Book 1: Even Roosters Dream To Fly: The Epic of a German White Catholic Priest and Manzi, a Freedom Fighter and a Mythological King of Rwanda.

Book 2: Legs of Tornado: The Human Who Outran the Wind.

Authored by Felicien Kanyamibwa

Even Roosters Dream To Fly: The Epic of a German White Catholic Priest and Manzi, a Freedom Fighter and a Mythological King of Rwanda.
Authored by Felicien Kanyamibwa

Legs of Tornado: The Human Who Outran the Wind
Authored by Felicien Kanyamibwa

This is the tale of Maguru ya Sarwaya, Legs of Tornado, the human from a humble upbringing who outran the wind, defeated evil spirits, overcame his fate, became a respected clan chief, and triumphed ever after. Long ago, the people of Rwanda suffered through a terrible famine. The rains did not come to help the crops grow, the grass withered, and the soil became so dry that it cracked. 

Monday, January 15, 2024 is Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.  were held in the Unites States, nationwide. This is the second year people interactions were allowed after a break  in 2021 and 2022 hit by worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.  As usual, the day has been marked by  commemorations including events,  marches, speeches, and peaceful protests to remember and celebrate the national civil rights leader who was instrumental in challenging the racial caste system that delineated how millions of Americans lived their lives and promoted racial injustices targeting minorities, especially Blacks.  The day also comes as the World is going through  racial,  ethnic,  or religion related wars, insecurity, and human tragedies especially in the Middle East, the Great Lakes Region of Africa, West and  East Africa, Eastern Europe, and South America. 

 Most Influential Black Person and AfroAmerica Black Person of the Year, as of 2024

In the table below are the Most Influential Black persons and AfroAmerica Black Persons of the Year, as the year 2024 starts. Each year, AfroAmerica Network names a Black Man and a Black Woman of the Year. The influential Black persons are usually selected for a much longer period. Click on the name/link to explore more.

  Jordan Haworth Peele, 44, is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for the outstandingly successful horror movies "Get Out"", "US" and "Nope" and the hilarious Key & Peele comedy sketches with Keegan-Michael Key. He has received several awards, nominations, and acclaims for a wide range of his work.  From the comedy sketch duo with Keegan-Michael Key,  Jordan Peele self-proclaimed  himself the “black nerd”.  Since then, he has used and is expanding his skills to reach and conquer territories where no black movie producer has shined before:  the horror film genre.

Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, aka Dikembe Mutombo, a famous Congolese  American NBA basketball player and humanitarian has passed away.  His death, following a period of a cancer has raised praises and recognitions from several famous people around the World, including the United States of America,  Africa, especially his birth country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Europe, and Asia. Known for his almost unmatched shot-blocking and rebounding power, followed by his defensive trademark gesture of finger-wagging   when he was an NBA player, he was later often celebrated for his unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes after his retirement.

Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, widely known as Celia Cruz,  a popular Afro-Latin musician and artist of the 20th century,  has been featured on the a coin minted by the US Treasury. She is the first Black-Latin woman ever featured on the US 25-cent coin, also known as a quarter. The quarters features Celia Cruz and other trailblazing American women. Other women featured on quarters include:  activist, lawyer, poet, writer, and  Episcopal priest Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray,  e first woman of color to serve in Congress Patsy Takemoto Mink, Civil War era surgeon and women’s rights activist  Dr. Mary Edwards Walker,  and  writer, composer, educator, and political activist Zitkala-Ša.

The Black History Month in the United States is  in its last week. February 2024 theme is "Existing Outside the Lines - The Colors of Resistance:  African American and the Arts." During the month, Americans have been taking time to remember and reflect as  the country is reminded of the discrimination Blacks have endured and the continuous struggle against the remnants of slavery, segregation, and racial legacy.

The Black History Month is also a time to focus on understanding the question and dynamics of race in American society today and to remember the people who made sacrifices in building the foundation and helping attain some achievements for Blacks in America. Below are the some key pioneers and most influential historic Blacks and African Americans who made such sacrifices or led the historic actions for civil rights, racial equality, and justice for Blacks in America.

A day after a landmark ruling cementing the foundation of Obamacare, the US Supreme Court handed yet another victory to
President Obama's administration by ruling that same-sex marriage is a civil right that states cannot ban.

Until recently, legalizing same-sex marriage was unthinkable in the United States. This did not deter gay rights advocates who have
continued their struggle, supported mostly by Democrats and Civil Rights activists. Several prominent business executives, such as 

Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act, PPACA or known as Obamacare, has once again survived the challenge from Republicans, after  a 6-3 decision ruling by the US Supreme Court, or SCOTUS.  Obamacare will be the health care law that will solidify President Barack Obama's legacy for generations to come.

The ruling was about the provision in the PPACA authorizing federal tax credits for eligible Americans, whether they live in states

"I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me, " Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in a letter written for Bloomberg Businessweek,  while  publicly coming out as gay and declaring his support for equality.

Tim Cook, though the CEO of perhaps the most prominent company in the World today, has managed to  keep a low profile on his personal life. In the letter he  says that his decision to publicly acknowledge his sexuality was  intended to "bring comfort to anyone who feels alone" and to "inspire people to insist on their equality."