASCC:

Vision

Advance public awareness and understanding of Africa and African Diaspora, and

Globalization.

Objectives

1. Encourage collaborative efforts between citizens and governments amongst the

United States, Africa, Caribbean, and the African Diaspora by identifying,

initiating, and developing exchanges and projects in areas of economic

development, education, community initiatives, art and culture, health, tourism

and technology.

2. Promote the annual observance of Africa Awareness Month in March.

7th

Annual Africa Awareness Month 17-21 2008

BIOGRAPHICAL PRECIS OF WILLIE LAWRENCE BUTLER, Ph.D.

Willie L. Butler, Ph.D., is a graduate from Howard University, The University of Chicago, and

Northwestern University. He is presently an assistant professor in the Department of History and Political

Science at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). He has approximately twenty-five

(25) years of professional teaching and lecturing experience with undergraduate and graduate students at

major colleges and universities. As a trained social scientist, Dr. Butler has expertise in Africana Studies,

Education, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Professor Butler has extensive

experience in policy development associated with academic support services and student affairs in areas

such as student retention and progression, acceleration mechanisms, community outreach, and limited

access.

Dr. Butler has successfully procured funds totaling over $10 million as a grant proposal writer for various

colleges, community organizations/agencies, and universities. He has assisted with board development and

training for numerous organizations, as well as coordinated and supervised the development,

implementation, and evaluation of program components within various department/divisions at major

colleges and universities. He has conducted field research in Sub-Sahara Africa and the Middle East,

published numerous articles and essays, and presented scholarly papers at conferences and workshops.

Dr. Butler is founder and CEO of Tallahassee and African Sister Cities Coalition Incorporated (TASCC),

a 501©(3) public not-for-profit organization that seeks to advance public awareness and understanding

about Africa, promote greater appreciation for diversity in our global community, and enhance public

knowledge about the impact of globalization on local economies and job markets. Since March 2002,

TASCC promoted the annual observance of Africa Awareness Month to complement and strengthen the

annual observance of African-American History Month by accomplishing the following objectives:

1. Nurture and promote greater communication and interaction between African-Americans, and

African-born and Caribbean-born residents in the United States. 2. Implement programs and strategies to enhance public awareness and knowledge of contemporary

Africa. 3. Encourage African-born residents in the U.S. to play a pivotal and significant role in correcting

distortions and false perceptions of Africa and black people held by the American public.

4. Establish an annual period to foster collaborative efforts between parties to develop and initiate

mutually beneficial partnerships in areas of economic develop, education, community initiatives, art

and culture, health, tourism, and technology.

www.africaawarenessmonth.com

TASCC 2008 Conference Agenda:

Florida-Africa Relations: Building Alliances by Focusing on the New

Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

TASCC Seventh Annual Africa Awareness Month International Conference

At a Glance

The TASCC Seventh Annual Africa Awareness Month International Conference is scheduled for March 17-21, 2008

at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. The conference theme is: “Florida-Africa Relations: Building

Alliances by Focusing on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)”, the initiative that embodies

Africa’s vision and aspirations for sustainable development leading to continental unification. Theme-related issues

and topics will be addressed by African Union / NEPAD representatives, international diplomats and other experts

from the United States, Europe, and African and Caribbean nations and territories. The primary goal is to foster

dialogues that lead to identifying, nurturing, and establishing functional partnerships mutually beneficial for all

involved parties.

In addition to NEPAD, the conference focuses on: (1) signing ceremony of the sister city relationship between the City

of Tallahassee and Asante Akim North District, Ghana, followed by negotiations on prioritizing goals and objectives

to move the relationship forward; (2) building a foundation to support the African Diaspora Heritage Trail – Florida

Initiative, which is to “identify places and phenomena relevant to the global presence and influences of people and

culture of African descent and to develop mechanisms to promote and facilitate informed and socially conscious travel

to these sites, with emphasis on enhancement of the quality of life of host communities”; and, (3) introducing Kenya

Development Fund Corporation (KDFC), an investment company aimed at providing a means for U.S. citizens to

invest in Kenya’s rapidly growing economy.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2008

10:30AM-3:00PM………………………………Bethel AME Church, 501 W. Orange Avenue

Fellowship and social interaction

Honorable Bill Proctor, Leon County Commissioner

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008

8:45AM-9:30AM……………………..…Opening activities in Perry-Paige Auditorium

[Perry Paige Building FAMU]

Welcome: Attorney Yaw Akuoko, TASCC Chairperson

Mayor John Marks III, City of Tallahassee

Commissioner Bill Proctor, Leon County

Dean Henry Lewis III, FAMU College of Pharmacy

Conference Goal and Objectives: Dr. Willie L. Butler, TASCC Founder and Assistant

Professor, FAMU Department of History 9:35AM-10:30AM………………………. Opening Keynote Speech

“NEPAD – Achievements and Challenges”, Dr. Ahmed Elobeid, Senior Economist, Permanent

Mission of the African Union to the United Nations

10:30AM-11:45AM..........………………………………BREAKOUT SESSIONS

NEPAD Sessions in Perry-Paige Auditorium (A)

DVD Presentation on AU/NEPAD, Moderated by Dr. Elobeid, African Union

African Diaspora Heritage Trail-Florida Initiative (B)

Special Session at FAMU President’s House (Invitation only) March 17

th 2008, 10:30am - 3:00pm

“‘Think Tank’ Session on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail – Florida Initiative”

Invited Guest: Honorable Davidson Hepburn, former Ambassador of the Bahamas to the United Nations and UNESCO

Executive Board member; Mrs. Althemese Barnes, Director- Riley Museum and Florida Network; Keisha Rice,

Deputy Director- Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; Attorney Jacob R. Henderson Jr., Vice

President of Henderson Associates / Henderson Travel Service; Dr. Keith Simmons, Assistant Dean, College of Arts &

Sciences-Florida A&M University; Mr. Leon Stubbs, Founding Board member of the Florida Black Chamber of

Commerce; Mr. Arthur “Arturo” Lugisse, TASCC Deputy Director and International Affairs Programs, St.Maarten

N.A.Caribbean; Mr. Martijin Niekus, Executive Policy Advisor, Government of the Netherlands Antilles,

Curacao,N.A.Caribbean; Tanya Simons Oparah – Outreach Services Director, Broward County Libraries and

Consultant-Florida African American Heritage Preservation and FAAME project; Julienne Hare, Owner, Rabbits Den

Production and Riley Museum Consultant; Dr. Patrick Mason, Florida State University African American Studies

Program; Mr. Johnnie Ransom, owner, Alpha Travel and Tours; Torrio Osborne – Riley Museum & Florida Network

Board Member; Kerri Post and Christi McCray-VISIT FLORIDA; Rebecca Sager, Ph.D.-Ethnomusicologist; Office of

the Mayor- Tallahassee; Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor. Dr. Barbara Mattick. Florida Department of State.

