April 27, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight the impact of Pope Francis in Africa and Tina Turner lives on reclaiming the spotlight with her album, Private Dancer.

Pope Francis and His Profound Legacy in Africa

By Stan Chu Ilo

Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, leaves behind a legacy deeply intertwined with the global South—particularly Africa. As the first pope from the Americas and the first in the modern era from outside the West, he championed issues close to the African continent, including anti-colonialism, poverty, and ecological injustice. During his visit to Kenya in 2015, he made a powerful statement by visiting the slums of Nairobi, calling for land, lodging, and labor for all. In both word and deed, he stood against imperialism and global inequality, becoming a voice for Africa’s poor and marginalized. His messages of decolonization and liberation theology deeply resonated across the continent.

Pope Francis encouraged African Catholics to shape a church that reflected their own social realities, emphasizing decentralization and empowering local church leaders to address local challenges. He believed the solutions to Africa’s problems didn’t need to come from Rome but could arise from within the continent itself. He also pushed for greater accountability and transparency among African bishops and gave autonomy to Catholic universities and seminaries to define their own academic priorities. By doing so, he promoted a contextualized and culturally grounded form of Catholicism, reflecting the richness and diversity of African life.

His connection with Africa’s youth was another pillar of his papacy. On November 1, 2022, Pope Francis made history by hosting a virtual meeting with more than 1,000 young Africans, listening to their concerns and encouraging them to stand up for justice and truth. He invested in youth development programs that fostered both spiritual and professional growth, understanding that Africa’s future—and the future of the Church—lies in the hands of its young people. His openness to dialogue and commitment to nurturing the next generation made a lasting impression across the continent.

Ultimately, Pope Francis reimagined Catholicism as a faith centered on inclusion, compassion, and justice. While his reformist tone may not have drastically shifted doctrine, it transformed the church’s priorities by uplifting the voices of those long unheard—particularly in Africa. His papacy symbolized a turn toward a global church that listens, learns, and walks alongside the people it serves. For many Africans, his leadership represented hope, solidarity, and a clear acknowledgment that their stories, struggles, and faith deeply matter in the Catholic tradition.

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustee member John Hope Bryant pledged $100,000 in honor of President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., recognizing his leadership and commitment to advancing the university’s mission. The donation, announced during a recent board meeting, will support scholarships, academic programs, and resources aimed at enriching the student experience. President French called the pledge a powerful affirmation of the transformative power of education and a shared investment in the future of CAU scholars.

Hampton University has won its first-ever Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship, defeating Tennessee State University in a two-game final and earning a $100,000 institutional grant from Honda. The annual academic competition, held near American Honda’s headquarters in Torrance, California, featured over 200 students and coaches from 32 HBCUs, testing their knowledge across subjects like history, science, and pop culture. This year’s winning Hampton team—coached by Stella Nelms—included freshmen and sophomores from Georgia and California, and marked the university’s 30th appearance in the tournament.

As part of its ongoing commitment to HBCUs, Honda awarded over $500,000 in grants to participating institutions, including $40,000 to runner-up Tennessee State University and $26,000 each to Morehouse College and Tuskegee University. Additionally, student participants from the top two teams received individual scholarships—$2,500 for each Hampton scholar and $1,500 for each Tennessee State scholar—through a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  

black history in quotes 

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culture

Tina Turner’s iconic 1984 album Private Dancer is making a major comeback on the U.K. charts, reaffirming the lasting impact of her music. Decades after its release, the Grammy-winning project has reentered four different Official Charts, including the Albums Sales chart at Number 14 and the Physical Albums chart at Number 13 - both new peaks for the classic release. It also returns to the Official Album Downloads chart at Number 49, a notable achievement for a reissue competing in today’s digital landscape.

Perhaps most notably, Private Dancer debuts on the Official Vinyl Albums chart at Number 36, marking its first appearance on the increasingly popular vinyl tally. This new entry expands Turner’s presence on that chart to three albums total, joining Simply the Best and Queen of Rock and Roll, which peaked at Number 18 and Number 17 respectively. The album’s resurgence underscores Turner’s enduring influence and continued relevance in the global music scene.

Our editor, Lisa D. Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

See you next Sunday.

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