Afroelle July 2021 by Afroelle Magazine

July issue 2021

Celebrating women of African heritage

AFROELLE

www.afroellemagazine.com

Paige Fraser Award Winning Artist and Scoliosis Advocate

Afroelle Magazine is a digital publication celebrating and empowering women in Africa and the diaspora.

FOUNDER

Patricia Miswa (1985 -2018)

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christabel Telewa PUBLISHER

Afroelle Magazine

FOR SUBMISSIONS AND GENERAL ENQUIRIES Afroellemagmedia@gmail.com

AFROELLE

COVER CREDITS

Model/Dancer: Adama Cherif (Instagram @adamabcherif)

Photographer - Souleymane Diawara (Instagram @prince_souley) Fashion stylist - @gramstyle

Contributors

Thabile ThabileMakue Makue writer Writer SouthAfrica Africa South Thabile is a South African healer, writer and facilitator. She was the 2016/17 Current State of Poetry National South African Slam Champion. Her debut collection “i know how to fix myself” was released in April 2017 by the African Poetry Book Fund as part of their New-Generation African Poets chapbook box set: Nne. Her work has been included in multiple journals, including “Pain” by Icelandic Parta Press, the 20.35 Africa anthology of contemporary poetry and the New Daughters of Africa collection released in March 2019. She has been longlisted for the Sol Plaatje European Union Prize, and was selected as a finalist for the 2018 Sillerman Poetry Book Prize.

Amina Touray Photographer Los Angeles

Afroelle gift guide

Moiyattu Banya Keister Writer Philadelphia

Amina is an award winning fashion and portrait photographer. Born to a Swedish mother and Gambian father, Amina gets inspiration from her multicultural background, which allowed her to move across European and African continents as she was growing up.

Moiyattu enjoys cultivating communities of women and girls through her company Women Change Africa, an African media brand curating stories and experiences for African female entrepreneurs, and her organization Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone.

This instilled in her a sense of curiosity and love for travel, which is reflected in photography.

She helps women-led startups tell their stories and enhance the visibility of their brands online via her communications boutique firm WCA Creatives.

Her work has been published in Vogue Italia and magazines such as Afroelle, Bronze, LA Style Magazine, Elegant, and others.

Afroelle Gift Guide She teaches courses in

Her forthcoming collection of poetry, ‘mamaseko, is set for release this year.

Aminatouray.com

social entrepreneurship at Columbia University and was recently recognized by Okay Africa magazine as an #Okay100woman honoree. @womenchangeafrica www.moiyattubanya.com

ashleymakue.com

CONTENTS Jul 2021 - Dec 2021 8. Tola Akerele brings forth a compelling insight into what it means to eat Nigerian in her debut text,The Orishirishi Cookbook 14. Agyakomah shares the inspiration behind her single release “Who Is She?” 22. Malynda Hale talks about her new project “Black Voices Heard”

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28. Dear White People and Burning Sands producer, Mel Jones, discusses Black millennial women-focused digital series, Leimert Park, which just hit screens everywhere 34. In conversation with Audrey Saounde 40.Sandra Githinji has created Bloom, a sculptural vase collection celebrating those who came before us

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“Today women of African descent are chartering unknown territories unabashedly and fearlessly.Whether it is in business, art, fashion, and entertainment, they run successful ventures and make a difference.

Editor’s Note Today women of African descent are chartering unknown territories unabashedly and fearlessly. Whether it is in business, art, fashion, and entertainment, they run successful ventures and make a difference. In this edition of Afroelle Magazine, we celebrate such women. I hope the success of Tola Akerele inspires you. Tola comes from a family of foodies, but the journey of rediscovering her heritage started when she walked away from a successful career in London to return home to Lagos 6

