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Yale honors a young Black scientist after a neighbor falsely reported the 9-year-old to the police

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The girls returned to the prestigious campus for a special event commemorating Bobbi and her commitment to both science and her community.

The spotted lanternfly, a beautifully colored but highly invasive species, has garnered significant attention due to its rapid spread. People have been encouraged to eliminate them to protect apple and maple trees. In Caldwell, New Jersey, 9-year-old Bobbi Wilson took action against these pests with a homemade, non-toxic spray. Unfortunately, a neighbor reported her as “suspicious,” highlighting the issue of racial profiling, reported My Modern Met.

Bobbi faced a distressing incident of racial profiling, a reality many people of color endure. Despite this, Yale University recognized Bobbi’s value as a young Black scientist. After the incident in October 2022, Bobbi’s 13-year-old sister Hayden courageously addressed the town council, protesting the injustice her sister and other children of color faced in their community.

Her passionate statements caught the attention of news organizations like CNN. Ijeoma Opara, an assistant professor at Yale School of Public Health, invited Bobbi and her family to visit Yale. They returned to the campus on January 20, 2023, for an event celebrating Bobbi’s dedication to science and her community. Bobbi donated her collection of mounted spotted lanternflies to Yale’s Peabody Museum, ensuring her name will always be part of their catalog.

 

Professor Opara, who organized the event, said, “Yale doesn’t normally do anything like this … this is something unique to Bobbi. We wanted to show her bravery and how inspiring she is, and we just want to make sure she continues to feel honored and loved by the Yale community.” Lawrence Gall, the Peabody Museum’s Entomology Collections Manager and Nicole Palffy-Muhoray, the museum’s Assistant Director of Student Programs, then encouraged Bobbi to identify one of her 27 specimens. They said, “We’re so grateful for all of the work you’ve done down in New Jersey and your interest in conservation and checking out the lanternflies advance. We don’t have many of them in Connecticut right now. They are just starting to come up here. But I’m sure we’ll see them, so we’re very happy to have these specimens.”

Monique Joseph, Bobbi’s mother, spoke at the award ceremony, expressing her fear and concern for all children subjected to racial stereotypes. Hayden was praised for her courageous speech. She said, “Dr. Opara, you have been a blessing. You are part of our testimonial and what it means to have a community of amazing, beautiful, Black, intelligent scientists and doctors and more important than that is your heart and your passion for the work that you do…You helped us change the trajectory of that day.”

She said, “This happened because of what happened to Bobbi, but it also happened because the whole community, the science community, got together and said ‘She’s one of us and we’re not going to let her lose her steam for STEM. We’re going to support the family, we’re going to support this girl, we’re going to make sure her big sister Hayden doesn’t lose that light.'”

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Houston

21st Igbofest Houston to Celebrate Igbo Heritage and Culture at Discovery Green

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The 21st Annual Igbofest Houston returns on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Discovery Green, welcoming the community to a celebration of Igbo culture, tradition, and heritage. This year’s festival will run from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm and promises a vibrant display of traditional Igbo music, dance, art, and culinary delights, set against the iconic Houston skyline.

With nearly two decades of fostering cultural unity and understanding, Igbofest Houston remains a beloved community gathering that brings the spirit of Nigeria’s Igbo people to life in the heart of Texas. This year’s festival is set to feature performances from both local and international acts, including traditional dancers, masquerades, live Afrobeat artists, and captivating cultural presentations.

Highlights of the event include:

  • Masquerade Dance Performance: Traditional Igbo masquerades (known as Mmanwu) will grace the festival with their unique dance and colorful costumes, symbolizing ancestral spirits.
  • West African Cuisine: Attendees can sample an array of authentic Nigerian dishes, from suya and plantain to the renowned jollof rice.
  • Market Square: The vendor area will showcase traditional crafts, clothing, and artwork from artisans and vendors, providing guests with a taste of Nigerian fashion and artistry.
  • Children’s Village: A family-friendly area with activities for children, including face painting, games, and Igbo language lessons, ensuring everyone can engage with the culture.

The festival is free and open to the public, inviting Houstonians of all backgrounds to join in this cultural experience. Organized by Ndi Ichie Cultural Club, Igbofest Houston serves as a bridge between communities, offering a platform for cultural education, awareness, and mutual respect.

“We are thrilled to welcome everyone back for the 21st annual celebration of Igbofest Houston,” said Dr. Chris Ulasi, Cultural Director of Ndi Ichie Cultural Club. “This year’s event reflects our commitment to preserving Igbo heritage and fostering connections within the diverse landscape of Houston.”

Igbofest Houston is an annual festival dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria. For over 20 years, it has celebrated the diverse expressions of Igbo traditions, contributing to Houston’s vibrant multicultural community. For more information, visit www.igbofesthouston.org or follow us on social media @igbofesthouston

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Mark Zuckerberg Praised for Erecting Massive Statue of His Wife in Their Yard

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Husband of the year?