Dr. Rodney Wright Dean, School of Architecture, FAMU, Trey Hoobler, Assistant Director, The Claude Pepper

Center for Intercultural Dialogue. Maggie Lewis Butler, School Board Member.

Special Guests:

Mike Pate, Director and CEO-The Knight Foundation

Sharon Liggitt-Tallahassee Visitors and Conventions Bureau

Angela Hardiman -Cole, Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce

Leon County Commissioners Cliff Thaell and John Dailey

12:00 NOON-1:15PM…………………………(A)…………LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

NEPAD Sessions (A) in Perry-Paige Auditorium FAMU

1:30PM-2:30PM

“Looking Beyond Washington: The Grassroots Constituency for U.S.-Africa Engagement”, Mr. Gregory Garland,

Public Affairs Chief for the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs

2:40PM-3:40PM “In Fact, The World is Round: Managing Expectations for Mutual Understanding”, Dr. Christopher Davis, U.S.

Department of State Diplomat-in-Residence, Florida A&M University

African Diaspora Heritage Trail-Florida Initiative (B)

Special Session at FAMU President’s House 1:00PM-3:00PM “Think Tank Session Continues”

5:00PM-5:45PM…….……………… RECEPTION at College of Pharmacy FAMU

6:00p-7: 30p…………………………………KEYNOTE SPEECH in Pharmacy Auditorium

Honorable Davidson Hepburn, PhD, former Ambassador of the Bahamas to the United Nations

and UNESCO Executive Board member

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008

9:00AM-4:00PM…………………NEPAD Sessions in Perry-Paige Auditorium

9:00AM-10:00AM: Session 1

“Research for NEPAD on African American Economic Development”, Dr. Patrick Mason, Florida State University

African American Studies Program

10:05AM-11:05AM: Session 2

“Enterprise Florida Africa Trade Expansion Program”, Mr. Bryant Salter, Director, Africa

Trade Expansion Program, Enterprise

Florida

11:10AM-12:10PM: Session 3

“Developing Trade Relations in the Caribbean and Europe with Africa and the United States”

Mr. Martijin Niekus, Executive Policy Advisor, Government of the Netherlands Antilles

Moderator: Attorney Stephen Knight

Stephen, Knight, and Dwyer

12:20PM-1:30PM………………………………………………………..LUNCH

1:40PM-2:40PM: Session 4

Mr. Sam Akoto-Danso, Special Assistant to the Ghana Minister of Finance and Economic

Planning, Republic of Ghana DVD

2:50PM-3:50PM: Session 5

“Ghana and the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA)”, Mr. Sam Akoto-Danso and Mr.

Kuuku Mannoh, TASCC West Africa Field Representative and Program Coordinator DVD

6:30p-8:30p……………………………TASCC Essay & Oratorical Contest (location tba)

Moderator: Mr. Charles Beamer, TASCC Board Member &

McClay School Dean of Students

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008

10:00a-12:00noon

“Kenya’s Political Situation: Its Impact on Investment Opportunities”, Barack Abonyo, Assistant Professor of

Physiology, Florida A&M University; Peter Odhengo, Executive Director of Relief and Environment Care

Africa, Nairobi, Kenya; David Ndolo, Business Development Director, Stan Images Limited, Nairobi, Kenya

12:15PM-1:45PM

Luncheon reception in the FAMU Grand Ballroom: Prospective volunteers interact with Asante Akim North District

delegation and others

2:00PM- 3:15 PM

African guest and others tour Florida A&M University BLACK ACHIEVES

3:30pm-4:30 Tour of the Old Capital Building then move to City Hall.

5:00PM-8:00PM……………………………………………CITY HALL, 300 S. Adams Street Mayor John Marks III officiates signing the Sister City Partnership Agreement between the City of Tallahassee and

Asante Akim North District, Ghana with Municipal Chief Executive George Frimpong.( Bringing together our Tallahassee's sister cities-- St. Maarten, Sligo, Ramat-Hasharon, Krasnodar and our newest sister city

relationship between the City of Tallahassee and Asante Akim North District, Konongo-Odumasi, Ghana. The Mayor of Sligo Declan Bree will also be present, the City request all Sister Cities, and Delegates to be present at the signing reception hosted by the City of TALLAHASSEE. 9:00PM TASCC Dinner at LUCY HO’S RESTAURANT (Delegates) (TRANSPORTATION) City

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008

9:00AM-4:00PM………………… Sister Cities Planning Sessions, Perry-Paige Auditorium

This day-long session focuses on discussions to prioritize goals and objectives to move the sister city relationship

forward. Everyone is invited to participate in the effort.

Moderator: Mr. Yussif Dokurugu, TASCC Board member and

FAMU Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

1:PM – 6 PM SHOPPING FREE TIME (MALL)

7:00p………..…………………………...African Film Review in Perry-Paige Auditorium

Moderator: Ms. Gylbert Coker, Florida State University PhD Candidate

“Lost Boys of Sudan” is an Emmy-nominated feature-length documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on their

journey from The Sudan to the United States. Both young men were taken from their communities and families by

rebel fighters as little boys and turned into soldiers. Peter Dut and Santino Chuor survived the horror of war, the drugs,

the brutality, the starvation and ultimately reached (each on his own) a refugee camp in Kenya along with thousands of

other children. From there, they were chosen to travel to the United States where they would have an opportunity to

work, go to school, and improve their opportunities in life. Life in the United States for Dut and Chuor, and other

young men like them, becomes an emotional and psychological confrontation between concepts of the United States

and the reality of day to day existence.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2008

Kenya Development Fund Corporation (KDFC) Sessions in School of Business & Industry (SBI) Auditorium

10:00AM-10:50AM

“Introduction of KDFC”, Barack Abonyo, Assistant Professor of Physiology, Florida A&M

University

11:00AM-12:15PM

“Proposals for Investment Opportunities in Kenya via KDFC”, Peter Odhengo, Executive Director of Relief and

Environment Care Africa, Nairobi, Kenya; David Ndola, Business Development Director, Stan Images

Limited, Nairobi, Kenya; Eric Otiende, Director of Raha Pele Initiative, Memphis, Tennessee

12:20PM-1:30PM…………………………………………………………LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:35PM-2:00PM

“Forging a Relationship between KDFC and TASCC”, Dr. Willie L. Butler, TASCC Founder

2:05PM-2:35PM

“Enterprise Florida Africa Trade Expansion Program”, Mr. Bryant Salter, Director, Africa

Trade Expansion Program, Enterprise

Florida

2:45PM-3:45PM

“Project Mechanics for KDFC Projects: How to Increase $1 Million to $10 Million in Six

Months”, Mr. Steve Kellog, Project Funding Liaison, Tallahassee

CLOSING REMARDS:. Willie L. Butler, TASCC Founder and CEO

4PM – 6PM SHOPPING FREE TIME (MALL)

8:00pm -12midnight: PAN-AFRICAN GALA at the Ramada Inn Hotel & Conference Center

2900 North Monroe, Tallahassee, Florida

DINING! DANCING! DINING! DANCING!

