Essential Afro-Latino/ Caribbean Current Events

[newarkhiphop]

How the Red Cross Raised Half a Billion Dollars for Haiti and Built Six Homes

https://www.propublica.org/article/...a-billion-dollars-for-haiti-and-built-6-homes

 

[bouncy]

US now has more Spanish speakers than Spain – only Mexico has more​

• US has 41 million native speakers plus 11 million who are bilingual
• New Mexico, California, Texas and Arizona have highest concentrations

A woman holds a sign that says in Spanish, ‘You, me, we are America!’ during a rally about immigration in San Diego in February 2015. Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP
Stephen Burgen in Barcelona


Monday 29 June 2015 13.12 EDT Last modified on Monday 29 June 2015 13.36 EDT


The United States is now the world’s second largest Spanish-speaking country after Mexico, according to a new study published by the prestigious Instituto Cervantes.

The report says there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the US plus a further 11.6 million who are bilingual, mainly the children of Spanish-speaking immigrants. This puts the US ahead of Colombia (48 million) and Spain (46 million) and second only to Mexico (121 million).

Among the sources cited in the report is the US Census Office which estimates that the US will have 138 million Spanish speakers by 2050, making it the biggest Spanish-speaking nation on Earth, with Spanish the mother tongue of almost a third of its citizens.

By state the highest concentration is in the former Spanish colonies of the south and south-west, with New Mexico top at 47%, followed by California and Texas (both 38%) and Arizona (30%). Some 18% of New Yorkers speak Spanish while only 1.3% of West Virginians do. Perhaps surprisingly, more than 6% of Alaskans are Spanish speakers.

The report, El español, una lengua viva – Spanish, a living language – estimates that there are 559 million Spanish speakers worldwide, a figure that includes 470 million native speakers and those with some command of the language.

The Instituto Cervantes was established in 1991 to promote the Spanish language abroad and last year had more than 200,000 students registered on its courses. It estimates that 21 million people are currently studying Spanish and here, too, the US leads with 7.8 million learning the language, followed by Brazil and France.

The report adds that two-thirds of Spanish-linked GDP is generated in two areas: North America (US, Canada and Mexico) and the European Union.

Between them they account for 78% while Latin America only accounts for 22%. It calculates that altogether Spanish speakers contribute 9.2% of the world’s GDP.

The Index of Human Development ranks Spanish as the second most important language on earth, behind English but ahead of Mandarin. It is also the third most widely used language on the internet, although less than 8% of internet traffic is in Spanish. The report says that Spanish is the second most used language on Twitter in London and New York. It also comes second on Facebook, a long way behind English though well ahead of Portuguese, Facebook’s third language.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/29/us-second-biggest-spanish-speaking-country

Damn, shtis wild!

What's crazy is that most of the speakers can't speak English. That means a lot of the people are segregating themselves to potentially more money. This will keep them in poverty, but the kids will most likely pick things up. This is probably why most of the speakers are congregated in certain areas.
On a plus side, if you can speak two languages, it allows you to get that Spanish only speaking dollar. That's more money, especially if you are a black American. You can get the black american dollar, the white dollar, the Latin dollar, and the black/biracial Latin dollar. When people see you are black American, and speak Spanish, it commands a different type of respect, and will want more Spanish speakers to do business with you, compared to if you only spoke English.

I'm so happy I was raised in NYC, it helped me relate to all types of people

Next up is getting that Indian dollar

 

[Poitier]

Here's What Latin America's Sharp Slowdown Means for the U.S.
The region's economy will grow only 0.1 percent this year, economists forecast
by David Biller
June 30, 2015 — 8:36 AM EDT

Cranes and shipping containers at a port in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 20, 2015.


Photographer: Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg

As the world nervously watches the Greek debt talks break down, there's another corner of the planet that's struggling.

Growth in most of Latin America and the Caribbean is coming to a screeching halt, dragged down by Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. Economists expect the region (excluding Mexico) to expand an almost nonexistent 0.1 percent this year, a forecast that would mean faring worse than the U.S. for a second straight year. It's a reversal of fortunes, as the chart below shows.

