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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the first edition of the Amah Magazine.
I
n this issue, you will be discovering the different talented, passionate, joyful hard work of a number of diverse young indivduals. Each one of them has the drive, the ethics and the mindset to succeed and give the best of themselves and all of their abilities in order to satisfy their clientele. All residing in Ottawa, they are still pursuing their studies in university, graduated or going back to school. This magazine is to salute as well as an honor of their work. For it is not easy to manage their everyday duties such as their school or jobs schedules, while simultaneously following their passion with the work they are accomplishing. The goal is to help you find out what is happening in Ottawa, while promoting these artists for you to uncover who does what, when and where? Who knows? Their talents may interest you and lead to your need of their services one day! I hope you enjoy your reading!
Thanks to Emma Gutierrez
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Alexandria Bridge Ottawa Panorama HDR
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Catering
06
Designers
10
Makeup Artist
18
Photograhers
23
Singers
30
Event Planner
36
Djs
40
The Black Spoon
AKARTS Fio Designs Souave
Laurie Lee
Gifted Visions WeTrusThat Studio
Saki 309 Production
ElNinoTv
Dj M$H Dj Nel
Quotes
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CATERING
The Black Spoon
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Kathlynn
Amani The Black Spoon
“Aux décisions que tu prendras répondra le succès, et, sur tous tes chemins brillera la lumière.»’’
K
Job 22.28
athlynn Amani is our talented chef from Ivory Coast. Kathlynn just graduated from the university of Ottawa in Biology.
Her menu has food from the appetizers (pastels, samosas, nem) African dishes (attiéké, alloco, fufu etc) and birthday or any occasion cakes.
It all started when she was talking with a friend. They were talking about skills and she said she did not have any. Her friend then tells her: “I see you cooking every day, I think cooking is your skill”. They talked about it in February and she started in March 2015. Thus, the Black Spoon was born.
She is planning on going back to school in September for a second bachelor degree. She wants to go to a bakery school because she is more into baking at the moment and hopefully open a restaurant. She is also about to start a YouTube page to share her recipes since some of her followers are abroad and have asked for them.
She decided to call her business The Black Spoon, firstly for the black woman that she is and the also the spoon to design both the bakery and the African cuisine she is interested in. 8 AMAH MAGAZINE - Aug 2017
Follow her on her social media and send her a message for your orders! You can book him through his email: wetrusthat@gmail.com
The Black.spoon The Black Spoon Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 9
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DESIGNERS
AKARTS
Fio Designs
Souave
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AKARTS
Kwame Andy Arel
Akangah “ART IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE BEAUTIFUL, IT IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU FEEL SOMETHING” Rainbow Rowell
A
started doing illustrations and taking his skills to a whole new level. Inspired by his daily life and what he sees around, he decides to elevate them and bring the beauty out.
In 2011, he started using Photoshop and later developed the skills he was acquiring into making logos and complex compositions. However, as we humans, he wanted more. He
Andy now has an online store (theakarts.com/ shop) where he sells his canvases, phone cases, posters and soon clothing! WATCH OUT! He also does music cover art, logos, and has an branding firm called: Faces Studio. Faces Studio is where you come empty handed with your business and you are provided with the models, logo, photoshoot and or video shoot to promote your business.
ndy is a young Beninese designer who grew up travelling around Africa. He likes to say he was raised by television, as he learned most of the things he knows today from watching it. Currently studying marketing at the University of Ottawa, he is passionate about poetry, writing and taking pictures. He then, decided to make us see the world as he sees it.