For additional information contact: Dr.Willie L. Butler…… (850) 766-0173

Arthur (Arturo) Lugisse……………. (850) 212-2914

Closing Keynote Speaker and Recipient of the TASCC 2008 Africa Awareness Award of Excellence at the Seventh

Annual Africa Awareness Month Pan-African Gala. Dress to impress

TASCC Seventh Annual Africa Awareness Month International Conference

Guest Speakers, Moderators, and Panelists

Abonyo, Barack: Assistant Professor of Physiology, Florida A&M University

Akuoko, Yaw: TASCC Chairperson and Attorney-At-Law

Akoto-Danso, Sam: Special Assistant to the Ghana Minister of Finance and Economic Planning,

Republic of Ghana

Barnes, Althemese: Director- Riley Museum and Florida Network

Beamer, Charles: TASCC Board Member & McClay School Dean of Students

Butler, Willie: TASCC Founder and Assistant Professor, FAMU Department of History

Coker, Gylbert: Florida State University PhD Candidate

Dailey, John: Leon County Commissioner

Davis, Christopher: U.S. Department of State Diplomat-in-Residence, Florida A&M University

Dokurugu, Yussif: TASCC Board member and FAMU Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Elobeid, Ahmed: Senior Economist, Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United

Nations

Frimpong, George: District Chief Executive (Mayor) of Asante Akim North District, Ghana

Garland, Gregory: Public Affairs Chief for the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs

Hardiman-Cole, Angela: Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce

Hare, Julienne: Owner, Rabbits Den Production and Riley Museum Consultant

Harris, Ben: TASCC Board member and Administrator of the Minority Business Enterprise

(MBE), Department of Economic Development, City of Tallahassee

Hepburn, Davidson: Former Ambassador of the Bahamas to the United Nations and UNESCO

Executive Board member

Henderson Jr., Jacob R: Vice President of Henderson Associates / Henderson Travel Service

Kellogg, Steve: Project Funding Liaison, Tallahassee, Florida

Knight, Stephen: TASCC Vice-Chair and Attorney-At-Law, Stephen, Knight, and Dwyer

Lewis III, Henry: TASCC Board member and Dean, Florida A&M University College of

Pharmacy

Liggitt, Sharon: Director of Tallahassee Visitors and Conventions Bureau

Lugisse, Arthur “Arturo”: TASCC Deputy Director and International Affairs Programs, St.Maarten,

Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean

Mannoh, Kuuku: TASCC West Africa Field Representative and Program Coordinator

Marks III, John: Mayor, the City of Tallahassee

Mason, Patrick: Chair, Florida State University African-American Studies Program

Mattick, Barbara: National Historic Register Officer, Florida Department of State

McCray, Christi: Marketing and Sales, VISIT FLORIDA, Tallahassee, Florida

Ndolo, David: Business Development Director, Stan Images Limited, Nairobi, Kenya

Niekus, Martijn: Executive Policy Advisor, Government of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao, Caribbean

Odhengo, Peter: Executive Director of Relief and Environment Care Africa, Nairobi, Kenya;

Oparah, Tanya Simons: Outreach Services Director, Broward County Libraries and Consultant-Florida

African American Heritage Preservation and FAAME Project

Osborne, Torrio: Riley Museum & Florida Network Board Member

Otiende, Eric: Director of Raha Pele Initiative, Memphis, Tennessee

Pate, Mike: Director and CEO of the Knight Foundation

Post, Kerri: Director of New Product Development, VISIT FLORIDA, Tallahassee, FL

Proctor, Bill: Leon County Commissioner

Ransom, Johnnie: Owner, Alpha Travel and Tours, Tallahassee, FL

Rice, Keisha: Deputy Director- Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development

Sager, Rebecca: Freelance Ethnomusicologist

Salter, Bryant: Director, Africa Trade Expansion Program, Enterprise Florida

Simmonds, Keith: Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences-Florida A&M University

Stubbs, Stubbs: Founding Board member of the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce

Thaell, Cliff: Leon County Commissioner

Wright, Rodney: Dean, Florida A&M University School of Architecture

“THINK GLOBAL. BE (COME) INTERNATIONAL. EARTH IS OUR HOME.”

TALLAHASSEE AND AFRICAN SISTER CITIES COALITION, INCORPORATED

History and Accomplishments

Tallahassee and African Sister Cities Coalition, Incorporated (TASCC) was founded in 2000 by

Dr. Willie L. Butler and other faculty and staff members from Florida A&M University. It is a

501©(3) public not-for-profit organization assigned federal identification number 59-3588722, and

incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida. TASCC seeks to advance public awareness

and understanding about Africa, promote greater appreciation for diversity in our global

community, and enhance public knowledge about the impact of globalization on local economies

and job markets.

In addition, TASCC implements programs and strategies to foster collaborative efforts between

parties in the United States, Africa, Caribbean, and African Diaspora on identifying, nurturing, and

establishing functional partnerships mutually beneficial in business, cultural and educational

exchanges, and other areas of interest.

On May 9, 2001, TASCC became the Sister City Committee through which the City of Tallahassee

affiliates with Konongo-Odumasi, Ghana. Six months later, The Honorable Scott Maddox, past

mayor for the City of Tallahassee, requested TASCC to ascertain the feasibility and potential

benefits of establishing collaborative efforts in Ghana in addition to the sister cities relationship.

This charge resulted in TASCC submitting a report to the city entitled, “Feasibility Analysis of

Potential Investment Opportunities in Ghana, West Africa.”

