SKY IS BLACK - Episode #73

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #73

Why Ethiopia is 15 years away from being Wakanda | What the President of Botswana meant when he said Africa will rule the world | What we love about the e-commerce and empowerment platform, WE LOVE US | Our review of the Black Cowboy documentary, HIGH HORSE, along with more takeaways from our visit to a Black Cowboy exhibit | How it feels to play the new video game, RELOOTED, which is about liberating African artifacts stolen by European thieves


This episode is sponsored by Octavia's Bookshelf, Pasadena and Altadena's premier Pan-African bookshop.

Octavia’s Bookshelf
Pasadena’s first independent bookstore highlighting BIPOC authors. Located at 1361 North Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104.

SHOUT OUTS

Leon Smith of Pennsylvania named 2026 National Teacher of the Year: “He is everything you want in a teacher”
“CBS Mornings” exclusively revealed Leon Smith, who teaches at Haverford High School in Pennsylvania, as the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.

These two educators spent 33 hours teaching Black history, but it was about more than just beating a Guinness World Record - Black Philadelphia Magazine
Educators Anita Lewis and Gwendolyn Ebron taught a 33 hour Black history lesson (Screenshot: 6abc Philadelphia/YouTube) “This is more than a record attempt,” Anita Lewis and Gwendolyn Ebron on their…



Guess Who’s Back?
Members of the historic Artemis II crew discuss their incredible journey.

NASA’s Artemis II Crew Eclipses Record for Farthest Human Spaceflight - NASA
Four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II test flight around the Moon made history at 12:56 p.m. CDT on Monday, traveling 248,655 miles from Earth, surpassing

Victor Glover celebrates his birthday on The Tonight Show.


Pictured: THE Jessica Watkins.

Astronaut Jessica Watkins to command NASA Crew-13 mission
NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins will command the four-member Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, scheduled to launch in September 2026. Watkins, selected by NASA in 2017, previously flew on the SpaceX Crew-4 mission in 2022, spending 170 days aboard the station. With the upcoming flight, she is expected to become the first NASA astronaut […]

eLearning Africa
website

Africa CEO Forum 2026 - Kigali - 14 & 15 May 2026
2,800 CEOs, Heads of State, Ministers and business leaders will attend the leading gathering of the African private sector.

LA Jazz Festival Announces Initial Lineup - MyNewsLA.com
The Los Angeles Jazz Festival Thursday announced its initial lineup of performers for its inaugural event, including John Legend, Janelle Monáe and Parliament-Funkadelic featuring George Clinton. Organizers said the performances will be part of the “Jazz on the Beach” closing weekend Aug. 22-23 at Dockweiler Beach. Additional artists scheduled to appear include Raphael Saadiq, Charlie […]

Click to learn more.

Click to learn more about the Noom Hotel in Dakar, Senegal.

Where to Eat in Dakar, Senegal
The best restaurants in Dakar, Senegal are defining the city’s cuisine with thieboudienne, wood-fired grouper, spicy okra stew, and more.

"All Aboard! We're going to Wakaddis."



Addis Ababa - or "WAKADDIS" as stated first by BC - is the capital of Ethiopia.


The Headquarters of the African Union, located in Addis Ababa. Click to learn more.

Click to learn more.

Black Panther Comics | Black Panther Comic Book List | Marvel
Marvel.com is the official site of Marvel Entertainment! Browse official Marvel movies, characters, comics, TV shows, videos, & more.

One of the best trailers of all time.



Chadwick Boseman: Black Panther star dies of cancer aged 43
The US actor, 43, was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago but never made the news public.

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, Jackie Robinson, and Thurgood Marshall. Rest in peace and power.

Click to learn more about United Colors of Cancer.

Ethiopia Unveils $30 Billion Infrastructure Push, Including Nuclear Plant - Addis Insight
Addis Insight


Ethiopian Skies
The groundbreaking ceremony for the much anticipated Bishoftu International Airport took place on January 10th. The grand airport, which will serve as the new home of Ethiopian Airlines, will be the largest in Africa, projected to handle over one hundred million passengers annually. Prepare for takeoff.