to study the fruits of her culture. She has now brought forth a compelling insight into what it means to eat Nigerian in her debut text, The Orishirishi Cookbook, which was released in May 2021. We also feature Agyakomah, a first-generation Ghanaian Afrofusion artist who was raised by Ghanian parents, just outside New York City. Agyakomah has an upcoming single release titled “Who Is She?” off her forthcoming debut EP. Enjoy the story of Sandra Githinji, the founder of Sandra Githinji Design Studio. Sandra believes that objects are layered with stories. She has created Bloom, a sculptural vase collection celebrating those who came before us. The collection is birthed from Sandra’s fascination with African stories and the strong belief in preserving our African stories and the continuity of our historical education. We had a conversation with Audrey Saounde, the founder and designer of “Umoja Collection”. Umoja means Unity in Swahili, Audrey chose this name because she believes it is time, now more than ever, to remain united. The brand reflects her tastes and cultures, from Africa (Cameroon) and Europe (France) in the form of beautiful swimwear, accessories, and cosmetics. We’ve also carried the story of Malynda Hale, a multi-faceted talent as an actress, singer/songwriter, director, podcast host, activist, and mom based in Los Angeles. This year, Malynda, launched a photo/video series entitled “Black Voices Heard” to chronicle the experiences of Black Americans. Meanwhile, “Dear White People” and “Burning Sands” producer, Mel Jones’ Black millennial women-focused digital series, “Leimert Park” just hit screens everywhere! The dramedy first premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival as Jones’ directorial debut and is now available to stream on BET+. Watch “Leimert Park” teaser. Mel Jones tells us what inspired her. I’ll leave you with a quote from Michelle Obama. “ Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”

Christabel Telewa 7

Orishirishi Cookbook Hailing from the African nation with the largest Black population in the world, first-time author, hotelier, mama, wife, and interior designer, Tola Akerele, brings forth a compelling insight into what it means to eat Nigerian in her debut text, The Orishirishi Cookbook, which was released in May 2021. Tola comes from a family of foodies, but the journey of rediscovering her heritage started when she walked away from a successful career in London to return home to Lagos to study the fruits of her culture. 8

After establishing a trio of businesses, including the award-winning Lagos boutique hotel (Bogobiri House), restaurant (Orishirishi Kitchen), and interior design enterprise (iDESIGN by Tola Akerele), Tola embarks on the latest adventure, with the launch of The Orishirishi Cookbook (Orishirishi translating to “variety” in Nigerian Yoruba). It is a comprehensive guide to Nigerian cuisine and a hand-held adventure exploring a culture vastly expressed through food.

I have had the idea of writing a cookbook for a long time, about the same time I launched “The Orishirishi Kitchen”, a restaurant serving freshly-made local meals from every region in Nigeria.

I sought to document these recipes as a way of celebrating the richness of Nigerian culture, vastly expressed through food. Most of the recipes were inspired by the truly amazing time I spent touring Nigeria on work trips that quickly became food adventures! For instance, including the native soup from the South-South region was a no-brainer because it is my favorite soup of all time.

Drawing from my personal travel experiences where I discovered some of these meals for the first time, I saw a need to share this beauty with the world. The cookbook provides a comprehensive guide into Nigerian cuisine, from sourcing ingredients to some of most practical Nigerian cooking tips.I was also thinking about how relevant it would be to Africans in diaspora nostalgic for recipes from home.

All of the recipes were curated to represent the diversity in every Nigerian region. Most of them are also House favorites from The Orishirishi Kitchen.

The imagery is detailed, attractive, and quite vivid; showing you exactly what the ingredients look like as well as how they are sourced.

Quite an enjoyable book The “Food map” section is an interesting guide to the origins of each dish. The imagery is also detailed, attractive, and quite vivid; showing you exactly what the ingredients look like as well as how they are sourced. In between, there are some African proverbs that I believe the readers will find impactful. Lastly, I included some tips and techniques that give the readers some more insight into cooking Nigerian food. A long process As I mentioned earlier, the idea around this cookbook has existed since I launched The Orishirishi Kitchen. However, it wasn’t until the lockdown in 2020 that it began to take form. From there, we worked really fast and by the end of the year, I had launched the cookbook. My biggest challenge was finding and vetting the right measurements for the documented ingredients in the cookbook.It was crucial that my readers have a clear grasp of what quantity to use per ingredient, and getting the accurate figures for this proved difficult. 10

However, after some research and tests, I was able to come up with measurements that worked in line with the serving recommendations written in the book. Sharing my culinary journey is simply an extension of my passions The Orishirishi Cookbook speaks to my passions as a person driven to promote Africa’s culture globally. So, I made sure to distribute it in the UK and US, introducing these recipes to a largely diverse audience bound by an appreciation for Nigerian food. Sharing my culinary journey is simply an extension of my passions for African-inspired Art, food, and culture. The book will amplify not only my interests, but my career vision, which is to carve a niche for Africa on the global map through my work.