Public interest and participation in TASCC programs and activities have steadily increased since

2001. Professionals and students conduct research investigations, serve as volunteers, and

participate in cultural/educational tours under the auspices of TASCC in the Caribbean, Ghana,

Tanzania, and South Africa. Most recently, TASCC and The Florida Black Chamber of

Commerce (FBCC) began collaboration on how a coalition with TASCC can increase FBCC

memberships’ awareness of emerging markets and result in potential business opportunities in

African and Caribbean nations and territories. The coalition’s successful outcome may enable

TASCC to replicate this effort nationwide through the National Black Chamber of Commerce, as

well as encourage other organizations to coalition with TASCC.

2

Programs and Activities

Annual Observance of Africa Awareness Month

These programs and activities occur in March, following the annual observance of African-

American History Month.

The annual international conference presents issues and topics such as small- and medium-

size business expansion into the global marketplace, emerging markets in African

countries, Pan-Africanism, and culture, education, health and social welfare in African

nations;

The “Taste of Africa and the African Diaspora Gala” offers an evening of dining, dancing,

and melody making, and presents the diverse cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora;

The Africa Awareness Month Essay and Oratorical Scholarship Competition attracts

contestants ranging from kindergarten through post-secondary school; and,

The Africa Awareness Lecture Series, a variety of presentations and workshops on Africa,

occur throughout March at locations such as public schools, community organizations, and

churches.

The Caribbean Economic Cooperation Committee (CECC)

Currently, CECC seeks to implement programs and strategies to foster and promote collaborative

efforts between parties in the Caribbean and Florida, and the Caribbean and African nations

leading to mutually beneficial partnerships in business, cultural and educational exchanges, and

other areas of interest.

TASCC International Community Service Program (ICSP)

TASCC-ICSP offers opportunity for individuals to serve as volunteers in Sub-Sahara African and

Caribbean nations and territories for extended periods, usually five weeks or more. Students may

earn academic credit for their volunteer services.

TASCC International Cultural/Educational Tours (ICET)

TASCC-ICET offers opportunity for individuals to visit Sub-Sahara African and Caribbean nations

and territories for periods usually less than twenty-one days. They may be planned in

collaboration with other Organization.

3

Why Promote the Annual Observance of Africa Awareness in March?*

In recent memory, America’s academia, dominated by Social Darwinist research and

intellectualism, credited Europeans for building the great Egyptian civilizations. Students learned

that Egypt was part of Europe, and that black people constituted the least evolved race, governed

by instinct and passion, and lacked sufficient intellectual and reasoning abilities to establish

civilizations comparable to other races. A plethora of data across disciplines validated a prevailing

view that black peoples’ contributions to the history of world civilizations and human progress

were insignificant. This is why the results of Carter G. Woodson’s 1919 survey, “Negro life and

history in our schools,” revealed that only eight American colleges offered a course on the Negro.

Course offerings on Africa were non-existent.

In the 1880s until World War II, scholars and organizations such as W.E.B. Dubois and

Carter G. Woodson, and the Bethel Literary and Historical Association of Washington, D.C. and

New York’s Negro Society for Historical Research pioneered the development of Africana studies.

They applied multidisciplinary methodology to analyze “themes…derived from the historical

position of African peoples in relation to Western societies and in the dynamics of slavery,

oppression, colonization, imperialism, emancipation, self-determination, liberation, and

socioeconomic and political development.” The body of scholarship they produced refuted Social

Darwinist explications about black people and, toward the final years of Harlem’s renaissance era,

argued that (a) “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line;” and, (b)

“the twentieth-century person of color embodies a crisis of Europe and Euro-reason.”

Unfortunately, these hard-fought victories were bittersweet and short-lived. Paradigms that

replaced genetic and race inferiority constructs generated equally degrading explanations and

proved more difficult to refute. Theories of environment, intra-psychic dissonance, intelligence,

and pathology, for example, produced data results challenging Woodson’s claim that incorporating

Negro achievements and contributions into mainstream American history improved the Negro’s

self-image, and helped eradicate anti-black racism. This genre of research summarily concluded

that: (a) Black people emerged from chattel slavery with no knowledge of their African culture,

lacking pride and a sense of solidarity. (b) Black people internalized racial oppression, causing

them to perpetuate “generational” anti-social and self-destructive pathologies without white

people’s influence. (c) Because of (a) and (b), black people do not take advantage of

opportunities as effectively or readily in comparison to other races and ethnic groups.

Although by the 1940s recognition of Negro history extended beyond United States

boundaries to Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Philippines, this recognition did not

change negative Anglo-American perspectives that Africa and black people were a historical,

enigmatical, and “not worth the bother.” However, when

4

America officially entered World War II, U.S. armed forces could not effectively plan military

strategies in Africa, lacking experience and knowledge of that region of the world. Subsequently,

America relied heavily on British and French intelligence while establishing programs to develop

capability for training its own intelligence personnel.

In 1948, Carnegie Corporation awarded a grant to Melville Herskovits, Anthropology

Professor at Northwestern University, to develop a program of courses exclusively about Africa.

The Ford Foundation later supplemented funding from Carnegie Corporation and Northwestern

University, which established the first Africana Studies Program in America under Herskovits’

leadership. Boston University and UCLA followed suit in 1953 and 1959, respectively. Since

then, more than one-hundred colleges and universities have established departments and programs

of African Studies. Moreover, Africa is now the interest of numerous government agencies,

businesses and corporations, and nonprofit organizations.

Today, the annual observance of African-American History Month seems to focus

primarily on adversities of African-Americans during slavery days and achievements since the

1950s-1960s modern civil rights movement. It generally presents Africa’s connection to black

America through traditional dance and song, and picture posters of black African kings and

queens. These kinds of presentation lack foundation to build a coherent knowledge base, and

marginalize the importance to learn or teach about Africa.

Although the internet offers incalculable amounts of accessible information on Africa, the

overwhelming majority of Americans remain as uninformed about Africa as was previous

generations.

Ironically, public school teachers focus less on the annual observance of African-American

History Month to proctor their students since statewide examinations usually occur in March.

During Woodson’s era, immigration to America was almost impossible for indigenous

black Africans. The few that arrived came to earn degrees usually at an HBCU and, upon

completion, immediately departed to a European country or returned to their native homeland.

The presence of indigenous Africans residing in America was minuscule until the mid-1950s,

when U.S. Immigration Services began to ease regulations that restricted their immigration. Since

then, the numbers of indigenous Africans have steadily increased. By 2000, approximately

881,000 resided in America.

Contrary to popular belief, this population cohort makes significant contributions in

American society. Of the 881,000 African-born residents in the U.S., 49% earned a bachelor’s

degree or higher compared to 25.6% native-born Americans and 25.8% of all other foreign-born

residents. Excluding professional categories such as accountants, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and

teachers, 250,000 were scientists and physicians.