Here's what that means for the U.S.


1. Slumping exports
Slower growth is already depressing U.S. exports of goods to South and Central America: They're down 13 percent in the first four months of 2015 from the same period last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. manufacturers are contending with not only weaker demand down south, but also a strong dollar that makes American imports into Latin America more expensive. The region’s five largest economies have seen their currencies lose an average 19 percent against the U.S. dollar over the past year.

2. Dwindling tourists
The boom years in Latin America and the Caribbean helped boost the disposable income of its residents, and popular U.S. destinations benefited big from a surge in tourists from the region. With the economies stalling there, those same tourist spots are taking a hit. Overnight visitors from Latin America to Miami — and their spending — fell in 2014 for the first time since 2003 , according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The decline was driven by a slump in tourists and businessmen from Argentines, Brazilians and Venezuelans.

3. But a mending relationship?
It's not all bad news, though. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff arrived in the U.S. last weekend for her first official visit since she canceled a trip in 2013 amid allegations that the National Security Agency was spying on her communications.

"If you look historically, relationships between the U.S. and Latin America tend to be better when Latin America’s economies are not doing as well," said Harold Trinkunas, director of the Latin America Initiative at the Brookings Institution. "All of a sudden, Brazil is friendlier to the U.S. Coincidence? I don’t know. The economy’s in more trouble, they need a little more help."

Rousseff's Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, has also toned down his anti-imperialist rhetoric as officials from his government have begun meeting with those from the U.S. State Department. (In case you missed it, very few economies in the world are in as deep of a crisis as Venezuela right now.)

Aside from just mending relations, Rousseff and members of her economic team are pitching opportunities to invest in logistics and infrastructure projects worth tens of billions of dollars and discussing possible agreements to increase trade.

Foreign direct investment to Brazil (the amount of money foreigners spend on lasting investments in the country) fell in 2014 for the third straight year. It's expected to drop again, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

— With Catarina Saraiva.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...n-america-s-sharp-slowdown-means-for-the-u-s-

 

[BigMan]

I just realized Caribbean is spelled wrong in the title

 

[BigMan]

EVEN though its per capita income is higher, Jamaica ranks lower than Haiti when it comes to its perception of its financial well-being, according to the latest State of Global Well-Being report, released earlier this week.

Out of a list of 145 countries, Jamaica got a position of 115 on the Well-Being Index for its finanical well-being compared to Haiti's 109, the report published by Gallup-Healthways said.

As a result, Jamaica's financial well-being was the lowest in the Caribbean region. The rating put Jamaica into the bottom category of 'suffering' rather than the highest of 'thriving' and below 'struggling'.

Jamaica ranked between Ethiopia at 114 and the Equatorial African country of Gabon at 116. Jamaica also ranked worse than Greece, a country in deep financial crisis, which got a financial well-being rank of 113.

The report said people who are suffering financially "have little or no savings and are more than twice as likely as those who are thriving to say they do not have anyone they can count on for help. They are four times as likely to say there were times in the past 12 months when they did not have enough money for food, and three times as likely to say the same about shelter. They are far more likely than their counterparts who are struggling or thriving to experience stress on a daily basis and are 23 per cent more likely to distrust the honesty of local elections in their country. They are also 44 per cent more likely to want to move permanently to another country to live".

The report provides an overview of global citizens' well-being, calculated from some 146,000 surveys across the globe. The report considers five areas -- Purpose: Liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals; Social: Having supportive relationships and love in your life; Financial: Managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security; Community: Liking where you live, feeling safe, and having pride in your community; and Physical: Having good health and enough energy to get things done daily.

Social well-being


Jamaica's highest ranking was 30 for its social well-being. That ranked it with countires such as Honduras (29) and Serbia (31).

Jamaica also scored relatively well for its sense of purpose with a rank of 48 and 58 for its sense of physical well-being. But the country's sense of community was at position 82.

