Photo from award-winning film ‘Mother of George.’ See details below for an upcoming screening in NYC benefiting AWDF USA.
AWDF USA investing women to build families, communities and nations
In the spotlight during the third week of the multi-faceted BPM 2013 campaign is the African Women’s Development Fund USA (AWDF USA)—founder of Black Philanthropy Month.
AWDF USA was created by the Ghana-based African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), with a coalition of American women leaders, to spread awareness about the impact of African women-led organizations on communities across the continent and diaspora. In the US, the nonprofit organization conducts research, disseminates public information, convenes donors and provides a vehicle for effective American philanthropy to Africa. The work of AWDF USA builds the capacity of the continent’s women for social change and sustainable development.
Mother Africa is the name of AWDF USA’s global campaign for maternal health. Over 500 African women die in childbirth everyday and African-descent women in the US have the country’s highest infant and maternal mortality rates. And the US has one of the worst maternal health track records of any African country. AWDF USA and partners throughout the country are sponsoring events to raise awareness and support for African women’s health, in particular the high levels of infant and maternal mortality affecting the continent and its US Diaspora.
Mother Africa is a campaign that you can support through the following AWDF USA happenings—from coast to coast.
New report set for release August 28: ‘The New Black Philanthropy’
Look out for the release of the AWDF USA report, “The New Black Philanthropy: Contemporary African Immigrant Giving,” supported by Firelight and the Kellogg foundations. Part I reports findings from a study on African Diaspora philanthropy and identifies key US giving trends and mechanisms.
Grandmother Power Celebration, September 7 | San Mateo, CA
Become a part of the International Grandmothers Movement! In a special celebration of Grandparents Day 2013, AWDF USA and its co-sponsor Mills Peninsula Health Systems will host Paola Gianturco, author of Grandmother Power and musician Maame Afon. A tax-deductible ticket purchase supports AWDF USA’s work with African grandmothers organizations supporting the continent’s 11 million AIDS orphans.
Learn more at: http://awdfusagrandmotherpower.eventbrite.com/
Pan-African Women’s Health Summit, September 14 | Chicago, IL
Open to all, the Pan-African Women’s Health Summit will deepen women’s advocates’ knowledge and online technology skills to increase joint social action in addressing the health crisis among women of African descent. The Summit is convening global, national and local researchers and leaders to address the disturbingly high levels of infant and maternal mortality, hypertension, cancer fatalities, HIV/AIDS and other health challenges.
The Summit will debut AWDF USA’s New Global Citizen Award, created to recognize American leaders who promote African women’s development. The award honors Chicagoans, the late Bob Howard and, his wife, Barbara Phillips, founding AWDF USA donors and leaders. MacArthur Genius Award winner, Dr. Funmi Olopade, will receive award and present the opening keynote. H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, First Lady of Ekiti State, will present the closing keynote address.
Register for the Summit at: http://chicagosavingourfuture.eventbrite.com/
Screening of Sundance award-winning ‘Mother of George,’ September 15, | New York, NY
Do not miss the special screening of the award-winning film, “Mother of George,” the first major American film with an African director and all-African cast. Village Voice described it “a new renaissance moment for American Black film.”
Set in Brooklyn, New York, “Mother of George” is the story of a Nigerian immigrant family faced with the harsh reality of possible infertility. Director Andrew Dosunmu brings a new perspective to a touchy subject in the African community and has inspired conversation. On September 15, AWDF USA hosts a screening and forum with the cast of the film in New York City. A portion of each ticket benefits the AWDF USA campaign to support healthy mothers and babies in Africa; buy tickets at https://motherofgeorgenyc915.eventbrite.com. Watch the beautiful trailer here.
Follow the work of AWDF USA here: http://www.usawdf.org/