The Orishirishi Cookbook was first released (selfpublished) in Nigeria and the UK in November 2020.The cookbook has 176 pages, weighs 2.64 pounds, and its ISBN is 978-1527273436. The cookbook was released in May 2021 in the U.S.A. You can order your copies on Amazon now.

Kadjoé Design Kadjoé Design offers high quality and authentically made African inspired fashion. This inspiration manifests itself in the form of vibrant, eye-catching and dynamic pieces that can be worn casually, for a night out, or for formal events. Each piece is created for women to feel beautiful, elegant, sexy and powerful simultaneously. The fabrics are sourced from and pieces handmade in Ivory Coast (West Africa) .We understand that women want to feel like they are included in the designs when it comes to dressing their bodies. This is why we spend our time constructing clothing that fit perfectly, flatter body’s shape and make these queens feel confident when wearing them. The Kadjoé Design brand makes an inspiring statement of unity, diversity, beauty and elegance. KD has been more than just about fashion statements, it’s also a movement. A movement of uplifting young girls to love themselves and for older women to not let age does define who they are. KD is beacon that promotes self-worth and allows women to be bold in every way they can while wearing their pieces. www.kadjoedesign.com Instagram:@kadjoe.design Facebook:@kadjoedesign

Who is She? Agyakomah Mensah is a first-generation Ghanaian Afrofusion artist based in New York. She has an upcoming single release titled “Who Is She?” off her forthcoming debut EP. The track aims to fully introduce Agyakomah to listeners and give them a taste of what they can expect from her first full body of work. She has achieved this by referencing her multiple given names (Sister, Afia, Agyakomah) in the track, a relatable characteristic of Ghanaian culture.

I was raised by Ghanaian parents, just outside New York City. My parents were strict about education and followed a more traditional way of life. We went to church every Sunday in the Bronx and that was where I got the chance to interact with other Ghanaians. I think I was one of three Africans in my grade. So, going to church and being dragged to different family events is where I really got the chance to interact with other Ghanaian children of my age and experience more of the culture with people outside of my family. During those times, I would also take in the music that was being played around me.

My aunties and uncles were instrumental in my upbringing. I had one auntie who introduced me onto soap operas like “Passions” and “Days Of Our Lives,” as well as board games like Ludo, and WWE. For the most part, I still carry those interests with me to this day. One memory that I have of this auntie is when we were playing Ludo, a board game that we fequently played. The game got a little competitive, and I guess my auntie thought my older sister was cheating somehow. She stopped the game and said my sister was a cheat. From that moment on, my auntie never played Ludo with us again! It makes me laugh to think about it because that was over 12 years ago and if we bring it up to her today, she will double down on the cheating she thinks happened. I experienced pressure to pursue nursing For most of my early life, I experienced pressure to pursue nursing. Most parents want the course for their children because of its stability. At one point, when I started college, the pressure got a bit much for me, and for a split second I was kind of like “forget it”. I’ll just do the nursing thing so everyone can stop bothering me. That summer, I took two classes in anatomy and physiology and ended up getting one of the top grades in the classes. It was funny because I had no passion to become a nurse. The fact that I was studying so hard and doing so well at something I didn’t even want to do made me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to, especially something I have an overwhelming passion for! I think seeing how hard my parents have worked to create a stable life for us still shapes my thought process on how I move throughout life and what I want to achieve for myself and my family. Being successful isn’t just to make myself feel good, it’s for my future generations and for those who paved the path for me to make it happen.

