I AM TRANSAFRICAN

TWITTER FEED
SEARCH

WHERE / THE UNITED STATES / UNITED STATES /

 

UNITED STATES


TransAfrica has worked as an advocacy and organizing center since our founding in 1977. Today TransAfrica continues to provide the general public, non-governmental organizational allies, elected officials and the US Administration with information about the impacts of US foreign policy on Afro- descendants abroad. We build relationships and share information through aseries of ongoing and one-time events open to the public, delegations of individuals and groups both to and from the US and calls to action around policy for our members. In addition, TransAfrica provides trainings to Afro-descendant groups around political advocacy and lobbying as well as know-your-rights.

Tuesday
Mar062012

TransAfrica Mourns the Loss of Congressman Donald Payne

The TransAfrica family mourns the loss of Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey, ranking member of the Subcommittee for Africa, Global Health and Human Rights in the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Mr. Payne died this morning in New Jersey after a battle with colon cancer. He was the first African American elected to Congress from New Jersey.  He was a leader in foreign affairs, as the Foreign Affairs Dean for the Congressional Black Caucus and serving as the Chair of the Africa Subcommittee until 2010.  Many called him “Mr. Africa” because of his tireless support for African nations and people of African descent throughout the Diaspora.

“Congressman Payne was a prolific leader on issues effecting Africa and her Diaspora.  He used his status to help the most vulnerable on our planet.  From Sudan to Colombia to Haiti, Congressman Payne stood for justice.  Despite much opposition, he kept the issues of Africa on the Congressional front burner.”, said Nicole Lee, president of TransAfrica.

Congressman Payne was a long time supporter of the work of TransAfrica.  He served on the board of directors and supported many TransAfrica campaigns including the end of genocide Darfur, freedom for Southern Sudan, rights of Afro-Colombians and the reconstruction of Haiti.

 

Friday
Mar022012

USAID Launches the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2012
USAID Press Office: 202-712-4320
USAID Public Information: 202-712-4810  
www.usaid.gov
  
USAID Launches the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program 
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced the launch of a new fellowship program designed to attract outstanding young people to careers in international development. The fellowship will encourage the application of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in development careers, and is part of a larger Diversity Engagement Program being stood up by the Agency. The fellowship will be named in honor of longtime development champion, Congressman Donald M. Payne. 
 
“This new fellowship will help USAID to attract and support a diverse group of talented young people who are dedicated to public service and international development,” said USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. “It could not be more fitting that we are naming this fellowship after U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne who has led by example in dedicating his life to helping others around the globe. There have been few greater friends of USAID and Rep. Payne’s legacy of helping people and solving problems around the world will continue through this fellowship.”

Click to read more ...

Monday
Jan232012

Why the Jakadrien Turner Case is So Important

The story of Jakadrien Turner is the real story of the U.S. immigration system. Immigration has become an inhumane program that disregards the law and the dignity of the people involved. In an effort to meet a congressionally mandated quota, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) actually deported a 15 year old American citizen.  Jakadrien Turner is just a high profile example of the way poor and otherwise vulnerable people are treated in this system. TransAfrica ranks present U.S. immigration policy among the most egregious human rights violations in the world. In an effort to limit who lives in this country, ICE, Homeland Security, Congress and several Administrations, trample on the Constitutional rights of American citizens and the dignity of immigrants from around the world.  Jakadrien is just one story of the horrific errors that are made in the rush to deportation.

Click to read more ...

Thursday
Jan052012

TransAfrica Calls for Jakadrien Turner to be Returned to U.S. Immediately

African American Teenager Deported to Colombia because of the illegal, racist action of the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement

TransAfrica has requested a meeting with the Colombian Embassy in Washington

15 year old Texas resident now in a Colombian jail after being forced to work as a housekeeper; TransAfrica is outraged at the racial profiling of this case

TransAfrica, the nation’s oldest and largest African American foreign policy organization, is outraged and calling on U.S. leadership to assist a teenaged U.S. citizen who was deported to Colombia when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to do its job properly.  TransAfrica demands immediate action by the U.S. and Colombian authorities that will result in Jakadrien Turner’s immediate release from a Colombian prison and her expedited return to the United States and her legal guardians.

Click to read more ...

Friday
Sep162011

A Legacy of Change: TransAfrica and the Congressional Black Caucus

September has been traditionally the month in which the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) hosts its Annual Legislative Conference.  This event has a special place in the history of TransAfrica: it was at such a conference thirty-five years ago that the idea of TransAfrica was born.

Click to read more ...