Enslaved Africans defined their membership in their own communities in a variety of ways, often involving layers of identity with overlapping and frequently competing interests. As with other diasporas, enslaved Africans subordinated internal divisions and differences in language, religion, and other aspects of culture to their circumstances. Racial designations and stereotypes blur the historical identities of the various ethnic communities that formed under slavery. And so, we don’t speak with one voice. There are many voices, yet a common heritage that links us to mother Africa a common longing for a destiny that restores our pride and unity. At Izania, we listen for those voices that encourage, inspire, and motivate us to seek our common interests in building a stronger community. Listen and hear the roar of "Mosi-oa-Tunya," the smoke that thunders.

At the center of any society is a set of relationships that bind its people together. The basic ingredient is the family. The strength of the family lies in the commitment of family members to support and nurture others so that the family remains strong.

When the family stops nurturing and caring for one another, it loses the strength to remain united. As outside forces pull the family apart, efforts must be made to strengthen the ties that bind us together. Izania provides access to nurturing resources to restore unity and strength to Black families.

These resources will help families build stronger relationships, strengthen economic foundations, educate and nurture our children, respect and honor parents, and unite husbands and wives.

The Information Age is upon us. In this age, knowledge is power. We must value education and cultivate the "tacit knowledge" within our community. This knowledge carries our culture and values, and our very identity. It is often undocumented, felt rather than heard, passed along in stories and experiences. We must also recognize the value of formal knowledge and education.

Within iZzania - the Virtual Black Community - we embrace both forms of knowledge while we teach our children to become leaders and contributors to the greater society in which we live.

This channel provides access to both formal and informal resources to ensure that we embrace the power of knowledge. Without this power, we will lose all that we have fought to gain.

Many of the most visible Black members of our society are in entertainment and sports. These venues provide us with heroes and villains. Some real. Some are just part of the hype. These individuals are often caricatures of our own lives, and help fuel our dreams and ambitions, as well as provide relief from the stress of living.

We owe much to the creative talents of these special members of our community. Izania helps us keep up with the "bling bling," the scores, the scoop - onstage and offstage.

The Black News Media is a vital element within our communities. Our voices are often not heard, except through the persistent efforts of the Black Media and journalists to raise awareness of Black issues in the mainstream society.

iZania helps us to hear these Black voices so that our opinions and sources of information aren’t entirely shaped by the mainstream media. We must know the truth, for the truth keeps us free.

Blacks are more negatively affected by every major disease and condition – heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, HIV/AIDS and obesity. Additionally, our children are being diagnosed at early ages with a variety of conditions that result in social dysfunction and “learning disabilities.”

Virtually all of these conditions can be addressed and the impact reduced with better health practices. Within Izania, we provide access to resources that help build a better understanding of ways to improve the health of our community, and each individual.

Healthy diets, healthy habits, recovery and intervention steps that improve our lives are explored and shared.

Obama 2008

iZania Press Releases are distributed by e-mail as E-blasts to our opt-in distribution list and then posted online here. Interested in sending an E-blast? Click here to learn more .