Reason to Love Africa

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REASONS TO LOVE KENYA

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Embracing Africa.

Fall brings a lot of memories for me. I am reminded of home; of the days spent going to the market, playing in the rain (as mother yells at me that I will get sick), or the nights where the moon was so bright that my parents were okay with me playing with my friends down the street. I am reminded of the smell of food cooking on an open fire, mothers calling their children home, and men seating around the compound talking about -yes you guessed it- Politics! These were the happiest moments of my life, and fall always brings me back these happy memories. It reminds me just how much I love Africa.

You see it has been my experience that there is simply “something” about African and Africans that gets a hold of you and doesn’t let go. It might be because; we are a people from a beautiful, complex continent. Africa is a land of heights, lowland, highlands; swamps, tropical forest, desert and the list could go on. It is a land whose people are strong, with a rich, colorful history. It is the continent of a people who are proud of their culture- a people who have embraced Africa.

But what does it mean to embrace Africa? This fall we are asking you to embrace Africa with hope, looking forward to the bright future that is ahead of us. We already have great examples of individuals that have embraced Africa, at its best and at its worst. Saran Kaba Jones has taken on the task to introduce clean water initiatives in her native land in Liberia. Angelique Kidjo, a legend in her field, has continually promoted African music to the world, and embraced her identity as an African woman, who has a platform that could make a difference in many African women’s lives. Fashion houses like 54 Kingdoms, a Pan-African fashion house and Studio D’Maxsi are embracing the African cultural identity, challenging the world to view Africa in a new light.

This issue simply has something for everyone. In this issue we also introduce you to the fusion of African cultures with different cultural groups around the world. Whether it is in dance, fashion, visual art, or music, African culture continues to inspire artists from all walks of life. A picture is worth a thousand words and if Chester Higgins Jr. has anything to say, he has spoken in thousands of words of the beauty of Africa and its people. We also bring exciting giveaways from companies like RAIN, a company that has created a job market for many South Africans. We are also proud to be working with AMREF-African Medical and Research Foundation on their “Stand up for African Mothers” campaign. Please keep a look out for upcoming Applause Africa events benefing the campaign.

At Applause Africa, we continually affirm that it is an exciting time to be African. As Africans, we embrace our roots, our cultural heritage, that has been integral in shaping our thoughts and values. We can take pride in the fact that today; African fashion has been afforded a competitive edge in the global fashion industry, and is no longer viewed as costume, or caricature. We take pride in the rise of the African youth in revolutionizing technology to meet the needs of their communities. Most importantly, we can be inspired by everyday ingenuity that is being experienced across the continent and in the African Diaspora. This fall you are challenged: Embrace Africa!

Founder | Creative Director Adebowale Folorunsho Founder | Brand Director Michael Ikotun Editor-in-Chief Divine Muragijimana Editorial Director Ony Nwaohuocha Managing Editor Tosin ‘Tosinger’ Taiwo Copy Editor Binta Hassan Senior Editor - Africa Olu W. Onemola Editors Sophia Egbelo Lolade Siyonbola Mutiyat Ade-Salu Fatimah Sesay Visual/Photo Production Mambu Bayoh Yinka Ajakaiye Music Editor Jacob Balfour Web Developer Lekan Ikotun Strategy Director Jamiu Folarin Contributing Writers Mariama Keita Faith Abiodun Robert Agyemang Suzanne Brume Ayodele Alofe Yvonne Orji Dominique Tolbert Nana Brenyah Titilayo Arasi Shakira Atitebi Nigeria Bureau Akinwunmi O. Francis Biodun Folorunsho Adesola Dapo Special Thanks Andrew Dosunmu Applause Africa is published by MindSquad Communications 1379 St. Marks Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11233, USA +1 415 871 7615, +1 347 613 5876 Nigeria Bureau: Ekwo Awolo House, 43, Osolo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria +234 805 520 4740, +234 704 223 0151 Email: info@applauseafrica.com Website: www.applauseafrica.com

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SEPT / OCT / NOV 2012

CELEBRATE

35: Africa Rocks!

Afrodesiac -a fashion house from Ghana, flaunts eye-catching African designs like never before!

40: Africa’s Runway Magic Adiree hosts African designers and fashion lovers from all over the whole at its 3rd annual Africa Fashion Week New York, at an elegant Ballroom in the Financial District of the City.

EMPOWER

44: ICONS - Angelique Kidjo The legendary songstress tackles tough Issues in Africa, one song at a time.

52: Engaging Africa’s Dynamic Economy With keynote speech by Governor Lamido Sanusi of Central Bank of Nigeria, Columbia University’s 2012 African Economic Forum examines the vast opportunities produced by Africa’s rapid growth.

CONNECT

46: Betting Big on Nollywood Backed by a series of investments totaling $8M, serial entrepreneur, Jason Njoku builds a NetFlix for Africa.

48: Move over Facebook...

With the proliferation of cheap smart phones, these new technologies are engaging millions of Africans daily and changing the continent at the same time.

Saran Kaba Jones Founder and Executive Director, FACE Africa Photo by Chocolate Photography, for Applause Africa

COVER STORY Change Personified!

Saran Kabba Jones is a young, talented, beautiful, and compassionate, change agent. She founded and runs FACE Africa, a not-for-profit organization that provides access to portable water to communities in Liberia.

Contributors Bar

Abigail Onyinyechi ‘Ony’ Nwaohuocha: Applause Africa’s Editorial Director Ony is a savvy international lawyer, traveling enthusiast and strategist for African inspired entrepreneurship. She is the founder and principle attorney at OnyLaw (Onylaw.com) an online law practice dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs positively impact Africa with their business and non-profit initiatives. She currently splits her time between NY, Accra and Lagos. Follow her on twitter @GenY_Lawyer.

Mutiyat Ade-Salu is a New York based actress and singer and will soon appear in the feature film “Ma’ George” featuring YaYa DaCosta and Angelique Kidjo. This past June, she performed her first original play “Sunny Came Home” at the DC Black Theatre Festival. Get to know her perspective on being 1st Generation NigerianAmerican at www. mutiyatspeaks.blogspot. com.

Mariama Cire Keita is a self-described “Africanista” and journalist that specializes in contemporary African culture and politics. As an American of Guinean parentage, Mariama holds a BA in Communication from the University of Maryland and a MS in Global Affairs from NYU. A globetrotter at heart with extensive field experience in Africa, Asia and Europe has allowed Mariama to utilize her expertise in African Affairs to serve as a contributing writer for global publications and her blog www. theafricanista.com.

Ololade Siyonbola is the author of Market of Dreams, a collection of multilingual poems on history, culture, spirituality, revolution and love.

Follow Siyonbola at www.siyonbola.com Suzanne Brume is the Health and Fitness Editor for Eights and Weights (http://www. eightsandweights.com), a website promoting health, fitness, and wellness for Africans. For any questions or comments, contact her at editor@eightsandweights.com or on Twitter @ eightsnweights.

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The 6th Annual

African Day Parade & Festival Sunday, 09.23.2012

Harlem, New York Parade: 12pm–4pm from 134th Street to 122nd Street Festival: 4pm–7pm at Marcus Garvey Park Harlem, NY applause

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Faith Abiodun is the founder & President of The F.A.I.T.H. Initiative and Executive Director of The Speech Academy. As a campus journalist (2005 to 2008); he won numerous awards and undertook internships with Nigeria’s The Guardian and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd. He is presently studying for a Masters Degree in Public Administration & International Affairs at Syracuse University.

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Georgie Badiel Model of the Year (ARISE) “I have been on runway shows for Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, et al.”

WHAT YOU MISSED

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2012 ISSUE OF APPLAUSE AFRICA HopStop.com Founder, Chinedu Echeruo, Gives You the Goods on Entrepreneurship

TURN YOUR IDEA INTO A Dayo Adiatu

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Leymah Roberta Gbowee Nobel Peace Laureate “We Africans view (discussing) sex as ‘nasty’ and therefore refrain from the idea that young girls are sexually active, when in reality teenage pregnancy is on the rise.”

Ella Gorgla Founder, I-ELLA.com “Always put your ideas on paper, appreciate what you are getting into and be incredibly passionate.”

Bambadjan Bamba Hollywood Actor “My father loved movies and we watched every summer blockbuster from Rambo to Rocky and African films by Senegalese film director, writer, and producer Ousman Sembene.”

African Women Leaders Network A dynamic network comprised of 35 African women leaders from 15 African countries who support the efforts of African women to improve reproductive health and access to comprehensive family planning in Africa.

Madiba South African Restaurant “The restaurant pays homage to Mandela, and is dedicated to the future of South Africa that promises greater cultural harmony, economic development, and collective enjoyment of a ‘World in One Country’.“

innovative business. The largest was raising capital. Chinedu gives no magic solution for this complicated art.

He advises future entrepreneurs to look at the capital raising experience much like dating.

Kings College graduate, Chinedu Echeruo came to the United States at 16 to attend high school. Echeruo’s father was a University professor who stressed the importance of education to his children. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Finance, Echeruo joined financial giant JP Morgan Chase as an analyst working in mergers and acquisitions and leveraged finance groups. Forever the pathfinder, Chinedu left his corporate position of 3 years to pursue an MBA at Harvard University. When asked why he set his sights on higher education, Chinedu cited a personal need for independence and the freedom to create things in line with his interests. “It would be worse not to follow my interests than to wonder what could have happened.”

“You can have the best idea in the world, but if no one trusts you, no one will give you any money. People have to believe in your idea.” Build trust with your investors first and they will begin to believe in your idea he continues to say.

HOW DO YOU TURN AND IDEA INTO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS?

Chinedu gives three pointers:

1 Do as much research as you can.

Despite a background in Finance Echeruo had to pour over books and articles to find the perfect algorithm to describe the transit problem HopStop.com would solve.

Despite a failed effort to begin a Pan-African stock exchange following graduation, Chinedu continued to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.

In 2004, he founded HopStop.com to address the perpetual trouble of navigating the NYC transit system.

Armed with an MTA transit map and excel spreadsheet, Chinedu Echeruo began the journey that would lead to the international online and mobile transit guide. In 2005 the site was deemed groundbreaking, solving the common problem of getting around NYC by providing door-to-door subway and bus directions and maps for major cities across the globe, now including New York City Boston, Chicago, London, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Chinedu Echeruo Hopstop.com Founder “It would be worse not to follow my interests than to wonder what could have happened.”

Yetunde Taiwo The Afropolitan Chef “Stranded on an island… I must have with me: some spinach, pounded yam, red onions and red pepper. I would make ‘efo riro’ (vegetable) with fish, which I would catch from the water surrounding the island, to eat with my pounded yam!”

The mind behind online transit sites Hopstop.com and Tripology.com is Chinedu Echeruo. The Nigerian born entrepreneur sat down with Applause Africa to talk about his success and his path to become a successful entrepreneur.

2 Talk to as many people as possible.

Although it is always important to believe in your idea “to be ignorant of flaws is wrong,” says Chinedu.

“Listen to others who may have valuable criticisms”

Chinedu was met with the same roadblocks encountered by all aspiring entrepreneurs attempting to launch an

Business and investment Breakfast with Adenah Bayoh is more than just a meal. Over waffles and orange juice, the young woman shared her extraordinary story of entrepreneurship.

g Startin Up in g franchisin

Mambu Bayoh

Dayo Adiatu

Adenah Bayoh says she can’t remember a time when she was not a businesswoman.

Even at the age of six, Bayoh played the part of banker at her grandmother’s restaurant in her native Liberia. This is just one of many instances where Bayoh proves herself to be, what her family calls, “a woman beyond her years.”

Her smarts, good manners and affinity for hard work assured Bayoh success at anything she put her mind to.

In 1991 Adenah Bayoh and her family, like many other Liberians, immigrated to United States to escape Liberia’s civil war. She graduated from high school in Newark, NJ and attended Farleigh Dickinson College as a Business Management major. While in school Adenah continued to develop her business talents. Her hair styling services were coveted by many of the women on campus. Adenah remembers weekends filled with appointments. She laughs, “All the girls had to get their hair weaved by Adenah Bayoh!”

Obviously quality work has

always been Bayoh’s staple.

Impressively, Adenah’s innovative and self proclaimed frugal ways allowed her to graduate from Farleigh Dickinson University with an astonishing $27,000 in savings set aside from her part time jobs and hair styling business. Upon graduation, the exceptional baccalaureate entered a career in banking. However, Bayoh’s entrepreneurial spirit did not lay dormant. Even while working in banking Bayoh held onto two goals not often aspired to by others her age. She wanted to buy a house and open a hair salon. Within a year Adenah had both. Over the next 6 years Bayoh continued to build her real estate portfolio, acquiring 14 more properties.

Realizing issues were eminent in the housing market, Bayoh searched for a more secure source of income. The then mayor suggested a restaurant, in the town of Irvington NJ, to Bayoh. She was encouraged to turn the old diner into an IHOP restaurant.

Impressively, at the age of 26, Adenah Bayoh met all

of the requirements for the IHOP franchising application, including the financial requirement of at least a 2.2 million dollar net worth and over $500,000 in liquid assets.

Don’t worry you’re not alone, even IHOP was impressed, at the time calling Adenah their youngest approved applicant.

Yet, Adenah Bayoh’s impressive story is not without some roadblocks. Although, approved by IHOP to open the franchise, Bayoh struggled to secure funding from lenders.

One after the other, banks denied Bayoh citing her lack of restaurant experience and young age. In the end, Bayoh’s reputation for professionalism and hard work played out in her favor. An impressed agent at IHOP reached out to banking contacts and encouraged support of the impressive young woman.

With that call, Adenah Bayoh became the owner of an IHOP restaurant at the age of 28.

Throughout her successes, Adenah Bayoh maintains a deep appreciation for her family, culture, and community.

When asked what inspires her,

Bayoh replied, “coming from Africa.” She says, “in America you are rewarded for working hard. In Liberia, that was not necessarily the case.” She also attributes her success to her grandmother; a woman Bayoh says has been her inspiration.

“She was smart, hardworking, and successful without ever learning to read or write.”

As to what advice she would give to Africans in the Diaspora who want to follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps, Bayoh encourages all to “open your mind and don’t get caught up in the African vs. African American thing. I love the community I serve and I love the people I employ, but most of them are not African. Instead,” she says, “concentrate on working hard. Ask questions, look for opportunities, and embrace who you are. In America you will be rewarded for hard work. You want to make an impression as someone who is respectful and polite.

This is how you can truly stand out.”

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN STYLE

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& CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FRED SWANIKER | WILLIAM KAMKWAMBA

applause SPRING 2012 ISSUE

Celebrate | Empower | Connect

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3 Don’t forget about marketing. This is the most important and often forgotten of the three according the entrepreneur. “Even if you have a great product, you have to think about how to get your product in front of people.

Although no longer at the helm of Hopstop.com, Chinedu Echeruo currently sits as head of Principal Investing at west African investment firm, Constant Capital. There Echeruo is able to bring his financial experience and entrepreneurial background together to seek out opportunities for Constant Capital to invest in African companies, grow the businesses, and garner returns.

When asked how it felt to live and work in Ghana, Chinedu believes it a negligible change from his rearing in Lagos. He does emphasize that Africa has changed much and the past 10 years show tremendous opportunity and future growth within the continent. However Chinedu makes a weighty point about the growth of Africa. He says the opportunity is not one only Africans can participate in.

“Although Africans are critical, they are not sufficient alone. The growth of Africa is a global phenomenon.”

As Chinedu Echeruo focuses his talent and brilliance in Africa, the entrepreneur’s respect for education remains ever present.

It would be worse not to follow my interests than to wonder what could have happened

“I want to build businesses that are properly run; businesses that add to the economic success of Africa. You don’t make money without delivering value to people- giving people jobs, where they can take care of their families, and send their children to school.” Welfare and business go hand in hand he says. “Education and people are Africa’s biggest assets.

I want Africa to begin using their intellectual capital.”

Clinton Breaks Own Record With Africa Trip

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Hunt for Joseph Kony Suffers

“We don’t yet have the force to start the mission; the problem is logistics, facilitation and personnel.” complained Ugandan Col. Dick Olum, head of planned African Union militia to hunt warlord Joseph Kony in South Sudan, at a recent AU and UN officials meeting in Uganda.

Olum said the Kony hunt was still in the hands of Ugandan and South Sudanese troops. The AU force was meant to start operating in March with up to 5,000 troops constituted of Uganda, South Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic.

Funding for the mission, meant to come from the affected states and the international community, has yet to materialize, he added. “This matter of the LRA could escalate and become bigger in the region,” he warned.

Mali Divided?

January Tuaregs launched a decades-old bid for independence in the north with the complaint that Bamako had been ignoring their needs for decades. By March, with Mali’s army, Tuareg rebels staged a coup on March 22 and north part of Mali was quickly seized. This has led to a refugee situation in parts of Mali, and its neighboring countries. Now the question on everyone’s mind is if the Tuaregs will be successful in their bid to split Mali into two.

Olympic Scores

African nations won a total number of 34 medals at the recently concluded 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Both South Africa and Ethiopia won the highest number of gold medals -3 each, while Kenya won the highest number of medals -10! The surprises at the game included Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich,’s gold medal win in the Marathon race; and South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, dubbed “the Blade-Runner” by the media, who made history when he became the first amputee to take part in an Olympics track event.

Yay For Africa at 50!

As African countries Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Algeria celebrate their Jubilee year of independence! The African Union faced a historical change as it elected it’s first female Chairperson. South African Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma joins an elite group of African women leaders who are poised to take the development of Africa to the next level. We can’t help but be excited!

Egypt: A New Wave of Change

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s trip to Africa took her to nine countries where she celebrated successes and addressed ongoing challenges like security, economic cooperation and promoting women and eradicating HIV/AIDS. Clinton called for greater trade among African countries and with the United States that she said would create jobs and economic growth on all sides. She called on African countries to take their place on the world stage.

Clinton’s trip will be remembered for her visit to Uganda despite an Ebola outbreak, the swarm of bees that almost stung her in Malawi and arriving South Africa on the same day snow fell in the capital, Pretoria, for the first time since 1968. She also met Nelson Mandela. While in Malawi, Mrs. Clinton danced on camera with rural women after donating a bull to an agricultural collective.

Hillary also attended the state funeral of ex-Ghanaian president, John Atta Mills.

In June, for the first time in decades, Egypt held its first free presidential election in 2012. The Muslim Brotherhood won the bid for presidency; however, the Egyptian military still has a lot of control in the country. Even so, we are encouraged by the concerted effort by the leadership to inclusive.

The newly elected president Mohammed Morsi has appointed a woman and Christian to two of the Vice President positions. While Egypt has a long way to go, this is a start in the right direction. On August 9, 2012, Pres Morsi removed the two top officers of the army.

Nigeria appoints a woman to the Supreme Court

Nigeria is one among many nations in Africa to recently report “firsts”. In this country, President Goodluck Jonathan on July 4th just nominated the first woman to serve as the Supreme Court Chief Justice. Chief Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar is a woman from the highly Muslim populated state of Kano where gender inequalities is rampant. Only 3 percent of females from the north complete high school and more than half are married by the age of 16. It is a Hurray for Miss Mykhtar!

