What is American Football? Myron Rolle Knows

26 April 2013

  We had a great time with NFL's Myron Rolle and our friends at Harris Academy in Peckham on Thursday.  Bobby Adelson Jr., Cultural Attaché  at the American Embassy in London finds out what a real American football tackle is!

  Myron Rolle, former NFL football player and Rhodes Scholar, was in London on April 24-26th delivering talks and leading American football clinics at several secondary schools in underserved neighborhoods. Rolle’s message whilst in London was to inspire students to continue with their studies and show them how to maintain a balance between academics and sport.

 
  Rolle gained national attention in 2008 after winning a Rhodes Scholarship while attending the Florida State University. He made the difficult decision of foregoing a lucrative NFL career, choosing instead to pursue a master’s degree in medical anthropology from Oxford University. Following his time at Oxford, Rolle was drafted in the 6th round of the NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. After three NFL seasons, Rolle retired and will start at medical school this fall.

Women in Space, Science, Technology and Engineering - The Road to Mars

18 April 2013 at 11:30 BST

Artist's Concept of Mars Science Laboratory at Work. Inset: JPL Systems engineer Nagin Cox. (NASA/JPL)

The Mars Curiosity Rover is one of NASA most successful interplanetary efforts, landing on Mars and exploring the Red Planet. Nagin Cox is part of the team responsible for that success.

Join her, from world-leading Imperial College London, as she talks about operating the Curiosity Rover on Mars and working at the limits of space exploration. Discover what is like to work in NASA’s most cutting-edge and exciting project.  Our webchat starts at 11:30 BST on Thursday, 18th April.
 
Nagin Cox began her stellar career with NASA working on the projects such as Galileo mission to Jupiter. She is currently working on NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory, the program which successfully landed the Curiosity Rover in August 2012. 

Southern U.S. Cuisine Charms the UK

19 March 2013

One of the many dishes being prepared by chefs from the American South (Embassy photo)

The flavors of the American south arrived in London on Thursday, 7 March 2013.  Southern Chefs John Besh, Kelly English, Duane Nutter, Chocolate maker Kristen Hard and Mixologist Neal Bodenheimer, showed off their talents (Youtube) at the United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Barbara Stephenson's home, Wychwood House.

The evnt was the first leg of a three-day culinary tour that is a collaboration between the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassy in London, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Delta Air Lines and Hilton Hotels Worldwide, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.

Through the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival tour, the U.S. Embassy London supported the Secretary of State’s Diplomatic Culinary Partnership initiative. The tour aims for America’s southern region to be exposed and celebrated as an ultimate destination to experience exquisite food and drinks while experiencing a culture that is very specific to the United States. All of which can be experienced at this year’s upcoming Atlanta Food & Wine Festival in May.

In the words of the tour organizers, “we promise our guests an evening of good Southern taste as we take you deep into the South. Not a trend - a way of life. A place of tradition.”

Unveiling of the Frederick Douglass Blue Plaque

20 February 2013

The Frederick Douglass Blue Plaque is located at 5 Whitehead's Grove London where Frederick Douglas lived in 1846 (Embassy photo)

On the morning February 20th, a crowd gathered in front of Nell Gwynn House in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea to celebrate the unveiling of a new English Heritage-scheme Blue Plaque, dedicated to the great American abolitionist leader, Frederick Douglass.

U.S. Embassy London was proud to partner with the UK-based Nubian Jak Community Trust to celebrate the debut of the plaque, which occurred on the 118th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ passing. The Nell Gwynn site was chosen due to the fact that Frederick Douglass lived in that physical location briefly during his time in London.

Read more on our Eduction blog or read Deputy Chief of Mission Stephenson's remarks at the unveiling of the Blue Plaque.

Fencing with Ibtihaj Muhammad

29 January 2013

U.S. National Fencing Champion Ibtihaj Muhammad

While visiting London Ibtihaj Muhammad gives some pointers on the sport of Fencing (Youtube video #1).

Ibtihaj, a two-time U.S. National Fencing Champion and a member of the U.S. National Fencing Team since 2009, began fencing at the age of 13. She was raised in an athletic household with four siblings and played many recreational sports growing up.

After searching for a sport that would enable her to comply with the Muslim requirement of modesty, by remaining fully covered, her mother pointed out students fencing in full body uniforms while driving by their local school.

Muhammad said because of this chance moment, "I'd like to think fencing found me." Reminding students again of the ability to find a passion regardless of circumstance she added, "Don't let anyone tell you there's something you can't achieve."