I kept following my gut, passions, and what i believed i was supposed to do I always say that there is no one huge moment that set me on the path of music. It was more of a series of events that just lined up. I kept following my gut, my passions, and what I believed was what I was supposed to do. When I was in middle school, I had to choose between participating in chorus classes or playing an instrument. I chose to play the violin, which I had picked up when I was younger. But a day after I made that decision, the choir teacher heard me sing. He made a reference to how I should be in the chorus class. The next school year, I put down the violin and started taking chorus classes (I think I was sneaking into the classes beforehand anyway so this was the best choice haha). That was just one of the many times that I took it upon myself to make a decision that I felt was best for me and what I really wanted to do. This would be the spirit that I ended up carrying throughout school and growing up- constantly choosing to follow my intuition, my passion, and what I believe I was made to do. Throughout my schooling life, I came up with ways to capitalize on my schools offering private voice lessons, songwriting classes or performance opportunities, since my parents didn’t really know how to nurture my interests in music. My eyes were always peeled on the next opportunity and I just followed those opportunities no matter how small, big, or insignificant they may have seemed. For example, I worked as a blogger for my school’s magazine. Off the rip, this may seem like it has nothing to do with my music development. But in my mind, I knew that I wanted to practice and enhance my writing. Although it wasn’t songwriting, it was still a way for me to continue practicing and enhancing my skills. I remember being in college and taking a songwriting class in which at the end of the semester we would perform a song we’ve written. That night, I performed a song I wrote called “Won’t You Tell Me.” I also got the chance to sing another songwriter’s song and do background vocals for a couple other artists.

“In this day and age with social m lives, sometimes it may feel like you or be more extreme to get people to Girl” doesn’t have to say too much

I was on that stage at least three or more times that night. I was so happy and ready for those opportunities. This is another example of me taking advantage of these chances anytime I could.

“Who is she?” captures my personality “Who is She” is actually a song I wrote almost a year ago. I knew I wanted to start working on my debut EP that really focused on introducing people to who I am and what they could expect from me as an artist. When I was brainstorming on different subjects, I knew I wanted to write a song showcasing more of my personality. “Who Is She” literally gives you a small glimpse of my more confident, sassy, and sexy side! In different conversations I’ve had about the single, I’ve kind of been breaking down the concept of a “Who Is She Girl”. “Who Is She” girl is pretty much someone who really allows her essence to speak for itself. She’s confident and comfortable in her skin. Wherever she goes, she brings that natural alluring aura with her. It has people wondering and asking “Who Is She”.

Expect plenty of performances

media being part of our everyday u need to do more. To be louder o notice you, but “Who Is She h.”

Live performances look like they are gearing up to make a comeback and I always say that no matter how much I love the process of actually writing, creating and recording the music, it was the performing aspect that I fell in love with as a young girl. People should definitely expect some live and virtual shows from me throughout the year! My main focus in the next few months is dropping this upcoming EP and all the content surrounding it over time. I’ve been holding the project name a secret for a year. So, everyone will need to follow me on social media for when I start giving clues! I’m always writing and thinking about the future. So I’ve already been thinking about my next EP and what kind of theme and music ! My supporters should also expect more collaborations. There have been some artists and producers both in the states, Ghana, and beyond who’ve expressed interest in working with me and whom I would really love to work with. So, that’s something I’m super excited about. I’ll be headed back to Ghana at the end of this year. So, it’s going to be a really fun time going to the different studios and just catching a vibe with the immensely talented artists and producers that are over there. 21

Black Voices Heard Malynda Hale is a multi-faceted talent as an actress, singer/songwriter, director, podcast host, activist, and mom based in Los Angeles. This year, Malynda, launched a photo/video series entitled “Black Voices Heard” to chronicle the experiences of Black Americans. She also serves as a worship leader at Harmony Toluca Lake where she co-hosts a bi-monthly discussion called Courageous Conversations. This discussion group focuses on social justice from a Christian perspective. Malynda has been married for nine years and is a mother to a baby girl.

Photo Credit: Mo Cee

“It’s my hope that these stories and profiles will help humanize us and change the societal view of Blackness as a whole.”

In the wake of the Breonna Taylor and George Floyd murders, a friend of mine by the name Mo Cee reached out to me wondering what he could do to help. As a photographer, my friend wanted to figure out a way to give a platform to Black voices. So, I took some time and created a project that he could collaborate with me on.

