On November 7^th, a unique coalition of community and campus groups, including the Center for African Studies, held a music benefit, “Voices to End Ebola” at the Ohio Union.  Diaspora civic organizations from affected countries, youth groups, faculty, students, clergy, and public health representatives participated, together with Nigerian highlife and kora performers, to raise $6000 for Doctors Without Borders. Aaron Carter-Cohn, a PhD student in Ethnomusicology, brought campus and community musicians together to perform a variety of melodic highlife numbers, complemented by Dr. Ryan Skinner's ethereal kora pieces. M.C.'d by Dr. Adeleke Adeeko of English/AAAS, other OSU speakers included Dr. Kelechi Kalu, Associate Provost for Global Strategies & International Affairs; Dr. Marcel Yotebieng, Assistant Professor in the College of Public Health; and Edmond Kayira of the Model African Union club.

Even though the Ebola crisis has receded from the headlines, the Central Ohio African Diaspora Cares/Coalition to End Ebola continues its work, cognizant of the enduring epidemic in West Africa.  The coalition is dedicated to promoting awareness about the evolving nature of the epidemic, as well as the evolving responses needed to contain it for the safety of the region and the world at large.  The coalition is also dedicated to raising more money to combat the crisis, and will host a second event on Saturday, January 24^th, at the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Columbus, to raise an additional $24,000. 

For more information go to  https://www.facebook.com/endebolanowohio/