5

Undoubtedly, they can play a pivotal role to correct distortions and false perceptions of African

life and history that prevail among the American public.

To Woodson and his ilk, it is axiomatic that black people’s life and history in the Diaspora

is a branch or continuation of African history, a thesis discounted by most white faculty members

of early-established African studies programs. Instead, they embraced

“a modernization theory that measured African societies by Western standards…

[Compartmentalized] knowledge regarding black people…and ignore[ed] the African heritage of

African-Americans.” Consequently, The African-American is an African descendant born into

U.S. citizenship

The annual observance of Africa Awareness Month in March complements and strengthens

the annual observance of African-American History Month. It intends to:

1. Nurture and promote greater communication and interaction between African-Americans,

and African-born and Caribbean-born residents in the United States.

2. Implement programs and strategies to enhance public awareness and knowledge of

contemporary Africa.

3. Encourage African-born residents in the U.S. to play a pivotal and significant role in

correcting distortions and false perceptions of Africa and black people held by the

American public.

4. Establish an annual period to foster collaborative efforts between parties to develop and

initiate mutually beneficial partnerships in areas of economic develop, education,

community initiatives, art and culture, health, tourism, and technology.

Excerpts from unpublished manuscript by Willie L. Butler. Notes omitted.

TALLAHASSEE AND AFRICAN SISTER CITIES COALITION, INCORPORATED

Sixth Annual Africa Awareness Month Conference Registration Form

“Doing Business and Investment Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa”

Convened At

Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida

March 17-22, 2008

Name & Title: __________________________________________________________

Institution/Organization: ________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________________________________

State & zip code: _______________________________________________________

Telephone: _____________________________________________________________

Fax: ___________________________________________________________________

E-Mail:_________________________________________________________________

Conference Registration Fee………………………………………………..……$150.00

“A Taste of Africa Gala”…………….......................................................Tickets: 50.00

Champaign and wine Reserve Tables for eight………………. 650.00

Please enclose conference registration and/or gala ticket fee(s) made payable to Tallahassee and

African Sister Cities Coalition, Inc., and mail to: TASCC, Post Office Box 7619, Tallahassee,

Florida 32314-7619.

TASCC is a 501© (3) public not-for-profit organization, assigned federal identification

number 59-3588722. Payments for TASCC-sponsored activities and programs may be

partially or totally tax deductible.

For additional information contact: Willie L. Butler……………. (850) 766-0173

Arthur (Arturo) Lugisse……………. (850) 212-2914

“THINK GLOBAL. BE (COME) INTERNATIONAL. EARTH IS OUR HOME.”

TALLAHASSEE AND AFRICAN SISTER CITIES COALITION,

INCORPORATED

Summer, 2008

Cultural and Educational Exchange Application

To Ghana, West Africa

Please logon to the website, www.Nkrumahconference.com, which provides

information about a segment of the cultural and educational experience. TASCC is

a 501(c)(3) public, not-for-profit organization assigned federal identification

number 59-3588722 and incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida. As

such, cost of the tour may be tax deductible.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Last Name First Name Middle Initial Social Security Number

Street Address City State Zip ( ) ( )

E-mail Address Home Phone Alternate Phone (i.e. Cell Phone)

Passport Number Date of Issue Expiration Date

(If you do not have a passport you will be required to apply for one.) Gender Male Female

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION

Which institution do you attend? FAMU FSU TCC Other _________________________

Classification Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate Law

Major Minor

Grade Point Average Expected Graduation Date

APPLICATION REQUIREM ENTS

Students must submit two letters of recommendations, and an unofficial transcript

Everyone must pay a non-refundable $20.00 application fee __________________________________________________________________

For additional information, please contact:

Willie L. Butler, Ph.D. Arthur (Arturo) Lugisse

[email protected] [email protected]

(850) 766-0173 (850) 212-2914

(850) 561-2059

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Last Name First Name Middle Initial Relationship to Applicant

Street Address City State Zip ( ) ( )

Day Phone Night Phone E-mail Address

HEALTH INFORMATION

Health Statement

It is important that the exchange program be aware of any medical or emotional problems, past and present, which might affect your study abroad experience. Even mild physical disorders can become serious in a new environment. The information will remain confidential with the program staff and allow us to provide maximum assistance in helping you adjust to your new environment in Ghana. The program may not be able to accommodate all individual needs or circumstances, but we will make every effort to provide you with the best learning experience. While this information does not directly affect your acceptance into the program, if pertinent concerns arise, you may be asked to provide a statement from your physician including your ability to participate.

1. Do you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies? If yes, explain. No Yes

___________________________________________________________________________

______________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. List any disabilities or impairments that might cause hardship through change of environment. ___________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

3. If you are under medical care for this disability or impairment, explain the extent of the treatment. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

4. List any allergies you may have. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

5. Are you taking any prescription drugs? If yes, please list them, and for what reason? No Yes

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

6. Describe any chronic or temporary medical condition (physical, psychological or emotional) that we need to be informed of that might impact on your study abroad experience.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATION

I certify that to the best of my knowledge the above information is correct. If you are a minor, you must submit with this application a letter of consent (or approval) signed and notarized by your parent(s) or guardian(s). Applicant’s Signature __________________________________________________________ Date Signed_______________________________ Return completed application to: TASCC, Post Office Box 7619, Tallahassee, FL 32314-7619

Tallahassee and African Sister Cities Coalition Inc.

(TASCC)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Yaw Akuoko, J.D.

Chair

Steven Knight, JD

Vice Chair

William Hudson Sr., Ph.D.

Secretary / Treasurer

Charles Beamer, M.S.

Benjamin Harris, J.D.

Daaim Shabazz, Ph.D.

Yussif Dokurugu, Ph.D.

Henry Lewis III, Ph.D.

Administrative and Board Members

Willie L. Butler, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO

Arthur (Arturo) Lugisse, M.S.

Deputy CEO

Kuuku Mannoh, B.S.

