Afrokanist by harold impraim

Every Story Matters

SEVEN

Young Africans

Has the Natural Hair Phenomenon Skipped Africa?

to watch out for 2016

How I battled with

self-hate!

Jasmine Osibo

All About Success In Short

Habiba Cooper Diallo The 19 year old Author and student inspired by

African women

3D Technology

in Africa

Reasons Why Black History Matters

Scarf— Gididesigns.com T-shirt— www.sassytees.co.uk

Founder of No Fly on the WALL Siana Bangura

My Story Matters

Inside-AFROKANIST Every Story Matters I want to provoke thoughts through my work Starring conversation with Olivia Twist Designs.

Culture is merely a collection of habitsDamilism 2015

I decided to tell a story about a hero from Nigeria (Africa) conversation with Roye Okupe

I feel that one should follow their heart conversation with Kehinde Adedoyin.

My Story Matters, catch up with Charles Steadman Clarke

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shy to ask, the least you can get is a no conversation with Yusuf Abubakar.

How I battled with self-hate , Jasmine Osibo tells it all HABIBA COOPER DIALLO

Crowned in Cowrie Shells? My story matters. - Loisann Amoako

I believe that if everyone has a small humanitarian project. The world will be better for it conversation with Umar Khalifa Yakubu

Has the Natural Hair Phenomenon Skipped Africa? - Tiffany Aafia Selasi

And over many years the different cornrows styles have been passed down fro family and now to you. Conversation with Angela Simpeh

SEVEN .Young Africans. to watch out for in 2016 4

All About Success In Short Ayoola Ogunrekun

The Lion that Disapproves of the Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Narrative.

The Team

Bringing balance and challenging inequality. Not trying is the biggest failure. My name is Abiola Balikis Salawe Bankole I am the Founder and CEO of Afrokanist Magazine, a graduate of Goldsmiths University, an entrepreneur, photographer, activist and journalist. My family are my biggest fans, they have been extremely supportive, my sister and I have been raised to always question what we have been told and always seek for the truth, love ourselves and never shy away from our culture. I believe that the present and the future is Africa and African Youths have a lot to share with the world. Afrokanist Magazine is the Lion that has learnt to write, because we disapprove of the hunter's narrative. Find me on LinkedIn for more information about me.

My Dad is my number one motivator. He believes in me like no other and always tries to push me to do more.

The best advice I have ever been given is one that has kept me going for long now. "Follow your dreams and make the journey worth it". He has been in the media industry in the past Achieving my dreams is one of my priorities, and he's very happy I am taking after him. So I but the most important to me right now is to believe that's one of the reasons he's trying to make the journey worth it. I want to do what I get me to do more. He's a great writer, so he's do to make myself feel better, fulfilled and sucalways coaching me. cessful. Being a journalist is a dream I have always had My name is Madeena Maishanu , I am the since I was a child, seeing myself getting there Executive Manager of Afrokanist Magazine. slowly, makes me want to do more. Lastly, my partner Abiola Bankole, that woman is amazing ! She coached me and help me get where I am today with Afrokanist Magazine, I will forever remain grateful to her.

Helping others to be, to do and to have. Create your own way don't just follow a path. Both. My name is Ayo Ogunrekun I am simply someone like yourself, a dude that was born into a family of 4 kids. Lost my mum when I was 5 years old (The worst thing that can ever happen to a kid - but became one of the most singular thing to happen to me in recent times). I went through the conventional educational system, work some jobs and more jobs - BUT - something happened! I knew I am more. I became enlightened

Art

Memories of back home A personal project from a child of the diaspora. Triggering nostalgia and working through homesickness. My mother tongue has slipped away but these memories still remain. See your Uncle in my Father.