For More Up-to-date Features on Art, Education, People, Innovations and News on Africa, visit www.applauseafrica.com

AA happenings A Glimpse of African Inspired Events Around the Globe The Alphadi Telethon

On June 2nd, the Malian Designer Seidnaly Sidahmed aka Alphadi, held a telethon event for the Malin Union and Sahel Peace in Niamey. The designer mobilized artists and singers from Mali and Niger for a one night event to benefit the Malian refugees. Among the artists were Mamar Kassey, Idi Sarki, Hamsou Garba, Mali Yaro, BabA Niamey, Alou Sam, Tit Diabaté and Nani Diabaté. The night also featured designs by three prominent African designers: Alphadi, Cheick Fall Couture and Baba Tchina Couture.

The event that was televised live in Mali, raised more than $50,000 with 80 tons of in-kind donations of rice, corn and other items by the Beninese government, Orange Niger, Bank Bsic, Haddad Khalid and the Niger First Lady Dr. Malika Issoufou Mahamadou.

In collaboration with UNHCR, the donations made were distributed in refugee camps in Ayorou, Mangayze, Abalak and the urban districts of Niamey.

Later the month of June, the Tuareg designer, hit the Dakar Fashion Week runway with a ‘Fashion for Peace’ line that pays homage to Mali. This was a concerted effort by Alphadi to remind the world of the beauty in Mali, but also of the dire situation in parts of the country.

Big Brother Africa: South African Keagan Takes The Prize!

Africa chose South Africa’s Keagan as the winner of AfricaMagic’s Big Brother StarGame on 5 August on and rocketed him to superstardom and the massive USD 300 000 prize after 91 days of 24/7 drama and thrills.

African music superstars such as Nigerian hip-hop star D’Banj, Ugandan hip-hop powerhouse Navio, sizzling South African MC Khuli Chana, award-winning Ghanaian hip-life king Sarkodie and Nigeria’s phenomenal Afro-pop star Naeto C all rocked the stage, giving viewers a night they’ll never forget!

According to the oganizers of the show, Big Brother StarGame dominated TV screens – but also rocked the online space! The show generated over 2 million messages to TV, over 2 million unique online browsers, 128 000 000 page views, over 250 000 Twitter followers and nearly 900 000 Facebook likes!

Mafrika Festival

On July 24, Burkinabe Entertainment had their 6th Annual Mafrika Music Festival at the Marcus Garvey Park. Every year, the festival organizers, who are also the owners of the popular hangout in Harlem “Shrine World Music Venue” invite the locals to celebrate African heritage through music. The day-long event paid homage to all types of music genres from reggae, rock, big band, indie soul, and latin. This year’s festival featured acts from all over Harlem with special appearance Ismael Isaac, the Cote D’Ivorian reggae artist.

The event was hosted by Burkinabe TV personality TTB Le Maitre, Chris and DJ Easy.

Kicking off the event was a lineup of bands and dance troupes like The Sirens Dance Troupe, Shrine Big Band, The Gold Magnolia, Pitch Black Brass Band, Siemba Maestro, Mofo, Lynette Williams, Kakande and Earth Minor. In between the performances, the

crowd was entertained by an All-Star African DJ bringing coupe decale, soukous, and Afro-pop music to the stage. The crowd went wild as Ismael Isaac was introduced. The crowd swayed with him as he sang his most popular songs in several languages including Mandinka, Malenke, Dioula and French. As he has been doing for many years, Isaac reminded his fans of Africa’s beauty, the value of hardwork, human dignity and the beauty in Africa’s traditions.

The event closed with local reggae band Meta and The Cornerstones. Lead

by Senagalese Meta Dia, the band brought the crowd to a heightened delivering a passionate performance. They closed the evening singing their most notable song “Somewhere in Africa.” As the evening ended, the crowd would be heard chanting the anthem of the band, “Peace, love, and Harmony, Peace love…”

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EMPOWER

BEAUTY OF THE DARK CONTINENT Value Added by Faith Abiodun

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ust like every single one of the four million people who were forced to leave their families, cattle, and burning villages behind, she walked for hundreds of miles into the great unknown after the outbreak of civil war in Sudan in 1985, not aware if she would ever return to the place she had always called home. Several years after escaping hunger and death, Alek Wek and a few relatives managed to secure refugee status to Britain where she worked several odd jobs, put herself through school and raised enough money to send back to her mother in South Sudan. By stroke of luck, she was discovered in a London market by a model scout in 1995 and her life was changed forever. These days, when she walks the runway for Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Moschino, Victoria’s Secret, John Galiano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and other top design agencies; when she appears on the cover of Elle, Vogue, Ebony and Cosmopolitan magazines or when she is named ‘Model of the Decade’ by i-D, few people remember that before her, it was fairly unthinkable for a tall, skinny, leggy refugee with pitch black skin and cropped hair to be considered beautiful enough for the fashion world. Alek Wek changed the face of fashion and modeling forever, and she’s African.

Before Alek, Iman Abdulmajid and Waris Dirie from Somalia were the sole shining lights for the Dark Continent in the global fashion world. However, it is safe to assume that Alek opened the floodgates for other African models like Liya Kebede, Yasmin Warsame and Ajak Deng so much that the entire conception of a beautiful model has now almost completely been redefined to an image of a tall, leggy African woman whose face glows as the mid-day sun. With the entry of Nigeria’s Oluchi Onweagba into the catwalking business as winner of the M-Net ‘Face of Africa’ contest in 1998 and Agbani Darego’s triumph as the first black African Miss World in 2001, young African ladies ensured that the 21st-century conception of an African woman was radically different from what it had been from the beginning of the human race. Besides the runway, Africa has again scored a huge victory for the fashion world with the mass commercialization of ‘Madiba’ shirts in the USA, celebrating the beautiful fabrics that Africa’s golden son, Nelson Mandela has popularized over time.

Going back in time, to an era when AfricanAmericans were fighting the biggest struggle of their lives in the early 1960s, one voice was making its way quietly from Johannesburg to the White House. Miriam Makeba, ‘Mama Africa’, became the face and voice of all South Africans and Africans by extension by her soulful jazz music and active campaign against apartheid in her country. Having gained popularity in South Africa with her hit single ‘pata pata’, she made history by becoming the first musical artiste to popularize African music in the US. No one expected a black person, not at least an African to have appeared on the Steve Allen Show in 1959, to sing at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday party in 1962 or to have won a Grammy in 1966. These were all record feats for any black person, but Mama Africa was not done yet; she ensured that in spite of her fame and the pressures of the media, she wore no make up and declined to curl her hair for shows as convention required, and thus paved the way for what was known as the ‘afro look’.

Miriam Makeba made the world comfortable with traditional African music, and now we can say boldly that the world is incomplete without the songs of Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango, Papa Wemba, Youssou N’dour, Lucky Dube, Brenda Fassie, Salif Keita, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Angelique Kidjo and many others.

Also among the many singers who benefited from Makeba’s pioneering work was Fela Kuti whose music, activism and radicalism paved new ways for African music; Fela sang his way from the rustic streets of Lagos, Nigeria to Broadway and it was on Broadway that his brand of music, Afrobeat was immortalized, 15 years after his death. With his music being studied on university campuses in the USA and his children, most notably Femi Kuti, faithfully carrying on his legacy, the Broadway musical Fela! was a huge hit across the world and won several awards. Probably the bigger achievements that African music has had in the world would be the thriving success of Senegalese Akon as a mainstream hip hop artist and producer, the comfort that the world derives from the music of the Soweto Gospel Choir, and the selection of Somalian K’Naan to record the official theme song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Ah, don’t forget that the South African ‘vuvuzela’, initially derided as a noisemaker has now become the symbol of hearty soccer fans in stadiums worldwide. Who said nothing good could ever come out of the Dark Continent? Half a century ago, who could have possibly imagined the level of progress that African music has made? The world cannot get enough of pioneers, and African pioneers that is.

When Wole Soyinka stunned the world in 1986 as the first African winner of the highest literary honor on earth, the Nobel Prize for Literature, it was not the first African book written, read or awarded, but it opened up a whole new vista for the appreciation of African literature by the world. Before him, there was Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’, which is doubtless the most read book in modern African literature. Between Soyinka, Achebe, Ayi Kwei Armah, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Tsitsi Dangaremba and a handful of others, the world has been compelled to listen to the stories of African folk culture and to appreciate the beauty of African diversity. Having sampled the alluring taste of African traditions through these pioneering writers, the world couldn’t help itself and craved for even more. It became much easier for more African writers to realize that it was okay for literary characters to have names that didn’t sound like ‘Janet’ and ‘Andrew’. These days, Binyavanga Wainana, Chimamanda Adichie and others are holding the forte for African fiction and feeding the world’s appetite for more of Africa.

Ejiofor and even Gabourey Sidibe weren’t typically celebrated in the film industry, but somehow they crept up on the rest of the world and became so irresistible that Nigerian artiste Tu Face was granted a lucky break when his hit song, ‘African Queen’ was featured as a sound track on Mo’Nique’s 2006 comedy, Phat Girlz. Again, who says that nothing good can come from Africa?

Besides the runway, Africa has again scored a huge victory for the fashion world with the mass commercialization of ‘Madiba’ shirts in the USA, celebrating the beautiful fabrics that Africa’s golden son, Nelson Mandela has popularized over time.

Alek Wek would most probably be remembered more for her runway skills than anything else, Liya Kebede would most likely be revered for her stunning looks, Iman Abdulmajid would possibly retain her position in history as a progenitor of African modeling, and Wole Soyinka would probably be more respected for his writing skills, but all these African patriots have added value to the world in more ways than can be imagined. Alek’s work as a missionary for World Vision and ambassador for UNICEF and Doctors without Borders, Liya’s work as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for maternal health, Iman’s work as an ambassador for Save the Children, Keep a Child Alive, Children’s Defense Fund and the Enough Project and Wole Soyinka’s work as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of African culture are far more important than whatever personal accolades they could garner for themselves. African artistes have demonstrated and continue to demonstrate the kindheartedness, dedication and humanity of the African race and serve as beacons of light in a dark and crooked world.

The course has been set for a new generation of Africans to lead the world through the paths of creativity and humanism, and only posterity will tell how well we do. So, think carefully before asking again “What beauty is there on the Dark Continent?”

Looking to the big screens, when she stunned the world in The Devil’s Advocate and Might Joe Young in the late 1990s, she didn’t fit into the typical stereotype of an African woman so people easily welcomed Charlize Theron as part of the inner-circle, but her South African heritage has never been doubted. So much has been made of Hollywood’s African-American stars, but not so much of its indigenous African actors and actresses. These days, it seems quite intuitive to see Djimon Honsou, Idris Elba or Hakim Kae Kazim star in a blockbuster movie, but they all changed history by working their ways up from the continent to Hollywood’s big stages. Names like David Oyelowo, Chiwetel

For anyone who listens carefully or carelessly around the world, there are two phrases that are thrown around so easily that one might mistake them for traditional English phrases: “Hakuna Matata” and “Kumbaya”. Before the Lion King movie, “Hakuna Matata” had fascinated Boney M who released a single with that title, but no one was prepared for what Simba and his cohorts did with the phrase.

No one might realize the Somalian heritage of the phrase, just as no one can trace the exact African origins of “Kumbaya” in spite of so much academic research, but everyone appreciates the fact that they are speaking a ‘strange’ language with so much comfort whenever they intend to say “no worries” or “voila”! Well, voila! We have arrived and the world can’t keep us quiet anymore.

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CONNECT

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Credit: AP Photo

Things You Didn’t Know About...

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Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta National Airport, named after Kenya’s first president, is the biggest airport in East Africa.

Corn is Kenya’s staple food, and can be commonly seen in many Kenyan dishes.

World renowned Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine, Ngugi wa Thiong’o was born in Kenya.

Kenya’s Vision 2030 Tourism Plan focuses on developing 3 resort cities, eco-tourism, park initiatives, etc to show Kenya as a high end and diverse tourism destination by the year 2030.

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Kenya is the regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa.

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Mount Kenya is the largest mountain in Kenya and the second highest mountain in Africa.

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Lake Nakuru is home to millions of flamingos which graze in its shallow waters.

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The Kenyan flag’s colors are black to symbolized its people, red to symbolize the blood shed during the struggle for independence, green for the land and white for peace.

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Tourism is one of Kenya’s top industry, following the production/sale of coffee, which contributes to most of their economic growth.

The historical city of Mombasa is shaped by many Portuguese and Arab influences.

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Kenya is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino).

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Kenya is bordered by 5 countries (Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda).

The author of “Out of Africa,” Karen Blixon, is from Kenya and has a Kenyan museum named after her.

Kenya offers a wide variety of adventure tourism, including camel back riding, white water rafting, and off road mountain bike riding to name a few.

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There are over 65 wildlife preserves and national parks in Kenya.

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Kenya’s culture is a mix of Indian, British, and African influences.

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According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) tourist arrivals in Kenya are expected to reach 1.6 billion annually by 2020.

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Wangaari Maathai, a Kenyan, was the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in environmental conservation.

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Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya, was dubbed one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites in 1958, protected to preserve the structure which symbolizes Kenya’s many different culture.

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Kite surfing has become a popular sport in Kenya, with Che Sale resort hosting the first Kite Surfing Masters event.

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Kenya is the African country with the most Olympic winnings ever.

A total of 86 medals so far, with10 new winnings at the recently concluded London Summer 2012 Olympic Games.

CHANGE AGENTS

Think Like. Be Like. Act Like.

Tiken Jah Fakoly

It is legendary artists like Alpha Blondy, Lucky Dube, and Tiken Jah Fakoly, that has made Reggae music popular in Africa. Tiken Jah’s revolutionary music and lyrics is known to educate audiences about injustice and the importance of freedom in Africa.

“The goal of my music is to speak for the voiceless and tell the truth”, said Tiken Jah Fakoly aka the African Bob Marley, in our sit down interview on the steps of a brownstone in Harlem, after his June 16th performance at the historic Apollo Theater. As a result he has developed a loyal worldwide fan base and produced eight international albums and several singles. One of his most popular songs, “Go to school” has turned into his

personal call to action by fulfilling one of his goals to improve education in Africa by building schools. “One day, I was shooting my video clip in a small village in my country. I noticed that all the children were present at the shooting scene. When I asked one of them why they were not going to school, he responded that the village doesn’t have any schools. After the video shoot, I went to meet the chief of the village and said to him that I will return one day to build schools for the children,” articulated Fakoly.

That marked the beginning of his concept of “One concert, One school” and so far he has built eight schools in Africa.

As an African superstar known for his revolutionary

lyrics that criticized and challenged African leadership, his activism forced him to escape from his home country – Ivory Coast and reside in Mali.

After 10 years living in exile, Fakoly determined that he is ready to return to Ivory Coast but wants to support the Malians during the crisis because they supported him when he didn’t have anywhere to go.

Despite Africa’s challenges Fakoly believes, “We are experiencing our own revolution and I just want the media to show the real face of Africa that goes beyond war, disease and poverty. The Senegalese election is a perfect example of the transformation and change going on in Africa.”

When I asked him what his

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Healthy Fast Food?

You Must Be Kidding!

Food and Health

Suzanne Brume

Some of us have no time to cook, so we turn to what is tried and true: Fast Food.

It’s easy, quick, and even in some cultures, a little luxurious. An important question to ask is: where does fast food fit in when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet?

Forget the Meals \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ You know how McDonalds, KFC, and Nandos trap you? You think “Well, I could save money if I get the fries and the drink.

So why not?” I remember once walking into a fast food restaurant with a friend. The sales lady offered a soda with the chicken for the same price. I realized how easy it was to just drink an extra 200 calories because someone offered it free. It’s difficult to resist a discount, I understand. But you’ll feel so much better at the end of the meal if you make a conscious effort to configure your meal to fit your diet. For example, rather than have that burger with a side of fries and a coke, why not just have the burger and a bottle of water? The main item you wanted on the menu was the burger anyway, right? Forget the combos. Take the individual items you want. That way, you’re not consuming extra amount of calories.

Substitute Items \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Some of us are self conscious or try so hard to be polite that we don’t want to make a fuss when we go out to eat. Well, if someone was doing your makeup or

dressing you up, I bet you would make a fuss about the final outcome. So feel free to fuss about how your food is prepared as well. If you cannot eat a meal without a side, why not substitute your sides for healthier options? For example, you can have your full chicken meal, but ask for a vegetable side instead of fries or mashed potatoes. Some fast food restaurants actually offer various options you can choose from. KFC offers a side salad or corn on the cob. Nandos offers a barrage of choices from salad to peas to mushrooms. So do not hesitate to substitute one with the other. When in doubt, ask the waitress.

Portion Control \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Fitness writers and nutritionists always scream this from the rooftops. Control your portions! The fact that Burger King offers the triple layered Whopper burger does not mean you must have the triple layered Whopper burger. If KFC offers the big family bucket of wings, this does not mean you must have the bucket of wings.

They also offer portions that are much smaller, like a box of three wings. When we are really hungry, we just want to order whatever looks like the biggest and juiciest on the menu, but we can switch it up a bit by ordering a large healthy option and include parts of what we are craving. Rather than have all fried chicken, a large deep dish pizza, or hefty looking burgers; have some rice with a few pieces of chicken, some

14 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

salad, a small burger, or a flat veggie pizza.

You can also share your meal with others so that you don’t have the compulsion to clear your plate.

Fast Food Desserts \\\\\\\\\\\\\

When you are really hungry, that is not the time to go out for desserts. Why? You would obviously overindulge. So when you are going for fast food, stay away from dessert options. It can only end badly.

Envision yourself sitting at home feeling gross at the end of the night after a session of Ben & Jerry’s. Yes, that’s how it usually ends. When it comes to desserts, you can never have enough. A dessert rampage when you are hungry doesn’t satisfy your craving, it only makes you want more. Save the dessert for occasions or once in a while after a meal. Now, if you must have dessert at a fast food restaurant, try to stick to the fruits or miniature portions.

Obviously, these seem like fairly simple tips you could apply but if you have tried dieting, you know that rapid changes to your nutrition usually leaves you wanting what you gave up even if you didn’t eat it regularly before. The best way to incorporate any kind of dietary change is to go slowly. Apply one of the tips this week, and then move on to the next one the following week. It takes about 3 weeks to establish a habit so you will definitely see progress after a few weeks.

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INNOVATIOrs

Harnessing Hip Hop for Health

Dr. Olajide Williams – the ‘Hip Hop Doc’ “Switch it up/Put some water in the cup,” the man standing onstage alongside old-school hip-hop legends Doug E. Fresh and Artie Green raps with the swagger of a new school artist. With his tie loosely draped across his chest, his top button undone, and Ray Ban-like glasses reminiscent of B.O.B’s, he sways and chimes in with each song that plays, as the children and teachers in the audience sing along to every word.

At a first glance, it is easy assume that the event in question is simply meant to entertain the children who have come from elementary schools spread out across New York City’s five boroughs. However, on a closer observation, it becomes increasingly clear that the man with the glasses is not a rapper, the event is not a concert, and his words are not just your everyday hip-hop lyrics.

Fondly referred to as “The Hip Hop Doc” by the children and the members of his team, the man’s name is Dr. Olajide Williams. Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Williams now serves as the Chief of Staff of Neurology at the Columbia University Medical Center, and the President and Founder of Hip Hop Public Health, an organization whose mission is to “reduce healthcare disparities through context-relevant, cost-effective, intergenerational educational intervention… and health promotion.”

The organization, which was started as a partnership between Dr. Williams and the National Stroke Association in 2007, as a way to educate children in minority communities about the causes and effects of strokes using hip-hop lyrics, has since its inception evolved into a comprehensive health education program that teaches children things like the importance of physical activity (Hip Hop FEET: Finding Exercise and

Olu W. Onemola

Energy Thresholds); the effects of excessive sugar consumption (Hip Hop POP: Pouring On the Pounds) as well as; ways to identifying the traits of Alzheimer’s and dementia in senior citizens (Old SCHOOL: Seniors Can Have Optimal Aging and Ongoing Longevity).