TASCC West Africa Field Representative

US and Caribbean Partnership and Trade Linkages (Africa Diaspora)

The CARICOM Member States pursue a development strategy based

primarily on partnership rather than on foreign control and domination. This

concept of partnership is the one embraced by the President of the United

States and the Caribbean Leaders and the one to which they committed

themselves when they met in Barbados in May 1997. There, they adopted

the Caribbean /United States Partnership for Prosperity and Security in the

Caribbean. That Agreement, which comprises a Declaration of Principles and

a Plan of Action (the latter of which is made up of two parts - one on Trade,

Development, Finance and the Environment, and the other on Justice and

Security), commits the United States and the Caribbean to cooperate on a

wide front

Sustainable Development

EducationMinistry

Sports and Culture Environment

The African Diaspora and their Offspring’s

Economic Development

/

AFRICA - USA - CARIBBEAN LATIN-AMERICA

HEALTH

of mutual interests

and concerns. These include programs for improving the flows of trade and

investment, fostering economic development including through special

assistance in key sectors such as from telecommunications, environmental

protection and energy development as well as for combating narcotics and

arms smuggling, of halting money laundering, for dealing with the sensitive

issue of deportation of criminals, and for assisting Caribbean scholars to

attend US universities. It is vital to note that the Plan of Action affirmed

among other things that: "Strengthened trade and investment ties (our

emphasis) between the United States and the Caribbean are essential to

promote the economic development and diversification of the region and to

improve the well-being of all our citizens. We recognize the special

challenges and opportunities we will face in the highly globalize economy of

the Twenty First Century. We are committed to work together to advance the

prosperity and economic security of the people of the Caribbean, by

facilitating expanded trade with United States through improved market

access, increased investment in the Caribbean, and availability of technology

throughout the region". Africa can play a major role in this

development of inclusion.

This affirmation was made against the background of a long history of the US

being CARICOM's largest trading partner. It supplies CARICOM with about 45

percent of its imports and takes just under 40 percent of its exports. The

sustainability of the trade relationship that CARICOM has enjoyed with the

USA is however threatened by sharp changes in the balance of trade. For

example, in 1980 CARICOM enjoyed a trade surplus of an estimated

US$1.246 billion with the US; by 1997 this position has been completely

reversed, showing a US$2.377 billion trade surplus in favor of the US.

Indeed, over the period (1980-1997) the accumulated surplus in favor of the

United States approximated US$10 billion. This is particularly revealing as in

1984 the Reagan Administration included all Caribbean States except Cuba

as beneficiaries of the Caribbean Basin Initiative that confers preferential

access to the US market. This trend does not augur well for the long-term

capacity of CARICOM to finance its imports of goods and services, be they

from the US or any other source. It is one that the Partnership and our

efforts at cooperation and strengthening of trade and investment linkages would need to redress.

It is for that reason that the United States and the Caribbean agreed in the

Barbados Plan of Action, for example, to seek to improve the CBI

arrangements and to secure satisfactory market access for Caribbean

bananas in their traditional European markets. With the CBI having not been

improved and with the Banana situation having been made decidedly worse

by direct US action you can imagine the disappointment and anger of the

Caribbean! Moreover, oddly enough with respect to the CBI such proposals

as the Administration has made for its improvement have been more

restrictive and ringed with greater conditionality’s than those advanced by

Senate and House leaders.

Caribbean leaders have therefore found it difficult to support those

proposals. Herein lies one area in which there is scope for the Diaspora to use its influence to further the interests of the Region.

As we look to the future, the CARICOM Single Market will offer ample scope

for the further development of trade and investment. Some significant

growth areas are to be found in telecommunications, informatics, financial

services, cultural industries and selected professional services, particularly medical services.

US companies have a long history of involvement and partnership in

CARICOM countries. The CARICOM countries have welcomed myriad

companies such as Reynolds in the bauxite sector, Amoco and Texaco in

petroleum, IBM and Intel in the computer industry, Colgate-Palmolive in the

toiletry sector, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and more recently

MacDonald’s and Pizza Hut in the food and beverage sector, and Chase

Manhattan and Citibank in the banking sector. While these are mainly large

multinational enterprises, there are many other smaller US firms seeking to

establish such relationships. AND WE WILL ALSO EXTEND THAT

OPPORTUNITY TO AFRICA. We seek to Bridge the gap between all African

Diasporas, so as to participate in the every growing opportunities in Africa by

making investments.

TASCC seeks the opportunity through the partnership agreement signed

between Tallahassee the capital of Florida and the Caribbean Island of

St.Maarten to bridge the gap between public and private sectors of Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and the USA. The Diaspora Forum recommended using information and communication technologies to promote communication among members of the Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S., and to link Caribbean youth with Diaspora youth of Africa.

The Private Sector Forum suggested that CARICOM countries negotiate a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the U.S., and develop joint ventures in areas such as energy and technology.

You know better than I the unique challenges that the geography of your nations present. But the U.S. is committed to an ongoing dialogue, and we are optimistic that the changes we see in the global economy, present opportunities for us all,” Gutierrez said.

Speaking on behalf of the World Bank, Managing Director Graeme Wheeler reminded the audience that the Caribbean’s future prosperity lies in greater integration. “Size is not destiny but regionalism is,” he said.

• The Diaspora Forum recommended using information and communication technologies to promote communication among members of the Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S., and to link Caribbean youth with Diaspora youth.

TASCC understands and recognize that the future of the plans being made today, also rest in the hands of our youth, (for the future) we hope to keep them informed on a global base by bringing them together with information and plans set forth by the public and private sectors who are busy looking for ways and means to solve the relevant existing problems of the world.

• The Private Sector Forum suggested that CARICOM countries negotiate a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the U.S., and develop joint ventures in areas such as energy and technology.

The Caribbean region is second only to Sub-Saharan Africa in HIV prevalence with an estimated adult HIV prevalence rate of 2.3% in 2003. Approximately 430,000 adults and 23,000 children are living with HIV in the region. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among adults in the 15-44 age groups. Our growth is also happened similarly in Africa the Caribbean and USA by the same disease HIV/AIDS, so when we speak of Social Economic development we also need to address this issue that prevents some of our brightest scholars the opportunity to perform in their society with the high death rate brought about by this disease.

TASCC is a not-for-profit organization, which seeks to build and enhance the Cultural, Health, Educational, Economic and collaborative efforts between citizens and governments amongst the United States, The Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and Africa Diaspora. All efforts of this organization will be to create an understanding of, an appreciation for, and a commitment to, the positive development of Africa and Africa Diaspora. TASCC hopes to motive collective understanding and corporation between all nations by way of

bridging the gap with Africa Diaspora who are across the globe. Our concerns are many, but we

don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we will try and compliment other Government and NGO’s who

are embarking on the same Goals and Objectives bring understanding and socio economic

positive opportunities as a reciprocal platform.

“The Earth is our Home”

AL

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS AND SERVICES

TASCC members enjoy all of these benefits and services. The following

is a list of the benefits and services entitled to TASCC members. All

members are encouraged to participate in a committee(s) of their

interest.