Overall ranking


Jamaica's overall position was below the halfway mark with a rank of 76, between Hungary and Nepal. Other than Haiti, which had an overall ranking of 137 -- placing it in the bottom 10 -- Jamaica had the lowest rank in the Caribbean region.

All told, a total of 16.4 per cent of the Jamaican respondents said they were 'thriving' in three or more of the five elements. That was below the global average of 17 per cent and well below the Americas average of 31 per cent.

Panama lead all countries in well-being -- getting the the top position, not just for the Caribbean, but globally.

In fact, the Caribbean region got four of the top five positions -- with Costa Rica at 2, Puerto Rico at 3, (Switzerland at 4), and Belize at 5. Other high-ranking countries with Caribbean coastlines included Guatemala at 8, Mexico at 10 and Colombia at 13. Venezuela, undergoing an economic crisis of its own, ranked 30th, with Nicaragua at 33, the Dominican Republic at 34 and Honduras at 35.

Several other Caribbean countries were not included in the index, however, including Cuba, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Barbados and countries in the Leeward and Windward chain of islands.

Meanwhile, destination countries for many Jamaican emigrants scored much higher. The United States had an overall rating of 23, with Canada at 24 and the United Kingdom at 44.

Singapore and Hong Kong


Financial well-being alone, however, is not enough to give a nation a decent overall score. Singapore, considered a developed country, scored highly for its finanical well being -- with a rank of nine -- but it had an overal rank of 97, well below Jamaica. Hong Kong, wich also has a developed economy, scored high for its finanical well-being as well, but had an overall score even lower than Singapore, at 120.

Bottom-ranked was Afganistan, followed by Bhutan and Cameroon.

"The state of a country's well-being sheds light on levels of prosperity and progress. Government and community leaders globally have a duty to improve the lives of the people within their borders. Other stakeholders, such as employers, health plans and providers, and educators are also focusing on improving the well-being of the populations they serve. Our research provides critical information these leaders and stakeholders need to help guide policies, interventions and development investments for community transformation and real-life behaviour change," the report stated.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/busi...ll-being-below-Haiti---global-report_19152870

 

[Malta]

Here's What Latin America's Sharp Slowdown Means for the U.S.
The region's economy will grow only 0.1 percent this year, economists forecast
by David Biller
June 30, 2015 — 8:36 AM EDT

Cranes and shipping containers at a port in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 20, 2015.


Photographer: Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg

As the world nervously watches the Greek debt talks break down, there's another corner of the planet that's struggling.

Growth in most of Latin America and the Caribbean is coming to a screeching halt, dragged down by Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. Economists expect the region (excluding Mexico) to expand an almost nonexistent 0.1 percent this year, a forecast that would mean faring worse than the U.S. for a second straight year. It's a reversal of fortunes, as the chart below shows.

Here's what that means for the U.S.


1. Slumping exports
Slower growth is already depressing U.S. exports of goods to South and Central America: They're down 13 percent in the first four months of 2015 from the same period last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. manufacturers are contending with not only weaker demand down south, but also a strong dollar that makes American imports into Latin America more expensive. The region’s five largest economies have seen their currencies lose an average 19 percent against the U.S. dollar over the past year.

2. Dwindling tourists
The boom years in Latin America and the Caribbean helped boost the disposable income of its residents, and popular U.S. destinations benefited big from a surge in tourists from the region. With the economies stalling there, those same tourist spots are taking a hit. Overnight visitors from Latin America to Miami — and their spending — fell in 2014 for the first time since 2003 , according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The decline was driven by a slump in tourists and businessmen from Argentines, Brazilians and Venezuelans.

3. But a mending relationship?
It's not all bad news, though. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff arrived in the U.S. last weekend for her first official visit since she canceled a trip in 2013 amid allegations that the National Security Agency was spying on her communications.