Granted, at the time, I was naive to a lot of the micro-aggressions and racism that I experienced. But I can now easily recognize some of the situations I was in. Having the assumptions made by my peers that my accomplishments were an act of charity or affirmative action, knowing that friends of mine used the N-word or a variation of it in their normal everyday language or home life, being accused of sounding white because my parents put an emphasis on education, and having my integrity questioned or being pinned as the aggressor in any situation of conflict.

I realized that so many people have the wrong assumptions about Black Americans, mainly because they have limited exposure to who we are as a community. Our narratives and perceptions have been controlled by so many other people that we rarely get to tell our own stories. And it doesn’t help that people seem to have preconceived notions about us that they aren’t willing to change. The purpose of Black Voices Heard is to present Black people in a real and authentic way. It’s my hope that these stories and profiles will help humanize us and change the societal view of Blackness as a whole.

Those are all small glimpses into some of my experiences growing up. Often being singled out as the only Black person in the room was a level of discomfort I hated experiencing as an adolescent, but those situations have now afforded me the strength to stand up for myself and call out racism and micro-aggressions whenever I experience them.

My experience has accorded me the strength to call out racism

Passion for sharing thoughtprovoking content

I grew up in Santa Barbara, where there aren’t too many people of color. Looking back, the experience of having to navigate my Blackness in a predominately white space was actually difficult. While Santa Barbara is a beautiful city, it had a long way to go in order to make race relations better.

I’ve been involved in the arts since I was young. I grew up singing in church, did musical theatre in school and always had the personality of someone who wanted to make a difference.

Sayre is someone who has always encouraged me since I was nine years old. He was my teacher in elementary school, junior high and high school, and now is someone I often go to for career advice and encouragement.

As I grew older, I discovered I had a passion for not only performing, but wanting to know and share people’s stories, creating thought-provoking content and figuring out how to engage people in conversations that matter. I’m always up for guiding people to think differently and consider other perspectives. So, creating a podcast and producing Black Voices Heard was the natural next step in my career.

My music teacher in high school, Ike Jenkins, was one of the first Black teachers I had and his presence in my life is something I will never take for granted. He passed away a couple of years ago, but the memories I have of him will always play a huge role in my career trajectory.

Growing up in Black America pushed me to make a difference I think the nature of being who I am is why I’m on the path I’m on today. Music has always been my deepest passion but just growing up Black in America has pushed me to want to make a difference by dismantling racism and uplifting up the Black community the best way I can.

There is always a place for you As a person in the entertainment industry, I’ve learned that “no” is not the end of the world. It hurts—no one will dispute that—but dwelling in a rejection, rather than moving forward, can make you miss out on other opportunities. I’ve also learned that no matter what anyone tells you, there is a place for you. Everyone’s dreams, talents and experiences are valid.

The memories of my music teacher play a huge role My mom was always the person who influenced me the most. I’m blessed to have grown up with both parents in the household, but my mom and I have a unique connection. We’re similar in almost every aspect. She always understood me, gave the best advice and was there for me throughout everything. Even to this day, we have always been connected. I was also heavily influenced by two teachers throughout my education. My teacher, mentor and friend Clark

I hope to go back to performing live again Now that we are inching out of the pandemic, I hope to get back to performing live again, and I would love to transition my podcast to a live show. That would be my dream. Even getting back to having guests be in person would be the next natural shift. I have a lot of goals and I plan to accomplish all of them. 26

“As a person in the entertainment industry, I’ve learned that “no” is not the end of the world. It hurts—no one will dispute that—but dwelling in a rejection, rather than moving forward, can make you miss out on other opportunities.”

Mel Jones “Dear White People” and “Burning Sands” producer, Mel Jones’ Black millennial women-focused digital series, Leimert Park, just hit screens everywhere. The homegrown production and macro-produced dramedy first premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival as Jones’ directorial debut and is now available to stream on BET+. Watch “Leimert Park” teaser. 28

Women showing up as whole

“Leimert Park” is a digital series that explores the lives and dramas of three women set in the everchanging artsy South LA neighborhood of Leimert Park in Los Angeles.