Levels of Membership

Bronze

Student Senior

*Benefits*

Membership Card

Access to TASCC Journal

Discounts to all TASCC sponsored events; excluding fundraisers

Silver

Individual

*Benefits*

Membership Card

Access to TASCC Journal

Discounts to all TASCC sponsored events; excluding fundraisers

Gold

Family

*Benefits*

Membership Card

Access to TASCC Journal

Discounts to all TASCC sponsored events; excluding fundraisers

Platinum

Patron

*Benefits*

Membership Card

Access to TASCC Journal

Discounts to all TASCC sponsored events; excluding fundraisers

10% discount on all non-Fundraiser Events

Corporate Member

Ruby (not-for-profit)

Emerald (for profit)

Sapphire

Diamond

Tanzanite

*Benefits*

Sponsorship Recognition

Advertisement in TASCC Journal an web site

Link to TASCC web site / www.africaawarenessmonth.com

COMMITTEE(S)

Finance Arts and Culture

Fundraising Economic Development

Program Services and

Evaluation

Education and Youth

Public Relations Fundraising and Public

Relations

Membership Medical

Tourism/Exchange International Affairs

Information Services Other

NAME CHANGE OF ORGANIZATION

“THINK GLOBAL. BE (COME) INTERNATIONAL. EARTH IS OUR HOME.”

Post Office Box 7619, Tallahassee, Florida 32314, www.tasccinc.com

RENAMING TASCC

Name Change

On April 1, 2008 the organization’s name will officially change from Tallahassee

and African Sister Cities Coalition Incorporated (TASCC) to TransAfrica

Solidarity and Coalition Council Incorporated (TASCC).

Rationale for Name Change

1. The new name more accurately reflects the organization’s expanded

mission and objectives.

2. The new name better reflects and communicates the evolution of TASCC

since its founding, and eliminates confusion about who we are and what

we are about.

Acronym and Logo

The “TASCC” acronym and logo remains the same, which symbolically depicts

the organization’s historical link to the City of Tallahassee, Florida.

TransAfrica Solidarity and Coalition Council, Inc

This change of name will also be recognized at our 7

th Annual conference in a Board meeting

TASCC “ESSENCE OF AFRICA” ART CONTEST

ENTRY FORM

Entry Deadline Postmarked by February 22, 2008.

Grade (Check one)

1st 2nd 3rd 4

th 5th 6

th 7th 8

th 9th

Category I Category II Category III

Please Print Contestant________________________________________________________ Last Name First Name Home Address __________________________________________________________ Street or P.O. Box ________________________________________________________________ City State Zip Telephone

(________)__________________________(________)___________________ Home Parent Daytime Art Entry Title_____________________________________________________________ Essay Title ___________________________________________________________ Medium Used____________________________________________________________

For TASCC Use Only

Parent Email Address

___________________________________________________________

I hereby certify that this is my original work and is not a copy of published

photographs, magazines, book illustrations,

or other materials protected by copyright laws. I understand that TASCC and

other sponsors are not responsible for loss

or damage to my artwork and/or composition. I grant exclusive right to TASCC

and its designees to utilize my artwork and/or composition

for reproduction and promotional purposes and to display my art; also, I agree

that my artwork and/or composition may be used, altered,

or published as they see fit without compensation to me.

Signature of Student________________________________________________Date______ Signature of Parent/Guardian _____________________________________________________Date________

Entry questions should be directed to [email protected] or by calling 850-212-8192. Entries should be received by February 22, 2008 and addressed to

TASCC, “Essence of Africa” Art Contest, TASCC, Post Office

Box 7619, Tallahassee, FL. 32314-7619

Artwork must be 8.5" x 11" HORIZONTAL and no more than 1/4" thick. Do not mat or frame. Do not have lettering or borders on the front.

TASCC “Essence of Africa” Art Contest

The “Essence of Africa” Art contest is open to all students in grades

1-9 attending public, private, or home-schools in the United States.

Only one entry per child will be accepted. This year’s contest will

focus on the culture, animals, and plants that are unique to the

continent.

Contest Rules and Conditions:

All artwork must be the contestant's original, hand-done

creation. Photographs and computer-generated artwork will not

be accepted. All artwork must be horizontal, 8.5" x 11"

without a mat, frame, cover sheet, or border. Art techniques

may include scratch-board, pointillism, chalk, charcoal, dry

brush, watercolor, crosshatch, lead, collage, linoleum printing,

or crayon. (Please note: if contestants use chalk or lead they

should seal it with an adhesive).

Art work can be a drawing or painting.

All artwork must not exceed 1/4 inch in total thickness. No

lettering, signatures, or initials may appear on the front of the

design. Any artwork with such identifying characteristics will

be disqualified and eliminated from the competition.

Completed portfolios must include a typed composition (essay)

or theme paper not to exceed one page in length. Compositions

should be related specifically to the characteristics of the art

work. The composition must include the student's name and

address. The composition (essay) should be an original work

by the student.

Entry forms will not be accepted by e-mail. Please download

or print the entry form and send via regular mail.

Entry forms must be completed, signed by a parent/guardian

and the student. The original artwork must be returned by mail

with the entry form.

Judging:

Portfolios will be judged on the quality of the artwork.

Awards:

Category I

- $25.00 US Savings Bond

- First Place Certificate

Category II

- $50.00 US Savings Bond

- First Place Certificate

Category III

- $100.00 US Savings Bond

- First Place Certificate

TASCC March 2008

Oratorical Scholarship Competition Application Packet

Official Rules/Guidelines and Eligibility Requirements

TASCC’s Annual Oratorical Competition is near. The competition is open to

students attending elementary, middle, or high school, and to students currently

enrolled in post-secondary institutions. Contestants must write and present essays

based on the categories and topics listed below. Three finalists from each of the

four categories will be selected to present their essays during the competition,

which will occur at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Absolute Deadline

The postmark deadline for all entries is March 11th, 2008. Mail to: TASCC,

Post Office Box 7619, Tallahassee, FL. 32314-7619. Essays on a disk in

Microsoft Word must accompany the hard copy sent through postal service. All

entries submitted electronically must be a Microsoft Word attachment emailed to

the following address: [email protected]

Essays should address the following topic:

Category I – Post-Secondary

Pan-Africanism

Your essay should provide an appraisal and summary of Pan-African ideas and

practices by eminent Pan-Africanist pioneers during the twentieth century.