"If you look historically, relationships between the U.S. and Latin America tend to be better when Latin America’s economies are not doing as well," said Harold Trinkunas, director of the Latin America Initiative at the Brookings Institution. "All of a sudden, Brazil is friendlier to the U.S. Coincidence? I don’t know. The economy’s in more trouble, they need a little more help."

Rousseff's Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, has also toned down his anti-imperialist rhetoric as officials from his government have begun meeting with those from the U.S. State Department. (In case you missed it, very few economies in the world are in as deep of a crisis as Venezuela right now.)

Aside from just mending relations, Rousseff and members of her economic team are pitching opportunities to invest in logistics and infrastructure projects worth tens of billions of dollars and discussing possible agreements to increase trade.

Foreign direct investment to Brazil (the amount of money foreigners spend on lasting investments in the country) fell in 2014 for the third straight year. It's expected to drop again, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

— With Catarina Saraiva.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...n-america-s-sharp-slowdown-means-for-the-u-s-

It means cheap ass homes for us broski

 

[BigMan]

I don't know if any of you guys watch soccer but watching the Copa Americas and Gold Cup really highlights the presence of African descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean. Im a huge soccer fan and even i was suprised at the amount of blacks onteams like Honduras, Peru, and Uruguay

 

[frush11]

I don't know if any of you guys watch soccer but watching the Copa Americas and Gold Cup really highlights the presence of African descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean. Im a huge soccer fan and even i was suprised at the amount of blacks onteams like Honduras, Peru, and Uruguay

Thats the only time, they are allowed to show themselves.

 

[BigMan]

Thats the only time, they are allowed to show themselves.

 

[Poitier]

Meet the black women of the Brazilian Women’s National Basketball Team!



Note from BW of Brazil: Ya know, there are some days as a blogger in which you just want to post some photos and call it a day. Today happens to be one of those days. No politics. No debates. No horrific stories of lynchings or racism in Brazilian society. No evidence of the preference for white women in the media or in the dating/marriage arena. And no reports of Brazil’s Military Police apparent agenda of the genocide of young black men. Just photos. OK, well, let’s be real. So many decisions we make on a daily basis are political that in some ways it is unavoidable. As such, the only political slant involved in today’s post will be the women who this writer defines as negra (preta/parda) or afrodescendente.


Brazil’s Women’s National Basketball Team

As sports is a semi-regular feature on this blog, the twelve women in the photos are the members of Brazil’s women’s seleção de basquete, or National Team of basketball for the 2016 Olympics to be held in Rio. Between now and the beginning of the games, the lineup could change, but based on the criteria of this blog, seven of the team’s twelve women would be classified as pretas and pardas, which together constitute black Brazilian women. Below, we’ve gathered together a selection of stills and action photos of these women. Although they are sure to face some stiff competition from some of the world’s best countries for women’s basketball (USA, Australia), keep your eye on them!







Profile: Name – Height – Position – Hometown – Current Team


Isabela Ramona – 1.80/5’11” – Guard – Salvador, Bahia – Team: São José Desportivo (São Paulo)


Carina dos Santos Martins – 1.72m/5’9″ – Forward/Guard – São Paulo, São Paulo – Team: Brasília/CSUV (DF)


Gilmara Justino (and her daughter Marina) – 1.85/6’0.5″ – Center – Piracicaba, São Paulo – Team: Catanduva (São Paulo)


Jaqueline Silvestre – 1.78/5’10” – Guard – São José do Rio Preto (São Paulo) – Team: Santo André (São Paulo)


Karina da Silva Jacob – 1.87/6’1.5″ – Center – Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro – Team: São José Desportivo (São Paulo)


Kelly da Silva Santos – 1.92/6’3″ – Center – São Paulo, São Paulo – Team: Sport Club do Recife (Pernambuco)


Tainá da Paixão – 1.72m/5’9″ – Forward – Jundiaí, São Paulo – Team: América Basquete Recife


Source: CBB – Confederação Brasileiro de Basketball
http://blackwomenofbrazil.co/2015/0...he-brazilian-womens-national-basketball-team/

 

[Bawon Samedi]

A month old but still interesting.
Peru celebrates black history month
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/op...ates-black-history-month-150615113908182.html

 

[ZoeGod]

The Haitian Army is going to make a comeback and will be reformed.
"Sunday, on the sidelines of his support for candidates of his party (PHTK), in the region of Palmes, President Martelly declared "the country is ready to reform its army" and announced that the recruitment of the Defence Force of Haiti (Force de Défense d’Haïti) (formerly Armed Forces of Haiti FAd'H) will start from the month of October.