Mark Zuckerberg sent fans into a frenzy when he revealed he commissioned a massive statue of his wife, Priscilla Chan , for their backyard.

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Mark Zuckerberg gushed over how ‘epic’ the statue is. @zuck/Instagram

“Bringing back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife . Thanks @danielarsham,” the billionaire penned alongside the upload, which featured Chan standing in front of the huge teal and silver art piece.

In response, Chan cheekily wrote back, “The more of me the better? ❤️.”

Several of Zuckerberg’s 14.5 million followers chimed in to rave about the unique gift.

“Get yourself a man who makes sculptures of you 🥰🤣,” one person declared, while another said, “Husbands everywhere are shaking.”

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Mark Zuckerberg claimed he’s bringing back the ‘Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife.’ @zuck/Instagram

A third user noted, “The right woman turns a boy into a real man!🙌❤️,” as one more pointed out, “No offense I know we’re not supposed to like Zuckerberg. But this is what a billionaire should do for his wife.”

Chan, 39, and Zuckerberg, 40, tied the knot in 2012 and share three kids: Maxima August and Aurelia .

As OK! previously reported, Zuckerberg last got social media users riled up when he and Elon Musk agreed to a cage fight back in June, however, it has yet to be planned.

In early August, Musk said that he would be getting an MRI of his neck and back, noting he “may require surgery before the fight can happen.”

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg said, “I’m ready today. I suggested Aug 26 when he first challenged , but he hasn’t confirmed.”

The SpaceX founder’s father, Errol Musk , has weighed in on the potential match between the two tech moguls.

“It’s to get publicity for X. Elon’s not faking it, just drawing attention to X. A fight would be silly. It’s so high school and banal ,” the patriarch announced. “Whatever Elon is doing here is far removed from his immediate tasks .”

“People probably ask him about this fight thing. What must he say? ‘No?’” Errol added. “That would look pretty poor . What can he say? ‘Oh yes, it will be on X!’ That seems like a more likely reply. Get something out of the reporting for X.”

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Priscilla Chan left a comment on Mark Zuckerberg’s post, which read, ‘The more of me the better?’ @zuck/Instagram

While Errol seemed confident the fight will never happen, Elon’s ex Grimes thought otherwise.

“Elon is very strong,” she noted. “But Zuck seems like he’s been training a ton .”

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Grimes also confessed she would ” prefer that it didn’t happen ” at all.

“I love gladiatorial matches, but watching the father of your children in a physical fight is not the most pleasant feeling,” the mother-of-three shared. “But it’s not going to cause brain damage, so actually I think this is good.”

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Entertainment

Jazz Houston Kicks Off Their 2024-2025 Season September 7, 2024

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Dianne Reeves

…Event will celebrate the 100th Birthday of renowned songstress Sarah Vaughn

Jazz Houston will kick off their 2024-2025 season celebrating the 100th Birthday of the renowned songstress Sarah Vaughn, featuring Dianne Reeves and her Trio, and The Jazz Houston Orchestra featuring vocalist Ekep Nkwelle. Dianne Reeves is one of the most versatile singers in the United States. Her shows feature anthems, scat, improvised works, pop, and originals. Alongside her peers Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall, and Cassandra Wilson she is considered one of the most influential female jazz singers of our time.

Dianne Reeves comes from a very musical family. Both her parents were musicians, and her cousin, George Duke, was a well-known piano and keyboard player and producer. Her uncle, Charles Burell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was influenced especially by the singing style of Sarah Vaughn.

Ekep Nkwelle

Opening for Dianne Reeves is a new jazz rising star Ekep Nkwelle, a 25-year-old Cameroonian-American jazz vocalist, who has carved her musical path from the vibrant streets of Washington, DC, to the heart of New York City’s jazz scene. Her journey has been extraordinary beginning with the esteemed Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard University, and The Juilliard School of Music. The power of her voice has resonated with jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Her performances have graced iconic, internationally renowned venues, from the illustrious Radio City Music Hall, where she shared the stage with classical virtuoso Lang Lang in collaboration with Disney, to The Library of Congress, Marian’s Jazzroom, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center. Her presence has also illuminated major festivals, including Newport, Montclair, Hudson, and DC jazz festivals.

Jazz Houston under the leadership of Artistic Director Vincent Gardner. Jazz Houston is a vibrant organization that explores the entirety of jazz while preserving and promoting the music for the greater Houston community and beyond. Our organization programs jazz concerts and educational programs annually. Education is a pillar of Jazz Houston.

Its orchestra members and teaching artists regularly lead community educational opportunities for children and adults including workshops, public school programs, and educational residencies. These engaging, lively educational experiences foster personal relationships with the music for people of all ages while cultivating new audiences for the art form.

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