We Invite Your Collaboration

It is said that an anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each other's hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: "Ubuntu, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?"

"Ubuntu' in the Xhosa Southern African culture means: I am what I am because of what we all are". It comes from a traditional African philosophy that offers us an understanding of ourselves in relation with the world. According to Ubuntu, there exists a common bond between us all and it is through this bond, through our interaction with our fellow human beings, that we discover our own human qualities. The South African Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu describes Ubuntu as: "It is the essence of being human. It speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and is inextricably bound up in yours. I am human because I belong. It speaks about wholeness, it speaks about compassion. A person with Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous, willing to share. Such people are open and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, do not feel threatened that others are able and good, for they have a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that they belong in a greater whole. The quality of Ubuntu gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanize them."

FunTimes' Fuel is Collaboration

We at FunTimes, with our African roots, honor this and know we would not have survived and grown through many challenges if not for this core philosophy which fuels our dedicated outreach to all areas of our communities.

With the Phillies and Jemiriye

Reflecting on this once again as we pondered this edition's cover feature, we chose a photo of acclaimed vocalist Jemiriye, of Nigerian heritage, representing our motherland as she electrified the crowd with her rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", during the 2015 Phillies Jackie Robinson Celebration. Wearing her Ankara headgear, Jemiriye is believed to be the first African to give the live performance at this historic event. She was given VIP treatment and exposed to about 2.95 million TV homes in Philadelphia metro designated market area.

"Jemiriye is a bright young singer with an even brighter personality. The Phillies are proud to work with FunTimes and the families it reaches," Kenny Johnson, Phillies Fan Development and Cultural Outreach Coordinator, proclaimed.

We shout out many kudos to the Phillies for this significant first to engage the African Diaspora by collaborating with FunTimes Magazine.

More About Jackie Robinson

As highlighted by the Phillies website, the most auspicious moment in Major League Baseball history took place on

April 15, 1947 when Jackie Robinson made his Major League debut and forever broke the baseball color barrier. It is a moment that still resonates throughout baseball today, as every player, coach and fan continues to honor the legacy of the man who made advancements possible for many within the game.

Before playing baseball professionally, Robinson's first major stance against injustice occurred in 1944 while he was serving in the U.S. Army. Refusing an order by an Army bus driver to move to the back of the bus, he was arrested and court-martialed, but was later cleared of all charges and received an honorable discharge.

In 1945, Robinson began his baseball career in the Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs. During his time there, he played with and against many other Baseball Hall of Famers such as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Roy Campanella and Buck Leonard as well as Philadelphia Stars legend Gene Benson. His abilities that year earned him an appearance in the Negro League All-Star Game followed by six additional appearances, once he joined the Major League. In 1994 the Rookie of the Year Award name was officially changed to the Jackie Robinson Award.

Top 10 Most Recent FunTimes' Collaborators

In addition to the Phillies, FunTimes is proud to highlight this sample selection of a wide range of collaborators: the Barnes Foundation, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Brown's ShopRite, the Business Association of West Parkside (BAWP), Mercy Hospital, the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office, Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador's Offices, Universal Companies, and the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians.

Let's Count You In Next

FunTimes is motivated by our desire to "connect communities, cultures and countries.' With your collaboration, paraphrasing Prophet Bob Marley's musical message we want to keep on growing until we reach "all the right people.' We still have far to go to reach even the 100's of thousands who reside in our initial target area of the mid- Atlantic states between New York City and Washington, D.C. Then, through the Ubuntu philosophy and the many yous, we can leverage collaboration to Celebrate our African Diaspora nationally and internationally