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We Meet Again, BFA Fam! Grab your hot chocolate and cozy up with a warm blanket if Winter Storm Blair made its way through your area yesterday. Don't forget to have your snow scraper handy! Stay safe out there. While Blair is leaving its frosty touch across the country, a different kind of history is unfolding in Washington. Senator Tim Scott has just made history as the longest-serving Black senator in U.S. history.

In today’s email:

• Coming Home: Ghana Welcomes African Americans as Citizens

• A Pocket-Sized Robot That Blows on Hot Food to Make It Safe to Eat.

• Don’t Miss the Poll at the End: We need your opinion!

MAIN STORY

Ghana Grants Citizenship to African Americans Reclaiming Roots

The American political landscape is already heating up, and we're only one week into 2025. In just the past week, two terrorist attacks—in New Orleans and New York—have shaken the nation, and we're now less than two weeks away from a new administration taking office. For Black Americans, this moment can feel particularly unsettling, as history has often shown they bear the brunt of the fallout during times of national turmoil. Adding to the uncertainty, the progress made in 2024 around diversity, equity, and inclusion is being steadily dismantled, with signs pointing to an even faster rollback in 2025.

Feeling a bit tired of the hustle and bustle in America? Or maybe you've always dreamed of living in Africa and are itching for a new adventure? Well, here's some exciting news from Ghana! They've made it easier for African passport holders to visit by dropping visa requirements. This move is part of a broader effort to encourage Black Americans to consider relocating and to boost travel between African nations.

In recent years, Ghana has become a hotspot for those looking to start anew, especially among Black Americans. Many find it a welcoming place where they can leave behind worries about safety and racism. For others, it's a chance to thrive and reconnect with their roots. Expats in Ghana often share their stories about what life is like there and what keeps them coming back for more.

The decision to eliminate visa requirements fulfills a promise made by President Akufo-Addo during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues last year to promote regional integration and simplify travel across the continent. "This is about strengthening connections throughout Africa," Akufo-Addo stated.

Historical Context

The documentary Traces of the Trade explores the history of Ghana and its role in the transatlantic slave trade, following descendants of the DeWolf slave-trading family from Bristol, Rhode Island, as they visit Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle—key sites where their ancestors traded for slaves. For nearly 150 years, Ghana, located on Africa’s west coast, was a central hub of the British slave trade, where European traders exchanged goods for enslaved Africans, many of whom had been captured in tribal warfare or kidnapped. While slavery existed in Africa before European involvement, the transatlantic slave trade expanded it on an industrial scale, transporting approximately 10 million enslaved people to the Americas. Ghana’s historic forts and castles, built by European powers between 1482 and 1786, remain as preserved UNESCO heritage sites, attracting visitors through initiatives like the Slave Route Project.

Conclusion

Ghana is becoming a favorite destination for Black Americans looking to move abroad, and it's easy to see why. Each person's journey to making Ghana their new home is unique. While living in Ghana has its challenges and rewards, many find it to be the perfect place for them.

What would you risk for one last shot at freedom? A federal agent faces betrayal, deception, and danger in a high-stakes game of survival. Allies—where loyalty is tested, and nothing is what it seems.

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THE FLIP SIDE

This Tiny Robot Blows on Hot Food and Drinks to Cool Them Down Fast.

Yukai Engineering has come up with a delightful little gadget called Nékojita FuFu, designed to help you enjoy your meals and drinks at just the right temperature. This cute, cub-shaped mini robot is on a mission to protect your taste buds from the fiery heat of your food.

Nékojita FuFu, translating to "cat tongue" in Japanese, is perfect for those who wince at the thought of hot food. It uses an internal fan to blow cool air through its mouth, designed with the 'Fu-ing System' to mimic the natural way we cool our food down.

At the CES 2025 show, Yukai demonstrated how this little robot can drop the temperature of hot water from 190°F to 160°F in just 3 minutes, and down to 151°F in 5 minutes. That's a significant cooling compared to letting it sit!

This Mini Robot is Not Just Cute; It's Functional Too

With its attachable paws, Nékojita FuFu can cling to any straight-edged dish or cup, and it runs on a rechargeable battery, so you're not tethered to an outlet.

It even comes with different blowing modes for your convenience: 'I've Got This' for when you're in a hurry, and 'Not Gonna Spill' for a more delicate touch. More modes are on the horizon, promising even more ways to enjoy your food at just the right temperature.

After CES 2025, Nékojita FuFu is set to make its way to Japanese kitchens by mid-2025, bringing a touch of innovation and a whole lot of comfort to the dining table.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

LiAngelo Ball

"I MIGHT SWERVE BEND THAT CORNER WOAAHHHHH"

LiAngelo Ball, also known as G3 or G Honcho, is making waves with his latest track, "Tweaker." This song, with its nostalgic Southern rap feel, gained massive attention after a livestream with N3on, racking up millions of views on WorldStarHipHop. "Tweaker" has become a hot topic online and has even found its way into NBA and NFL locker rooms, showcasing LiAngelo's exciting step into the music scene beyond his basketball career.

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