education

The US government shutdown, now in its fifth week with no resolution between deadlocked Democrats and Republicans, is causing severe economic hardship for millions of Americans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which serves over 40 million people, is set to run out of funding, potentially leaving families without food assistance for the first time in the program's history. More than a million military service members face missing paychecks, while six million Americans could lose heating assistance as winter temperatures drop. Additionally, thousands of federal civilian employees and air traffic controllers are working without pay or have been furloughed, leading to increased reliance on food banks and widespread flight delays across the country.

A prolonged US government shutdown has put food assistance at risk for over 40 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with benefits potentially stopping after the upcoming Saturday due to lack of congressional funding agreement. The Trump administration refused to tap emergency contingency funds, arguing those resources should be reserved for natural disasters, while Democrats and Republicans blame each other for the impasse that has entered its fifth week. Recipients like Chantille Manuel, who depends on SNAP despite running her own business, face impossible choices about stretching limited food budgets, while food banks prepare for a potential surge in demand they may struggle to meet. Several states have warned their SNAP recipients will lose benefits without federal action, prompting Democratic attorneys general from 25 states to sue the administration over the halted funding. # Key Takeaways

Adriane Alfred founded Peace Thru Culture (PTC) in 2006 to provide youth with global cultural exposure through various educational programs. The organization features multiple initiatives including the recently launched Global Leadership Program, which introduces high schoolers to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and encourages them to create community projects addressing these global challenges. PTC held its inaugural Global Youth Symposium in September 2023, where student leaders hosted sessions using art, STEM, civics, and advocacy to promote social change. Through international travel experiences and leadership development, PTC aims to empower young people to become changemakers who understand that their voices matter in solving global issues.

Usha Vance, the 39-year-old second lady of the United States and wife of Vice President JD Vance, has played a significant role in her husband's political rise despite traditionally staying out of the limelight. Born to Indian immigrant parents in California, she built an impressive academic career that includes degrees from Yale, Cambridge as a Gates Scholar, and prestigious legal clerkships with Supreme Court justices. Though her own political views remain somewhat ambiguous—having been registered as a Democrat while clerking for conservative justices—she is described by friends as her husband's "spirit guide" in an equal partnership. The couple, married since 2014, prioritize family life with their three young children, and Usha's achievements have generated significant pride in India, particularly among her relatives who cite her family's scholarly tradition.

The Sankofa Foundation Incorporated is hosting the inaugural KidzAFest Cultural Exchange from August 17-31, featuring performances by South Africa's Mzansi Youth Choir and Uganda's Ghetto Kids dance team. This two-week event aims to preserve African storytelling traditions through music and dance performances across the D.C. area, culminating in a special Kidz Theater Production at the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall on August 30. The program showcases African folktales and cultural expressions while promoting values like humility, love, and empathy to inspire young audiences. Founders of both performing groups share a commitment to using arts to transform the lives of underprivileged youth, creating opportunities for them to develop their talents while maintaining cultural pride and identity.

Africa Day, celebrated globally during the last week of May, commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its successor the African Union (AU), marking 62 years since its establishment in 2025. This year's theme, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations," highlighted strategies for addressing historical injustices while supporting the AU's Agenda 2063 development plan. The AU Representational Mission to the United States hosted a celebration on May 30, featuring speeches, cultural displays, and performances that emphasized Pan-African unity. Attendees and embassy officials stressed the importance of diaspora connections and collaborative efforts to realize Africa's potential as a global influence.

Ghana, which became the first sub-Saharan colony to gain independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957, continues to celebrate Independence Day as a reminder of resilience and unity across the African diaspora 68 years later in 2025. Led by Kwame Nkrumah, who fought relentlessly from 1949 until 1957 for Ghana's freedom from Great Britain, the country's liberation served as inspiration for civil rights movements globally, including influencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his struggle for civil rights in the United States. Today, Ghanaians both at home and abroad commemorate the historic achievement through parades, sharing oral histories, preparing traditional dishes, and embracing pan-African ideals that connect diverse Black communities around the world.