At the Fourth Annual Hip Hop Public Health Summit, held on Wednesday, June 20th, 2012 at the Schomburg Center in Harlem, New York, Applause Africa had the chance to sit down with Dr. Williams before he went on stage, where he mentioned that he believed that as “Health is a practice that needs to be incorporated into habit, and as young children remember lyrics easier than they do other things, in our community, hip-hop was the natural tool (to educate them about healthy choices), given its ubiquity and its ability to stick.”

With the help of entertainers like Doug E. Fresh, who serves as Hip Hop Public Health’s Vice-President of Entertainment, Easy A.D, from the Cold Crush Brothers, Artie Green, Ashanti and a host of others, Dr. Williams has revolutionized health education by developing a model that he believes can be customized to educate children from any culture or country at a level that they can understand.

With the success of the its various pro-health initiatives in its five years of existence, Dr. Williams and his organization have recently signed an agreement with the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), an integral component of the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama’s, Lets Move! campaign. With this partnership, Dr. Williams believes that the health-related teachings contained in his organizations lyrics will be delivered to a wider audience – especially children, who he believes can be “ambassadors of health – that have more power than we give them credit for.”

Young children remember lyrics easier than they do other things, in our community, hip-hop was the natural tool

Re-Emerging Destinations –

Tourists are increasingly visiting emerging destinations, in search of that unique opportunity to experience the authenticity of a place before it is overrun by development. This trend is expected to outpace travel to more advanced economies in the years to come. The good news is that a number of African destinations feature on many of the top travel media’s “must see” emerging destination lists.

The Africa Tourism Association, with its broad range of programs, works with emerging destinations not only to increase tourism arrivals, receipts and investment, but also to give tourism leaders and professionals from around the world an opportunity to have a sustainable impact on a nation’s socioeconomic growth and development.

“When you talk to people about travel to Africa, there is indeed an excitement about the wildlife, culture, beaches, food, fashion and communities they visit,” says Edward Bergman, ATA’s Executive Director.

“But there is also the experience of seeing the real impact of tourism on people’s lives by creating jobs, changing lives and engaging different cultures.

So, ATA is not only about spotlighting destinations, it’s about making a difference with your time and your dollar.”

This September 27th, join the Africa Travel Association for its annual Presidential Forum on Tourism at New York University. This international event takes place during the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, using it as a platform to highlight the

critical contribution tourism makes to socio-economic growth in Africa and to advocate for the sector’s integration into a nation’s national development plan and foreign policy strategy.

So far, 15 African countries have participated in ATA’s highest profile U.S. event, which has attracted over 1400 participants. With Africa’s tourism industry continuing to expand and diversify at a remarkable pace, this year’s event will focus on the benefits of tourism on the economy, environment and people.

It’s also worth mentioning that, last May, ATA took an extraordinary journey to Zimbabw; where it held its 37th annual world congress, the leading international tourism industry event in Africa. Using Victoria Falls as a base, it offered the 500+ delegates an experience that would change the way the world viewed Zimbabwe – its culture and people – beyond the usual headlines. Delegates participated in a line-up of educational and professional development seminars on topics including social media, branding and marketing, product development, growth markets, airline access, and travel trends. They also enjoyed Zimbabwean cuisine and music, and traveled down the Zambezi on a sunset cruise. The adventurous at heart took advantage of the Victoria Falls’ bungee jumping, zip-lining and gorge swinging offerings or opted for a safari to one of the region’s many wildlife parks.

To RSVP or learn more about ATA events, visit www.AfricaTravelAssociation.org.

Illustrated by David Huang

INSTITUTIONS

Photo & Dress by Afrodesiac

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THE AFRICAN MUSEUM OF ART GETS READY FOR AN OPENING History has proven that the continent of Africa is the origin of mankind, but it is also the heartland of extraordinary traditional, contemporary and Diasporic art that continues to impact and shape the world. The highly acclaimed and award winning Museum of African Art developed a 28-year track record of organizing groundbreaking exhibitions to nearly 150 venues in 18 countries on four continents. With great anticipation and excitement, New York City is awaiting the opening of its new home on Manhattan’s Museum Mile 110th street and Fifth Avenue location.

The museum continues to thrive on its reputation of expanding the way art is seen and understood by providing innovative programming to diverse audiences. This year alone, the educational department has served over 28,400 people and the Guided Travel Program is the winner of the prestigious 2010 World Tourism Award.

Travels across Africa and beyond with an emphasis on intimate contact with local artists and artisans is at the core of the museums mission. Currently, two trips to Ghana and Paris are being scheduled for this summer.

As the construction team enters into the final stage, the historic opening is expecting attendance levels nearing 650,000 in its inaugural year. The new state of the art museum which houses 21,000 square feet exhibition space will feature a Nelson Mandela Center, indoor and outdoor event space, full service restaurant and a theater department dedicated to live performances and theatrical arts from Africa. This year, the Theater Department is partnering with Summer Stage to present free concerts by world-famous African and Diasporic artists like Malian superstars Amadou & Mariam known as the “blind music duo.” The museum is also a preeminent publisher of scholarly books on African art, with 44 catalogues to date and works with top academics in the field.

Overall, the integral part to the Museum of African Art success is the increasing international exposure given to many African artists like the current touring exhibitions of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, winner of the Austin Critics’ Table Award for Best Touring Art Show and Sudanese Ibrahim El-Salahi. The selection process of exhibitions are chosen under what will best achieve the museums mission of: inspiring respect for the continent and its people by building and understanding of the arts, history, and heritage of Africa through collecting, preserving and exhibiting artwork that is dynamic and diverse as the continent. Since its founding in 1984, the Museum has brought new awareness to millions of visitors in New York and continues to enlighten audiences around the world.

L

iving and working in Africa can be a fun, rewarding and life-changing experience. But before you take the plunge, it’s important to start acquainting your self with the cultural, social, political and economic factors in the country you wish to move to.

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Most important, however, is the mental preparation needed so that you can be strong enough to withstand any set backs, disappointments, hurdles, you WILL face. These setbacks are inevitable in this journey, but they can be tackled and even welcomed so that you can stay focused on your goals and aspirations. Whatever distractions one might face outside of Africa will seem, no matter how small, like mountains in the motherland because of the social, political economic and infrastructural setbacks resulting from several factors like war, colonialism, poor governance and the list could go on.

I’ve created a ‘To Be’ list that will help you prepare for the big move. It’s a ‘To Be’ instead of a ‘To Do’ list because many times we get caught up on the things that we have to do, instead of preparing our minds first in order to have what we desire. These simple steps will start to prepare you now and help you decipher if and when you should take the plunge. Trust me, this is not mushy stuff. It will help you actually realize and accomplish your goals once you get there.

Julien Boudet Ony Nwaohuocha

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Simple Steps “To Be” As You Prepare Your Journey

Step 1. Be Patient

Let it resonate. No matter how much money you have to buy all of the generators, maids and bodyguards in the world, you must learn to be patient everyday if you plan to not only survive but thrive in Africa. This is not lowering your expectations but shifting gear in how you relate to people and plan your daily activities.

Things will move slower in Africa. People will be slower. Life will be slower. So start practicing now to be patient both in tackling daily and weekly tasks at work and in your personal life. Start now, practice with your children, the cashier, the bank teller etc. Once you get the handle on being patient, you will be one step closer to having a rewarding and fun experience in Africa.

Step 2. Be Confident - Act As If You Have Accomplished Your Goal Now What are your

desires and motivation for moving? Maybe you want to break into the music and film industry. Maybe you want to be an author, renowned journalist, activist, be featured on CNN as a result of the impact of your social enterprise.What ever it is, start acting as if you have already accomplished just that.

Be the renowned journalist in your mind, be the savvy businesswoman, the famous

author, movie star, etc. Start playing it out in your head and feel how good it is to be recognized as such. This will build up your confidence level and if you can convince yourself that you have achieved your goal, then others will be convinced as well. In many occasions you will be sized up and will experience, ‘hateration’ and rejection just on the strength that you are coming from ‘abroad,’ but if your confidence level is high and you are sure of yourself and your desires, then even the naysayer will have to succumb to your glow. This is a simple step that you can start now that will not require you buying that expensive plane ticket to the Continent.

Rather, take a few minutes in your day to let your imagination go wild, feel good about yourself and see yourself as you would hope to be.

Step 3. Be Clear On Why You Want To Move Lets face it, its not

going to be a walk in the park. Living and working in Africa is very different than visiting for three weeks and going back to your daily routine. Thus, it is important that you understand why you wish to move to Africa in the first place. The “why” is the answer to you achieving your goals, and doing so successfully. Many people share with me their

desire to live and work in Africa but just don’t know how they can make the plunge due to reasons such as bills, children, family, lack of money, etc. Yet others are able to successfully make the transition to Africa. One has to wonder why some people can and other cannot. I believe the reason lies in the “why”.

You have to ask yourself why do you want to move there in the first place. What is missing there that only you can fill. What is it that you cannot do in your current setting that you can only do in the motherland. Do you serve a purpose by being there – for your family, your community? If your answer and reason for moving is genuine to you, then the “how” on making successful plunge will be revealed.

It can come in the form of a job placement, sponsorship through the generosity of a family member, a brilliant idea, a consultancy gig, or educational opportunity that will afford you accommodation. You will be surprised how God can give you what you need just in nick of time. The passion that you have will overshadow any obstacle, fear or inability to make your dreams happen. Your strength lies in your reason to stand the many tests, and obstacles that you will meet you on your journey to Africa.

I hope these tips are helpful. Let me know how you prepare for your big move.

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REVIEWS

Reclaiming “Lady”

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Jacob Balfour

he Red Hot Organization and “RED” has just released the first single from the upcoming collaboration “(RED) Hot + Fela” album. The Red Hot Organization, a not-for-profit music label/production company, has established itself as worthy of the ambitious projects it has undertaken. The organization’s primary motivation is to fight HIV/AIDS through pop culture.”

Red Hot’s newest effort, a decade removed from their last Fela-inspired project “Red Hot + Riot: The Music And Spirit Of Fela Kuti” will again pay tribute to the late Nigerian Afrobeat legend.

A central key to success of the organization’s past tribute projects has been the focused collaborations of respected artists they have promoted. This time, the album’s lead single “Lady” has been fittingly placed in rhythmically sound hands. At base, drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson of The Roots and Merrill Garbus/tUnE-yArDs establish a compelling Afrobeat. ?uestlove, for his part, recently curated a 6-piece vinyl box set of Fela Kuti albums and as is to be expected his work here is compelling.

Merrill’s arrangement of horns, chorus and the song’s breakdowns are fun and intriguing.

Kuti’s original thirteen minute song occupied one side of the 1972 LP (Long Play) “Shakara” (recently reissued on CD by Knitting Factory Records who will also distribute this project).

A funky layered beat propels Kuti’s “Lady” and finds him mockingly critical of feminist assertions of equality and dignity. The track is driven by an incessant groove peppered with assaulting horn stabs and two guitars; it is a wonderful exercise in Kuti’s ability to arrange a syncopated layering of Afro-beat. The length of the original allows space for solos (most notably Igo Chico’s

sax work), Kuti’s meandering keys and an ever present swelling and receding sound.

The recent update is more derived and calculated. And while the end result may have sounded chunky, the several breaks throughout the song instead allow a convincing building effect. The sole guitar track dances around the core rhythms and while there isn’t a horn solo, the line deviations within the pack are welcome and tasteful. The song features a strong all female vocal performance that flips the context of the lyrics. Instead of mocking, Beninoise Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo affirms female strength and equality when she sings Kuti’s words: She gon’ say she got power like man She gon’ say anything man do herself can do She gon’ say she got power like man Kijdo’s singing is fittingly forward and unwavering, not flashy but assertive. The chorus of Merrill and friends Patricia Preware and Toni Hartley offset Kidjo’s verse nicely and are essential to the several breaks. German-based Akua Naru’s raps blend almost too well with the band at first, her deep voice and persistent delivery urging you to lean closer and decipher

Minus 2 Staying True To His Roots Minus 2 is one of Nigeria’s up and comers on the music scene.

Armed with a smooth silky voice and hip beats, the 32 year old R&B artist embraces his culture by performing mostly in his native language, Yoruba. With an underground hit Bariga (a hood anthem) and 3 new hot singles Omo adugbo(it’s video has gone viral on youtube), Fire dey go and Be no ni, he is ruling the airwaves and clubs scenes in Lagos.

Born Funsho Omomunmi, Minus 2 recognized his musical talent at a young age; writing songs about his experiences growing up on the streets in Bariga, Lagos. His lyrics focus on his love for his hood and reveal his funny, fun loving personality.

In fact, it’s his sense of humor that led to his stage name. “I once fell asleep during a math class in high school… and I woke up screaming ‘Minus 2’. The whole class laughed and they nick named me Minus 2. It has stuck with me since,” he said.

It was in this high school Minus 2 met another talented performer named 9ice. For 3 years, they were a two man group, Abinibi, before going their separate ways. The two artists remain great pals and according to Minus 2’s management, Stealth Entertainment, the two promise to collaborate and bring musical hits.

Minus 2 believes he has what it takes to have longevity in the music game. “I am not trying to

her words. Lyrically, she musters up verses about female oppression that are assertive but not preachy. Musically the cover is wonderful and fun to dissect. Merrill Garbus’ previous tUnEyArDs work shows off her love and adeptness for stacking and looping different sounds and an enthusiasm for African music. With a bigger band to direct, Garbus’ intricate timing comes to the forefront. tUnE-yArDs bassist Nate Brenner, Antibalas guitarist Luke O’Malley, Roots keyboardist Ray Angry and an Antibalas/ Rubblebucket horn section round off an amazing group of musicians.

Of the song, Garbus said “I wanted to reclaim ‘Lady’ for women in the world today, particularly African women, who will have an important role in ending the AIDS epidemic there. I was so happy to have the powerful Angelique Kidjo pour her soul into it, and then rapper Akua Naru wrote a raw, intense verse that perfectly extended and completed our vision of the song.” If this single is any indication of the upcoming project musically as well as politically, “(RED)Hot + Fela” will be another strong release in the organization’s catalogue.

Shakira Atitebi

come off as arrogant, but there are a lot of acts out here in Nigeria who do not have the lasting power to create back to back hits.

I believe I am the next big thing in the music industry, because I have what it takes to deliver just that” he said.

Look out for his album at the end of the year and it promises to be explosive. “We are looking to release it by December. I am presently in the studio working non-stop, writing songs with the mindset of giving the entire world a hit album! Expect fireworks from the album. There will be something for everyone. The young, old, lovers, clubbers and even Gospel too,” he said.

MUSIC REVIEW

By Afropop.org

Album Bongo Hotheads Artist Jagwa Music Country Tanzania You haven’t heard anything like Jagwa Music before. Hailing from Daar es Salaam in Tanzania, Jagwa Music play a style of music known as Mchiriku. Jagwa Music is comprised of a singer, four drummers, and two keyboard players using a pair of ancient Casios.

Mchiriku is party music, made for dancing, and as a result it focuses on creating a flow of hypnotic repetition, downplaying melodic progression in favor of a constantly churning rhythmic sea. It’s a music that has the logic of expansion and contraction; sudden pockets of double-time appear and then vanish, folding back on themselves as they are traded between the drums and keyboards.

Album Salone Artist Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars Country Sierra Leone The third CD from this oneof-a-kind band kicks off with reverberating percussion, guitar and voices singing, “Let’s chant it down!” a rallying cry for the raucous and ranging set of songs to come. Radio Salone underscores musicians’ ability to work with collaborators from very different backgrounds.

Salone means Sierra Leone in Krio, one of six languages on this album.

The album has a classic sound, loaded with joyous Congotinged dance tracks, featuring the sharpest guitar work of SLRAS’s recording career. Not until track five do we get to band’s signature, sunny take on reggae. On “Reggae Sounds the Message,” the group’s male chorus, backing Ruben Koroma here, has always echoed the early Wailers. But now the sound is rich and robust, rough edges polished not with studio trickery but years of experience, and resulting in a deeply satisfying vocal blend.

Album Sol Filosofia Artist Sauti Sol Country Kenya Sauti Sol, the Kenyan quartet who won the Museke award in 2010, for best group, kept up the same smooth acoustic sounds and careful harmonies on their second album, Sol Filosofia. The group sings in perfectly crafted melodies, mostly in Swahili. Most of the songs are driven by soft guitar arrangements and understated percussion, giving a meandering, and appropriately for the title, introspective, quality to most tracks.

The four sing about most of what could be expected from this genre: love, nostalgia and other high emotions. The last track is “Sol Generation” a relatively more intense song about rebelling against negativity and finding solidarity with fellow citizens.

Album Ayah Ye!: Moving Train Artist KG Omulo Country Kenya Kenya bred KG Omulo, whose first studio album Ayah Ye, is as refreshing as a versatile musical experience can be. Ayah Ye projects a synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds, compiled in a way that, just works. He weaves through both English and Swahili as he delivers powerfully charged lyrics that make you stop and think, adding to the album’s overall intrigue. The album begins with a song of the same title, displaying noticeable African melodic undertones and a strong funk feel. The rhythm and instruments that give the album its funk are consistent throughout, and also give the album its cohesiveness.

Overall, Ayah Ye emits a powerful, down to earth positivity lyrically, rhythmically and melodically.

Album From Africa with Fury: Rise Artist Seun Kuti & The Egypt 80 Band Country Nigeria Fela Kuti was inarguably a master of making party songs political, and in From Africa With Fury: Rise, Seun Kuti releases a strong effort that follows directly in his father’s footsteps. Backed by Fela’s former band, Egypt 80, along with production efforts from Brian Eno, the second album from the youngest son of the peerless Afrobeat pioneer live up to its title.

Most of Rise is jammed full of ferocious rhythms stacked on top of each other until the track is full to bursting in a furious groove provided

by Egypt 80, which boasts almost three fourths of the original lineup. Recorded in 50 hours while on tour in Rio, half the fun of From Africa with Fury: Rise comes from the animalistic joy in hearing Egypt 80 effortlessly lay down beats fatter than Fridge Perry and thicker than December molasses without hardly a pause. They are true masters and their astonishing musicianship is showcased to the fullest extent in Rise.

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Tosinger ‘Tosin’ Taiwo

5 Summer Must Haves from BravoModa

FASHION

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The Bold and Red Hot Eyewear - this red aviator sunglasses is what you need to stand out and look cool in the glare of the summer’s sun.

Summer is here and BravoModa, a trendy fashion and accessories line owned by Nigerian-Canadian Seun Ola is ready with a hot new ‘Mars and Venus’ (His & Hers) collection. BravoModa is all about comfort and style, fashion uniquely designed to fit the body. As a designer, Seun focuses on each piece to depict innovation and class to make a fashion statement. According to him, ‘BravoModa brings an edginess fused with uniqueness and style catering to individuals that are fashion forward, trendy, confident, and polished. Our designs stand out because with every piece designed, innovation and style is paramount, so anyone wearing any of our pieces would be showcasing style and class, therefore making a fashion statement” Here are our 5 top picks from the 2012 Mars and Venus collection

The Contemporary Cap, not guaranteed to shield you from all the attention you’ll be sure to get when you wear it!

The Fashionable Flip-Flops are so beautiful because of the color combination and they will definitely not wear out due to how it is made; and it sure does look comfortable.

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The Two-Toned Trendy Tee, is unique and it makes a fashion statement.

