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NEWARK’S AFRICAN COMMISSION HOSTS CITY HALL SYMPOSIUM
“DISMANTLING IMAGINARY BORDERLINES AMONG AFRICANS”
U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne serves as keynote speaker;
Symposium discusses unity, collaboration, advocacy, and black history
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Newark, NJ – February 19, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker announced today that the City of Newark’s African Commission hosted a
symposium, entitled “Dismantling the Imaginary Borderlines Among Africans,” in the Municipal Council Chamber at City Hall, today.
U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne, who serves as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, was the
keynote speaker. Representative Payne headed a Presidential mission to war-torn Rwanda to help find solutions to that country’s
political and humanitarian crises. He was successful in winning passage of a resolution declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
“Representative Payne has fought for the African community in the streets of Newark, the halls of Washington, and the camps of
Darfur,” Mayor Booker said in a statement. “We are proud to host his keynote address and this important symposium, which will help
to unite the African Diaspora in our region, and build a stronger, prouder, and better Newark.”
Other speakers included Essex County College Africana Institute Director D. Akhil Kokoyi Khalfani; International House of Pancakes
Newark CEO and President Adenah Bayoh; Seton Hall University African Student Union Association President Nana Ama Damoa;
Princeton University Public Policy & International Affairs Fellow Wilson Alwuyor; NJIT African Student Association Vice President Seun
Aladese; and United Way African Community Engagement Coordinator Lorna Johnson. African Commission President Dosso
Kassimou served as moderator, and Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement Margarita Muñiz delivered welcoming remarks.
“The African Commission has been very active in creating a greater understanding of African Culture and the inter-connectivity that
exists among us,” said Deputy Mayor Muñiz. “We understand that it is through unity and partnership that together, we will continue to
create stronger communities of hope. I am proud to work with the Newark African Commission and the positive spirit of its leadership
and members.”
The program discussed issues that divide Africans both in the continent and in the African Diaspora, and seek ways to eliminate
these barriers, and address common issues that the communities face. The symposium is part of the City of Newark’s observance of
Black History Month.
“We must bear in mind that climate change, poverty; ethnic wars along with unfair trade policies towards Africa are collective problems
that are not properly addressed because many of us are still stuck into the shackles of colonial ‘imaginary borders,’” said Commission
President Kassimou. “The Newark African Commission believes that now this is the time for Africans to come together and begin to
uplift our people, restore the pride and dignity of our ancestors who built the Great Pyramids without a crane; and also delivered to
the world one of the first universities in Timbuktu, which is now Mali, both great accomplishments.”
With the theme “Dismantling the Imaginary Borders among the Africans,” the goal of this symposium is to promote collaboration and
more interactions among the Africans in the Diaspora. “Such collaboration is more than ever needed because the fragmentations of
African people into small ethnic lines, community groups; or country of origin have contributed greatly to the current political
weakness and the passive behavior of Africans on issues affecting them,” Mr. Kassimou said.
The Commission, which was created as part of the Mayor’s Office on August 1, 2007, promotes policies and awareness of issues
concerning the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well being of Africans and African-Americans in
Newark. The commission encourages an understanding of contemporary African and African American policy issues and promotes
awareness and recognition of the African Culture and civilization.
The African Commission also studies, develops, and recommends to the Mayor such policies, programs, and activities that help to
promote the African and African-American life and to collaborate with and assists other civic and private groups in organizing and
sponsoring programs and events aimed at promoting African and African-American cultural awareness and contemporary policy
considerations.
The Commission works with international, Federal, State and Municipal agencies to promote issues concerning its programs and
activities.
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