Good Evening Africa FAQs Page |1
Frequently Asked Questions about Good Evening Africa with Cyril Ibe What is Good Evening Africa (GEA)? Good Evening Africa is an African arts showcase series of music, drama, poetry, storytelling, readings, and conversation with GEA Emcee/Host Cyril Ibe, staged for a live audience. A radio host at the time, Ibe first launched Good Evening Africa in Chicago back in 2002 to provide a stage for the artists he interviewed on his cultural radio program, Afriscope Radio. (See media reports below). What is GEA’s Mission? The mission of Good Evening Africa is to provide a unique opportunity and venue to primarily African-born immigrants in the United States to express themselves through the arts, in ways that might not be available to them in their homeland. Who can participate in Good Evening Africa? Performers, storytellers, poets, comedians/dramatists, novelists are always invited to participate in Good Evening Africa. Non-African immigrants, whose arts may be inspired by living in Africa or through experiencing any aspect of the African culture – like former Peace Corps members, exchange students, missionaries -- are also encouraged to participate. Artists who live within a 50 to 100-mile radius are targeted and invited to a venue close to them. Where can Good Evening Africa be staged? GEA can be held in small, medium and big-sized venues around the United States – in college or high school auditoriums, art galleries, theaters, restaurants, community or religious centers, and wherever African arts can add spice to a celebration of cultural diversity.
“I realized instantly that evening, that sharing the arts in such a setting is a unique way to connect with Africa.” – GEA Host Cyril Ibe
Good Evening Africa FAQs Page |2 Where can I learn More About Good Evening Africa? Visit http://goodeveningafrica.wix.com/good to learn more about Good Evening Africa. How can I Contact Good Evening Africa host? You can easily contact GEA host Cyril Ibe via email at cyibe@yahoo.com, or by phone at (937) 580-4069 (cellphone).
“I realized instantly that evening, that sharing the arts in such a setting is a unique way to connect with Africa.” – GEA Host Cyril Ibe
Good Evening Africa FAQs Page |3 About GEA Host Cyril Ibe:
Cyril Ibe hosted Good Evening Africa from 2002 to 2004 in Chicago, Illinois, before his stint in full-time college teaching. Ibe was a full-time assistant professor of journalism and digital media at Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, from 2006 to 2013. He is currently an adjunct professor at the university. Ibe was host/executive producer of Miami Valley Journal, an hour-long, weekly public affairs program on 88.9 WCSU FM and on WCSUFM.org, from 2009 to 2013. Miami Valley Journal featured news, reports, documentaries, conversations/interviews on newsmakers and current issues of importance and relevance to Ohio's Miami Valley region. Ibe is a natural and passionate storyteller, who earned the nickname "Oji onu ibeya" (which translates in his native Ibo into "the one who has the mouths of others"/"the one reports on behalf of others") from elders in native southeastern Nigerian village. His radio journey in the United States has taken him to college campuses to conduct radio workshops. Prior to returning in fall, 2006 to Central State University, his undergraduate alma mater to teach, Ibe was host and executive producer of Afriscope Radio, a weekly, hour-long radio program on Africa broadcast on three Chicago public radio stations. Afriscope Radio also aired on commercial radio stations in Chicago. Ibe was a regular contributor of analyses, commentaries and essays on WBEZ-FM, Chicago’s public radio station, particularly on the program Worldview. Ibe was a co-founder and editor-in-chief of African Newbreed magazine from 1990 to 1995. Previously, he was a staff writer for Pioneer Press Newspapers in Chicago and also worked as general assignment intern reporter at The Cincinnati Enquirer and the nowdefunct The Pittsburgh Press. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Central State University and a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Ibe also taught as an adjunct professor of mass media studies at Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio, from 2006 to 2012. He was a fellow in the Pew Charitable Trusts’ International Reporting Project. He is digital content producer for the National Association of African Journalists’ website, www.naajournalists.org. Ibe is married to Jane and they have four children, Chikodi, 11, Tochi, 9, Chisom, 7, and Chinaza, 6. For more on Cyril Ibe, view his ePortfolio at http://cyibe5.wix.com/cyrilibe-
eportfolio “I realized instantly that evening, that sharing the arts in such a setting is a unique way to connect with Africa.” – GEA Host Cyril Ibe
Good Evening Africa FAQs Page |4
Media Reports on GEA and GEA Host: Chicago Reader: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/comic-relief/Content?oid=912343 Chicago Tribune: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-09-22/features/0209220430_1_african-big-gunsdistant-shores Chicago Tribune: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-0702/features/0207020008_1_africa-stories-world-cup Chicago Tribune: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-03-04/news/9201200734_1_blacks-as-drugdealing-pimps-american-blacks-think-africa-rufai-ladipo Allegheny College: http://sites.allegheny.edu/gatorblogs/2014/02/03/gifts/ http://alleghenycampus.com/9541/news/celebrated-radio-broadcaster-hosts-workshop/ http://sites.allegheny.edu/gatorblogs/2014/02/23/radio-workshop/
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“I realized instantly that evening, that sharing the arts in such a setting is a unique way to connect with Africa.” – GEA Host Cyril Ibe