Olivia Twist Designs

“I want to provoke thought through my work” Olivia

Olivia Twist Designs Olivia is a visual communicator and a graduate from University of the Arts London with a first class degree, she is also specialized in illustration. We met Oliva at the Black British Girlhood art exhibition organized by a group of young and talented Black British artist. Q-Why do you do, what you do? I want to share stories, I want great deal of satisfaction from designing a logo for someone. to teach, I want to provoke thought through my work, I want Through my work I try and answer questions that have been people to find answers through my work, drawing for me is my burning in my mind for a while. So my work is always deeply therapy. personal and reflective. Q-How do you work? I'm a simple girl ,Biro Or Felt tip, "Make Q- What is your strongest memory of your childhood as a do with what you have now" was always ringing in my ears as a Black British? Being picked up from school by different family child, I love texture, pattern and colour so I am pretty experimembers every day because my mum was working. mental. Just being able to ask questions freely on that walk home from Q-What’s your background? I am perfectly Afro-Caribbean, school. Trying to understand where i fit in and what makes us half Ghanaian and half St Lucian. unique as a family. Q-What role does the artist have in society? I believe artists Q-What themes do you pursue? I like to explore the idea of are teachers and healers, I feel almost a responsibility to use my home. What’s your favorite art work? Currently my favorite skills to make art accessible to the over looked. piece of art is , a passion like no other by lynette boyake Yiadom, She is currently my biggest inspiration Q-What type of art do you most identify with? I love west African sign painting, I love raw work, folk art, hand rendered things, I love contemporary African and Caribbean art, It is truly Q-Describe a real-life situation that inspired you? Just obinnovative. serving relationships i have with peers or family and comparing it to mental ideals inspires me as it makes me ask myself quesQ-What work do you most enjoying doing? I love personal tions . projects, even though I studied graphic design I don’t really get a 8

Q-Why art? It’s intrinsic, It comes naturally , I have always been encouraged and supported by my family to do what makes me happy. What is an artistic outlook on life? Its is one that is deeply reflective and critical. It is one that wants to savor beautiful moments and keep appreciating them.

ence to participate in that leads to a touring exhibition Something that brings together cultural studies and illustration. Id love to do a big mural too.

Q-What memorable responses have you had to your work? I had an exhibition in June where I showed my project called the little intricacies which is about cultural hybridity within the Black British community in London. I was just standing near my work watching the audience and I saw stranger laughing and talking about my work. They were sharing experiences they were asking questions. They were so happy to see a body of work made with them specifically in mind.

Q-Favorite or most inspirational place? My bed, all my ideas come to me in bed. You know when you can slow down and process everything you have been taking in and begin to truly appreciate things.

Q-Name three artists you’d like to be compared to? Kara walker, Emory Douglas, Ephrem Solomon.

Q-What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Show them what's real to you.

Q-What inspires you? Discussions I have with My family and My peers. Q-What do you dislike about the art world? Its a bit snobby and not as diverse as it should be. I want to be part of the group who change that. Q-What superpower would you have and why? I am torn between Invisibility and being able to be two places at once, I think id choose to have a twin I could swap places with whenever i felt like it. Or i could leave her at home to rest. Life is demanding. Sometimes you just want to be a recluse and put everything on pause. Having that ability to be two places at once will be a blessing. Q-What is your dream project? A long research based project which includes me holding a series of workshops for the audi-

Culture is merely a collection of habits.

Damilism 2015 Culture is merely a collection of habits. But entire wars have been fought over the preservation of our habits, and the destruction of those of other people. When I look at Black cultures across time and geographical location I notice 3 recurrent elements in particular: 1. An appreciation of spiritual self Black people are spiritual people. They dominate membership of the two largest world religions at a tie when white people are moving away from organized religion in large numbers. But these Abrahamic religions only account for how we have expressed our spirituality in the last 2000years. As well as deistic and monotheistic â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tribalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; belief structures such as that of the Orishas in central and South America as well of course, as in Africa. 2. A people of rhythm We frequently use music for either ceremonial purposes or for entertainment. We have different types of instrument, but there has been tendency to use percussion (drums) or woodwind in many cases. 3. Respect for ancestorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; elders in black communities, it is a high crime to disrespect an ancestor an elder (particularly a woman) as there is a recognition that this is where we as a people have originated. Many languages even have separate terms or prefixes to be used when speaking to, or about an elder person. Prostrations are still the done thing in West Africa, Some tribes still have shrines for House Gods (the spirits of departed family members). However that practice is much more common in Hindu and other Asian communities. But habits, and respectively cultures change depending on individual evolution and environmental factors. What habits are prevalent black culture in London today? A respect for, and appreciation of wealth? People oriented, social values? A tendency to arrive to appointments late? Let us be careful, for our habits will eventually become integrated in our culture.

portfolio11 Dan Civa

Roye Okupe I decided to tell a story about a hero from Nigeria (Africa)

Q-Who are you and what do you do?

Q-Why do you do, what you do?