CULTURE Natural Hair Braiding Trends

Nana Brenyah & Titilayo Arasi

Twisting of the hair, tying knots after knots, weaving hair into perfect patterns in long lengths or short lengths tight or lose, spirals or box shapes or intentionally leaving the hair to lock on its own to create a pattern.- That is what I do best.

I take one strand followed by the overlapping of another strand, sealed with another strand; I move with a precise rhythm, strained focus and a patient heart.The sound of the continuous overlapping of these strands is heard through the whispers of the winds.

One by one a shape begins to form, straight and narrow a masterpiece of time and hard work. Moving with the swiftness of a trained craftsman I create a masterpiece I am more than your average weaver, not only am I good at what I do but tradition prides itself on my work, women smile each day on because of what I do, men appreciate the work they see. -Anonymous It has been said that the art of hair braiding is one of ancient practice -dated back to Circa 500 BC, to the Nok Civilization of Nigeria; where a discovered sculpture was found adorned with braids similar to cornrows.

Hence, one can say the tradition of hair braiding is a very important aspect of the African community. Historically, it is known to be used as a representation of one’s religion, kinship, status, age and ethnicity, among other attributes- as well as for the upkeep and grooming of the hair. This tradition has been carried and passed along from generation to generation and for many people of African descent the tradition of hair braiding remains eminent and valuable.

With the texture of the African hairespecially for those with coarse kink hair- the only way to keep the hair tidy, and prevent it from breaking is through braiding. In that, most cultures have developed new approaches and hair treatments in taking care of their hair, and for most Africans these hair regimens protect the hair and help with the growth.

This tradition has been passed down from

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generation to generation and has led to new inventions and innovations in hair products.

In Africa, the connection between women and the hair braiding trade is very prominent- it is a predominately female occupation. For most hair braiding parlors women convene in order to address certain issues they cannot necessarily address in their homes. The tradition of the African culture limits a woman’s leadership and role within the household; therefore for many women a discussion with her associates serves as platform to address certain issues. It also bonds them together since most rural Africans live in a close knit community. In Africa, men are known to convene to drink, play games and discuss important issues while women are left with the option of convening at only one place which is the hairdressers’ corner.

Although the gathering of women is seen as an unproductive- for most women it is very important as they are able to discuss marital issues, take advice from their peers and the older women in the community. The tradition seems to have traveled to America

as most women are seen in salons talking and discussing issues they face on a daily basis.

Nonetheless, it brings women together and serves as a unifying, non-judgmental space where women are free to speak up and speak out. Whatever the varying opinions are of the braiding salons, it can be certain that women are connecting, sharing their life stories and struggles, and are empowering each other.

Here in the United States, New York City to be specific- where the city has seen a recent surge of African immigrants with a growing population especially West Africans, there is one place known for hair braidingwhich is the street of 125th street in Harlem.

This strip happens to be one of the historical streets in New York City boasting of the Apollo Theatre, State Office Building and many historical landmarks. 125th street is known as the place to go get your hair done for cheap, and you are sure not to miss the women on the streets with the cards looking for customers every day.

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MUSIC

Shakira Atitebi

BBMG : Young, Gifted and African MAKING AFRICA’S

CULTURE POP! Applause Africa ’s “Upcoming Stars” column highlights the brightest new talents we believe may be the next big star.

raveBoi Music Group is like a breath of fresh air to the music scene. BBMG comprises of 8 incredibly gifted individuals from New York City: 5 instrumentalists and 3 vocalists that are all of Nigerian decent.

The hardworking music group believes that their cultural influence and New York City “swag” gives them an advantage musically.

“New York is the central place for all kinds of style. Every little thing we see kinda inspires our music and we feel we need to cater to a certain kind of crowd,” said Bola Ogungbuyi (vocalist, pianist).

The group started in 2007, but things didn’t start taking off until after a posted video titled Breakeven-The Script Yeanka (cover), on YouTube March 2012. The video has had almost 11, 000 hits and has gained many fans.

“Everyone that I met all loved it,” said Yinka Ayandeij (vocalist).

Founding members Ola Oluwafemi (Drummer, Producer, Engineer) and Lekan

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Ajala (Producer, Pianist) started the group as a production team creating unique beats for artist.

Ogungbuyi witnessed the magic that was taken place during the creative process and added his own gift of vocals to the recipe creating a dynamic sound. Eventually the group expanded to where it is today.

BBMG remains loyal to their culture by keeping one foot firmly planted in their Nigerian roots and the other in American tunes. Drawing from a diverse array of musical influences, BBMG fuses Afro Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Salsa, Jazz and Classical to create their distinct sound. They perform hit songs as well as original pieces.

Their catchy, smooth and up-tempo sounds will catch the attention of any music lover. BBMG’s goal is to be the biggest band to perform with top musicians.

“We want to be the first African Music group to play for a major artist.” said Lolade Fadipe (Guitarist, Producer).

To listen to music by BBMG go to: http://www.teamBBMG.tumblr.com

humor

Live, Love, Laugh

APPLAUSE AFRICA SUMMER GIVEAWAY

Yvonne Orji

oth men and women are guilty of the habit of saying one thing, but exhibiting actions that are completely contrary and at the end of the day are left scratching their heads! Most single women today have a “list.” Yes fellas, if you’re dating a woman, chances are, you are her ideal and match every detail on the list OR…let’s just say, a few compromises were made, but one thing remains a constant, she started out with a vision of her ideal mate.

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When we’re young (read: 20’s to early 30’s) our vision for our mate looks something like this: Tall, FUYNE, loves God, Rich, has a 6-pack, RICH, good job, smart, chivalrous, BorisKodjoe Fuyne, can bodyslam me (I’m sorry, pause, that last one was me projecting…I digress). A friend of mine showed her father her “list,” to which he replied, “Hunny, you don’t want a man, you want a unicorn!” It seems like that sometimes, doesn’t it?

Guys, don’t think you’re off the hook. While you all may not physically write down items on a piece of paper, you certainly create personal ideals that come close to: Niki Minaj bootie, Meghan Good lips, Kim Kardashian hips and Tyra Banks boobs. (Did I cover all the basis? Thought so).

Then when you find yourself mid-30’s to 40s with no significant other, the list looks a little different: Good credit, only one tooth missing, average height, can read.

Alright, I’m being a little facetious, but the point is, priorities shift and you’re looking for someone you can build a future with not castles in the sand. Insert the powerful message behind the latter image here. As a Christian, I read the Bible, and one popular verse states that, “without vision, the people perish.” In life, it’s clear that’s it’s important for people to have the right vision for their business, but when it comes to a mate, often our visions are predicated on the flavor of the week. You know what happens to flavor?

It eventually fades.

If you’re considering marriage, know that it’s forever. Put another way, “Marriage is something that you’re not supposed to get out of alive.” (Go on and let that one marinate). It’s vital that the spouse you

consider matches the vision that aligns with your purpose. If you work in corporate America, someone that you don’t have to babysit at the annual fundraising gala might suit you best. Trust me, MAC can cover up a whole lotta things, but it can’t cover up stupid.

What vision does is that it serves as a guideline, a roadmap if you will, guiding you in the decisions that will assist you in reaching your final destination. The correct vision will help limit your options. If you have a vision of seeing yourself 20 pounds lighter and you’re presented with a honey bun and trail mix; if you’re serious about your vision, you’re choices have already been limited and the selection made for you. Similarly, when it comes to your spouse, the right kind of vision will help you identify and eliminate the counterfeits.

Vision keeps the core at the forefront.

Identify what the non-negotiables are in your relationships (Hint: ladies, most physical characteristics do not qualify). A man 2 inches shorter than you that is a hard worker, great listener and gives amazing backrubs after a long day is FARRR better than a 6’7’’ slob who is lazy, unmotivated and still lives out home with his momma.(*Exiting stage left!*) To wrap it all up, yes, looks are very important (have to look out for my unborn kids) and they should be taken into consideration when picking a life partner.

BUT, more importantly, how someone compliments your destiny is far more critical than how they compliment your Prada suit.

Chose wisely people.

Until next time, keep living life laughing!

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QUEST A Personal Journey to the Art of Dance Someone once asked me to describe myself in one word. I tried and I failed. How could I possibly describe myself in one word? It was then that I realized that the person that I am is a sum of many beings. Now ask me who those beings are and I can tell you with no problem.

I

am one of many Hasifas, one of which God gifted the love of dance.

That Hasifa is the one that believes in not waiting for the storm to pass but chooses to dance in the rain if needed. When I was in college, I was interviewed for the campus newspaper. The young man conducting my interview asked why I dance. I smiled because I was surprised at his question. You see it is not a question of why I dance, that’s like me asking you why you breathe. Writing this piece for Applause Africa Magazine made me dig deeper and this time I will attempt to answer this age old question.

I dance because it is my passion . When I dance, I feel that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. It’s that point when I’m blinded by the lights that I use my instinct to guide me. It is in the moment when I’m in front of hundreds of people but feel as though it’s just me in the world making the unexpected happened and the unimaginable become the accomplished. It is that Hasifa that many have had the opportunity to meet only from a distance, only on stage. But it’s that same Hasifa that is able to move others simply by allowing God to move her. That’s what makes dance a beautiful form of art. Every time I get on stage I’m blessed with an opportunity to affect someone simply by allowing myself to use my gift. I have had people come up to me after a performance and say “I was moved” or “I felt like you were talking directly to me”. I enjoy moments like this but the truth is that my moments on stage are very selfish moments. My intent is not to get on stage and move others. It is my intent to move myself and break barriers both physically and mentally; and if in that process my audience is moved then I have simply become a follower of Gandhi by being the change that I want to see in others.

I once read that life is simply a dance from one stage to the next, with that in mind I chose to dance rather than walk through life. I dance because I was made to do so. It’s in every thread of my being so much that I can dance anywhere even if only in my heart. It is my love for my creator that motivates me to dance only in the hope that He looks down and smiles and says, “Well done my child, well done”.

Then there is the Hasifa that puts pen to paper and makes it speak volumes.

It’s a side of Hasifa that has another form of expressing herself other than dance; she writes.. This is the second person that contributes to my sum.

As an aspiring writer, I have witnessed God’s work through my words. I have made people laugh, cry and be transformed in ways I never thought I could.

It was never a dream of mine to become a writer, it was simply an order from above and my need to motivate others that made me explore that route. I have now published over 80 short stories all from the heart and the one thing that all my readers have ever asked me for is a book. So about a year ago I decided that I will give the people just what they want. With that I set out to work on my first book . My goal was to complete it by my 25th birthday. On this journey of writing my book, I have found within me a different Hasifa, one that was always there but masked by the many trials and tribulations of this world. While I was busy writing to change the lives of others, mine was instead transformed.

Lastly there is a side of Hasifa that knows no limits.This is the Hasifa that was born in Kampala, Uganda to absent parents and unfortunate circumstances.

This is the Hasifa that overcomes and allows nothing to get in the way.

With all of my being, I extremely appreciate this side of me. This is the side that conquers all. As a child, I listened to a long string of naysayers, I was discouraged and told that I would never amount to anything but if you ask me today, I pay my deepest gratitude to those people the most. It was being told my limits that I learned I had no limits. With that I developed a “can do attitude” and a new mission in life which is to use all the gifts that God gave me. This is the Hasifa that wakes up determined in order to go to sleep satisfied; this is the Hasifa that wakes up with a daily agenda to change the world in which she exists. When that day comes and my creator calls me home, my response when He asks me for the gifts of the artistic expressions through dance and writing that he gave me, is to say, “I used them all”. This is my goal.

Hasifa Meriam is of Ugandan origin, currently based in Houston,Texas. She is a model/dancer/writer/ Her blog can be found at 180byhasifa.blogspot.com. Email: hasifameriam@gmail.com Twitter @Hasifa Facebook/hasifa.meriam

FOCUS

The Spirit of Africa

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Chester Higgins Jr Photo by Andrew Dosunmu Photography, for Applause Africa

hester Higgins Jr. smiles, as he fondly recounts a moment in the late 1960s, when he still was a rookie photographer, and the editor of a newspaper asked him what exactly he wanted to accomplish with a camera. “I told him: I want to make a visual encyclopedia that documents the experiences of people of color. To which the editor replied: ‘That is a tall order.’ ”

Nearly fifty years later, Higgins, who is now in his mid-sixties, has consistently been at work chipping away with each click of his camera on delivering the ‘tall order’ that the newspaper editor referred to. This order has been aided by the ‘spirit’, whom he believes serves as the fundamental theme in all his work.

“Spirituality is the one thing we all have in common, consciously or unconsciously,” Higgins says, “I recognize that the spirit is the overarching force in our reality, and I try to show that we are bound together by different identities – and everything in this whole biosphere is connected by the spirit.”

In addition to visually documenting various aspects of the lives of Africans – both those on the continent and in the diaspora, Higgins has also sought to propel the perception that Africa and Africans can be seen in a decent, dignified and wholesome light – when they take charge of their own canvas – a canvas, that as far as Higgins is concerned is still relatively bare.

“As far as I’m concerned,” Higgins says, “the canvas of identity of people of African descent is blank. This is because he strongly believes that most of the popular images that are displayed in the mainstream media of Africans and Africans in the diaspora, are and have not been created by Africans. With this being the case, Higgins maintains that he considers himself a “propagandist for the highest common denominator of people of African descent.”

Olu W. Onemola

A View Through Chester Higgins’

Higgins believes that what he is trying to do with his work is redefine the visual documentation of Africans, by putting up a canvas that represents the many different people of African descent who he sees and knows represent the highest sense of dignity, decency and wholesome character – the three overarching principles embodied in all his books and photographs.

“Everyone has a lowest common denominator,” he says, “I’m just trying to show our highest common denominator. So that if you take the both of them in, you get a balance.”

Narrating on an event that forced him to come to the realization that such a balance in the portrayal of people of African descent was needed. Higgins tells the story of a march in Alabama during the civil rights movement, where he was taking photographs that captured the plight of the protesters that were there to challenge the racist policies of Governor George Wallace. He remembers that the day after the protest, comparing his photographs with those printed in the papers, he came to the realization that “a photograph never lies about the intentions, judgment and point of view of a photographer.”

This was because the photographs that appeared in the paper, according to Higgins, portrayed the protesters as “typical thugs” on a random rampage, not as “American citizens demonstrating for their rights.”

“They marginalized us in the worst of ways,” Higgins said, “by saying visually that: ‘these people should not be taken seriously.’ ” Since the civil rights movement, when he was still a young photographer and admittedly more politically motivated, Higgins believes that his work overtime has not deviated from its original purpose, but instead, has organically enlarged itself with the incorporation of the spiritual aspects – that stem from the events that have shaped him.

When asked what he wants his work to be remembered for, without hesitation, and with the firm belief of a man driven by an exterior force, Higgins remarks: “As one who broadened the approach… Specifically the visual approach to people of color…” Because of this, with light – whom he affectionately refers to as his mistress - The Spirit as a guide, and his camera as a tool that will remain clicking, Chester Higgins Jr. is still chipping away on delivering on his ‘tall order’ – one photograph at a time.

Amber 1975

Asantehene Osei Tutu II & the Golden Stool. Manyhia Palace, Kumasi | Asante Chef | Crescent Soul | Hamer

HERITAGE Dynasty and Divinity Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria Mutityat Ade-Salu

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n May 18th 2012, dynasty and divinity were rediscovered in Lagos, Nigeria.

Thanks to collaboration between the Museum for African Art in New York, Fundación Botín in Santander, Spain, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria.

Due to the support from the National Endowment of the Arts as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities, an exhibit of extraordinary significance has returned home.

Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria is an exhibit of hundreds of art objects from the ancient city of Ife. Most of the items belong to a collection of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments and are made in terra-cotta, stone, and metal dating from the 9th to 15th centuries. The exhibit has toured Europe and is now being shown at the Nigerian National Museum in Lagos.

Amanda Thompson, the Registrar of the Museum for African Art in New York talked to Applause Africa about the preparation for the presentation of the exhibit and its significance to Nigerians overseas. “The exhibit is being housed in Lagos, Nigeria’s National Museum in the affluent neighborhood of Ikoyi, which is also a major art hub.” Ms. Thompson noted. “The museum made new renovations and gathered the best museum staff from all over Nigeria to help with the installation. The museum went above and beyond what they normally do.” She also pointed out that in Lagos, there are not many major museums for what one would expect in a major urban center and perhaps that impression from her visit would move her and other international museum administrators to collaborate more with Nigerian museums in the future. The Museum for African Art is proud of this project because the art has never been put together for a public exhibition in Nigeria before. As of date, there are no plans yet to take the installation down. However, MAA (Museum for African Art) would like to bring the exhibit back to New York when it reopens at its new home on the Upper East Side.

The strongest significance would probably materialize when Nigerians see the Ife art for themselves and draw the comparisons to modern

Nigerian art. The exhibit’s bronze and terra cotta stone heads with scarification marks may resonate with modern day Nigerians who still practice it. One such piece is a sculptured head from the Wunmonije Compound. It has a detailed crown and may have been used in funeral rites representing deceased rulers. It may have also been used as a placeholder for the crowns of actual living rulers. Another sculptured head is called “Olokun” and it is a 20th-century copy of the original one from14th-15th century. It was retrieved from the Olokun Grove and used in rituals honoring Olokun, goddess of the sea and patroness of bead making. It may actually represent a previous Ooni, meaning “traditional ruler”. According to MAA’s Chief Curator, Enid Schildkrout, both these heads have thin parallel lines etched across their faces, but it is not known what these scarifications mean exactly. They could signify affiliation with a certain place or origin or membership in an organization.

Some writers have suggested the lines represent the beaded veils that Yoruba rulers wore to cover their faces. The exhibit also features sculptures of wild animals such as mudfish, crocodile, owls and hippopotami made of terra-cotta. Some of these pieces have royal and divine significance as well.

One piece, an elephant, wears beads, signifying a royal connotation and making reference to an Ooni whose might was compared to this particular type of animal.

The exhibit may not only offer more insight into the history of religion and royalty in Ife, but may also help present day Nigerians trace where the designs of certain scarifications evolved from. There seems to be a welcoming atmosphere for this kind of exhibit because Nigerians in general have a deep appreciation for art. It may be of even more interest to University professors and students who have only had a chance to study ancient Ife art from texts.

The Dynasty and Divinity exhibit is sure to leave a lasting impression wherever it goes around the globe, however the most important thing is that it can remain in the rightful possession of Nigerian authorities.

If you are unable to view the actual exhibit either in Nigeria or when it comes back to New York, a 186-page illustrative book is available online for purchase on www.africanart.org.

ARTS

Kehinde Wiley A Radical Presence Mastermind “My concern is presence,” Kehinde Wiley said in an interview with USA Network in a profile of him as a recipient of its 2010 Character Honoree award. “A radical presence,” he continued, “A presence that says I’m beautiful enough. I’m smart enough. I’m powerful enough.”

This radical presence in question has made waves and created headlines for the New York-based artist, who was born in Los Angeles, California to an African-American mother and a Nigerian father.

“Growing up in Los Angeles, it was really interesting to be able to go to the museum and to see all of the great works of art.”

Wiley said, speaking about his childhood. However, one thing that he noticed was that none of the pictures looked like him, because none of the men depicted were dark skin.

“I thought, in some way I need to somehow get down what it looks like to be a young black American kid in a picture that means something” Wiley recollects.