When producing the series, Mel had a lot of fun. In the show storyline, there’s a couple that experiments sexually and they had to incorporate harnesses and visual effects for one scene in order to achieve the look they were looking for. “It took stunt coordinators and lots of rehearsal time (and money!) to get it right. I think it’s something that people will either love or hate - but in the end, the process, as well as the result and audience reactions, are all something that I enjoy,” Mel says.

The dramedy series is inspired by Mel’s real-life roommate experiences during her nine years of living in Leimert Park. The show chronicles the lives and sexual misadventures of three best friends as they navigate life between the complex worlds of dating and sexuality in search of love, happiness, and career fulfillment. Ashley Blaine Featherson plays Mickey who is dissatisfied in her marriage and career; Ashli Haynes plays Bridget, a hopeless romantic, who falls for a visiting artist in residence; and, Asia’h Epperson plays Kendra who documents her sexual experiences in hopes of career advancement.

Mel often brings her daughter to work with her on set, so that she can grow up seeing her mom in action “in the office,” fostering a strong work ethic as she pursues her dreams. “For the last decade, I’ve been pushing to normalize the idea of women showing up as their whole and authentic selves in the industry, as skilled creatives, and yes, as working moms.

Mel explains that she produced the series because she wanted to see her friends and herself on screen in ways that she hadn’t. “I wanted to see women who were real friends, dealing with real-life issues and pursuing pleasure, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual in ways we hadn’t seen black women before,” she says.

I just don’t think that we women or working moms necessarily have to choose one persona; we should unapologetically pursue our desires on our own terms, as a mother and businesswoman in Hollywood -- or in any industry,” Mel says.

Storytelling is natural Mel grew up in VA, the daughter of a preacher and teacher. So, the impact of stories has always been prevalent in her life. “Seeing the profound impact that stories had on people’s lives, whether it was looking at the impact on people’s decision-making or even their healing process, always fascinated me and lured me in,” she says. “I found stories to be a powerful tool to change minds and hearts and as a way to facilitate important conversations. And I think that though I’m a filmmaker, seeing my father on the pulpit inspired me to follow in his footsteps, in a way.” Growing up in the industry, Mel had a mentor named Stephanie Allain who gave her all the opportunities. “While I had a master’s degree and all of the skills, but without her belief in my skills and having her in my life to be my template until I could create my own world has been invaluable,” Mel says. As Mel has come into her own as a producer, she’s learned that the journey is more important than the destination.

In the future, Mel plans to continue growing as a storyteller and as a person. “I want to continue to create good, quality work and to make a difference.” “Through “Leimert Park” I want to continue to support bringing real characters and diverse narratives to light that we don’t often see on screen. I am really a big advocate of supporting unapologetic women’s narratives and the pursuit of pleasure, without pressure to conform to respectability prototypes. I think it’s important for us, especially Black women, to see ourselves showing up for ourselves, exploring what brings us joy, and pursuing our desires in all aspects of our lives. It can be inspiring to others just to see it.”

“For the last decade, I’ve been pushing to normalize the idea of women showing up as their whole and authentic selves in the industry, as skilled creatives, and yes, as working moms.”

Model/Dancer: Adama Cherif (Instagram @adamabcherif) Photographer - Souleymane Diawara (Instagram @ prince_souley)

Fashion stylist - @gramstyle

In Conversation with

Audrey SAOUNDE

Audrey grew up in the small town of Les Ulis, close to Paris, France. She was a good student, shy, quiet, and not comfortable in her skin, especially when she was a teenager. Audrey remembers being the smart chubby friend. The only thing that made her come out of her shell was her creativity. She would steal her mom’s pillowcase covers and some thread and needles to sew fashionable clothes for her dolls. Audrey always dreamt of traveling all over the world and being a part of different cultures. Audrey is on the right track to making all her dreams come true. She is the founder and designer of the brand Umoja Collection. Umoja means Unity in Swahili, Audrey chose this name because she believes it is time, now more than ever, to remain united. The brand reflects her tastes and cultures, from Africa (Cameroon) and Europe (France) in the form of beautiful swimwear, accessories, and cosmetics. 34

What inspired Umoja Collection? Umoja Collection was inspired by my roots (in Cameroon), and my love for traveling and fashion. African art and designs are so beautiful that it would be a shame to keep them all to ourselves, right? That is why I wanted to make those designs accessible to all (origins and sizes) coupling my European and African influences.