He also indicated to have gave instructions to Wilson Laleau, the Minister of Economy and Finance for funds be allocated in the 2015-2016 budget to start the process "From October, we will recruit young people who will integrate this defense body to take over the country," to ensure, according to the Head of State, a better control of our borders, our sea and air space and prepare the departure of UN forces ensuring the protection of the entire national territory."
Haiti - Security : «The country is ready to reform its army» dixit Michel Martelly - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7
This what the haitian people have been waiting for. The return of the military and it being reformed.

 

[frush11]

Meant to post this a while back. Black Colombians been dealing with displacement for almost 2 decades now.

 

[Poitier]

10 black women who are making a difference in Bahia



Note from BW of Brazil : What better way to finish up the celebration of black women of Latin America and the Caribbean than with a post dedicated to 10 black women who are making things happen in the very state most Recognized for its black population: Bahia . Some enthusiasts of Afro-Brazilian personalities may already be familiar with a few of these women, Either from our blog, visits to Bahia or other news sources on the web. So Whether you are familiar with all of them, the few of Them or none of Them, check these special ladies in October below!

10 black women who make a difference in Bahia

They are prominent in society and fight discrimination

By Katia Prado and Erica Lake

On July 25 the Day of Latin American and Caribbean Black Women is commemorated.The date in September by the United Nations serves to reaffirm the commitment to the appreciation of Them, and give visibility to the struggles and resistance of the black woman. What They all want is to strengthen the fight against racism, sexism, discrimination, prejudice and racial and social inequalities other.

With great determination and dedication, black women have shown what They can do and How They Can Make a Difference When They are active in society. R7 in Bahia brings the story of ten Bahia (Bahian women) who represent the well-Brazilian spirit.

Monique Evelle



She's 20 years old, but Became known at 16, When She founded the Desabafo Social network. A student of the interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in liberal arts with an emphasis on politics and culture management at UFBA (Federal University of Bahia), she soon Understood her role in society and Decided to Make a Difference. In March 2014, her project Desabafo Social won the Award youth participation award from the Brazilian Association of Judges, Prosecutors and Public Defenders of Children and Youth (Brazilian Association of Judges, Prosecutors and Public Defenders of Childhood and Youth). Her attitude and courage made her Become known nationally and now she travels throughout Brazil to Participate in events related to the Human Rights of Children and Youth, Communication and Education.

From the dreaming youth to someone who makes it happen! This is how thesoteropolitana (Salvador native) has made her project gain Collaborators in several states

Dada



It seems she was born smiling. The quituteira Aldaci Given dos Santos, popularly known the Dada, Began her battle at age 16 making lunches to sell and help the family, but her passion for cooking led Dada further.

Owner of several trendy restaurants in Salvador, Dada conquered Brazil with her simplicity, easy laugh and her unique spice que comes from Bahia

Aunt Eron



State Representative (PRB), Eronildes Vasconcelos, better known the Tia Eron , or Aunt Eron, is a warrior and carries in her history the mark of breaking Prejudices in society, such as racism and sexist concepts, that imposes the idea que women are lower and blacks are second-class. Black, a widow, mother and coming from a humble family, Aunt Eron has many achievements on her resume: the first woman to direct the Bahian PRB (Brazilian Republican Party or Republican Party Brazilian ) , the most voted for woman of Bahia and the most voted for woman of her party in Brazil.