Since then, Wiley has set out to represent a demographic that is often overlooked in the art world (with perhaps the exception of hip hop) as historical figures that have power and prestige. The majority of his work are larger-than-life images that range from: a depiction of Ice-T as Napoleon crossing the Alps; to an equestrian portrait of Michael Jackson as the immensely powerful 16th-century Spanish monarch, King Phillip II, all the way to a rendition of Antony van Dyck’s Triple Portriat of Prince Charles I of England, using a cool, young African-American man as a model.

Olu W. Onemola

I thought, in some way I need to somehow get down what it looks like to be a young black American kid in a picture that means something

“This is not a mug shot: ‘Frontal.’ ‘Side.’ ” Wiley says of his work, “This is you deciding how you want to be seen.” His models are a range of individuals from famous African-American artists and athletes, to amateur models – who he finds on the street with little or no modeling experience.

“All of these guys I find on the street, they choose a moment in our history that means something to them,” Wiley maintains about his models, “They choose aspects of their own internal selves that will then become public… and I think there is a type of joy in there.”

Wiley, contends that at the end of the day, even though he is the painter, the creator of all that is presented on his canvas, he still believes that he is painting himself. “The true fact of the matter is: we all deserve to be celebrated; we all deserve to be in that space of grace,” because at the end of the day, we all have a radical presence.

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IN HER 30 YEARS, SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE WOULD DREAM TO ACCOMPLISH IN A LIFETIME. SHE SAW A NEED IN HER HOME COUNTRY AND FOUND A CREATIVE SOLUTION TO TACKLE THAT PROBLEMALL DONE IN STYLE, IF WE MIGHT SAY. YET, WHEN YOU ASK HER ABOUT HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, MS. JONES WILL TELL YOU THAT SHE HAS BARELY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE.

SKJ Being the Change

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oised, graceful, determined and very much accomplished, Saran Kaba Jones is not your ordinary advocate. Ms. Jones is your quintessential role model. Sitting down with her, you find a woman who is both amazingly humble, passionate, intelligent and very compassionate.

Ms. Jones was born and raised in Liberia and at eight years old, she left her country just before the civil war broke out. In 1999, after having lived in Cote D’Ivoire, Cyprus, Egypt and France, she came to the U.S for college. In 2008, nearly twenty years later, Ms. Jones returned to Liberia and found a country in desperate need. After this trip, she made it her mission to help those were in need in these Liberian communities.

After five years working with the Singapore government, Ms. Jones left a lucrative career

Divine Muragijimana

Yinka Ajakaiye

and founded FACE Africa, an organization that provides access to clean and safe drinking water to communities in Liberia. Ms. Jones is also an advocate for women and young girls working to empower them through education, skills training, and financial literacy.

It is no wonder Forbes has named her one of the “20 youngest power women in Africa”. Despite all the accolades, Ms. Jones remains incredibly humble, and stays true to her mission to assure that Liberians have access to clean water, promoting sanitation and hygiene efforts throughout the country.

Meet Saran Kaba Jones, Applause Africa’s Africa Community Awards 2011 Person of the Year!

AA:You have lived such a full life that it would take a book to describe you, but in few sentences can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

SKJ: To say that I have lived a full life suggests that I have succeeded in all or in most of what I want to accomplish in life. And this is far from the truth.

My journey is just beginning and I have a long way to go. I feel like I have just started, and there’s so much to be done, and so much that can be accomplished. Growing up, I always had a strong concern and compassion for others, and have always strived to help whenever possible. I was also exposed to a world of diplomacy, travel and community service. My father was a public servant and career diplomat. I left Liberia when I was 8 years old as a result of the country’s civil war. I spent my formative years living in Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, France and Cyprus before I came to the United States to attend college. The exposure from all the traveling and moving around gave me a global perspective and I knew from an early age that I wanted to do something internationally that would help people.

AA:You have spoken about your trip to Liberia as the inspiration to starting your organization, what was it about your experience that really triggered the idea for FACE Africa?

SKJ: In October 2008, during my first visit to Liberia in nearly 20 years, I was faced with the harsh realities of a post-conflict Liberia and the enormous challenges facing the average Liberian. My visits to various communities, orphanages, markets, clinics, etc exposed me to a cycle of poverty that I wasn’t prepared for. The war devastated the country’s infrastructures – roads, buildings, health clinics, communications networks, schools, farms and factories were almost totally destroyed. With one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, extreme poverty; no electricity, running water or sewage system, and an inadequate education system, the country had enormous needs.

I left Liberia somewhat overwhelmed and disheartened but I also had a new found understanding of the needs and challenges as well as ways in which I could contribute to the rebuilding efforts. One of the areas that struck me the most was the water and sanitation issue. The war destroyed major water points and water systems, and millions of Liberians lacked access to clean and safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities. I saw firsthand the effect this had on other areas of development: health, economic growth and women and girls’ education advancement for example. I felt the water and sanitation issue needed urgent attention so 31

AA I came back and dedicated myself to raising awareness and funds for water and sanitation projects in Liberia.

AA: Why the name FACE Africa?

SKJ: In 2005 while I was still in college, my husband (fiancé at the time) and I started sending money back to Liberia to help a young family friend with his school tuition and expenses. With our support, he went on to graduate from high school and enrolled at the University of Liberia. This gave me the idea to launch a scholarship program to help young Liberians receive quality education. After a night of brainstorming, my husband came up with the name F.A.C.E. -Fund A Child’s Education- Africa. Our primary goal at the time was to provide educational opportunities to children and young adults in Liberia. But this all changed when I took that trip back home in 2008 and saw that an even bigger need existed: the need for clean and safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. We then shifted the focus of the organization from education to clean water and sanitation.

AA: In the last couple of years your organization has built wells, installed hand pumps, constructed latrines, and conducted education programs, what is your biggest initiative for 2012?

SKJ: For 2012 we are launching a new initiative called our County by County (CbC) Commitment. With CbC we have an ambitious yet simple goal: clean and safe drinking water for every single Liberian, one county at a time, through partnerships and strategic implementation. From the community to district to county level, CbC will focus on achieving true, long-term water and sanitation solutions. Everyone in the county where we work will have access to water and sanitation, even the hardest to reach and most isolated areas. We are extremely excited about CbC as it will allow us to focus our projects in a targeted area, scale and have greater impact. We have already identified our first County and are in the process of mapping existing water points, gathering data and doing feasibility studies on the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sector there.

AA: What are the challenges you have faced in making FACE Africa successful?

SKJ: Running the organization on a shoestring budget and being perennially underfunded.

Not being able to hire and retain a team to help us grow and become more effective. I’ve spent the last three years running FACE Africa solo- from designing our website to capturing

project photos, managing communication and reporting back to donors, writing grants, and launching new projects in Liberia. Not having enough to invest in administrative costs and other overhead makes the work that much harder. We do have some funding opportunities in the works that will hopefully materialize. This will allow us hire a manager or co-director and spend more time on development and charting ways to scale and expand our projects.

AA: What is the most important thing you learned in school and in life generally speaking that has helped you develop your organization?

SKJ: Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. If you want to do something, NOW is always the right time. Start somewhere. Start now. You can’t build a reputation on what you intend to do.

My visits to various communities, orphanages, markets, clinics, etc exposed me to a cycle of poverty that I wasn’t prepared for. The war had devastated the country’s infrastructures – roads, buildings, health clinics, communications networks, schools, farms and factories were almost totally destroyed.

AA: A lot of young African move abroad and find it embarrassing to be from Africa, how have you stayed grounded, and what advice do you have for young Africans about the joys of embracing their roots?

SKJ: I don’t know if they are embarrassed to be from Africa as much as they are discouraged by all the negative stories coming out of Africa. For a long time, Africa relative to the rest of the world lagged far behind in terms of development, forcing many of our

32 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

young people to seek better opportunities abroad. Fortunately the continent is rising, giving us a lot to be proud of. Over the past decade six of the world’s ten fastest-growing countries were African. We are starting to see better governance, more democracy and improved quality of life. Liberia for example, is one of Africa’s great turnaround stories.

Today, it is a country that is stable, growing, and committed to good governance. While we still have a long way to go, I hope young Africans see the growing opportunities on the continent and capitalize on them.

AA:You are considered to be among one of the most influential young African leaders of our generation. What qualities should good leaders possess?

SKJ: Ha! I am not entirely sure I deserve that honor just yet but I am humbled nonetheless.

For me, a good leader is one who inspires and brings out the best in others. If you can lift other people’s vision to higher sights and inspire them to challenge themselves and strive to be the very best, that makes you a leader. John Quincy Adams captured it best when he said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

AA: What would be your advice to young Africans who are looking to make meaningful contributions to their communities?

SKJ: Contribute no matter how small. We all have a responsibility to our communities and the world we live in. I’ve come across many young Africans who want to give back to their communities and their countries. Most of them already have the passion and desire to but just don’t know how or where to start.

I always tell people, you don’t have to start your own organization or foundation to make an impact. Find a cause that you’re passionate about and volunteer your time or skills to that cause. There’s an endless list of things to do to take action, inspire change and impact a life: volunteer at your local hospital, spend time in a community center, mentor a young person, clean a park, speak out against injustice when you see it, help raise awareness for domestic abuse, or help send a young person to school like I did. Bill Clinton’s book “Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World,” really touches on the power we all have to make the world a better place and give others a chance to live out their dreams. I highly recommend this book to any one looking for some inspiration.

AA: In 2011, you were mentioned as on one of Forbes Magazine’s 20 Youngest Power

A good leader is one who inspires and brings out the best in others. If you can lift other people’s vision to higher sights and inspire them to challenge themselves and strive to be the very best, that makes you a leader.

Women In Africa as well as being selected as the 2011 Voss Foundation Women helping Women Honoree.You were also voted Person of the Year at Applause Africa’s 2011 Africa Community Awards. How do you feel about such accolades? And what is your personal goal for 2012?

SKJ: The support and recognition I’ve received over the past few years have been incredible and overwhelming. 2011 was a critical year as that’s when we started to expand our growth and outreach and we received a great deal of support in the process. It is wonderful to be acknowledged and recognized by your peers for your work and I am always grateful to every single person who reminds me everyday that my place in this world is an important one. It pushes me to want to do more and give even more of myself. My personal goal for 2012 is to build on the successes of 2011 and continue to work to make clean water a reality for as many Liberians as possible.

AA: Tell us about your proudest achievement besides FACE Africa?

SKJ: Giving someone the opportunity to get an education.

AA: Was there a person who really made a difference in your life?

SKJ: My father. The smartest, most remarkable man I know! I have yet to meet a more humbled and principled human being.

AA: What do you like to do for fun?

SKJ: I wish I could give a cool answer like rock climbing, scrapbooking or building Mardi Gras floats but unfortunately I don’t have much spare time for fun things at the moment. I spend a lot of time working and traveling for work. When I am home, I love spending quality time with my hubby. We enjoy watching movies and TV shows and we take long road trips to see our parents.

I love fashion and I always look forward to Fashion Week in New York every February and September. I’d love to take on horse back riding some day. At least then I’ll have a cool go-to answer whenever this question comes up.

AA: What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?

SKJ: Driven. Inspiring. Resourceful.

AA: Where would you like to leave your mark in the world? And how would you go about it?

SKJ: I truly believe that every person on this planet; big, small; rich or poor, has an implicit reason for being here. And this isn’t about

whether or not you believe in a higher or supernatural power, but about believing your being has purpose. Every person has at least one gift that helps mold society in some way, shape, or form. It is whether or not we choose to use those gifts that determine our impact on the world. Water and sanitation has become my purpose and my mission. I firmly believe that clean water is a basic human right and that water poverty is solvable. I’d like to see a world where clean; safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities is available to everyone in Liberia and beyond. If I can be a part of the solution through my work, then I have succeeded.

It is beyond doubt that Saran is an exceptional role mode. Her tenacity has made FACE Africa one of the leading organizations in fighting for clean water, hygiene and sanitation in Liberia. She is a leader that believes in leading by example and staying true to who you are. Applause Africa applauds Ms. Jones for all her work and we are proud to partner with her and FACE Africa in 2012 to further her projects.

We look forward to seeing and hearing great accomplishments from her, and her organization. The sky is the limit!

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LY ROUD

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AN AFRSIpC otlight

NaMÓ is an exuberant, multi-talented, boisterous MC, actor and comedian; a skilled events coordinator and comedy writer. He is an African’s African and a true gentleman’s gentleman. For over 13 years, he’s had various roles in the entertainment industry; working behind the scenes with many high profile actors, artists and executives, from Lagos to the UK and now America. In the last few years, as demand for his on-hand expertise grew, NaMÓ stepped out from his world of exclusivity to see his name in lights!

NaMÓ on the Hot Seat…

If you could guest star on a cartoon show, which would it be?

I love cartoon shows! I watched them growing up [Editor: he still does]. In fact I believe I mastered the entire English vocabulary watching Cartoon Network! I think it’s a tie between: to guest star on Voltron with my purple lion to defend the universe (universe defending oh! not one galaxy!); or on its believed competitor, Transformers (and yes, it was a cartoon before it became a movie).

Point is, I’m going to either drive a mechanical lion with awesome fire-power or a fantastic car with great horse-power; either way I’m driving and there is power!

What African foods need to be removed from our menu?

Chineke!! African food disappear?! Are you serious?! SMHID!! It’s only African food that should be allowed to remain on earth; it’s always 100% organic! We Africans get the difference between “spicy” –meaning flavorful, and “hot” –meaning peppery. In the US, spicy (incorrectly) means hot and then it’s barely peppery enough to give to a baby not to talk of an adult; so you can see the confusion. Overall, I don’t mind African food. I don’t know why people think it’s primitive that we (Africans) sit together and dip our hands into a blow of lumps and liquid, while sucking our fingers and teeth. It must be those same people who will say that our food should disappear! Your question is suspicious!

What is the most embarrassing thing your parents have ever done to you?

Quite frankly, I think the question should be the other way around; –what are the most embarrassing things I have done to my parents?

Because I’m not a victim, I’m the usual suspect.

So I would like to use this opportunity to apologize to them… But on the other hand, I can’t forget the day my mum cut my Kid n’ Play hairdo with scissors for my insubordination

(see I told you I knew big words). I had to carry a clean-shaven head for weeks. I still get nightmares from memories of my gorimapa!

My friends from school couldn’t recognize me; some even thought I had been to prison.

What is the stupidest resolution you’ve ever made?

Okay, so here’s what I think about resolutions –they are decisions that you make to convince yourself or friends/family that you are committed to a cause. But here’s the funny part –research (yes NaMÓ’s research) shows they seem to always last for one-week!

Sometimes even less! I think the stupidest one for me was, many years ago I said to myself “NaMÓ you cannot let your younger sister bully you into anything, she is smaller than you, stand your ground!” I am just going to say that it was a long time ago, and I don’t remember the exact details, but I’ve learned to stay away from resolutions and she still has the upper hand. Also, I recently tried to quit soaking garri as per Yankee big boy status and all… Well you can guess how long that lasted for...What was I thinking?!

Where did you stash your most valuable stuff when you were young?

I’m the Artful Dodger/James Bond/Simon Templar/Jason Bourne of hiding stuff! Actually, I’m so good that at times, I can’t even find the stuff I hid! Trust me I’m that good! One time I had the perfect hiding place which was in a shoebox in my Dad’s closet! No one knew my stash was in the safest place in the house, not even my dad knew we were equal tenants of his closet. Don’t judge me! I have 4 brothers, what was I supposed to do? It all ended when I tried to hide some Christmas chicken and forgot to go get it. And so between the rats and cockroaches I attracted to my prized possessions in my dad’s closet or his desire to physically express his opinion on the matter, I’m not sure which was worse.

I don’t know why people think it’s primitive that Africans sit together and dip our hands into a blow of lumps and liquid, while sucking our fingers and teeth.

Where did you hang out as a teenager?

So you know that place in New Jersey, with a skating rink by the go-kart area near the arcade which has the bowling alley with Six Flags next door? Well, look east, just about 5000+ miles away, you’ll see my hang out spot: Lagos, Nigeria! Specifically, at a snooker/ billiards spot called “Raiders” (Editor: you mean ‘pool’ like we say in the US?) Nope, please let’s call it snooker/billiards since ‘pool’ implies either of two things in Africa. First, it can mean a ‘swimming pool’ which can’t last, because people would fetch the water for cooking and then it becomes “big hole in ground” and secondly ‘pool’ is the playing of numbers just like the lotto but a version which is the lowest level of gambling known to mankind! So my spots were, Raiders (snooker/billiards) and Bar Beach (University of Suya).Yes! It’s a real beach in Lagos!

Afrodesiac

Fashion with a Purpose

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Afrodesiac Worldwide is the brainchild of C.E.O. and Creative Director, Charmelle Dukes. Also popularly known as “Chiedza” a dynamic Jamaican native who after living in Brooklyn, New York for eighteen years, moved to Ghana to establish the Afrodesiac Worldwide brand and its sister non-profit organization, Revolutionary Underground. Born to a Jamaican mother and African-American father Chiedza developed her love for Africa and global culture at an early age. She attended Columbia College in Chicago and moved to New York City to travel the world as an international flight attendant with Delta Airlines. After a life-changing trip to Senegal’s Goree Island, Chiedza instantly felt a connection to her African Ancestry. During her travels through Africa, she was inspired by the vibrancy and culture infused in African textiles and began designing creations that became a hit among friends and family and Afrodesiac Worldwide was born. Afrodesiac Worldwide celebrates the cosmopolitan side of Africa, its influence on style throughout the globe and its contribution to our cultural past, present and future. African roots run deep in their design aesthetics. At the same time, they celebrate afro style in the Diaspora that extends to the streets of London, New York, Jamaica, Brazil and Paris.

Over the past five years Afrodesiac Worldwide has amassed a loyal and diverse following. Afrodesiac Worldwide has recently launched a new line titled AFRICA ROCKS! This new line integrates contemporary design against cultural references and a kaleidoscope of modern luxurious African fabrics. Each collection is developed to illustrate the beauty of cultural exchange through fashion, a combination of sophistication and heritage. Fusing unexpected combinations, with a city- chic flair. AFRICA ROCKS! integrates fashion with the larger global community and elevates afro urban chic to the catwalks of the fashion world, adding such cities as Brooklyn, Kingston and Accra to the list of fashion capitals.

Afrodesiac Worldwide prides itself in manufacturing all of its products in Ghana with each garment and accessory hand made with meticulous care.

As tailoring and dressmaking constitute over one-third of Ghana’s labour market skills, Afrodesiac Worldwide aims to be a creative and sustainable entrepreneurial venture that contributes to the economic empowerment of the women and men in the community.

You can catch Chiedza at Dance Africa, Essence Music Festival, Odunde Festival, National Black Arts Festival, Hester Street Fair to name a few. Her designs have been featured in music videos by US recording artist John Legend ‘Wake up everybody’ and ‘Land of Promise’ by Damian Marley, Ghanaian singer Eyfa’s musical performance in October 2011, BET J and MTV Tempo Networks.

In addition, a portion of the proceeds from each Afrodesiac Worldwide purchase is donated to their NGO, Revolutionary Underground, which empowers girls through education, access to technology and mentors and the development of leadership skills. Currently, Revolutionary Underground Foundation is fundraising for the launch of The Haile Selassie Children’s Library and Resource Center, which aims to provide access to literature, literacy classes, mentoring and computer training to disenfranchised youth 3-19 years of age within Ghana’s capital of Accra.

Ony Nwaohuocha

www.richhackman.com

Afrodesiac Worldwide is currently accepting donations for The Haile Selassie Children’s Library and Resource Center Library. Please go to Amazon.com/Wishlist search “Ghana Children’s Library” and purchase a book off the wishlist today. To learn more about Afrodesiac Worldwide visit www.afrodesiacworldwide.com.