Guess what? I failed the exam! ME! I picked up my ego and courage from the floor and passed the exam the year after with success. It had a bitter-sweet taste, so I decided to do an additional year and successfully earned my European diploma in Communication.

Why Communication? Just because I was not good with it at the time and thought it could help me on a personal It seems like you had an interesting and professional level. Still, I wasn’t upbringing. Did it influence your sure about my next move. But I career choice in any way? ended up graduating with a Master in Communication Press Relations. Until I got my MBA, absolutely not! I want to say that it looks more like I then had an internship in a French a succession of “coincidences” that fashion magazine for black women. I all together led me to where I am. felt so alive! I thought I finally found But as you know, God never makes my path. But I couldn’t immediately mistakes, and nothing happens by find a similar job after the internship. accident! You must trust the process. So, I oriented myself to working in-store in fashion and cosmetic After I graduated high school, I didn’t departments with different brands really know what I will be doing. All I (Galeries Lafayette, Zara...), traveled knew was I was pretty good at school, to the UK, came back, worked on that I wanted to travel, and liked the projects such as the World automobile idea of selling things. show in Paris for Citroen, had administrative positions. Also, my parents would have killed me if I wasted my potential not going Then I met a woman at work, very further in my studies! If you have sweet, caring towards me, like a African parents, well, you know what mother to her child. I shared with I’m talking about! So, I chose a good her that I applied at that time to two school to earn my two-year Technical positions and got them both. So, I Degree in International Trade with little had to choose. The woman wisely conviction and still not too sure about suggested, with a lot of assurance where this will lead me. the one I should go to, with not much explanation and, I followed her advice. 35

How would you describe your personal style? Urban - Classic – Chic. I love to dress up with my little blazer, jeans, and heels, even at work. My French side, I guess! But I also love some nice sneakers and wear, something casual. These I have worn a lot during the pandemic! Wow, you have a great sense of style. What advice would you give to others who might not find it as easy? Do not combine more than three colors in your outfit. Find and/or create your waist. If you have to choose comfort, find that one item that shows your personality and makes you stand out (bag, sneakers, hairstyle/color…) and wear a smile! Confidence will build up from there.

Fast-forward 7 years growing in that international company, I had the opportunity to go get my MBA in Boston and some people in that company helped me to move towards that goal. That MBA gave me the last pieces and skills updates I needed with a handful of more wisdom and courage to start my business.

What were some of your happiest times as a fashion designer? My first sale! Yayyy!! And when I knew my cosmetic line will be sold in Manhattan, New York City, were some of my happiest moments. My lowest moments were trying to manage my life as a first-time mother and entrepreneur with little to no sleep and remain positive when I didn’t see the results you expected. But I am grateful to have my family with me. They keep me grounded and my parents help me with my baby when it is possible.

What is the best thing about being a designer? Oh my God! The creation part of it! Having my mind in such a rush with ideas, materializing them, and thinking about someone feeling happy wearing what I envisioned. 36

“You know, people around you tend to be more comfortable with what they know and understand, and the harsh reality of finances can make you question being a designer at times.”

Prayer also helps me in areas where nobody else can help me. Motherhood is the toughest job God blessed me with, so I will only make it through with his help. Are there moments when you have questioned being a designer? Many times before I actually became a designer and even after! You know, people around you tend to be more comfortable with what they know and understand, and the harsh reality of finances can make you question being a designer at times. But, If you wake up every day happy about doing what you do, keep doing it! Your joy is your own to create. During these moments of doubt, I try to listen to my gut feeling (who most of the time is right but I tend to ignore it too often) and turn over to God. I know that you are not only interested in fashion, but charity work as well. Would you please tell me about your work with Vijana Wa Dunia, the charity that you support? Vijana Wa Dunia means The Youth Of The World in Swahili. It is an association that supports orphanages, such as the Foundation Pauline Albinos and Orphanage of Compassion in Kinshasa, Congo, providing help for medical and school expenses and giving them hope for their future. 38