The short version... Roye Okupe is a geek I started working on E.X.O. - The Legwith an immense drive who has a lot of end of Wale Williams (The book & the animation). First of which was to finally passion for what he believes in. step out and take a risk to make my Long version... From the first day I laid dream come true. I have always had a my eyes on the Teenage Mutant Ninja dream to create a superhero from Nigeria Turtles cartoons in the 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, I've been where I was born and raised. hooked on superheroes. The second reason was pride. I wanted to Since then I've watched, played and read do something positive and inspiration for every single superhero related title I my country (Nigeria) and my continent could lay my hands on: movies, superhero Africa. comics, manga, anime, graphic novels, superhero animated movies & series, vid- When people see E.X.O. either animated on screen or read as a graphic novel, I eo games etc. want them to see a different side of Africa Then in 2008, after noticing there wasn't (our booming tech industry, amazing city a lot of diversity within the genre, I dearchitecture, unique culture, African hucided to tell a story about a hero from mor, Afrofuturism etc. ) , a side that is Nigeria (Africa). not regularly shown in mainstream meFor years I shopped my ideas to several dia. people and organizations and no one was Q-How do you work? really interested at the time. But I was determined to get my stories out there so Hard. lol. I have found nothing good I decided to take matters into my own comes easy, and the things that come hands. So I started YouNeek Studios. easy rarely last.

always been drawn to animation and art. While I do have animation expertise. It is in no were close to the quality I believe is necessary to produce a great feature animation (or TV series). It was then I decided I would focus on being Producer/ Writer/Creator. That is were my true strength lies. I have at one point in my life been involved with: Web Design, Graphic Design, Animation, Editing, Visual Effects, Directing, Feature Film Production, Script Writing, IT, Business Development, Sound Design and Music. Acquiring these skills have given me a rare talent to delegate and manage huge multimedia projects because I can talk with and give instructions on any one of the aforementioned categories. So for the animated short I wrote the script, worked with artists (because my drawing sucks lol) on the storyboards. Then I put together an animatic myself and hired a studio to animate the story. Once I got the animated clips back, I edited them as well as added visual effects. I also worked on the sound design.

My goal is to create a library of Q-Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your background? eclectic and intriguing characters. I've done a little bit of everything, which Simply put I was to tell extraordinary isn't necessarily a good thing lol. But, I've . stories about extraordinary characters. 13

You can buy E.X.O. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Legend of Wale Williams here: www.youneekstudios.com/ product/e-x-o-the-legend-of-wale-williams/ Read Chapter One of the book FREE: www.youneekstudios.com/exo-landing-page/ Watch the Animated Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7JTTCLmSp4 www.youneekstudios.com Facebook: facebook.com/youneekstudios Twitter: twitter.com/youneekstudios Instagram: @YouNeekStudios 14

fallen, made mistakes or simple been at the wrong place at the wrong time. I believe redemption is about what you do Great question. I think artists are respon- moving forward when these things hapsible for teaching us about the past, keep- pen. ing us rooted in the present and giving us I try to drive this point home with the glimpses of the future. main character Wale Williams. I tried to make Wale as relatable as possible. I didQ- What art do you most identify n't want to make him too different from with? you and me. I'm biased towards superhero and action oriented art because that's what I grew up We all have things we struggle with, pains from our past and worries for our on. But I'm a huge fan of any and every future. Wale is a very troubled soul at the kind of art that can make me feel somebeginning of the book. thing. Q-What role does the artist have in society?

first half of my life growing up in Nigeria and the other half growing up in the US while attending college. I feel like I have the best of both worlds and have used skills I have picked up from both phases of my life to tell a very unique story with E.X.O. Q-What memorable responses have you had to your work? CNN reaching out to me for an interview was definitely the height of elation. The lady who conducted the interview read the book and said she really connected to it and she isn't African. That was very memorable.