Essay Entry and Length

Participants should provide six copies of their entry along with six copies

of an outline of your work.

Participants will be expected to speak on their essay topic for no more

than 17 minutes.

Essays must adhere to the following minimum word-length requirements

Post-Secondary Students: 2, 500 -3,000 words

Selection Review Panel

The panel of judges will consist of educators and scholars with certifications and

expertise in History, English, Political Science and Geography.

Category II – High School: Grades 9-12 (Oratorical Contest Only)

Speech Entry and Length

High School oratorical entries should provide an appraisal of Pan-African

ideas and practices by eminent Pan-Africanist pioneers during the

twentieth century.

Participants should provide six copies of an outline of their entries.

Speeches must adhere to the following minimum word-length and time

frame requirements

High School Students: 1,500 -2,000 words

7-12 minutes in length

Selection Review Panel

The panel of judges will consist of educators and scholars with certifications and

expertise in History, English, Political Science and Geography.

Judging the Essays

1. Quality of analysis (30 points):

The argument or perspective presented in essays/speeches must be clear,

complete, and appropriate.

2. Sentence unity (20 points):

The essay/speech must reflect the student’s ability to demonstrate an

understanding of the sentence unity, thereby sticking to its purpose and

fulfilling the writer’s aim.

3. Style and mechanics (15 points):

The essay/speech must have a clear structure with a title, an introduction,

body, conclusion, and references.

Writer’s Checklist

Cover page has essay title, contestant’s name, home address, telephone

number; school the student attends, and grade level or college/university

classification.

Essay is double-spaced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the

topic.

Essay has a main point and presents several specific examples to prove it.

The issue being discussed is clearly explained and with the help of a

writing reference handbook (such as MLA) and a computer’s spell-check

program, careful attention has been paid to mechanical details including:

Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, Page Numbers, Paragraphs, etc.

Internal citations and a comprehensive bibliography must be included at

the end of the essay to give proper credit to sources of information.

Post-Secondary students have enclosed proof of enrollment for Spring

Semester 2008.

You and your parent/guardian have both signed and dated your student

authorization form/publicity release. Post-secondary students are not

required to have a parent/guardian signature.

Contestants and/or their parent/guardian, by signing the TASCC

Authorization Form/Publicity Release, authorize TASCC to use all

submitted documents to promote the goals and objectives of the

organization.

Note: All these criteria qualify your essay for the competition.

Authorization Form/Publicity Release

Student Name (please print):

Grade Level or Classification:

Name of School:

Home Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Telephone Number:

_________________________________________________________________

Student Signature

Release Statement

As parent/guardian of an elementary, middle, or high school student, I

acknowledge that my child has written the attached essay. I grant TASCC the

right to use my child’s name, likeness and biographical data in connection

with authorship of the entry, promotion of the competition in future years, and

to help promote the goal and objectives of the organization.

_________________________________________________________________

_____________

Student Signature

_________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature (If under 18 years of age).

_________________________________________________________________

Local Phone Number

E-mail Address__________________________________________________

Tallahassee and African Sister Cities Coalition, Inc.

Seventh Annual Essay and Oratorical Scholarship

Competition

Awards/Prizes for Participants

Post-Secondary Participants:

1st - $500.00

2nd

-$300.00

3rd

- $200.00

- Certificate

- Publication of essay on the official TASCC Website

High School Participants:

1st - $200.00

2nd

- $100.00

3rd

- $75.00

- Certificate

- Publication of essay on the official TASCC Website

Other Participants:

- TASCC Annual Oratorical/Essay Competition

Certificate

Tallahassee and African Sister Cities Coalition, Incorporated

(TASCC)

Board of Directors

Yaw Akuoko, Esq…TASCC Chair Attorney

Email: [email protected];

Mobile: (404) 597-4592;

Fax: 850-577-3344; Home: (850) 8932790

Stephen Knight, Esq … TASCC Vice-Chair / Attorney

Email: [email protected];

Office: 850- 513-3151;

Mobile: 850-212-5291

William Hudson, PhD …Secretary/Treasurer

Director of Student Affairs, FAMU School of Allied Health

Email: [email protected]; Office: 850- 561-2003;

Mobile: 850-321-5894; Home: 850-210-0125

Charles Beamer, MA, Maclay School Dean of Students,

Tallahassee; and FAMU Political Science Adjunct Professor

Email: [email protected]; Office; 850- 893-2138;

Mobile: 850-212-3235; Home: 850-528-3218

Yussif Dokurugu,PhD Assistant Professor, FAMU Dept. of ociology

And Criminal Justice; Email: [email protected];

Office: 850-599-3316; Mobile: 850-228-2197

Ben Harris, MBE/DBE Administrator, Economic

Development Department/Minority Business Enterprise Office,

City of Tallahassee

Email: [email protected]; Office: 850-891-8185;

Mobile: 850-545-2533; Home: 850- 891-8185-Fax: 850-891-2051

Henry Lewis III, PhD, Dean, FAMU College of

Pharmacy

Email: [email protected];

Office: 850-599-3301; Fax: 850-412-5322

Daaim Shabazz, PhD, Assoc. Professor, FAMU School of

Business &

Industry Email: [email protected];

Office: 850- 599-8350; Mobile: 850- 322-0015

TASCC STAFF

Willie L. Butler……………………………Founder and CEO

Assistant Professor, FAMU Department of History

and Political Science; Email: [email protected]; Office: 850-561-2059; Mobile: 850-766-0173; Home: 850-656-1224

Arthur (Arturo) Lugisse, MA…………Deputy CEO

Entrepreneur and Tallahassee Student Affairs

Coordinator for the Government of St.

Maarten, TLHSXMF, Executive Director.

Email: [email protected];

Home: 850-576-8177; Mobile: 850- 212-2914

Ebenezer Kuuku Mannoh TASCC

West Africa Field Entrepreneur, Bech Intl. Co. Ltd., Representative and

Program Accra, Ghana Coordinator /

Office: 233-21-256833

Fax: 233-21-256834 /

Mobile: 233-243-718604

JOMAR FLOYD TASCC, FAMU STUDENT BODY 407-408-4178(Phone)

Email:[email protected]

TASCC STUDENT BODY: JOMAR FLOYD FAMU - Dominique Hodge FSU - Ludwick York TCC- Antoinette

Sorton FSU - Timothy Baly FAMU-Jose Brown TCC - Arturo Alexander Lugisse

SHANDRA SHEPPARD 850-212-2126 FAMU

JAQUAN WATKINS 443-983-8870 FAMU

JACQUELINE SMITH 786-543-6710 FAMU