Check out his social media: @theakarts
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Fio Designs
Jessica Ouedrago
Fiona H
er mother, transmitted the love of modelling to her and since then, she is just stunning. Our youngest entrepreneur is Jessica Ouedrago. She is from Burkina-Faso and is 19. She has been in Canada for two and a half years now. She will be graduating this year and will be going to college to study Interior Design. Such an ambitious young girl, she already has her own home design business, where she sells home furniture’s made with her country’s fabrics. She makes from curtains, to bedlinen, table cloth, mugs, painting anything you can think of for your
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home. This youth also made her want to try modelling since that was her second passion. She went into an agency, she did the casting and voila! She started posing for brands such as: Zarruci and Khristi Lance. In the future, she plans on having two or three interior designs offices. One in her home country and another one here in Canada. She would like to show her country’s color, expand while doing what she loves the most.
fio_d_signer1 Jessy Oueder young_intreprenor femmedequelqun
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Micheal
Amon Souave
“The self-taught’’
M
ichael Amon is our youngest entrepreneur. He is eighteen years old and is from IvoryCoast. He is studying politics and Law at the University of Ottawa. He spent most of his life in Ivory- Coast and later on moved to Canada in order continue his studies. At a very young age he got into anime, as far he can remember he has always watched them. Anime like Dragon Ball and Naruto had a strong influence. He grew up with them, and as time passed his admirations for anime grew. He started to imitate the authors of these shows. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery people say, so he started drawing his favorites characters. His older brother was a huge anime fan as well; they would get a notebook and try to draw characters they saw on TV. It was a lot of fun and they were very competitive so they would be trying to do better than the other every time. Eventually school was requiring more and more attention, and their parents expected them to study more. Thus, he had less time to draw and
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had to focus on school, from that point he had completely stopped drawing for a long period. In grade 10, his parents decided to send him to Canada so he could get a better education. He attended an international boarding school and had to take ESL classes to learn English as French is his mother tongue. ESL was a period of his life where he had way too much free time as he barely had to study. He found himself with so much free time that he had no idea what to do with it but then he realized he wanted to learn something. From that point, he started teaching himself how to draw all over again by watching tutorials on YouTube or reading about human anatomy. Social media is what really gave him the motivation to improve. All the compliments and critics motivated him to continue drawing and improve. Eventually, he started selling drawings using social media, mainly Instagram, DeviantArt, and RedBubble. He decides on
a price depending on how much work and time is required to complete the commission with the client and once it’s completed he demands full payment before shipping. Even though, drawing has become kind of a
source of revenue he still thinks of it as a way to entertain myself. Growing his YouTube channel is his plan for the future; he wants to be able to share his passion with everyone through tutorials and time-lapse drawings.
Checkout his drawings on ď… @Souave Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 17
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MAKEUP ARTIST
Laurie Lee
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Laurie
Lee
Make-up + Mental Health Awareness Advocate “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.” Maya Angelou
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A
lover of makeup, books, interior décor and baking. Our beautiful makeup artist and mental health awareness advocate name is Laurie Lee. Laurie is a Burundian mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Ottawa.
becomes apparent, pointing a decrease in selfconfidence, self-esteem and self-love. You start convincing yourself that you’re not beautiful without makeup (I need to cover this, I need to do my eyebrows, I can’t go out looking this ugly, etc.).
Ten years ago, she found her interest in makeup and took it seriously only six years later. She started doing her own makeup, trying new techniques and products and a variety of looks. By doing so, her entourage encouraged her to actually take her passion to the next level and become a makeup artist. Laurie then started her business officially in October 2016. The priceless reactions on her clients faces after she’s done doing their makeup is what motivates her the most.
She encourages having a strong mindset and confidence about your natural beauty. She suggests not putting makeup on every day even just for the sake of your skin’s health and wellness and to always remember that makeup only enhances your beauty. She uses her business, to also give out advices and help women out there. She encourages women to be comfortable in their own skin without the glitz and the glam.
Growing up, she had self-confidence issues with people giving her unsolicited opinion about As far as she loves makeup, she does not wear her body and making her feel unworthy or not it on a daily basis nor does she advocate doing beautiful enough. It later pushed her to start a so. Makeup makes you look presentable and can blog in order to help young women that might even make you feel good sometimes. But, besides be going through the same issues by sharing of being time consuming, wearing makeup her story and experiences. In the future, she everyday can result in psychological changes would love to pursue a career in Mechanical that happen without us noticing. The face feels engineering, grow her business and expand it to naked without all the glam; awkwardness slowly other fields she is passionate about.