Through out his journey he learns a lot of painful life lessons, as we all must do as Q-What inspires you? we grow. Without giving too much away, The best way to explain his journey is Chasing my dreams and seeing other Spending time with friends, family and that it is a story of redemption. people chase & live theirs. loved ones. Living and laughing with What do you dislike about the art world? those that truly and genuinely care fore The fact that we don't have a lot of Afriyou is one of the most gratifying feelings Q-What’s your scariest experience? can art and artists represented more on a in the world. Writing this book and planning to follow global scale. it up as an animated series. I have basicalSo in my spare time I try to spend as much time with family and friends. Aside ly bet everything on this project because I Q-What superpower would you have believe so much in it. Hopefully people and why? from that it would be watching movies (superhero movies take the cake lol) and respond well to it. Lol. Hmmm. Good one. Super metaboplaying video games. Q-What’s your favorite art work? lism... That way I don't have to go to the gym 3-4 times a week to stay in shape. Q-What’s your strongest memory of Again I'm biased, but it would have to be your childhood as an the artwork one of the artists I work with Q-What is your dream project? African? produced for E.X.O. His name is Godwin Hmmm. That's a really tough one. There Akpan and he did the cover for the book. Developing E.X.O. as a live action feature film. are so many memories to pick from. Off the top of my head one of the many would Q- Describe a real-life situation that Q-What’s the best piece of advice be the day the Nigerian soccer team won inspired you? you’ve been given? gold in the Atlanta 96 Olympics. It was Seeing people like Adamu Waziru prosuch a sense of pride, people were running in the streets hugging strangers and duce Bino & Fino, an animated kids car- I hope this doesn't sound narcissistic but toon based on African characters inspired it's one I gave myself a couple years ago. celebrating. me. It made me believe I could also step "In this life no one owes you anything, out and work on E.X.O. as well. The whole community was one. I think you have to go out there and make your the unity and pride was what struck me dreams come true" the most and it really ties to my mission. Q-Why art? I want people to read the E.X.O. comic book and eventually watch the animated Because it is one of the oldest and most effective ways of story telling. Also, beseries and feel that same kind of pride. cause I am funding the book myself, this was an easier way to tell my story. HopeQ-What themes do you pursue? fully when the book does well it will attract the necessary support for an animatWell in the E.X.O. graphic novel there are a couple of themes I try to highlight. ed series. One which is redemption. Q-How has your background as a Nigerian influenced your work? To me redemption is something we can all relate to. At some point in life we have I have had the privilege of spending the Q-What work do you most enjoying doing?

self-hate Jasmin Osibo

How I Battled With

Personally for me as a black woman, there is a lot more historical context to self-hate, I would define self-hate as accepting white views on beauty, accepting white views on what it means to be human and then imposing it on my believes and being raised into that believe.

proud to be black, liked my interracial relationship, and the idea that if we did have children, our children will be mix-raced, they would then say things like ‘aww your children are going to be so beautiful’, and that made me think, and I thought why is it that unless my child has white in I grew up in Ghana and even them they will not been seen as beautiful , unless my child back home we still up hold that culture that lighter skin ends up with long hair, that’s women and men are better, or not beautiful. having long straight her is Then I started reading books, better, so while growing up in carrying out research, followGhana, I grew up hating my- ing case studies about instituself, I remember my mum tell- tionalized racism and the ing me that my hair wasn’t concept of slavery and the the nicest, it is only recently devastating effects it has had that I am starting to appreci- on us as a people, the devasate my hair. tating effect it has had on me, and everyone else in our genYou must educate youreration who thinks that racism self about your history, is a thing of the past and it is before you can actually non-existence, it made me reappreciate yourself, be- alize that I can’t keep putcause I was dating other races ting myself down beand I am not saying that is cause of people who wrong, I actually think it is a wants to put me down, I good thing, that we are able to mean I still struggle with my assimilate ourselves, some confidence, as I have not fully people have that forward thinking ideology that we are educated myself about everything, but you cannot fully all one, regardless of you educate yourself on this ‘race’, but personally I was things, but the more I learn dating other races especially white men, because I idolized about my history, the more I learn and practice selfwhite people, I wanted the blonde hair blue eyed knight, appreciation and self –love. even my black friends who are 16

Crowned in Cowrie Shells?

Loisann Amoako The cowrie shells resonated in my knowledge of interest when I photographed Blacka Bongo holding a bowl of the cowrie shells and lifting them upwards, this illustrated for me their recognition also lied with our ancestors.

and he began putting the cowrie shells authenticity. one by one. It was an overwhelming experience during the time I was sitting down When I got home I further researched the whilst shell decor was added to my crown. cowrie shells. I found out they were uncommonly common hair jewelry to sisIt was overwhelming because I love getters with locs as well as for women ting my hair done but like most people amongst African villages. I also learnt Following the photography I conversed with locs you reason within self what you that they were the first currency and atwith Blacks who commented about these are do with your locs. However because I tributed wealth and a further understandshells, I had always seen these shells but knew I had a positive attraction to the ing of where they come from in the sea never actually knew about them neither shells and Blacks is my personal drum and their formation of shape. did I know their proper name. He spoke to teacher I was put to ease and open to the me about the uniqueness of the shells and journey in roots and culture. Also further research brought me to looked at me and referred to the uniqueIn the end I had 13 cowrie shells in my divinations of Oshun practitioners all very ness of my style, with that he glanced at hair 12 shells balanced around my head at interesting knowledge that made me my hair and said they can even be used as the end of every couple of locs and 1 shell warm to the shells more. However, after a beads for my locs. My heart jumped and I right at the root of a middle loc. I looked few days I decided to remove them and let insisted why not have these beautiful in the mirror and absolutely fell in love my locs further develop without jewelry shells in my locs, Blacks agreed, went to though definitely for special occasions I with my new hair style. I felt like one get black thread and the curved sewing have them to style and presence with. of my own people, the addition of the needle from the hairdressers next door cowrie shells gave my face vibrant 18