FASHION

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Divine Muragijimana

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Mambu Bayoh

rue leadership is all about discovery, innovation and people to find meaning in who they are and what they do. This kind of leadership is rare, and when you do find it, you have to wonder just how these leaders can pull it off. If you have been paying attention to the fashion industry you have heard of 54 kingdoms, the fashion house that is making waves within the industry.

54 Kingdoms, a Pan-African conscious line that specializes in high-quality fashion and accessories, is not only dynamic, but it is revolutionary. Their leadership in the fashion industry is not by accident. The principals of this fashion house are Ghanaians Kwaku Awuah and Nana Poku. If you have ever gotten the chance to meet these two designers, you will understand why they have been dubbed “Fashion Geeks”. It is their unique personalities that make 54 Kingdoms work like clockwork. Between Kwaku’s love for fashion and the use of color, and Nana’s attention to detail and coordination, the two designers creates a brand that not only seeks to educate, but empower those who wear their designs. The novelty of finding an identity through fashion is a merge of the designers’ love and passion for Africa, and fashion. It is their belief that fashion should be the” thread that interweaves our culture and identity, into the fabric of life that displays on the pattern of our pride and self-expression.” With 54 Kingdoms, the designers have been able to accomplish that.

Fashion Geeks

54 Kingdoms As the motto states“ It’s a Kulture not a Brand”. The name 54 Kingdoms symbolizes the total number of countries (pre- South Sudan) in Africa; and the word “kingdom” signifies the importance of each African country and their being part of a larger kingdom. It kingdoms’ patterns, designs, prints, and embroideries on its apparel reflect not only Africa, but also the Caribbean and the West Indies cultures. The production has continued to grow with clothes including tops, and t-shirts that come in the form of everyday casual wear and corporate attire.

The line appeals to both males and females with assortments in an array of skirts, blazers, pants, jeans, and accessories- all sticking to the theme of modern day trends with a mix of traditional symbols. The line has also expanded to accessories, like their genuine leather Sankofa travel bags that is part of their summer 2012 line.

How does this exactly work? Integrating education, empowerment and fashion seems to be a tall order. After all, how do you highlight a culture and continent that has been the source of a lot of complex situations and misconceptions over the years? Addressing the cultural disassociation with modern trends, 54 Kingdoms base their product on a significantly amount of time spent on research. The team is constantly conducting research on current trends around the globe in fusion with culture

and identity assuring that all the designs keep with the purpose of the company. The designers describe their creative process as such: “ The concept creation at 54 Kingdoms is a very long and exhaustive process, but one we are very proud of. Since we don’t design just to design, instead to educate, empower and motivate, all collections need to be researched and made relevant.

Meaning, we ask ourselves the question, “How can we produce a single design that allows our consumers to be educated, empowered about what they have learned, and motivated to pursue knowledge, all at the same time?” Overtime, we have become history buffs, because of the research and history we have to discover in order to produce concepts. Kwaku provides the research knowledge, current trends, and Nana converts the information into an actual design. Realistically, we convert historical and factual text into fashion – a very unique model. As we sometimes will say, ‘let us show you, what we are about to tell you’.”

It sounds almost effortless. Almost. Their hard work pays off as each line boasts of beautiful designs, and an apparent passion and an exerted effort to always stay relevant to their cultural identity and also adapt their product to the global fashion industry.

Dedicated to both quality and cuttingedge trends, 54 Kingdoms stays relevant by assuring that every product that is produced

Between Kwaku’s love for fashion and the use of color, and Nana’s attention to detail and coordination, the two designers creates a brand that not only seeks to educate, but empower those who wear their designs. has a “significant story and meaning behind it”. The designers’ strongly believe that fashion should be a tangible, physical expression of one’s feelings and thoughts, culture and identity. Who can argue with that? 54 Kingdoms has not only redefined fashion, but has truly embraced Africa and its cultural identity. They have, in the process, redefined African Fashion.

In other words, it’s fashion that has been produced for global consumption, but crafted by the African creative.”54 Kingdoms dedication to African culture and identity rises from the designers behind the brand. Using the Pan-African community as a medium, Kwaku and Nana have created a socially responsible brand that supports the communities of the consumers. Through their Community Outreach Initiative, 54 Kingdoms partnered with Edeyo Foundation, a Haitian non-profit organization in New York whose aim is to help in the reconstruction of Joyous Heart, a school in Bel Air, Port-Au-Prince that was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. After a “Built for Haiti Campaign” to raise money for the reconstruction, Kwaku and Nana went down to Haiti to put their words in action and take part in the work on the ground. In Haiti they were able to review the school curriculum and provide insights in ways they could improve the institution. 54 Kingdoms is also partnering with the Africa Youth Network in Ghana, a non-profit initiative that has two initiatives: The Ghana Youth Forum (GYF), which 54 Kingdoms has sponsored since 2009. and the Ghana Youth Awards (GYA). Their initiatives led to their nomination for the Stay Classy Awards’ Philanthropic Small Business of the Year category.

In the upcoming months, 54 Kingdoms will be releasing a new line.

“You should expect creativity at its best! We are really happy with the design selections for this collection, and we can’t wait to unveil them to the world”, boasts the duo.

Inspiration for our collection came from two avenues. The first being the rich and vibrant culture of the African diaspora, which is detailed our native fabrics and prints. The second focuses on seeing and reminding everyone of Africa’s deep educational roots in the sciences and arts.”

Get a Copy of Applause Africa at Calabar Imports in New York

We certainly can’t wait! If this line is anything like their Hybrid Collection, then we are in for a treat!

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Ani Siyah

Korto Momolu

Bill Witherspoon

Collection

Attolle Collection

Collection

Kachi Designs

Farai Simoyi

MABM

Kibonen

Collection

Collection

Ill La La Designs Collection

Henna Flower Collection

Sheaffa Delince Collection

LET THE RUNWAY BEGIN Africa Fashion Week, NY

On July 12 till14 2012, New York City welcomed designers from all over Africa and beyond as Adiree hosted its 3rd annual Africa Fashion Week NY (AFWNY) at the elegant Broad Street Ballroom in the Financial District of New York City. The shows were a fabulous blend of elegance and artisanship, representing the true diversity of the African continent with influences from the Diaspora. Although talent exuded out of most of the designers, there were a select few that instantly caught the attention of an array of influential fashion and beauty lovers, bloggers, editors and photographers. One could pick from the floral designs of Francis Henri, the Saharan nomad inspiration of Mafi, Bantu, the transition from traditional to posh by Kibonen NY, and the “pret a porter” of Farai Simoyi. Other designers like Project Runway’s season 5 runner-up Korto Momulu and Angolan designer Alex Kangala’ herbadershery will be the talk of town for many months to come.

PEN: Sophy Aiida EVENT: Africa Fashion Week | New York 2012 SPONSORS: Origin Africa, Smart Water, Renarda Joy, Soul Purpose PRODUCER : Adiree PHOTOGRAPHER: Avaloni Studios EXECUTIVE STYLIST : Dupp and Swat MAKE UP : Renarda Joy HAIR : Renarda Joy FOOTWEAR : Susie Sawaya ACCESSORIES (Assorted) : Donna Dove , Nakate, Winnie Burch, Ill La La , MABM, Nadir Tati, Lisa Keating and Fienes Couture

Tosinger “Tosin” Taiwo

The Elegance And Glamour Of Studio D’Maxsi Design.

It’s 2012 and there is a lot of things happening in the African Diaspora! Not only are Afrocentric fashions taking over the mainstream runways, but Hollywood celebrities are incorporating African fabric into their wardrobe and taking on African Fashion Designers to style them. Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi is one of them. Bold colors, glamorous styles, classy collection, Studio D’Maxsi is creating a unique and standout fashion brand. Based in DC, Studio D’Maxsi is a design house owned by Afua Sam. Afua Sam is celebrated as an innovative, sophisticated and edgy designer. Her line is specifically for the modern woman. Applause Africa talks to Afua Sam about how it all started, her journey migrating from Ghana to the USA and her struggles to climb the ladder of success to make her mark in the fashion industry.

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AA The Elegance And Glamour Of Studio D’Maxsi Design.

AA: Can you tell us a little about you?

AS: My name is Afua Sam. I was born in Teshie Nungua, Ghana. I had a very rough life growing up. I had to walk miles to school without shoes. I lost my dad when I was young. and was separated from my mom, but later reunited with her; which gave me strength. However, my faith in God never changed because I knew that will carry me through. My creativity comes naturally, but my skill is self-taught. I remember when I bought my first sewing machine of the “Singer” brand (smiles), I was in my early 20s, and everything changed after that.

AA: How did you come about your passion for Fashion and your migration to the United States?

AS: I have always had creative hands. As a young girl, I made beautiful hand-made kente bags and pillows which I displayed at an exhibition at Panafest in Accra. This got me some recognition and I was introduced to an art club by a friend and through this platform I came to New York. It was sudden, unplanned and challenging, but I was determined. I worked in sewing shops to make a living and designed clothes that others put their labels on. The first time I saw my work in the media, I realized I was the ‘ghost’ seamstress behind the beautiful designs featured under the designer’s name. Seeing my work of art featured in the Washington Post got me thinking, my work was being shown and featured under someone else’s name. This got me motivated to step out – this awakening and people’s questions about my ‘self-made’ outfits being from Nordstrom (giggles).

AA: What is your inspiration?

AS: I have always been around some type of art or creativity. It feels very natural to me.

My inspiration comes from everything around me, places, fabric, color, people, buildings etc.

I travel a lot and get inspired by everything I see. I have always loved fashion. It just took me a while to step out because I often thought of it as a hobby. I remember how I would save every penny I had to buy any fashion magazine I saw, which was very expensive for me at the time. I also never missed CNN Style which reports fashion news from all over the world.

AA: Describe your style?

AS: My personal style is very simple, modern and elegant but there is my edgy angle. I think a woman can be bold, edgy and at the same time elegant. As a designer, I can work with all

kinds of fabric, but I work with natural fabrics most of the time.

AA: What African Influences are in your designs? And how would you describe the current position of Africans and Afrocentric designs in the fashion scene?

AS: My background as an African has a lot of influence in my designs, especially when it comes to color. I always add a touch of my roots as an African through style, fabric or color. The future for African designers in the international stage is so bright, we have seen examples in stores like H&M, and designers like Gwen Stefani, Jean Paul, Beyonce, carrying or wearing African styles.

...you don’t have to be rich to help anybody. As long as you have a voice and a will, don’t think you can’t have an impact on someone’s life.

You don’t have to be ‘somebody’ in order to make a difference...

AA: Are there any Celebrities you’ve styled?

Or that you would love to style?

AS: Personally, I can say that I have been blessed to have some exclusive opportunities; some of them are working with music artists like Carolyn Malachi- Grammy nominated recording artist and songwriter among others, beauty contestants like Miss Ghana, Miss Universe, Miss China America First Runner Up, Miss Maryland, Miss Black USA DC; radio personalities, nonprofit organizations who support a lot of causes that matter. I personally have a heart for charity work. I have had 3 nominations; the top 10 designers to watch in the DC Metro Area by Council Magazine, Top 10 Afrikan Goddess of the

42 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

Year by ‘Afrikan Goddess Magazine’ and High Fashion/Couture designer of the Year by Maryland Fashion Awards and other 2 awards to my credit. As a designer, my greatest joy will be seeing everyone wearing my designs, but I would absolutely love to see the First Lady Michelle Obama or Ms Oprah wearing a STUDIO D’MAXSI dress or gown someday.

AA: What is your favorite piece in your collection?

AS: I have so many favorites that I created, I really can’t choose. (Hearty Laughter) AA: Where can we find out more information about your pieces?

AS: My collection can be found on my website at www.studiodmaxsi.com. My price range is very reasonable, if you see any design you like on the site, let us know via email afua@ studiodmaxsi.com and we will give a good price.

AA: So what should we expect from you, in terms of plans for the future? Is there anything else you want to share?

AS: I have so many projects coming up; you can like my page on Facebook at “STUDIO D’MAXSI DESIGNS INC” to keep up with everything D’MAXSI. I want everyone to read about “Operation Prom”. Operation Prom is a competition open to academically excellent high school female students. It is a project idea under the umbrella of my nonprofit organization, “Afua’s Foundation” which aims to empower young women, promote education, and excellence in young women.

The recipient for the 2012 “Operation Prom” is Miss Jasmine Green, a talented, strong and smart young lady who got the prize for getting a GPA of 3.4. She will be receiving a prom dress made by STUDIO D’MAXSI and she gets to keep it.

AA: Any Inspiring words to round up?

AS: My message through my fashion brand is “Be as bold as you can be but very chic and sexy at the same time”. I believe my life’s story is a perfect example of what can happen when one is not afraid to go after their dreams no matter how poor or disadvantaged they may be. I believe you don’t have to be rich to help anybody. As long as you have a voice and a will, don’t think you can’t have an impact on someone’s life. You don’t have to be ‘somebody’ in order to make a difference anywhere you find yourself.

43

FASHION

AA

10

Must Have Men’s

Sunglasses

Style Accessories Ernest Danjuma Carter

For sunglasses, you have to pick what fits your face and skin tone. Don’t just get a cheap pair. Invest in a quality pair with silicon nose pads and polarized lenses. They last longer, fit better and are as functional as they are good looking. Aviators are always a safe bet, but I prefer wayfarers, (or Ray Bans as they’re more popularly known) or a new Australian brand called “Holloway”: made out of recycled skate board’s. A little pricey, but you get to design your own pair and you’ll be doing your bit to save the environment.

Tip: Pick the right frame for your face - oblong, square, round, oval or even triangle.

Ray-Ban RB2140 54 WAYFARER ($149.95) www.sunglasshut.com Persol PO0714SM 54 Brown ($360.00) www.sunglasshut.com Holloway Forest Fire Owls - ($229.95) www hollowayeyewear.com.au

Cologne This might very well be the most important accessory, as your choice of cologne can make-or- break your personal style. You have to pick a scent you like, and that suits you.

Preferably one for the day time and one for the night – if you can afford it of course. The spitzer guy or lady at the counter can help you with this, but here are some suggestions that are sure winners.

He is a mechanical engineer in New York City’s booming commercial construction industry, although you couldn’t tell from the way he dresses. When he’s not in a hard hat, the 28-year old Kaduna, Nigeria native is a staple in the New York City social circuit, a strategic consultant to non-profit start-ups (whatever that means), an aspiring actor, and the self proclaimed “Most Interesting Man in the World”. The very entertaining, always dapper Ernest Danjuma Carter curates our men’s 10 Must Have.

Five Fashion No-nos!

Incase you didn’t know.

No designer logo belts.

No designer monogram print shoes.

No square-toe shoes.

No pleated khakis No socks with loafers

44 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

Tip: A Man’s cologne should never linger longer than the man wearing it.

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de l’Homme - 50ml ($77) www.sephora.com Arquiste Parfumeur - L’Etrog - 55ml ($165) www.barneys.com Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum - 100 ml ($265) www. saksfifthavenue.com

Colored Chino Pants Men are embracing all kinds of things we once ignored, Color being one of them. Chino pants are a great way to add some color to your outfit in the summer. Find the perfect pair of colored trousers, from easy-to-wear blue to daring shades of red, there’s something to suit every taste.

Tip: Try wearing them “high tide”: Fold your pants legs halfway up the hems (about half an inch) then tightly turn them over twice. It’s the right way to roll this summer. No Pleated Khakis Toddland Shipwreck Chino ($59.00) www.urbanoutfitters.com ASOS Heavyweight Straight Chino ($52.19) www.asos.com Mid Grey Cotton Slim Chinos ($50.00) www.topman.com

Slip-on Shoes Why fumble with laces and straps when you can just slip your foot in and keep it moving?! Whether for casual occasions or for more dressy ones, slip-ons are the way to go for the summer. I prefer driving shoes, but there’s a million options to pick from: Boat shoes, loafers, espradilles, vans or slippers.

Tip: Absolutely NO socks!

Tod’s New Gommini 122 Tie Driver ($495) www.barneys.com TOMS Freetown Chocolate Men’s Classics ($54) www.toms.com

Relaxed Summer Suits If a trip to the Hamptons or a polo tournament is on your summer agenda, or if you’re just the dressytype, then you’ll probably wanna get a cotton or linen blazer. A Linen double breasted jacket will be my recommendation.

Tip: The fit should be a little relaxed (loose). NOT BAGGIE, but certainly not like a dress-up suit.

John W. Nordstrom Double Breasted Linen Sportcoat ($199) shop. nordstrom.com Linen herringbone sportcoat in Ludlow fit ($345) www.jcrew.com Partridge B Linen Summer double Breasted Blazer ($445) www. reissonline.com

Pocket Squares These are my favorite accessories, as anyone who knows me probably already knows. Because they can make the most basic looking outfit look interesting.

They’re also a great way to add color to your outfit.

You can get away with pretty much any color or print, so opt for the more interesting and colorful prints.

Tip: Cotton or cotton-silk blend over pure silk, because they don’t need constant adjusting.

Drakes London Beach Theme Pocket Square $85 www.barneys.com ETRO Printed Linen and Silk-Blend Pocket Square $ 110 www. mrporter.com Seaward & Stearn Paisley Pocket Square $ 85 www.barneys.com

Straw Fedora Hats If you can pull it off, these are a neat accessory to have. Caution though: some women have reservations about men in hats, while some absolutely love them.

So its a high risk, high reward situation. Also, If your head is on the bigger side, perhaps this might not be such a great idea. If you’re bald(ing) on the other hand, it probably won’t hurt.

Tip: Stick with smaller brims. Otherwise, you risk looking like a cowboy.

Brixton The Castor Fedora in Tan Straw $40 www.karmaloop.com Accessory Collective Straw Fedora Hat (Big Boys) $24 www. nordstrom.com The Layne Fedora in Natural $45 www.karmaloop.com

of a better term), but in this case I’ll make an exception. I’m a huge fan of wrist bands especially when they are for a charitable cause. Plus, they’re a great conversation piece. *smiles*. Hand crafted beads are always a safe bet and can add a little more pizzaz to any ensemble.

Tip: If you’re more daring, you can even opt for bracelets with precious metals/stones, although I’d strongly advise against it.

FACE Africa Wristbands - Pack of 5 ($10) www. faceafrica.org/shop/totes ONE Band - Pack of 10 ($10) one.shop.musictoday.com AGU Couture ANJA Double Row Matte Onyx Bracelet ($75) www.shopagu.com

Go-to-Hell Socks Trade in the boring dark and neutral colored dress socks from the fall and winter for more bright colored pairs with outrageous patterns and playful colors. They’re a fun, simple and affordable way to add color to your outfit.

Don’t worry about color coordination, they’re meant to stand-out.

Tip: While they’re a must have, you should never, ever wear them to work. If you have a “serious” job, or expect to be taken seriously at work.

Happy Socks Big Dot Combed Cotton ($12) www. happysocks.com Paul Smith Mens Classic Multi Stripe Socks ($30) www. paulsmith.co.uk K.Bell Black Braniac Socks ($8.50) www.joyofsocks.com

Vintage Leather Strap Watch A watch doesn’t have to be expensive to be a status symbol. Of course that’s what a poor man would say. *laughs* But really, any classy leather strap watch would do for the summer.

Tip: The idea is: Fuck money. I’ve got style. However, if you’d rather invest in a classic time piece, then you would probably wanna pay a little more attention to things like perpetual calender, chronograph, bezel, tachometer and things.

