Image from WoMen in Africa photography exhibition by Ludovico Maria Gilberti . Although it was mostly disregarded by mainstream media throughout 2011, the United Nations’ observance of the International Year for People of African Descent launched on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2010, just over a week before the event that would spark the Arab Spring occurred and months before the Occupy Movement got underway. It proceeded in different countries with a variety of programs, initiatives, and publications to commemorate the occasion over the months that followed, and has now been winding down to an official close since December 6, 2011. Read the entire story by Aberjhani by clicking this link : Countdown of 10 amazing moments from 2011: No. 3 Afro-descendants worldwide - National African-American Art | Examiner.com

Detail from artwork for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's film On the Shoulders of Giants . (courtesy of Union Productions and Iconomy) The celebration of major historic milestones is a favorite pastime in pretty much every culture. This year, 2011, in the United States many are commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. That means four years from now numerous festivities will take place to observe the same anniversary for Jubilee Day, or the liberation of America’s slaves. In addition, countries around the world are currently honoring the first United Nations-declared International Year for People of African Descent. Flip the calendar forward by almost a decade and we find ourselves approaching another major milestone: the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. To read this article by Aberjhani in full please click the following link : The Approaching 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance

(photo of Sharpeville Massacre commemoration courtesy of the United Nations) Monday, March 21, 2011, will mark the 45th anniversary of the United Nations’ (UN) observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In observance of the day, the UN has previously hosted such events as webcasts that address ways people can help end racism and encouraged the composition of essays, photo projects, and the publication of articles that promote the issue. To continue reading please click this link: Report on 2011 International Year part 6: Day to Eliminate Racism - National African-American Art | Examiner.com

( Getty Image by Juan Barreto ) Throughout Black History Month 2011, websites and newspapers based in countries across the globe have featured stories on the United Nations’ and the Organization of American States’ passage of Resolution 64/169, which declared January 1 as the start of the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent. Continue reading please by clicking the following link: Report on 2011 International Year part 5: Haiti’s Poetics of Pain and Resilience - National African-American Art | Examiner.com

( photo by Getty Images ) Out of the 250,000 deaths caused by natural disasters in 2010, the overwhelming bulk of them occurred when the massive 7-point earthquake struck Haiti on January 12 and took some 230,000 lives, prompting concerted relief efforts that are going on to this day. A major part of those efforts has been maintaining awareness about Haiti’s continuing recovery needs and U.N. General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon has teamed up with the Grammy Award-winning group Linkin Park to do exactly that via an online town hall meeting called “Haiti Today, Haiti Tomorrow” on February 22 at 6 p.m. (EST). Please Continue reading on Examiner.com: Report on 2011 International Year part 4: Haiti's Hope Now and Tomorrow - National African-American Art | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/african-american-art-in-national/report-on-2011-international-international-year-part-4-haiti-now-and-tomorrow#ixzz1EdZPS2Q0 By Aberjhani

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton There’s no question that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s hands are more than full these days with the war in Afghanistan, military tension between the two Koreas, relationship-building with China, and of course the revolution in Egypt. Nevertheless: Secretary Clinton took time out of her demanding schedule earlier this week to post a video message in support of the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent and Black History Month celebrations. In her message, Clinton described this milestone event as “an opportunity for all of us around the globe to celebrate the diversity of our societies and to honor the contributions that our fellow citizens of African descent make every day to the economic, social and political fabrics of our communities.” As it apparently did many others, the United Nations and the Organization of American States’ Resolution 64/169 proclaiming the year 2011 as the International Year for People of Af

Nkechi Madubuko photo by Bodo Ganswidt With the International Year for People of African Descent getting underway in January and Black History Month 2011 launching this week, Afro-descendants throughout the Global Village are assessing, celebrating, and documenting their experiences in diverse communities. Please click the link below to continue reading: Report on 2011 International Year part 3: In the land of Afro-Germans - National African-American Art | Examiner.com

Photo of President Barack Obama addressing situation in Egypt by Pete Souza . The quote “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is a well-known one attributed to the British historian Lord Acton (nineteenth century). What is rarely discussed after someone quotes these words are the different ways that power can and does corrupt. The assumption is that too much power diminishes an individual’s capacity or inclination to render “good works” on behalf of others. At the same time, it increases his or her capacity or inclination to generate malice in the world. Please click for the full article : As Egypt howls and history tweets - National African-American Art | Examiner.com

Author and activist Patrick Lozes Recently writing in his blog about the dedication of a city square in honor of Raphael Eliza ––who became in 1929 the first Afro-descendant from mainland France elected to the office of mayor–– author and human rights activist Patrick Lozes stated he is often asked why he campaigns to have such public spaces as streets, squares, and buildings in France named after members of diverse populations. He answered included the observation that, “Skin color should no longer make you a stranger in your own country.” Continue reading on Examiner.com: Report on 2011 International Year part 2: Report on 2011 International Year part 2: the French quest of Patrick Lozes - National African-American Art | Examiner.com

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon In observance of Black History Month and the International Year for People of African Descent, the National African-American Art Examiner in 2011 will report on and explore a variety of issues pertaining to these subjects. Reports will include profiles of contemporary figures, trending developments, and teachable historic moments. The series begins now: Please Continue reading on Examiner.com: Black History Month enhanced by International Year for People of African Descent