In this bless space you will find arts & crafts, jewelry, African materials, shoes, books, oils & herbal healing, natural to handmade creams, vinyl and CDs so I encourage you Kings and Queens to come down for your very own ROCK-STONE experience located in Unit 4 Sky Shopping City, 137-139 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST

This event aims to attract more than 6,000 individuals and to provide a platform for Kenyans and friends of Kenya to network professionally, Spiritually, Economically and Socially. They also provide a platform for our youths to showcase their talents in sports, beauty, Arts, culture, fashion design and entrepreneurship in line with governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manifesto.

Theme: Celebrating Kenyan Culture, Pride and Networking. Venue: Plaistow Park, Greengate Street, Plaistow London E13 0AS. Time: 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8.00pm. 20

Send us an email at afrokanist@yahoo.co.uk if you are interested in being part of the organization.

Ms. Precious Ngwu., Founder and CEO

Stand up and Stand Out is a parent led non-profit organization meeting the needs of parents/careers with children, young people & adults with Vision Impairment &Albinism. We will be working side by side with the organization to promote a positive and more importantly realistic representation of Albinos in African and Black communities.

Has the Natural Hair Phenomenon Skipped Africa?

I recently visited Ghana with very high hopes in the natural hair This is a population were 99.5% percent are Ghanaian, with afro department. I was expecting to see heads full of lovely thick hair, textured hair so you'd think they'd know how to care for it. walking on the streets of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. I expected to see twist outs, Bantu knots, African threaded hairstyles, afro puffs and wash & gos..I saw little to none. I'm sorry, this is not an exaggeration, I scanned the streets, in hope of seeing at least ten people, who had natural hair out. The number of people I saw with natural hair was in the single digits . However what shocked me the most was people's amazement at my hair! I was genuinely shocked at how many people were amazed at my afro hair. I mean this is Africa right? Where seeing an afro shouldn't be shocking. To be honest I've never turned so many heads in one town. During the walk to the hairdressers from my house, I was gawped at. And it did not end. When I arrived at the hairdressers, the workers were amazed and shocked at my hair. I mean come on! It was like they had never seen long natural hair before (I quickly gather that they had not). This saddens me because it seems as though Ghana is going backward rather than going forward like the African Diaspora. Ways of thinking are changing about natural hair in the African Diaspora, but in Ghana, it seems as though they are lost when it comes to dealing with natural hair. 22

My experience at a local hair salon After landing in Accra, I was eager to get Senegalese twists done because I had seen many Instagram posts and YouTube videos of this hairstyle and it look amazing! I needed my hair washed and blow dried in preparation for this hair style. My mum advised me to prep my hair before leaving but I was so exhausted from travelling, I decided to got to the hairdressers for them to do it. I thought they'd be gentle and care for my hair... boy, was I wrong!

her time, and sat there itching to leave to place as soon as possible. After blow-drying, I asked for the twists again and she couldn't do it because my hair was natural. Well I knew that wasn't true because its been done on afro textured hair many times before, but I didn't bother arguing, left the place and went to another hairdressers to get braids done.

I eventually got my Senegalese twist done in Dormaa (praise the lord!), but the attitude towards natural hair in Ghana is not what I had I arrived at the hairdressers and was seated and soon the lady asked me what I wanted to do with my hair. I told her I wanted expected. Relaxers are seen as the norm, and the attitude to natural hair my hair to be washed, blow-dried and I wanted Senegalese reminded me of the web series 'An African City' where Nana Yaa twists. Whilst I was telling her this, she was continuously explains how her mother complains about her natural hair, she staring at my hair, no eye contact, struggling to understand winces when the hairdresser cornrows her hair too tight and why I did not have a relaxer. when Makena says she couldn't last very long in Ghana being natural because of the social pressure to relax her hair. Washing my hair was a continuous stop/start sequence. She handled my hair aggressively, scratching my scalp so hard I To conclude, my experiences with type 4 natural hair in Ghana started to regret going to the hair salon. I told her to stop shows that Ghana lags behind the rest of the African Diaspora scratching my scalp and asked her to used the pads of her finin regards to natural hair. Many people wear protective styles gertips. She seemed offended but I didn't care, I felt I had to in Ghana so its quite difficult to estimate the number of people teach her how to care for my natural hair. who have not chemically treated their hair, however, it is clear After she washed my hair, she began towel drying my hair. She when you walk in to the shops and stores and the advertisements of Dark & Lovely, that the biggest market excluding exused some petroleum based product in my hair (she put the tensions are relaxers and texturizers. cream in my hair before I'd realised it was petroleum based), turned on the blow-dryer on the highest heat and began to comb through my hair with the attachment. I immediately told I really hope this changes the next time I visit Ghana. But seeing many children in the school I volunteered at in her to stop and lower the heat setting because I could see Dormaa with relaxers in their hair, it won't be an easy smoke coming my hair. It was burning! Then she transition.. said... 'It's because your hair is natural, I have to put the heat high'. Deep breathe Tiff. Deep breathe. At this point I gave up, told her to lower the heat setting, take By Tiffany Aafia Selasi 23