Since she was young, she Has Been Involved with volunteer work and Became a councilor in 2000, where he developed several projects. One of her first acts was to seek the reinstatement of the Temporary Committee to Combat Discrimination against Women. Her political life is highlighted by her struggle in defense of women, the appreciation of black people and children.

Margareth Menezes



Singer / songwriter Margareth Menezes has 25-year career and is Considered one of the most powerful voices of Brazilian Popular Music (MPB). Charismatic, Margareth exalts the mixture of rhythms, dances and culture. Her songs are full of African, Brazilian, Indian and pop elements.

The singer Began her career in 1987. In addition to winning several awards and getting international recognition since the 90s, taking the groove of Bahia abroad in her passages to the United States, Margareth was Compared to singer Aretha Franklin, one of the main icons of black music.

Celia Sacramento



The deputy mayor of Salvador was born in São Paulo, but as a child moved to the capital city of Bahia. With a degree in Accounting and Law, she is an example of dedication and strength in the political arena. In 2008 she was elected councilor and the next year Became president of the Municipal Council of Women, a position she held for two consecutive terms. She Also Became the first black woman elected deputy mayor of Salvador.

The Bahia (Bahian) in her heart, Celia Began acting in social movements under the influence of her mother. She, who is Also the mother of two young people, is Recognized for her strong performance in advocacy for the rights of blacks and women

Black Jho



A beautician and hair artisan Negra Jho cultivates beauty African descent (African descendant beauty), the empowerment of women, self-esteem and the emancipation of black identity. Black Jho owns a beauty salon located in the Pelourinho, in Salvador's historical downtown, and works with a line dedicated to the African aesthetic que Allows extravagance, the mixture of styles and freedom of expression.

Be it a turban, accessories, props, braids or hairstyles, the artisan wants to show the value of the Afro-descendant movement and its importance to our culture. She has already secured several awards to the Citizen Trophy Negro (Black Citizen Trophy), Força Sindical da Bahia / International Women's Day, and Personality of the Reconcavo / São Francisco do Conde (region), Among Others.

Luislinda Valois



The Bahia Luislinda Valois was the first black woman to become a judge in Brazil. This is just one of many achievements que she has on her resume. As a child, she was discriminated against by a teacher because he could not buy the suitable materials to study. The teacher said she should not be studying but cooking feijoada (beans) for white people. It Was Then que she Decided to make it in life through education.

Even being the first black woman to sentence someone based on the Law on Racism in Brazil, she had to face the challenge of being accepted as a magistrate. The CNJ (National Council of Justice) ruled que she was promoted to the position of chief judge of the Court of Bahia (TJ-BA), using the its main argument the seniority criterion for granting promotions. Today, at 73, she continues to fight so que black women have more space in society.

Carol Barreto



From the Bahian Reconcavo region to the world, the designer Carol Barreto expressions her ideology and political position through fashion. Full of personality, the feminist attempts to break the stereotypes related to the image of black women, bringing the legacy of African-based art.

In 2005 Carol Barreto secured first place in the New Designers Fashion (New Fashion Creators), VL Bridges Organization of events. In 2012 she was Awarded the "Contests New Talents of Fashion" (New Talents of Fashion Contests), and Represented Brazil at the Dakar Fashion Week in Senegal, in June 2013.

An entrepreneur, Carol Barreto is Also a professor of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fashion design and teacher of the bachelor's degree in gender studies and diversity of UFBA (Federal University of Bahia). She has experience in the field of gender studies, sexuality, ethnic / race relations and fashion, Gere work related to the process of redesign of fashion, exploring the relationships between language, fashion, clothing and construction of the characters of gender and sexual identities.

Virginia Rodrigues



The talent of the Bahia with the distinctive voice was discovered by Caetano Veloso in 1997 During a rehearsal of the Olodum Theater Band. Of humble origin, the former manicurist Virginia Rodrigues sings MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and has songs on her CD appearances by MPB legends Djavan, Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento.

Her story Became Internationally known in American newspapers and was named the "Brazilian Cinderella." The passion que she stamps on the songs she sings and everything in que she does it contributed to her leaving the post of poor girl from Salvador to the diva of Brazilian music.