Leather Strap Watch - $554 www.nordstrom.com TAG Heuer “Carrera” Leather Strap Watch ($2,500) www. bloomingdales.com Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive World Time CB0013-04A ($399) www. macys.com

Bracelet I usually don’t go for mens jewelry. It’s a tricky look to pull off because it tends to look forced (for the lack 45

icon

Angelique

Kidjo

Talks Tough About Women Rights in Africa

Visit www.applausefrica.com for the full interview.

Mutityat Ade-Salu Music and Film

In June, I chatted with world-renown musician and activist Angelique Kidjo days before her concert at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY. As an artist who has had the privilege of performing on the same stage with her, I was eager to also touch on her past performance at Carnegie Hall with Hugh Masekela, the upcoming feature film “Ma’ George”, her recent onewoman theatrical show at Joe’s Pub, and her collaboration with the Broadway cast of FELA! However, what was meant to be a standard interview turned into a personal and heartfelt conversation about her upbringing and the social issues afflicting African women today. Here is an excerpt from an interview you won’t soon forget.

AA:You are getting ready to perform at Prospect Park, and I noticed that it’s called “Angelique Kidjo’s Women Waging Peace”. Does that imply that you put together the show and that you selected the other singers singing with you?

AK: Yeah, I’ve been wanting to do something in that regard and also in the memory of Wangari Maathai, who passed a way last year. When we started talking about the concert, she just passed away and they were asking me to participate in remembering her in NY, but I couldn’t and I was just so frustrated. So [I said] when the time would be right for me, I would do that. Wangari did an interview in London and they asked her if she had to be alone on an island, what kind of music would she take? Mine was kind of music she would take with her on that island. And for me, a woman of that stature, that knows my work and appreciates it, it was everything to me. It was more important than the Grammys.

AA:You know, many people around the world were moved by her activism in Kenya.

AK: Well, she brought environment issues on the forefront of policy in Africa. Everyone is always thinking of the oil profits.

AA: It’s very interesting, you doing this concert in memory of her, because you yourself are a symbol of women’s empowerment, not just in your music but also the way you carry yourself.

AK: Some women get married thinking the husband is going take care of them. I’ve been married and in my experience, it’s important - all the time - to keep your identity within a couple.

You have to take care of yourself to be able to fill the need of the partner that you have. It’s a partnership. As my grandmother used to put it, “Don’t be a weight.” You have to have a job.

You can’t be a weight on the shoulder of your husband. Just relying on love alone is not enough.

You have to be able to respect the mind, the body, and the opinion of your partner.

AA: In “Ma George” you play the mother of a Nigerian woman brought to the United States to marry a Nigerian man already living here.

After some time the couple struggled to have a child. Could you speak about your role in?

AK: Well it’s difficult. One of the problems we have in Africa is that a woman has to bear children. And sometimes it creates a problem if you don’t get pregnant soon enough - you must not be a woman. A woman is not just a womb that carries the baby. I know we have to perpetrate the lineage, but beyond the lineage you are a story of people. The pressure of the family becomes too huge and that (pressure) doesn’t go well with the pregnancy. If you are looking to have a child and you are stressed, it’s not going to happen. You have to be at peace to do that. And, um, it hurts as a woman, when you find out that is all you’re worth. If you don’t have a child you’re nothing. So, you go on with the scheme of your mother-in-law, having to sleep with your brother-in-law to keep the family going. What if he falls in love with you during that situation? What happens after that?

You can’t play with people’s lives and you can’t play with people’s feelings. It doesn’t matter what good reason you give to yourself. As the mother of the bride, my advice to her was just to respect herself, respect her husband, and to pray for a peaceful home, for their love to be able to grow and for them to be one.

AA: So, how did you get involved with this film?

AK: (The film’s director) Andrew Dosunmu and I often talked about what we could do together; and we’ve tried to work together before on a movie that was based on a similar story. An African man comes to Harlem and marries an African-American lady, takes her to Africa, and he passes away shortly. Then his family says that because she is their widow, she should go to

New York to marry his brother. Confused, but following their instructions she travels to meet the brother and says, “I came (here) to be your wife.” To which the guy says, “Hell, no! I have a wife already”. I know it’s tradition, and don’t get me wrong; there are good traditions in Africa that I wouldn’t change for nothing in the world.

But, we have traditions that don’t go with the times we live in. We can’t continue thinking that marrying our kids off at an early age is a good thing. A 12-year old marrying a 50-year old is rape! That’s a crime! Now what do we do to correct the image that people have of us? Another question is how do we perceive ourselves? If we want respect, we have to respect others. We cannot ask for respect if we don’t respect other human beings. We (Africans) should empower women to be who they want to be. If a man that does not respect that, he does not want a wife, he wants a servant.

Physical abuse is going on in Africa and no one wants to talk about it. Pretty much, everyone has abusers in their family, and they keep quiet. I just don’t understand how we can sit and take this.

...don’t get me wrong; there are good traditions in Africa that I wouldn’t change for nothing in the world. But, we have traditions that don’t go with the times we live in.

AA: That’s one of the difficult questions Africa has to face right now: “What do we do with the traditions that are harming us?”

AK: It’s only a difficult question if we do not want to do anything to change it. My father raised us and sent us to school - all of us, both the girls and the boys. He was different from other African men. I’m not saying he was better, but he was able to say no to certain traditions that were not right. For instance, scarification; he said, “Not on my child.” He was preserving the integrity of his kids. If my father can do that, how can you tell me that no African man can?

It’s a matter of willpower. Talking about power, everyone wants power. How can (a man) have power over a woman who is the mother of his kids? So does it mean your kids are your possession? We have to ask ourselves: What is the pride of the man? How can you marry a human being and not take into account her needs and her mind and her body? I hear men say all the time, “I’m the boss.” Okay, the boss of who? You’re not even the boss of yourself. How can you be my boss? How can you have children with me and not respect me? And you brag

around about the kids. How can you be proud of your kids, if you’re not proud of the woman who had your kids? How can you disrespect your wife and respect your mother? There is something that is really disturbing about that, and as soon as you bring up (the issue of) the mother, they go mad! You have to ask yourself: did he respect his mother, did he respect his grandmother, did he love them? Are they’re more important to him than you?

AA:You mentioned how you grew up and how your father raised you. This was the basis of your performance at Joe’s Pub, right?

AK: (laughs) Yes, the thing is my mom and my dad were only children. So they always said to us “You’re my brothers, you’re my family, you’re everything I have.” My mother would die for us. My dad believed in the power of education.

He got us into good schools. He believed you cannot become anyone if you are not educated in the world in which you live. How can you live with other human beings if you are not experienced about culture, your own culture? So, you have to be proud of who you are to be able to be proud of other people.

If you’re proud of your culture, then you can understand when someone else is proud of theirs. I was fortunate to be born in a family where education was important. My father was not letting go of that, even when some in his family asked him to remove us from school for early marriage. My father said, “My kids are not objects. They’re human beings and they have a right to make choices and decisions for themselves. Their lives don’t belong to me.”

AA: I’m sure many people can relate to that.

AK: Yes. Sometimes we Africans, in our arrogance, think that we’re better than others.

But no; there is one humanity and within that humanity there are differences in culture. But those cultures are not that different from each other. We share the same values; we all cherish our parents and we all have a community that we can rely on. If you think you are more than that, you’re going to disrespect other human beings.

AA: I don’t know if you realize this, but you’re helping to change the preconceived notions about Africa in the way you carry yourself and in the stories that you tell.

AK: Well, thank you. I do what I have to do because I’m proud of who I am. As I said before, we have to be proud of ourselves. People try to talk to us as if they think that we don’t know what we want. I don’t have to do (someone) the favor of proving that I’m right. That’s their business, not mine. In this world, not everyone is going to like you. That is one of the lessons we have to learn. If you let people decide their opinion on every decision you make, you will always be the fool of somebody. Don’t do that.

It’s your mistake; you pay for it. Move on.

47

kick starters

Iroko TV Helping to grow a better Nollywood Jason Njoku, aka Igwe is the 31-year old founder and CEO of iROKO partners.

The Internet has been a fertile land of opportunities for a lot of new age entrepreneurs and Jason, is another Nigerian to join this elite league. Njoku, the largest share holder in his company, was not always a successful entrepreneur; in fact he stumbled upon his calling after moving in with his mom in London, after many unsuccessful stabs at entrepreneurship. The company’s popular brands are iROKOtv – a ‘Netflix of Africa’ and iROKING – a ‘Spotify of African Music’.

Recently married, Jason sits with Applause Africa’s Michael Ikotun to discuss his success so far.

Michael Ikotun Movies and Film

AA: Describe the first few weeks when the iROKOtv idea first came to you.

Do you remember the first (potential) investor you pitched it to?

JN: The first seeds of iROKOtv started back in 2012, when I moved back home with my mum (London) penniless, and I noticed that she was no longer watching Eastenders (long-running British soap opera) in the evening. Instead, she was watching as many hours of Nollywood films as she could get her hands on. She asked me to get her some more discs and I found that they were hard to get hold of. Instinctively, I went online to look for them – I’m an Internet geek, everything starts online for me. I couldn’t see a reliable source of Nollywood movies anywhere and was genuinely surprised that no-one had thought about streaming such a popular source of entertainment online.

I visited Lagos, got a taste of the market, came home and tried to set up the business from my bedroom in London. It became evident almost immediately that this wouldn’t be possible, so I got on a plane to Lagos, headed for Alaba Market and that’s pretty much how it started. Unlike most other start-ups, we never had to pitch – US-based hedge fund Tiger Global came to us, they liked what they saw, we went through the requisite due diligence and we secured $8m of investment, which we finalized this year. It’s not a common story.

AA: Describe your relationship with Google. Why did you choose to move your brand from YouTube, despite the millions of revenue your channel was generating at the time?

JN: It’s simple really – I wasn’t convinced that I could build a long-term business on someone else’s platform. Nollywood Love, our channel on YouTube, was where we started, and it was a success very quickly. That was fine, but I was always eager to grow the business organically. We had the momentum, the viewership figures and, importantly, a loyal audience who we connected with. The media was starting to get interested in what we were doing which led to an investment from Tiger Global, which we used to build out own platform, the bold, the beautiful - iROKOtv.com.

AA: Has it always been your plan to be an entrepreneur?

JN: Yes – I never saw myself working for ‘the man’. I’ve always had entrepreneurial tendencies. I love the hustle, the different challenges that every day brings, the variety, the unknown…. I’m not a 9 to 5 kind of guy. I always worked harder and longer than anyone else I knew and if I’m going to do that, it’s going to be for my own company. I loved the idea of building an empire, and I think I’m on the way to doing that, in terms of a business-but actually most of that is the people around me. I worked hard to surround myself with experts in the field, who know their stuff and love what they’re doing. Without these guys, I wouldn’t be the entrepreneur I am today.

AA: What skills learnt from obtaining a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry,

from University of Manchester are transferable in the creation and running of iROKOtv? JN: That’s a good question and in all honesty, I’m not sure if it was the subject matter really.

For me, just getting to University was a success – I’m the first person from my family to get a college degree. The discipline of going to classes, studying, passing exams was good for me, and I also had the freedom there to try out a few businesses in the student community.

I met a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds. I also met my business partner and co-Founder of iROKOtv, Bastian Gotter.

AA: What are your thoughts on Internet adoption and infrastructure development in Africa, especially in Nigeria?

JN: At the moment, iROKOtv focuses heavily on the West simply because broadband penetration is greater there. We have more viewers in London than Lagos. But this won’t be forever. Investment in IT and telecomms infrastructure is considerable and when Africa comes online, I think the company will refocus back on the continent. Nigeria, especially, is leading the online revolution – Internet growth there is twice that of the rest of Africa and there are already around 90 million Internet users – over half the population.

AA:You have been quoted as saying that your company is the biggest investor in Nollywood, can you shed some light on that?

JN: We have spent about $5m dollars – from external investment and through revenue generated by the business, in buying new content, and by that, I mean movies. Before iROKOtv existed, Nollywood producers only generated income from DVD sales – that was pretty much it. And once the discs had been pirated and distributed through illicit channels, there was no means of them reaping the true financial worth of their movies. Through this new-found revenue stream, we hope that Nollywood producers will be able to reinvest in their films.

So, we buy the online licenses and that can generate tens of thousands of extra dollars for them. Our library of movies currently has over 5,000 titles and we are always buying more. At the moment, no-one else has our purchasing power. We were the first to sort and organize Nollywood movies in a systematic way, and stream them legally online. This is a significant transformation of how Nollywood movies are distributed around the world to the Diaspora and it benefits both producers and viewers.

And us – we’ve managed to build an awesome business by showcasing and properly marketing the world’s second largest film industry.

AA:You recently secured $2M from a Swedish company, as part of the investment

of $8M in April from an American investment firm. iROKOtv now has $8M to take it where it needs to go. Why do you think investors around the globe are in obvious support of such a novel idea from Nigeria?

JN: Africa is an awesome place to do business at the moment. There’s an abundance of talent, there’s a burgeoning consumer market, economic growth is outstripping that of Europe and North America….. need I go on? Nigeria, especially, is a dominant force on the continent, in terms of business and in entertainment (movies and music). With iROKOtv, we’re in the process of aggregating the African Diaspora and investors see this as a key opportunity to bring in global advertisers – which is an extremely attractive proposition.

...I’m not a 9to5 kind of guy. I always worked harder and longer than anyone else I knew and if I’m going to do that, it’s going to be for my own company. I loved the idea of building an empire, and I think I’m on the way to doing that...

AA: When did you know first iROKOtv was going to be a huge success, a contrast to your past efforts?

JN: I learnt a lot from previous failed business and applied this new-found knowledge to iROKOtv. This time around it was a smart idea, at the right time and with enough capital to invest in it. My previous failures showed me how it was possible to actually make money in the real world. I had a something that had real market demand – Nollywood is massively popular, seriously. We started well pretty much from day one, we gained momentum and I knew I was on to something. However, I don’t think I quite realized quite how much of a success it was until I saw the data rolling in.

People were logging in from all over the world and staying tuned for long periods of time.

Our viewers, wherever they may be, France, Finland or Malaysia, spend hours at a time on the site. We recently found that in 89 days, one

iROKOtv viewer, or super-user I should say, watched 1126hrs, 59m and 30s.

AA: Is iROKOtv immune to the piracy situation plaguing the Nollywood industry?

JN: No one is. It’s endemic. But that doesn’t stop us from trying hard, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees fighting against pirate sites. We need to help push a cultural shift in getting people to respect intellectual property and better understand copyright infringement. If people keep expecting something for nothing, and are happy to see producers’ work effectively stolen, then they cannot complain when the quality of films doesn’t improve. Piracy is ripping the industry apart – approximately 50% of profits are lost to pirates. Imagine what that extra 50% could do for Nollywood; investment in script development, technical equipment etc. But at the moment, that money is lost. We don’t want this, movie producers don’t want this and I’m certain our viewers don’t either.

AA: Apart from the fact that iROKOtv does not rent out physical DVD movies, how is your mode of operation similar or different in comparison with Netflix’s?

JN: Our operation is very similar to Netflix, although we’re a start-up and much smaller – at the moment. Unlike Netflix, we also provide a lot of content for free - it is subsidized with advertising. So recently, we introduced a subscription service, iROKOtv+ where viewers pay $5 for access to exclusive, brand new films.

But 95% of our site is still free. That’s a key differentiator between us and Netflix.

AA: If you could pinpoint the secret to success of your business, it would be…?

JN: Hard work, passion for what you’re doing, knowing when to say no, as well as yes. But apart from having awesome content to work with, the business would be nothing without the guys I work with. The teams in Lagos, London and New York make this business what it is, there is no success without them.

AA: What’s next?

We’re always thinking a couple of steps ahead, although the Internet moves very quickly so we can’t plan too far in advance. We’re looking at moving into the TV and cable channels in the US – which is currently our biggest market for Nollywood viewers. We’re also looking at other opportunities in Africa, seeing where we can work with other film industries on the continent. There’s a real celebration and resurgence in African cultural output at the moment and we want to encourage this and see where we can lead in showing the continent’s best entertainment and media off to the rest of the Diaspora, as well as the rest of the world.

AA

TECHNOLOGY

Technology is changing Africa, as Africans change the global scope of technology. Currently, internet traffic in Africa is growing by leaps and bounds.

Thanks to internet start-ups and mobile apps, Africans are using internet to combat the lack of strong infrastructures in their respective countries. This Summer Applause Africa takes you on a journey to the technologies that have their start in Sub-Saharan Africa, and are changing the way Africans across the continent engage technology.

MXIT, SOUTH AFRICA

With over 25 million subscribers, Mxit is a South African based mobile instant messaging app that offers its users access to services like social networking, mobile voice clips, music & entertainment, and access to other applications.

Mxit offers it subscribers access to instant messaging capabilities through AIM, Google Talk Facebook, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger

K e n y a , S o u t h A f r i c a , Ta n z a n i a , a n d M o r e

Technologies That Are Changing Africa ForgetMeNot Africa, Zimbabwe

ForgetMeNot Africa is a service that helps mobile users to have access to internet. The company has partners with more than six mobile carriers across Africa and promotes the use of the service for those who do not have a smartphone or data connections. The platform allows its users to the capability send and receive email and Instant Messages on basic handsets without any internet connection

Hummba – South Africa

Traveling to South Africa without a guide? No Problem! Hummba serves as a personal guide to those who might find themselves travelling to South Africa and want to know the must-see places. The app also offers audio guides to different places in the country. Hummba is built with sharing capabilities that helps users keep up to date with other friends’ travelling and new spots that might be discovered.

50 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

Ushahidi, Kenya

Ushahidi or “testimony” was developed during the violence that erupted in Kenya in 2008. Ushahidi is build around the concept of crowdsourcing allowing for social activism, and has been used as an activist mapping. The platform allows observers to submit reports using their phones or the internet, and in the process creates and archive of events. Ushahidi has been used as a the map for several other initiatives around the world including Haiti, Russia, USA and New

BongoLive Tanzania

This Tanzania-based mobile service is similar to Rupu only that the users receive the deals based on their preferences created on their profiles. The users build profiles and will receive information and great deals free of charge. Completing profiles means that users will receive information on only the categories they have opted-into.

Fundi Bots, Uganda

This Google RISE Grant recipient is a Ugandan robotics organization that holds robotics outreach programs in schools teaching young people about robotics and how to use microchips.

The program aims to teach the young people across Uganda how physics, biology, engineering, mechanics and computing concepts work. Even though it is still in infancy, the start-up is opening doors of possibilities for many Ugandan youth.

PesaPal, Kenya

Welcome to the PayPal of Africa. PesaPal is an eCommerce platform that works with Kenya’s main mobile payment servicesZap and MPesa. The mobile banking app makes it easier for its users to buy and sell goods by connecting them to the major payment services and methods, and also storing their financial records for convenient processing.

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Sophia Egbelo Originally published in 2006, Adichie sets her story during the Biafra war in Nigeria. More so, the novel narrates the story of four individuals from different backgrounds brought together during the war and how their lives dramatically change during this time of conflict. This was a time when Nigeria was on a quest to solidify the nation as one.

For many Nigerians who are post-Biafra war children, Adichie’s novel allows us to form in our minds the very reality of strife our grand parents, parents and relatives had to endure during the war.

Some might question what kind of a nation Biafra would have been if it were still in existence today, but thatwould never be known.

Adichie’s “Half’ of a Yellow Sun” coming to the big screen.