Q-Who are you and what do you do? My name is Angela Simpeh and I’m a Children’s Author and lawyer. Q-Why do you do, what you do? When I was buying books for my young daughter I was struck by the lack of diversity in children’s literature. I think the Images we expose our children to are so important. Children take in things like sponges and through my books I want to give them something positive and affirming to absorb. Junot Diaz described it in a way only Junot Diaz can when he wrote “You guys know about vampires? … You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human

being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves. And growing up, I felt like a monster in some ways.

Adventures of Sky series. The book is about a young and inquisitive girl called Sky who is introduced to the history of cornrows whilst her mother braids her hair.

I didn’t see myself reflected at all. I was like, “Yo, is something wrong with me? That the whole society seems to think that people like me don’t exist?" And part By learning where her hairstyle originatof what inspired me, was this deep desire ed from Sky develops a deeper love for her that before I died, I would make a couple own curly hair and African heritage. of mirrors. That I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might see themselves reflected back and might not feel so monstrous for it.” My goal is to use my children’s books to create a house of mirrors. Q-Tell us about your book “My Curly Hair” is the first book in the 24

Q-What can we expect from the second Q-What memorable responses have book in the series? you had to your work?

Q-What inspires you?

My Curly Hair was featured as part of the Black British Girlhood exhibition this The second book will introduce the char- A lot of parents have told me how much summer and that was an incredibly inspiracter of Sky’s brother. It will see Sky and their children enjoyed the book and how her brother go on a space adventure. It they are now rocking their curly hair with ing experience: the vision of the curators should be released early in the New Year. more confidence after reading it. I’ve had (Bekke Popoola, Olivia MathurinEssandoh & Kariima Ali) in organising the children writing notes and leaving voice Q-What role does the artist have in messages saying how much they love the exhibition; the amazing artists on display society? and seeing so many people visit the exhibook. I am still figuring it out for myself but I bition was amazing. I’ve had adults come up to me and say that like James Baldwin’s answer “The precise they wish they’d had a book like this when role of the artist, then, is to illuminate that they were growing up. One woman darkness, blaze roads through vast forests, bought a copy of the book and asked me to so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sign it with a message addressed to her sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to younger self. That blew me away, make the world a more human dwelling place.”

“And over many years the different cornrows styles have been passed down from family and now to you” My Curly Hair

SEVEN

.Young Africans. to watch out for in 2016

Maxima Kalombo Kinshasa (Congo DRC) Founder of Mr. Afropolitan Mr. Afropolitan is a concept brand supporting every man in his quest to become a Highly Educated Gentleman. Mainly dedicated to stylish men living their pluralist culture to its fullest all the while preserving their appeal for the African continent and its numerous cultures.

Alieu Fofanah Nigerian Founder of Go-Getters Global, a platform for next generation of young leaders with a deep passion for entrepreneurship, politics and business in Africa.

Edem Barbara Ntumy Ghanaian Student and Founder of Sassy Tee â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s , a brand dedicated to honoring the struggle for equality and justice. We are also inspired by music lyrics and popular culture

Bamidele Seun Owoola CEO and Founder of Welcome2Africa Welcome2Africa (W2A) is a UK based organization committed to promoting Africa and its many opportunities to businesses, potential partners and investors in the UK. W2A aims to positively influence the economic development of Africa through the creation of innovative business and social platforms, for businesses and investors as well as those with social and humanitarian interest.

Siana Bangura Freetown, Sierra Leone founder and editor of Inter-sectional Feminist blog No Fly on the WALL.

Kariima Ali Somali Student, Artist and member of the Black British Girlhood Community

Ade Bamgbala Nigerian Founder of Blacticulate Blacticulateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to present the diverse range in which we (BME community) articulate ourselves. Our focus is on UK Black business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals that are attached to some form of social enterprise.

