Official U.N. logo for the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent . With revolutions in the Middle East and the United States’ current Occupy Wall Street movement dominating media reports throughout 2011, the International Year for People of African Descent as declared by the United Nations has received little attention but that didn’t stop the traveling photo exhibition “WoMen in Africa - No Color One Color," from launching November 2 at the Italian Institute of Culture in Nairobi, Kenya. The show marked the second major exhibition within two weeks to launch in honor of the International Year for People of African Descent . A multimedia display of works by different artists and photographers, “The African Continuum: Celebrating Diversity, Recognizing Contributions of People of African Descent”, opened at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City on October 19. For that occasion, Time Magazine photographer Chester Higgins Jr. addressed attendees on behalf

( 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

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

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