It may strike many people as odd that a musician as world renowned as Toumani Diabate has only recently released his second solo album.

Over 20,000 Africans live in rural Minnesota. Many of them are refugees who are grappling with adjusting to a new society culturally and socially.

NEW YORK -- About six months ago, my then seven-year-old daughter, Tibarek, awakened early one morning and called to me. “Jilly, I had a dream. Joe Biden won! And that means that if he wins, Obama will win, too. So, you don’t have to worry!” I told her that her dream was wonderful and I hoped she was right. “Kids just know these things," she said. "Adults just have to listen to us sometimes.”