Thais Muniz



Innovative designer and creative manager, Thais Muniz is the creator of the turban up Project, that experiments the issue of communication through the aesthetic poetry of turbans by accessories and the mixture of different cultures.

She appreciates movements of peripheral communities and independent Also acts in addition to spreading the black aesthetic in fashion tutorials and workshops on social networks. She has participated in actions in hospitals, such as October Rosa (Pink October), in the campaign against breast cancer.

Source: R7

10 black women who are making a difference in Bahia

 

[Biscayne]

10 black women who are making a difference in Bahia



Note from BW of Brazil : What better way to finish up the celebration of black women of Latin America and the Caribbean than with a post dedicated to 10 black women who are making things happen in the very state most Recognized for its black population: Bahia . Some enthusiasts of Afro-Brazilian personalities may already be familiar with a few of these women, Either from our blog, visits to Bahia or other news sources on the web. So Whether you are familiar with all of them, the few of Them or none of Them, check these special ladies in October below!

10 black women who make a difference in Bahia

They are prominent in society and fight discrimination

By Katia Prado and Erica Lake

On July 25 the Day of Latin American and Caribbean Black Women is commemorated.The date in September by the United Nations serves to reaffirm the commitment to the appreciation of Them, and give visibility to the struggles and resistance of the black woman. What They all want is to strengthen the fight against racism, sexism, discrimination, prejudice and racial and social inequalities other.

With great determination and dedication, black women have shown what They can do and How They Can Make a Difference When They are active in society. R7 in Bahia brings the story of ten Bahia (Bahian women) who represent the well-Brazilian spirit.

Monique Evelle



She's 20 years old, but Became known at 16, When She founded the Desabafo Social network. A student of the interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in liberal arts with an emphasis on politics and culture management at UFBA (Federal University of Bahia), she soon Understood her role in society and Decided to Make a Difference. In March 2014, her project Desabafo Social won the Award youth participation award from the Brazilian Association of Judges, Prosecutors and Public Defenders of Children and Youth (Brazilian Association of Judges, Prosecutors and Public Defenders of Childhood and Youth). Her attitude and courage made her Become known nationally and now she travels throughout Brazil to Participate in events related to the Human Rights of Children and Youth, Communication and Education.

From the dreaming youth to someone who makes it happen! This is how thesoteropolitana (Salvador native) has made her project gain Collaborators in several states

Dada



It seems she was born smiling. The quituteira Aldaci Given dos Santos, popularly known the Dada, Began her battle at age 16 making lunches to sell and help the family, but her passion for cooking led Dada further.

Owner of several trendy restaurants in Salvador, Dada conquered Brazil with her simplicity, easy laugh and her unique spice que comes from Bahia

Aunt Eron



State Representative (PRB), Eronildes Vasconcelos, better known the Tia Eron , or Aunt Eron, is a warrior and carries in her history the mark of breaking Prejudices in society, such as racism and sexist concepts, that imposes the idea que women are lower and blacks are second-class. Black, a widow, mother and coming from a humble family, Aunt Eron has many achievements on her resume: the first woman to direct the Bahian PRB (Brazilian Republican Party or Republican Party Brazilian ) , the most voted for woman of Bahia and the most voted for woman of her party in Brazil.

Since she was young, she Has Been Involved with volunteer work and Became a councilor in 2000, where he developed several projects. One of her first acts was to seek the reinstatement of the Temporary Committee to Combat Discrimination against Women. Her political life is highlighted by her struggle in defense of women, the appreciation of black people and children.

Margareth Menezes



Singer / songwriter Margareth Menezes has 25-year career and is Considered one of the most powerful voices of Brazilian Popular Music (MPB). Charismatic, Margareth exalts the mixture of rhythms, dances and culture. Her songs are full of African, Brazilian, Indian and pop elements.

The singer Began her career in 1987. In addition to winning several awards and getting international recognition since the 90s, taking the groove of Bahia abroad in her passages to the United States, Margareth was Compared to singer Aretha Franklin, one of the main icons of black music.