Book her through: @88bpm curvy royal Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 21
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PHOTOGRAHERS
Gifted Visions
WeTrusThat Studio
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Arnold
Hamisi Gifted Visions
“THE TURTLE AND THE GIRAFFE MAY LIVE IN THE SAMEENVIRONMENT, BUT THEY DON’T ENJOY THE SAME VIEW” Perspective is everything
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H
is life turned around after finding Jesus. After having overcome so much, he began to ask himself “where do I want to be now? What do I want to do? God, how do you want me to serve you?” That is when he found Christ. He grabbed his camera, and he knew that this was it. He knew that this was the beginning of something new, and that this could open so many doors. His name is Arnold Hamisi, born in Congo and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba since the age of 5, he is a 23-year-old who has always loved everything visual. He moved to Ottawa almost 4 years ago as a kid with a dream, just trying to live it up. God gave him gifts and acute perceptive vision was one of them. He then realized that perception can really change everything. He loves business and entrepreneurship; and the gift he has received helped found his now growing business: Gifted Visions.
Gifted Visions is a free-lance photography business that covers events such as weddings and galas, and creates and portfolios (model and business) in Ottawa and Montreal. He helps build careers; investing in models and helping them create their portfolios. In 10 years, he sees himself done school, finished his masters, probably married with a child, owning real estate and investing. He aspires to expand into an office and a studio, and to create summer programs for kids teaching photography; keeping them out of the streets and staying away from trouble. He believes in himself and the fact that: “when you are in the lane, you can never lack inspiration, because you are exactly where God wants you to be and where there is vision, there is always provision.” Going back to school this September in a multi-media program at Algonquin College, he will continue into mass communications afterwards.
Book him through email or on @Giftedvisions Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 27
Cedric
Djohossou WeTrusthat Studio
W
eTrusThat Studio was founded in 2013 by Cedric Djohossou. Cedric is a Beninese young man studying communications and political science at the University of Ottawa. A philosophy, sociology, arts, music, and photography lover, Cedric combined his passions to bring out the best and the best service to offer you. The belief in the power of the instant and how a picture taken at a specific moment can speak so much. Such as, the picture taken of a couple on their wedding, a 16th birthday or during an event. It is an eternal memory that WeTrusThat Studio wants to help you capture, so that years from now you can look at them and relive the feeling of joy or the emotion you experienced on that day that the picture was taken.
“UNE PHOTOGRAPHIE, C’EST UN FRAGMENT DE TEMPS QUI NE REVIENDRA PAS.’’ Martine Franck 28 AMAH MAGAZINE - Aug 2017
The studio provides you with services such as: photoshoots, video shoot, ads videos, event coverage and anything that has to do with photography and a camera. Ten years from now, he sees himself with his own company, an autonomous and bigger business. You can book him through his email: wetrusthat@gmail.com
You can book him through his email: ďƒ wetrusthat@gmail.com Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 29
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SINGERS
Saki
309 Prodution
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Ange Edouard
Saki «Par la Grace»
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rom music production, photography to graphic design, our young entrepreneur does not limit himself. His name? Ange Edouard. Born in Ivory Coast “Ivoirien jusqu’a la fin”, he moved to Canada in 2005 due to the political situation in the country. He lived in Regina, Saskatchewan, then moved to Ottawa in 2011. It is when his brother, gave him a DJ gear that he started courses after school to learn to play, with the help of his mentor Marsh Wonder. This lead to the debut of his musical career as a rapper. He originally used to call himself, Andy Basta. He now goes by, Saki, as he continues his music with a new genre. He now does more R’n’b, Hip Hop and Afro beat and has
his own label. The purpose of his songs is to influence how the listener (his main target is woman! Yeah, he is a lover ladies!) thinks and reacts and he make sure it’s entertaining. He also does, some video work. He started making video and posting them online after he bought his first camera in 2011. He then started being the event photographer at X-Lounge. Now, he has created his own company: DREAMS COMMUNICATIONS “Bringing dreams to reality one project at the time”. You can hire him as an event photographer and get beautiful pictures of your events. In the future, he seems himself have an integrated marketing company.