For a while now talks were swirling about Chimamanda Adichie’s awardwinning novel being adapted into motion picture. While many hoped this would be true, at last, it has been confirmed that a movie is in the works for Adichie’s critically acclaimed fiction piece: Half of a Yellow Sun. The novel has captured the hearts of African literature enthusiasts and has also earned its place in the New York Times “100 Most Notable Books of the Year.”

Since gaining warm appraisal from several book critics as well as winning the “Orange Prize” for fiction, it comes as no surprise that Adichie’s second novel is alas being adapted into a movie. Confirmed to play major roles in the film as listed on the movie directory IMBD are actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Genevieve Nnaji, Anika Noni Rose, Dominic Cooper, Zack Orji, Joseph Mawle and John Boyega, all under the watchful direction of the acclaimed Biyi Bandele.

There is no doubt that this book explores a painful history for the lives lost in that era. The Biafra war might be in the past, but will never be forgotten and will certainly be relieved when the production of “Half of a yellow Sun” is finally revealed.

The filming has recently been completed in Nigeria and fans are waiting eagerly to see it on the big screen.

Restless City, still gaining popularity even in its second year.

In 2010, film director Andrew Dosunmu’s acclaimed independent film titled “Restless City”, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Back then the movie premiered to a smaller crowd; today Restless City is being shown to a large audience in cities across America.

Dosunmu’s 90-minute flick, which is set in the city of New York, centers around the immigration struggle for a majority of Africans who migrate to a new world in a quest for a better life. In this scenario, the main character who is of West African descent never attains the American dream, in fact the movie’s tragic ending is what brings meaning to the title as well as highlights the trials of being displaced in a new land.

“Restless City” has gone on to gain numerous press attentions including a review from the New York Times.

Applause Africa interviewed Dosunmo following the

NOTABLES

New African Fashion In her book, “New African Fashion” (Prestel - $35), Helen Jennings, a fashion journalist, and editor in chief of ARISE, offers a brief history of African fashion, beauty and style, follows its influence on modern designers, and spotlights the best designers, photographers, and models from across the continent and the African diaspora. Profiling popular lines such as Duro Olowu, Jewel by Lisa, Black Coffee, and Eric Raisina, Jennings explores the myriad reasons why African fashion is having its moment in the sun. She shows show designers are looking beyond clichés of the African aesthetic by embracing both traditional and contemporary fabrics and garments, and how the passion for ethically and environmentally conscious clothing is fueling this trend.

Applause Africa asked her, as she autographed our copy of the part coffee-table book, part glossary, what inspired her to compile the book. She replied, “I’ve been a style journalist for several years and have written about fashion from all over the world...

There was no modern book on Africa-inspired to African-made fashion, so I wrote one.”

New York premiere of “Restless City” where the award-winning documentarian was resonate about his passion for theater and the arts.

Dosunmu noted that his duty as a filmmaker is “to tell our story and tell it honestly.”

Long after Sundance the movie has gone on to showcase at a variety of film festivals such as the African Film Festival and Blackstar Film Festival.

It has also been screened in AMC theatres across the country; one of which was hosted by Applause Africa.

So far nearly every African who has watched “Restless City”, can relate to an aspect of the film. Through the main character’s high and low moments we are able to reflect on our own stories of failures and triumphs.

Dosunmu has just finished the shooting of his new film “Ma’ George” feuturing Angelique Kidjo, Danai Gurira, Sade Bakare, and Isaach De Bankole. The movie is set to be released in 2013.

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Columbia Business School, Columbia Law School and the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) jointly hosted the annual two-day conference on Africa and her changing landscape. The African Economic Forum attracted more than 500 young Africans, the new breed of emerging leaders.

Creating dreams, realizing potential and delivering change were at the heart of the different discussions that took place.

The two-day conference examined vast opportunities produced by Africa’s rapid growth and the evolving rules The Columia University’s AEF 2012 Committee poses with this year’s keynote speaker - Sanusi Lamido of engagement within the continent. The conference brought together Africa’s leading industries, state players, senior executives, and government officials as business and Speakers discussed opportunities and challenges faced as well as socioeconomic improvements witnessed.

It is evident that the economic growth in the continent Columbia University's African Economic Forum has been fueled by local enterprises. Panel topics included tourism, trade, education, health, financial services, fashion and energy.

Engagn i gAfrciaD s’ ynamciEconomy

Governor Lamido Sanusi of Central Bank of Nigeria delivered this year’s keynote address. In his speech, Sanusi pointed out on the problems in Nigeria reflect on problems in the continent of Africa. Thus, to reclaim Africa Western investors have to put its markers down on Africa by investing in infrastructure with a focus on ports and railways. In the meantime, local institutions like the banks and other government entities should encourage the development of the agricultural sector.

Banks can serve as an intermediary, providing the necessary funds and financial literacy to foster growth in such industries.

Governor Sanusi concluded his address by encouraging the attendants on the possibilities that are available in Africa, and that Africa should be a competition to China While not all can be Aliko Ndagote, there are other opportunities available to Africans. “Africa is about opportunity, the opportunity to do better because of brighter macroeconomic fundamentals, and on a micro level because of its natural resources; the opportunity to create and grow new businesses and the opportunity to improve existing businesses,” said Sanusi.

Several other speakers at the forum echoed the sentiments of Mr. Sanusi. They pointed out that Africa has potential for growth; however, the fundamentals in economics like stable infrastructures are a must. The participants and speakers discussed the need to reclaim Africa’s natural resources, while directing manufacturing into Africa. This would enable the leading industries to focus on building a corporate Africa that has insights on increased portfolios and investments.

At the end of the conference, participants learned that Africa, and Africans, need to shape the commercial geopolitics by engaging dynamic geographies and changing state relations. It would be the only way that Africa can grow to its true potential as an economic powerhouse.

Freda Yawason addressing prospective students

Kelechi Ebi and Osahon Akpata

Dr. Rolande Hodel with friend

Audrey Achonu and friend

Tomie Akingbade, Gbenga Olowoyeye and friend

Georgie Badiel and Arunma Oteh

Ada Osakwe, Arunma Oteh and Audrey Achonu

Helen Jennings and Enyinne Owunwanne

Moulaye Seidnaly, Kadiatou Fadiga (Ms Guinea USA)

Alex Tsado

Bodunde Onemola, Audrey Achance and friend

Kobe Brew-Hammond and guests

Sanusi Lamido CBN Governor

Ikezi Kamanu

Les Nubians

Corazon Wanjiku

Michael Ikotun and guest

Claudine Moore

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EVENTS

The First Ladies Youth Infusion Summit

Uniting Generations Together as one The goal of the First Ladies Youth Infusion Summit is to bring together several First African Ladies to meet with the next generation leaders from the ages of 16-25. First Ladies present at the inaugural summit hosted by U.S. Maryland’s First Lady, Katie O’Malley, included Ghana’s H.E. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills and Nigeria’s H.E. Madame Patience Faka Jonathan. In a follow up statement made by UNESCO Center for Peace in organizing the summit they stated that “If we are going to impact future cultures we will need young people who have a vision for what can happen when they enter into their destinies with a motive to solve problems If leadership means influence then young people are definitely leaders. They influence other people and lead new trends, fashion, technology and more. It’s so important that we see the importance of developing those new young leaders. Soon the young adults of today will become the new CEO’s and leaders of our governments, businesses and organizations. We need to see their development as an investment. It is so important that we spend time to develop young people. They are driven and passionate to make a difference. The younger you learn something how more valuable it will be for your future.”

First Lady of Maryland chats with Ghana’s and Nigeria’s First Ladies

Mr. Guy Djoken- President of UNESCO’s Center for Peace, First Ladies of Ghana (Mrs Naadu Mills), Maryland and Nigeria (Patience Jonathan) pose with guests

Mrs. Masidi Dione (Ambassador of UNESCO Center for Peace) and President of AWGG with O’maley

Youth represenatives- Nana Brenyah, Khadijah Fadiga, and Mohamed Dione

54 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

SPECIAL REPORTS The DREAM Act Isn’t Far from Reality

“President Obama’s decision to grant Deferred Action and work permits to a large category of young immigrants opens a window of opportunity that no one eligible should miss,”

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n December 2010, the official immigration bill, dubbed the “DREAM Act” failed to pass through the senate, proving to be a major setback in the fight for immigration reform. As many of you have surely heard, on Friday, June 15th, Barack Obama announced that he would be using his power of executive action to enact “deferred action,” which would allow for the deferment of deportation actions on hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

“They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper,” shared Obama during his announcement of the new policy. Secretary of Homeland Security backed up Obama’s claim saying, “Our nation’s immigration laws must be enforced in a firm and sensible manner, but they are not designed to be blindly enforced without consideration given to the individual circumstances of each case. Nor are they designed to remove productive young people to countries where they may not have lived or even speak the language. Discretion, which is used in so many other areas, is especially justified here.”

Immigration advocates aren’t flying the victory flag quite yet, but there is no doubt that this is a huge step in the right direction in regards to immigration reform. The policy does not go so far as permitting permanent legal status, however it does allow for young undocumented immigrants to stop hiding in the shadows, and to come out to apply for work permits, drivers licenses and more.

“President Obama’s decision to grant Deferred Action and work permits to a large category of young immigrants opens a window of opportunity that no one eligible should miss,” stated African Services Committee CoExecutive Director, Kim Nichols. “Everyone who is eligible should move forward quickly to apply before the US November elections.”

Critics of the Obama administration immediately took to the press claiming that this was the first step towards ‘amnesty’ for all illegal immigrants. We at African Services, however, laud this new development as a necessary and important step in the right direction towards comprehensive immigration reform.

“This is life-changing decision which will enable over 800, 000 highly dynamic youth to pursue their ‘American Dream,’ ” shared Bakary Tandia, a community advocate at African Services Committee, “I am confident that the

momentum generated by decision, will surely lead to a broader solution to the broken immigration system through additional comprehensive reform.”

These grand gestures can, at times, feel like pandering to the voting public during an election year. However, this announcement is truly a historic one for the African Immigrant community. The fluffy speeches and political mudslinging have subsided—for now—and the most important thing many are thinking now is…what does this mean for me?

Thanks to some assistance from the legal team at African Services Committee, and our friends at the Legal Aid Society, we got the details on how this might affect those “Dreamers” who were brought to the United States as children.

To qualify, you must be an immigrant who was brought here before the age of 16 and are no older than 30, you must have lived here for at least 5 consecutive years, and are either enrolled in school, have a high school diploma or GED, or were honorably discharged from the military. If you meet the criteria, you would be eligible for “deferred action,” and also potentially be eligible for work permits and more. Those with felonies or extensive criminal records are not eligible.

It’s important for those that qualify that you reach out to a certified legal and immigration expert to see what your next steps should be. For those of you based in New York City, feel free to drop by the African Services’ offices and speak to one of our attorneys.

----------African Services, established in 1981, is the oldest African organization in New York City and the leading peer provider of health services to African immigrants in the U.S. It provides health, housing, legal and social services to more than 10,000 newcomers each year, focusing on HIV prevention, testing, care and advocacy. Community outreach is conducted in English, French, Fulani, Wolof, Bambara, and Mandingo. In 2003, African Services established a presence in Ethiopia and operates four community-based clinics that provide free and confidential HIV services and support. www.africanservices. org.

To support the work we do “like” us on Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/AfricanServices), Donate on our website (www. africanservices.org) or send us an email info@africanservices.org.

African Services Committee • 429 West 127th Street • New York, NY • 10027 • t. 212.222.3882

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View Point

Serge Tiendrebeogo

T

The Grasshopper and the Ant

“The Grasshopper, having sung all summer long, was greatly lacking in food when the north wind came. Not a single morsel, fly or worm.” This passage from the famous fable of La Fontaine is a familiar childhood fable that sums up by itself, the state of lethargy Africa is currently in. Like the grasshopper, Africa’s obvious and notorious reluctance to face the fact that the world has changed considerably since 2007 leaves it unprepared for a global transition period where a new map of economic power is being drawn.

Africa and Asia are now emerging as the new engines of global growth. U.S. President Barack Obama has even predicted that Africa would be “the next global economic success.” Even though Africa is not aware of its immense potential, the U.S. has already recognized it as a continent on the move and has begun to forecast its economic gains in the near future. Africa has not made the necessary strides to protect its own interest and has failed to prepare for the events that are quickly unfolding. To quote an African proverb: “They are as blind as those who refuse to see.”

Although it is not a high priority to Washington, Africa represents a significant challenge for the United States. The new U.S. strategy

regarding sub-Saharan Africa unveiled recently revolves around four regional strategic objectives: strengthening democratic institutions, stimulating economic growth, trade and investment, ensuring peace and security and promoting opportunities and development. If support for democracy in Africa is considered “critical to U.S. interests” and “a fundamental component” of American leadership abroad, as stated in the National Security Strategy released in May 2010, then the fact remains that this roadmap is just a reflection of the common interests of today which are shaped by the need for an overall strategic vision in an economy shaken by global economic crisis.

From the well-oiled diplomatic discourse in Washington, three main areas of focus have emerged, the likes of which have not been established since the end of the Cold War. The first, a direct product of September 11th 2001, is the continued emphasis on coping with the progression of radical Islam on the continent.

The second is the aim to conquer the African market and secure energy supplies that are slated to become more important as long as instability persists in the Middle East. The third is to counter the advance of China’s perceived rivalry, not just in the energy field.

THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

“If we look to the future, it is clear that Africa is more important than ever for security and prosperity of the international community, and the United States in particular,” said U.S. President Barack Obama. Clearly, the decision of the United States to create AFRICOM reflects the growing importance that this continent is expected to have in the near future and demonstrates the extension of the American security perimeter. Indeed, the political impact of the presence of the United States military on the continent is the most dynamic. Africa has become an issue. Radical Islamism is progressing in two areas, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa and can contaminate many countries, some oil producers or adjacent shipping lanes crucial to the flow of global energy.

What is at stake in these countries is therefore of great importance and will lead to a marked increase in U.S. presence on the continent.

Also, given the causes that nurture the growth of radical Islam, American presence might be sustainable. The New York Post reported that the U.S. military is expanding its intelligence operations across Africa, including establishing a network of small air bases to monitor terrorist hideouts. These efforts cover a wide area from the margins of the Sahara to the jungles along the equator. About a dozen air bases have been established in Africa since 2007 and operations have intensified in recent months, as part of a growing war against affiliates of al-Qaeda and other groups.

SECURING ENERGY SUPPLIES AND CONQUEST IN AFRICAN MARKETS

It is undeniable that the U.S. is most vulnerable to energy dependence. The capacity of the greatest world power to cut back on its usage is low, almost impossible as evidenced by the inertia in the U.S. in the adoption of measures to stave off climate change. Therefore it is no wonder that Africa should become a strategic part of the energy issue. This position is explicit for several reasons. On the one hand, the chronic, unpredictable and unstable Middle East region and its reserves are increasingly considered, followed by its proximity and access to African. African oil regions have risen to the status of global interest, because of both their production levels as well as their reserves. It is not a coincidence that the first African visit President Obama made was to Ghana, a country described as exercising “good governance”. In addition to being the preferred destination south of the Sahara where the Americans and permanent residents of the African-American diaspora live, Ghana is a country whose offshore oil drilling continues

to show huge potential deposits and whose operation calendar kicks into gear within the period of 2010-2011.

African oil comes in large part from deep offshore drilling, where it avoids contact with locals and remains impervious to social unrest or civil war, reducing potential risk and making operations easier to secure. This has not escaped the interest of other countries and competition is very keen with France as with China, a new player who has recently signed many contracts. The share of oil imported by the United States from Africa is set to rise from 15% to 25% in the next ten years. It should also be noted that one quarter of the oil imported by China from comes from African and that half the oil exported from Africa goes to the United States.

In adopting the 2000 law known as AGOA (“Law on growth and economic opportunities of Africa”) President Clinton intended to link development to democracy. This law, in addition to promoting foreign direct investment, provides access to U.S. territory in 6400 products free from customs duties and other taxes from 37 African countries.

In fact, most of the products that will benefit are home textiles (wool, cotton, clothing).

Nevertheless, this mechanism has often been examined as a means of countering the threat posed by Asian countries to the U.S. textile industry. The US influence is not only limited to its military expansion into Africa. It also includes a foreign aid component. With the 2002 creation of the “Millennium Fund” (Millennium Challenge Account) to substantially increase foreign aid, the stated goal is to reduce poverty by promoting economic growth. Recipient countries will be selected if they manifest a serious disposition to “good governance”, that is to say, the application of a set of measures ranging from respect for the political rights of every man, to that of private property, and free economy (the abstention of the state in economic life).

CONTAIN THE CHINESE PRESENCE IN AFRICA

The new White House strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa is perceived in diplomatic circles and the world media as designed to contain Chinese presence in Africa. Indeed, with bilateral trade rising from $10.6 billion in 2000 to $160 billion in 2011, China became the largest trading partner in Africa and therefore the United States’ greatest rival on the continent, evidenced by the influx of Chinese investment. More than 2,000 Chinese companies have invested in the continent to the tune of over $40 billion and in various sectors ranging from electronics, telecommunications, and transport, making the continent one of the

main destinations

The fact remains that America’s view on its national interest takes its foundation from the school of realism, which acts as a straightjacket that prevents U.S. leaders and decision-makers from escaping oldschool mentalities. of Chinese enterprises. This fact constitutes a forum for Beijing that allows it to increase its international presence through diplomatic support, military or economic interests in African countries. At this point, Chinese investments are greatest.

The new U.S. outlook on Africa is a reevaluation of its long time African politics. It also seems to put an end to the chaotic history of foreign policy in Africa. However, the fact remains that America’s view on its national interest takes its foundation from the school of realism, which acts as a straightjacket that prevents U.S. leaders and decision-makers from escaping old-school mentalities. It is undeniable that U.S. interest in the African continent is marked by its overall strategic vision and the needs of its national economy. Both revolve around the fight against terrorism, securing energy supplies and the conquest of African markets to counter Chinese expansion on the continent. Pivotal countries, chosen for their strategic importance, will be asked to play a regional influence and will be provided with US foreign aid since influencing a continent the size of Africa requires stable and strong allies. Like the “grasshopper” in the fable of La Fontaine, Africa has to take an active role in the issues that may be crucial to its survival; a survival that will be dependent on other ant-like countries that have been busy strategizing and mobilizing resources with an eye on the future. Let us hope that in the end, the grasshopper is not left behind because the “ant” in turn is not generous!

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Pushing Africa’s Digital Boundaries African Digital Art Network was created and developed by Jepchumba, a Kenyan digital artist living in Chicago. ADA has become a platform for innovation and inspiration with a sophisticated blend of fresh talent and successful African designers and artists. One of the works found on africandigitalart.com is African Madonna, a self-initiated project by illustration studio, Studio Muti.

“Combining elements from South African tribal culture and referencing religious icons, we came up with our version of an “African Madonna”.

58 ApplauseAfrica | Fall 2012 | www.applauseafrica.com

2nd Annual

applause

MAGAZINE

ACA Awards 2012

SAVE THE DATE DEC 8th, 2012 - NEW YORK

The African Community Awards is designed to create a positive impact in the lives of Africans living in the United States by motivating and empowering their dreams, careers and areas of endeavors. The African Community Awards cut across various fields of endeavors and professional organizations in the United States.

REGISTRATION AND NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN Visit www.applauseafrica.com\aca for full details on nominations and ticket information.

For sponsorship and partnership, email: aca@applauseafrica.com or call: 347 613 5876