Use the news: Real-life Wakanda
Lesson for grades 5-8
The rhythm and blues singer known as Akon is a SenegaleseAmerican songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actor.
Now the 47-year-old entertainer is adding a new chapter to his biography. He wants to found a futuristic city in the African nation of Senegal that will be a real-life version of Wakanda, the high-tech country from the movie “Black Panther.”
This fall Akon broke ground for a $6-billion project to construct Akon City 60 miles outside Senegal's capital of Dakar and said work would begin next year. The singer, who split time between the United States and Senegal as a child, has the support of the Senegalese government for the project, CNN News reported.
It will be built with a mix of government and private money.
Akon has been a top-selling performer in the United States and around the world. He has been nominated for five Grammy music awards and is the first solo artist to hold both the Number One and Number Two spots at once on the Billboard magazine Hot 100 chart. He has achieved that honor two times.
ACTIVITY: Starting a city from scratch would be a great challenge; it also could be great fun. In the newspaper or online find and closely read stories about special features or buildings cities are adding to become more interesting or successful. Keep a log or scrapbook of different ideas. Then think like a city planner and outline a plan for a city as if you were starting from scratch. What features would you want? What attractions? Where would people live and work? Draw an illustrated map of your city showing features you would like to include. Explain your drawing to family, friends or classmates.