Africa West 2 Day Festival was Fun, Educational and Entertaining for those who Attended

Spanning two summer Oklahoma days in June, Africa West 2009 brought in culture, education and entertainment to the people of Oklahoma City. Held at Metro Technology’s Springlake campus, more than 4,000 festival participants were on hand to experience African American culture at its best.

“This is really special, stated Africa West volunteer Marian Ware. “I have lived here in Oklahoma City all my adult life and it is so wonderful to see the community come together to support and celebrate Oklahoma’s African American community.”

To emphasize health and wellness, Saturday morning kicked off with a 5k run and 2k fun walk. More than 100 participants crowded the start line to run the race that resulted in 16-year-old Dustin Barrier and 55-year-old Marie Breshears, both from OKC, as the male and female winners in the 5k category.

Upon completion of the run, the festival began with an African processional that began inside Metro Tech and snaked itself outside onto the amphitheater stage.  It was there where the festivities began with an opening ceremony and culture program featuring the Tulsa African Ancestral Society.

With the festival officially underway, a sundry of programs took place throughout the facility.  With ample green space and building facilities, the campus was able to provide both indoor and outdoor settings for the festival. 

The amphitheater was the site of a series of educational exhibits and reenactments from: The Oklahoma Science Museum, Black Town presentation, Buffalo Soldier Squadron, Freedmen Association and the Tuskegee Airmen. These components were key in telling the lesser known facts about Black history in Oklahoma.

Click here to read more........

Mark Clayton Foundation Holds Tournament

The Mark Clayton Foundation presents, "The Best of the Best" 7 on 7 tournament this Saturday, June 20, at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday, June 21 at 11:00 at Taft Stadium located 2901 NW 23rd St. OKC, OK 73107.

Game day tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.

You can sponsor a team today for $1,500. General sponsorships range from $1,500 - $15,000 and you are asked to email info@markclaytonfoundation.org for incentives.

Vendor space is available at the following levels: $150 for non-profit, $200 for trade school/college and $250 for company/corporation.

If you have additional questions please feel free to contact 972-298-7333 or 817-874-3588. You can also go to www.catchclayton89.com or www.markclaytonfoundation.org

Can your company provide a safe, supervised work site for a young, new worker? 

The Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board (COWIB) will hire 200 - 300 young workers this summer as part of its summer youth employment project.  The temporary workers will be assigned to non-profit organizations, government agencies, and for-profit businesses in the Central Oklahoma area. 

The purpose of the project is to help the young workers learn valuable Work Readiness skills while the work site enjoys the benefit of an energetic, productive worker. 

Can your company provide a safe, supervised work site for a young, new worker?  Do you have temporary work that is suitable for an entry level worker, age 16 to 24? 

To find out more about the program and complete a 10-question interest survey, please visit this web site:

   www.bonusworkers.org

COWIB is an equal opportunity employer.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. 

Funding for the COWIB's Youth Program is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor as administered by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.  The Bonus Worker program is authorized pursuant to the Workforce Investment Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

read more news