Tell us about yourself, What motivates you? What is the best advice you have been given? , What do you aspire to be in 5 years time? How would you describe being Black British, Where are you from? Conversation With Charles Stead-man Clarke Model, Student, Entrepreneur

My Story Matters Charles Steadman Clarke

I am a simple guy, passionate and hungry for success. I motivate myself. I am my own best friend and my own worst enemy. In the property development business. Being Black British is harsh & challenging. I am of the African Caribbean & European decent

Afrikult is an on-line platform that discusses, explores and celebrates African literature. Follow Them on Twitter and Instagram: @afrikult Or email: afrikultinfo@gmail.com

I feel Gidi connects back to Nigeria , especially Lagos state, because I was born in Lagos. Back home we use to call Lagos Las Gidi, and I feel that name is suitable for my designs and easy for people to pronounce ,also it just goes back to the roots really. -Kehinde Adedoyin

Kehinde Adedoyin

From computing, to hair dressing to fashion design, Nigerian born Kehinde Adedoyin is a multi talented young woman as well as a graduate from the prestige Goldsmith University of London, Kehinde firmly believes in hard work , however she also enjoys causal outing with her close friends and family, her principles goes by God first and everything will fall in place. Q Tell us about the beautiful lady behind Gidi Designs: Her name is Kenny, actually Kehinde Adedoyin , she grew up in Nigeria and she moved to the united kingdom in 2007 , she studied computer science at Goldsmith University of London graduated in 2014. Why the name Gidi Designs? I feel Gidi connects back to Nigeria , especially Lagos state, because I was born in Lagos. Back home we use to call Lagos Las Gidi, and I feel that name is suitable for my designs and easy for people to pronounce ,also it just goes back to the roots really. Q Congratulations on graduating at Goldsmith university, but why computer science? First of all let me say I am gifted by God. it’s basically what my dad studied at university, also I studied computing back at college , so I felt that it is something I can deal with and I can mix IT and transfer my skills into business , so not just coding, but other forms of Computing as well. Q How long has Gidi design been around for? For two years now, so since 2012 Q Who are your fashion I con? I have been asked this question before , no one is my fashion icon, its just something that came occurred to me, so I decided to start designing with African prints, just because it is beautiful, and I am a Nigerian, I feel that Nigerians are extremely gifted , we do not need an icon or look up to anyone , so I can not practically name any icon,. I will say it is God and my hard work. Q What is the future for Gidi designs ? The future for Gidi Designs is to break into the Nigerian market , and break into the international and national market , get people to recognize our label and our brand as well as get into other enterprise , other forms of business, but under the name of Gidi Designs or Gidi as a brand name . Q Your home town Lagos state is now a house of fashion, how do you feel about this? It is amazing, especially being a Nigerian , it’s doubled the joy for me , what I do is fashion and when you bring in the western fashion to Lagos, Lagos being very popular, people are well updated when it comes to fashion, so it is just like giving some one food to eat because they know what the food is going to taste like anyway, so I think it is fantastic, Lagos is just one of the biggest place to establish anything possible in Nigeria, it allows one to connect with other forms of business. Q What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs? I feel that one should follow their heart, if you know what you want you to do , make sure you put 100% in it, use your hands, put in all the efforts, if you have any ideas develop the idea, invest in your idea and ask for support when needed, I am certain in this modern day anyway there are lots of support you can get, the world is a global village, help is available everywhere thus the sky is your beginning not even your limit anymore, go for it and with God everything is possible. Q How would you sum up your experience living in England? I mean England has enabled me to meet new people, I have met new friends, been introduced to new lifestyle , but noting can compare or be like home we have more freedom in Nigeria nothing is so clutched up in Nigeria, but I will say living in England is a good experience it get’s one educated or rather exposes one to something new , at the end of the day it’s been good here as well , in addition I am very happy I am in this country to be honest , I wouldn’t have met you, Balqis the woman interviewing me right now, so I am grateful . Nonetheless I will like to go back home, I will still have my connections here but I have to go back home.

www.gididesigns.com

@GidiDesigns @gididesigns

BLACK HISTORY MATTERS!!! 1

The history of Human Race will never be complete without black history

Because without understanding our contributions to world history as a continent we can never amount to anything today

History reveals and keeps the events, the wisdom, and the spirit of the past alive. it is a blueprint needed as it documents historical events which helps shape the present and future. history also helps give people an identity,

Reasons Why Black History Matters

Because as the eminent African historian, Dr. John Henrik Clarke once said: 'History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are but, more importantly, what they must be.'

