Moments in history.What makes a moment in history special? In the most literal sense, nothing. Every moment, however routine or mundane, becomes a moment in history once it passes. However, certain moments stand out from the infiniteness of time and memory because they challenge our perception of the world and the people around us and help us define new goals and shoulder new responsibilities. As we publish the 22nd anniversary issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE, I am reminded of the truly historic moments of the past year. Among the most significant of these was the establishment of the South African-American Business Council by the African National Congress African National Congress (ANC), the oldest black (now multiracial) political organization in South Africa; founded in 1912. Prominent in its opposition to apartheid, the organization began as a nonviolent civil-rights group. (ANC ANC abbr. African National Congress ANC African National Congress: South African political movement instrumental in bringing an end to apartheid ANC n abbr (= ), led by Nelson Mandela Noun 1. Nelson Mandela - South African statesman who was released from prison to become the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 (born in 1918) Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and TransAfrica, the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group led by Randall Robinson For the cameraman, see . Randall Robinson (6 July, 1941- ) is an African-American lawyer, author and activist, noted as the founder of TransAfrica. He is known particularly for his impassioned opposition to South African apartheid, and for his advocacy on behalf of Haitian . Robinson, this month's cover subject, has played a crucial role in influencing U.S. foreign policy in Africa and the Caribbean during the past 15 years. TransAfrica's demonstrations against apartheid apartheid (əpärt`hīt) [Afrik.,=apartness], system of racial segregation peculiar to the Republic of South Africa, the legal basis of which was largely repealed in 1991–92. at the South African Embassy in 1984 was an important turning point in the effort to free Mandela after 26 years of imprisonment Imprisonment See also Isolation. Alcatraz Island former federal maximum security penitentiary, near San Francisco; “escapeproof.” [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 218] Altmark, the German prison ship in World War II. [Br. Hist. . It is a cruel injustice that our nation's foreign-policy makers seem more concerned with the development of nations that have only recently renounced communism, than that of African and Caribbean states, including Haiti, which are committed to democracy. The importance of TransAfrica's role in foreign-policy making is why I've become a member of its board. Black entrepreneurial history was made in May when more than 130 CEOs of the nation's largest black-owned businesses, including BE Entrepreneur of the Century Arthur G. Gaston, gathered in Atlanta to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the BE 100s. Later the same week, more than 600 established and aspiring as·pire intr.v. as·pired, as·pir·ing, as·pires 1. To have a great ambition or ultimate goal; desire strongly: aspired to stardom. 2. entrepreneurs attended the BE National Entrepreneurial Conference. We at BE remain dedicated to providing the best in business information and services for African-Americans. That commitment has resulted in yet another moment in history for the magazine: In June, BE was honored with a prestigious Magazine Week Editorial Excellence Awards. The award recognizes magazines that maintain "the highest standards in the definition, recognition and achievement of its editorial mission." The editorial staff of BE see it as just that - a mission. We remain committed to making every moment count. |
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