You can find his music on: Saki Music, Dreams communications @saki.music.officiel Saki.music Saki Music Dreamscommunications.com
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Amadou
Sidibé Cizzy Darling
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nspired by the lives of the people around them, 309 production is a group of two young Malian artists, Marlo, Cizzy Darling and a record label. Marlo, whose real name is Lassana Mouké Diawarra came to Canada when he was 13. Cizzy, born as Amadou Sidibe, came to Canada in 2007 and graduated with a degree in communications and publics relations. They were friends from a young age back in Mali, where they used to play soccer together. It was all about soccer back then. Marlo, number 9, is a talented soccer player. He left Mali in 2003 and came to Ottawa. Cizzy came later on, in 2007. It is in Canada while living at 309 Richelieu, that they realized their love for music which led to their first song together, “Mon rap”. The name 309 Production came from where they lived, where it all started, as a reminder to themselves 34 AMAH MAGAZINE - Aug 2017
of where they came from. They used to play, record and do everything there. Currently, they mainly create rap music, as well as, hip hop and slam* (reference, music with soft melody, piano and words, poetry, acapela etc.) They chose those genres of music as it is what suit them. Getting together to write and discuss about issues concerning society. A couple of people were interested in what they had to say and their talent for writing down their thoughts. Then, they started rapping and making beats, they loved it, believing it was the best way to expressed themselves. Between the two they have a mixture of styles. Marlo is more about hype, bangers music and he also produces and Cizzy is more about conscious music, having songs that make people think. Despite the difference, they get coordinate well, managing
Lassana Mouké
Diawarra Marlo Black
to keep their music natural and real. What they do is, they get to the studio, pick a beat, put it on repeat and start writing, each one in their own corner, the first one that finishes, can go record, vice versa and if one has a pitch for the other one, he can pitch it in. They cover almost about everything from relationships, kids, God, religion, love, hate, friendship, countries, Africa. They do not want to stay in a box, they talk about everything you can think about. For example: in their single “Laisse parler”. They talked about God, people, gossip and brokenness. Their music speaks to their audience which tends to be youthful. So far, they have had a lot of appearances and shows in Ottawa, Sherbrooke, Montreal and Gatineau. They also won the biggest French
Festival in Ontario: Planet Urban in 2016. When they first started, it was all for the fun and pleasure of it. Nowadays, it’s a business and they are trying to expand into a brand and create the perfect stage for artist to speak freely out their minds and express themselves to the world. Help them, give them the microphone basically, something that is going to make them be heard. This year, they are planning to drop their single Reste Poser Mon Chum and a hippie (mini album).
You can find their songs on 309 prod or cizzy darling Their website: www.309production.com Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 35
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EVENT PLANNER
ElNinoTv
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Mande
Sidibé ElNinoTV “C’est Dieu qui donne’’
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nspired by the fastest car in Gran Turismo, Mande Sidibé decided to start ElNinoTv. Born and raised in Mali, he moved to Canada in 2007 when he was 19. Having recently graduated from Business Administration at La Cite Collegial in Ottawa, he is interested in: Photography, reading, writing, soccer, and chicken. Mande started filling hard drives with songs and movies for his friends, leading people to ask him: “what’s that new movie? What’s that new song? Where can I find this episode?” etc. Afterwards he decided to make the ElNino page, moving all of that information to one easily accessible place. Operating in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Paris, and Mali; ElNinoTv posts about sports, documentaries, shows, and more, reaching almost 20000 people on Facebook alone. Ever since its creation
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in 2010, ElNinoTv has been hosting a variety of events, bringing artists to Canada, organizing nightclub parties, and much more. As a platform for emerging artists, ElNinoTv gives the artists exposure through their social media platform. They also promote for Miss Afrique Montreal, managing their official page and overseeing all audio-visual content. Moreover, they manage a few of the African Trip’s accounts (Taama223, Sunusnap221, Guinea_224). Mande is already planning and setting up for the future, and his business only seems to be growing. First, he plans on making an official website to simplify things for clients, and to make things more professional. He is starting his own radio show, adding new shows, and interviews with celebrities. With so much more to come, there’s only one thing to do… Stay Tuned!