Celia Sacramento



The deputy mayor of Salvador was born in São Paulo, but as a child moved to the capital city of Bahia. With a degree in Accounting and Law, she is an example of dedication and strength in the political arena. In 2008 she was elected councilor and the next year Became president of the Municipal Council of Women, a position she held for two consecutive terms. She Also Became the first black woman elected deputy mayor of Salvador.

The Bahia (Bahian) in her heart, Celia Began acting in social movements under the influence of her mother. She, who is Also the mother of two young people, is Recognized for her strong performance in advocacy for the rights of blacks and women

Black Jho



A beautician and hair artisan Negra Jho cultivates beauty African descent (African descendant beauty), the empowerment of women, self-esteem and the emancipation of black identity. Black Jho owns a beauty salon located in the Pelourinho, in Salvador's historical downtown, and works with a line dedicated to the African aesthetic que Allows extravagance, the mixture of styles and freedom of expression.

Be it a turban, accessories, props, braids or hairstyles, the artisan wants to show the value of the Afro-descendant movement and its importance to our culture. She has already secured several awards to the Citizen Trophy Negro (Black Citizen Trophy), Força Sindical da Bahia / International Women's Day, and Personality of the Reconcavo / São Francisco do Conde (region), Among Others.

Luislinda Valois



The Bahia Luislinda Valois was the first black woman to become a judge in Brazil. This is just one of many achievements que she has on her resume. As a child, she was discriminated against by a teacher because he could not buy the suitable materials to study. The teacher said she should not be studying but cooking feijoada (beans) for white people. It Was Then que she Decided to make it in life through education.

Even being the first black woman to sentence someone based on the Law on Racism in Brazil, she had to face the challenge of being accepted as a magistrate. The CNJ (National Council of Justice) ruled que she was promoted to the position of chief judge of the Court of Bahia (TJ-BA), using the its main argument the seniority criterion for granting promotions. Today, at 73, she continues to fight so que black women have more space in society.

Carol Barreto



From the Bahian Reconcavo region to the world, the designer Carol Barreto expressions her ideology and political position through fashion. Full of personality, the feminist attempts to break the stereotypes related to the image of black women, bringing the legacy of African-based art.

In 2005 Carol Barreto secured first place in the New Designers Fashion (New Fashion Creators), VL Bridges Organization of events. In 2012 she was Awarded the "Contests New Talents of Fashion" (New Talents of Fashion Contests), and Represented Brazil at the Dakar Fashion Week in Senegal, in June 2013.

An entrepreneur, Carol Barreto is Also a professor of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fashion design and teacher of the bachelor's degree in gender studies and diversity of UFBA (Federal University of Bahia). She has experience in the field of gender studies, sexuality, ethnic / race relations and fashion, Gere work related to the process of redesign of fashion, exploring the relationships between language, fashion, clothing and construction of the characters of gender and sexual identities.

Virginia Rodrigues



The talent of the Bahia with the distinctive voice was discovered by Caetano Veloso in 1997 During a rehearsal of the Olodum Theater Band. Of humble origin, the former manicurist Virginia Rodrigues sings MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and has songs on her CD appearances by MPB legends Djavan, Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento.

Her story Became Internationally known in American newspapers and was named the "Brazilian Cinderella." The passion que she stamps on the songs she sings and everything in que she does it contributed to her leaving the post of poor girl from Salvador to the diva of Brazilian music.

Thais Muniz



Innovative designer and creative manager, Thais Muniz is the creator of the turban up Project, that experiments the issue of communication through the aesthetic poetry of turbans by accessories and the mixture of different cultures.

She appreciates movements of peripheral communities and independent Also acts in addition to spreading the black aesthetic in fashion tutorials and workshops on social networks. She has participated in actions in hospitals, such as October Rosa (Pink October), in the campaign against breast cancer.

Source: R7

10 black women who are making a difference in Bahia

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