Umoja is about unity and empowerment. It is important to give back to our communities. We do not really think about these things, but people with albinism have a very difficult life in Africa, for the most part, because of ancient beliefs that still exist today. They are mutilated, killed, children are abandoned… It is time we mobilize and do something. Umoja plans to send baby clothes and starting July, every cosmetic item sold, $1 will go to the association. Is there anything else that you would like us to know? We will organize a runaway show soon. All entrepreneurs who would like to collaborate with us are very welcome! Send us a message via our Contact page on our website Umoja-co.com.

Umoja is about unity and empowerment. It is important to give back to our communities.” “

Bloom Sandra Githinji, the founder of Sandra Githinji Design Studio, believes that objects are layered with stories. She created Bloom, a sculptural vase collection celebrating those who came before us. The collection is birthed from Sandra’s fascination with African stories and the strong belief in preserving our African stories and the continuity of our historical education.

Bloom is conceptualized as a collection of structural vases. The homeware collection celebrates phenomenal African female figures and stories that have been long forgotten.

craft in telling uplifting stories about black people in the midst of all the tragic tales that were consuming my social media feed. I have always been fascinated with history, so when I discovered these amazing women I wanted to share their life stories and recount our greatness, which has always been there. Past, present, future.

Bloom physically symbolizes the stories of African women who bloomed when they were planted, some through difficult situations. Yet they rose and paved the way for many of us today, standing as the symbols of the power in women.

My artwork is for everyone During the time the Kickstarter campaign was live, I had a question posed to me on whether I viewed the purchase of the Queen Nandi vase by someone without African heritage as cultural appropriation. I found this quite interesting and I sat with it for a while before my response. My perspective is simple, my art/work is for everyone who encounters it with an open heart and an open mind and is willing to learn.

The pieces are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also functional, as a vase, and most importantly educational, through historical reference. The collection debuted this year featuring the first piece, Queen Nandi from South Africa. Bloom will continue to grow and showcase queens from across the African continent. Sandra talks about her inspiration for the collection and passion for art.

Having these pieces in your home is an opportunity to have conversations about who the person behind the figure is and their contribution to their respective societies. The educational aspect is integral to the work and as such is for everyone.

I was battling the lockdown lull that I’m sure everyone was experiencing mid 2020 and questioning the purpose of my work as an Interior Designer. I wanted to do something different from designing apartments for developers and create work I found meaningful. During this time we had the BLM protests taking place on a global scale and Bloom presented an opportunity to use my

My background inspired my passion I grew up in Nairobi Kenya and moved to Melbourne, Australia for University. I’d say the people around me have contributed to how I see the world. 41

My family and the strong women around me in particular, my grandmother, aunties, my mum and sister. My mum has been a big influence in my life growing up. She was always an entrepreneurial woman who worked hard, pursued her creative passions and was always hopeful about the future. I learned many lessons in her furniture store during those school holidays; on resilience, empathy, and above all else, doing what brings you and other people joy. I believe growing up with a mum who leaned into her creativity and parents who did not force me to pursue more status quo professions, liberated me to be my authentic self and continue on this journey of creative expression. I will continue telling stories I plan to continue to create and tell our stories. I’m particularly excited about the growth of the Bloom collection and the list of other African queens I’m looking forward to showcasing. I like my work to speak for me, it is a physical manifestation of what is in my mind, my musings, my dreams, my hopes. I have a lot more of me to share with the world, as this journey is just beginning. 42

Having these pieces in your home is an opportunity to have conversations about who the person behind the figure is and their contribution to their respective societies.

Photo Credit: Ivy Mutuku

Whipped in

n IV Acts CREDITS Production, Styling, Photography and Retouch: Ítalo Vinícius - Cliquei e Contei @cliqueiecontei Beauty: @delbymakeup Model: Tina Izac @tinaizac - AN Models Mgmt @ anmodelsmgmt Assistant: Diego Duarte @ oisouoamado