Traditional Beadwork

Monkeybiz, a non-profit organization that provides a way for mostly woman to generate income in South Africa. At this organization, the women are able to express their unique creativity through reviving African traditional beadwork while also feeling proud of their work. Each finished product is signed by the artist giving the artist the credit they deserve. Many of these woman are HIV positive and/or are the "breadwinners" of the family. Through Monkeybiz, they are also taught about nutrition, micro-finance and even receive counseling. Many African woman are anxious to land a position with Monkeybiz for its great values and opportunities. Not only does Monkeybiz allow these women to express their creativity but it also serves the community and allows them to grow as individuals. 

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2010/12/11/monkeybiz_bead_art/

To shop monkeybiz or learn more about click on the link bellow: 
http://www.monkeybiz.co.za/

3 sources for essay topic

Essay topic: What is it about the United States that African immigrants find so appealing?

US-based African immigrants more educated
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=2014101521150498

5 Fast Facts About Black Immigrants in the United States

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2012/12/20/48571/5-fast-facts-about-black-immigrants-in-the-united-states/

African Immigrants: Highly Educated and Underemployed in America

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2015/05/african_immigrants_highly_educated_and_underemployed_in_america.html

Monkeybiz

Monkeybiz, a non-profit organization that provides a way for mostly woman to generate income in South Africa. At this organization, the women are able to express their unique creativity through reviving African traditional beadwork while also feeling proud of their work. Each finished product is signed by the artist giving the artist the credit they deserve. Many of these woman are HIV positive and/or are the "breadwinners" of the family. Through Monkeybiz, they are also taught about nutrition, micro-finance and even receive counseling. Many African woman are anxious to land a position with Monkeybiz for its great values and opportunities. Not only does Monkeybiz allow these women to express their creativity but it also serves the community and allows them to grow as individuals. 

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2010/12/11/monkeybiz_bead_art/

To shop monkeybiz or learn more about click on the link bellow: 
http://www.monkeybiz.co.za/

Ethiopia's Music in the Bay Area

Meklit Hadero, an Ethiopian-American singer song writer raised in San Francisco combines her native Ethiopian language and culture to the modern music she composes. Her style is unique and often comprised of sounds found in nature and in every day life such as a bird's tune or the sound of dishes clashing. Hadero described Ethiopian language as very musical sounding. This most likely contributed to her ability to recognize every day sounds as musical instruments. She is also co-founder of The Nile Project where she explored the music of the Nile basin, pulling influences from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt. 

She returned to San Francisco and immersed her self into the art culture and began collaborating. She has also worked with artists from Oakland. She fits in perfectly in the Bay Area, an urban area rich in culture and out of the box thinkers. People like her contribute to our rich diversity. Like Dr. Fitzgerald mentioned the most successful immigrants today came from African countries. Meklit Hadero is a perfect example of a successful immigrant contributing to the melting pot of the Bay Area.



https://www.ted.com/speakers/meklit_hadero

http://nileproject.org/meklit-hadero/