Ethiopia’s Nuclear Energy Pursuit Anchored in National Energy Security, Economic Transformation: Commissioner Sandokan
Addis Ababa, December 8, 2025 (ENA) — Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commissioner Sandokan Debebe said Ethiopia’s decision to pursue nuclear technology is rooted in clear national energy security, economic transformation, and long-term national resilience. A high-level event was held today in Addis Ababa to officially launch the Ethiopian Nuclear Power Programme and operationalize the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission. The gathering brought together high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commissioner Sandokan Debebe, and Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), along with other senior government officials and stakeholders. It was learned that the construction of a mega nuclear power plant, which is part of the 30 billion USD mega development initiatives recently announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s energy security and supporting industrial transformation. Speaking at the launch of the Ethiopian Nuclear Power Programme, Sandokan said reliance on hydropower makes the country vulnerable to climate variability, which exacerbates existing power supply deficits affecting both industries and households. With Ethiopia being one of the fastest-growing economies, he noted that the demand for sustainable and high-quality electricity is rapidly increasing, stating, “No single existing source in our current energy mix can meet this scale of demand,” he said. In this context, he underlined that the Ethiopian government has made a strategic decision to adopt nuclear power as a cornerstone of its long-term national energy strategy. The Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission was established in October 2025 to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology in the country. Its primary mandate includes the development of nuclear power for electricity generation, while also supporting industrial growth, food security, healthcare delivery, and scientific research. “We are not merely adding another technology; we are securing the foundation of our future economy,” he asserted. According to him, Ethiopia is fully committed to the exclusive peaceful use of nuclear technology, backed by the establishment of the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission, which operates under a clear legal framework and a robust decision-making structure. Ethiopia’s nuclear vision goes beyond mere electricity generation, he said, noting that it also encompasses the peaceful application of nuclear science in healthcare, agriculture, industry, and research to deliver tangible benefits to all Ethiopians. Sandokan further pointed out that Ethiopia is aligning its national framework with International Atomic Energy Agency standards and maintaining strict adherence to all relevant international treaties and obligations. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to a safe, secure, and lawful nuclear program aimed at powering a modern and industrialized nation. “We stand ready and committed to achieving a peaceful nuclear development that will contribute to our energy security and economic growth,” he stressed. In a webinar address, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized that the establishment of the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission is crucial for developing and regulating nuclear power in line with international safety and security standards. The Director General noted that nuclear energy has strong potential as a reliable, quick, and low-carbon electricity source that could significantly accelerate Ethiopia’s socio-economic transformation. The initiative could also stimulate industrial growth and create high-skilled employment opportunities, he added. Grossi further stated that the IAEA is fully committed to supporting Ethiopia through advisory and capacity-building services at every stage of its nuclear development program. He noted that the Agency is currently working with Ethiopia under its Technical Cooperation Programme to strengthen human resources, institutional capacity, and preparedness for future infrastructure milestones. The Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission is dedicated to ensuring that all nuclear-related activities fully comply with international safety standards, particularly those set by the IAEA. One of the key functions of the Commission is to guide the application of nuclear technology across critical sectors with a strong emphasis on sustainable development. It will coordinate national efforts in electricity generation, industrial growth, food security, healthcare services, and scientific research to ensure the safe and responsible use of nuclear technology for national development.

Click to learn more about the GERD - The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.


The Koysha Dam, located on the Omo River, is part of Ethiopia's ongoing efforts to expand its renewable energy capacity.


Click to learn more about the Assela Wind Farm.


The Assela Wind Farm Delivers First Power to Ethiopia’s national grid

Africa Has an Official A.I. Ambassador
The African Union has appointed Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, as its Champion for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health. Now we’re cooking with gas. Ethiopian Leader Named Africa’s AI Champion: A New Era of Innovation and Sovereignty for the ContinentThe African Union has named Abiy Ahmed as AI

Ethiopia opens the AI UniPod.

Click to learn more about the AI UniPod.

Click to learn more.

Ethiopia’s First AI University to Become Functional Next Ethiopian Year
Addis Ababa, February 3, 2026 (ENA)—Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) university will become operational next Ethiopian year, a major milestone in the country’s technological and educational development. Addressing Members of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) today, the Prime Minister underscored that Ethiopia is fast-tracking the development of artificial intelligence as part of its national reform agenda, expanding investments in technology, digital skills, and innovation to boost the country’s global competitiveness. “The development of artificial intelligence is among our first priorities,” he said, noting that AI is now embedded at the highest level of government policy. He added that while artificial intelligence has yet to become a central agenda in many African countries —and even in several governments worldwide, Ethiopia has moved swiftly to institutionalize the sector. The premier emphasized that preparing today is essential to succeed in tomorrow’s increasingly competitive global environment. The government is, therefore, prioritizing youth empowerment to ensure long-term national success. PM Abiy underlined that positioning technology as one of Ethiopia’s five pillars of economic growth represents a strategic investment in future generations. According to him, Ethiopia is opening a new chapter in its development journey by placing artificial intelligence at the center of national transformation efforts. Prime Minister Abiy revealed that construction is underway on a large-scale AI university, described as the second largest of its kind in the world, and confirmed that the institution is progressing rapidly toward becoming functional within months. Drawing a parallel with past national achievements, he stated that just as earlier generations established Ethiopian Airlines and transformed it into a globally recognized carrier, the AI university is expected to usher in a new era of opportunity and innovation for Ethiopia’s children. He also pointed to the Five Million Coders initiative designed to equip young people with future-oriented skills. “Our goal is to train five million coders, and we have already reached three million,” he said. “This is about creating a generation that can use technology, develop applications, and drive innovation.” According to the Prime Minister, these initiatives — combined with investments in education and digital skills, are expected to drive systemic change and strengthen Ethiopia’s position in the global digital economy. He further noted that this technology-driven investment will enhance Ethiopia’s global competitiveness while serving as a lasting foundation of knowledge, innovation, and wisdom for generations to come.

The world's First AI University. Click to learn more.

CLASSICAL AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS



Ethiopia is the source of Classical African Civilizations.


Ancient Nubia, one of several African classical civilizations.




The ancient Ethiopian language of Ge'ez.




ETHIOPIA TODAY

The new Arada Park has transformed a formerly distressed area of the city.


ARADA PARK: BEFORE AND AFTER 



The Mayor of Wakaddis (Addis Ababa) receives a progress report on the Riverside Project


Like Addis Ababa, the ancient city of Gondar is undergoing major development as well. It, too, is fifteen years away.




Click to hear President Boku announce the World Athletic Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.

Click here to learn more and make a purchase.

Revealing the Untold Story of Black Cowboys in the American West | Urban Intellectuals