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DJs
Di M$H
DJ Nel
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Mael Mensah
Dj M$H “The youngest the baddest”
J
oyful, vivid, always smiling, are words that can best describe the young Dj. Mael Mensah originally from Benin came to Canada in 2013 to study in a finance program at the University of Ottawa. Mael was first introduced to the music scene by his brother who is a promoter. He then got inspired by Dj Mbitious who used to play at some events with his brother. Eventually, he decided to download the virtual dj app. He discovered, this was the perfect way to combine his passion for music while at the same time allowing him to socialize and have fun amongst different people. He started off by creating short mixes and posting them on his Facebook page. One day, during a house party at his place, Mael was DJing. His brother was at the party listening to the music and was amazed by Mael’s mix. As a result, he invites Mael to come mix at the club. That is how everything started. Now, he is the official Dj of Flybar for the African parties and keeps the fun, joy and dancing on fire. He is also plays from time to time at a few events in Montreal. Go on and catch him at flybar! Follow him on social media to find out when he plays next, or what the upcoming events are in case you are bored!
Dj M$H @deejaymsh maelalois Mixcloud: djm$h
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Onel Hounga
Dj Nel onelhounga s O’’neiil Houng’’s
Mixcloud: O’’neiil Houng’’s
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O
ur newest Dj in town, is DJ Nel. Onel Hounga, his birth name, is a Beninese born who moved to Canada in 2015. He is currently studying Computer Science, Management and Entrepreneurship option at the University of Ottawa. When Onel was younger, he was a great dancer, he was even in a well- known dancing crew in Benin called CDBD (Ctn Breakers Dance Crew). Back then, he already had an ear for music and mixed songs with his crew for their performances. In Canada, his friend Dj M$H, with whom he used to hang out with, showed Onel how he mixes his song. That is when Onel realized Dj M$H uses the
same app that his dance crew used to use to mix back then. When he went home, he started to practice mixing music. Later on, one of his friends was throwing a house party, seizing the opportunity to mix he proposed to DJ. The feedbacks from that night were all very positive. Out came DJ Nel. From there, he started getting calls and invites, which landed him now as the X-Lounge in Gatineau’s dj. Follow him on his social medias below to keep up with all the parties and events coming up. You can also go and just wave hi or have a chat! He is friendly and loves the support.
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Owner Gloria Amah Text writer Gloria Amah Text editor Emma Guttierez
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QUOTES TGTS (tous les jours tous les soirs) 309
Vivre dans un cauchemar pour mourir dans un rêve (Cizzy)
Pendant qu’on se permet d’avoir de beaux rêves dans le placard certains rêve de sortir d’un cauchemar (Marlo Black)
“when you are in the lane, you can never lack inspiration, because you are exactly where God wants you to be and where there is vision, there is always provision” Arnold Hamisi
“Par la Grace” Saki
The Youngest The Baddest
“Art is not supposed to be beautiful, it is supposed to make you feel something” Raimbow Rowell
“Une photographie, c'est un fragment de temps qui ne reviendra pas.” Martine Franck
“C’est Dieu qui donne ” Mande Sidibe
“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll air.” Maya Angelou Aug 2017 - AMAH MAGAZINE 47
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