Because it reveals Black/African achievements, it gives a positive representation and a sense of pride

West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings WO NSA DA MU A- - "if your hands are in the dish" - democracy, pluralism

WOFORO DUA PA A—"when you climb a good tree" - support, cooperation

WAWA ABA— "seed of the wawa tree" - hardiness, toughness, perseverance

TAMFO BEBRE—"the enemy will stew in his own juice" - Jealousy

SESA WO SUBAN— "I change or transform my life" - Transformation

DUAFE—"wooden comb"- beauty, hygiene, feminine qualities

SANKOFA- "return and get it"- learn from the past

PEMPAMSIE— "sew in readiness"- readiness, steadfastness

OWUO ATWEDEE- "the ladder of death" - mortality

OWO FORO ADOBE - "snake climbing the raffia tree" - steadfastness, prudence, diligence

NYAME YE OHENE- "God is King" - majesty and supremacy of God

OSRAM NE NSOROMMA— "the moon and the star"- love, faithfulness, harmony

NYAME NTI— "by God's grace" - faith & trust in God

MPATAPO- "knot of reconciliation" - peacemaking, reconciliation

MMERE DANE - "time changes" - change, life's dynamics 37

YUSUF ABUBAKAR Yusuf Abubakar is the creator of Apparel Polo Designs, he has designed customs for the Oprah Winfrey Networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drama series- Flex and Shanice, as well as the creative designer for the American international pop and R&B star Bobby Valentinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion range, he is also the designer of the 2015 MTV MAMA Awards and he also consults for a few English Premiere Leagues.

Q-Good evening, my name is Madeena styles we wanted to wear Maishanu from Afrokanist Magazine, and how we wanted them. firstly we admire that you have accomplished so much at such a young We had a group of friends then, we were alage, we would like to know how and ways suited, and if we were going to club or why you started your own designs? doing anything we would be in top down suits

me. Q-Tell us about your experience working for the American R&B super star Bobby Valentino?

My experience was live, and here is why, Bobby Valentino is an individual who is down My mum was a seamstress and in her spare to earth, he is more of the student and I am time, while we were in primary she would From then on I got involved with events, I the teacher, because I created the looks he amend the clothes that we had messed up, brought Mario down, Mario from b2k and we wanted, we do have our yes or no's but he's thou fashion has always been a major focus in had a good party and then a footballer, he saw always ready to listen. His collection is going my family. my stuff and gave me his card, I collected his to be launched on the fourth floor here in The card and we exchanged contacts. Capital Hub Abuja and Insha Allah we are The prime objective of how I started was going to have him down. He's a very simple when I was in University; it was in my second He called me the next day to his house and guy, we are more of business partners it's not year, which was in year 2011, just before my was like he wanted my stuff; I didn't believe all just social media stuff, and we are actually final year, we came up with a company called that a premiership player would actually call business partners. In fact we are looking at Entrepreneurship Enterprise, the brand actu- me. So I brought him some samples, and he bringing him down to Nigeria to launch his ally started before then. said he liked them and he was going to give collection and if he comes to Nigeria it will me money and I refused to accept his money probably be the first time he comes to an But entrepreneurship and creativity pushed and told him I was giving them to him for African country, and I want to make that hapme forth because while I and others were free. He said he loves to see guys doing stuff pen. coming up with software companies, I said independently and he encouraged me. He then wait a minute, why don't I infuse the original posted pictures on social media and people Q-Also you have to tell us about working purpose into it and just rebrand the whole saw it, it went viral actually. for Oprah Winfrey, we are a big fan of concept. So I started making shoes for myself Oprah, what was it like working for her, actually but it wasn't because I wanted to So it was even better that people saw it first what were the highlights and difficulties? and were tagging me. People were messaging open a shop or anything, I started me saying Yusuf you have made it, and I Woow, let me be straight up with this one. I making shoes that I want- would be like nah I am just trying. So yeah didn't work for Oprah Winfrey, if I worked for ed to wear and jackets, the that's how the whole thing went viral, so my Oprah, a lot of people wouldn't have gotten motivation was based on the people around and people would always admire us.

access to me right now. I designed customs for the series that was airing on the TV Network; it was phenomenal for me because it was a huge brand, The Oprah Winfrey Network Series so I didn't really work for her. I did a collection for Ruba Wilson, who happened to be on the Oprah Winfrey network series and an actor in Flex and Shanice, so that was about it. But yes it was great, Ruba is a nice guy, he's really cool, we had a good time and we still have a good relationship. However since then I haven't really been in touch because I have been extremely focused but we still do stuff on a timely basis. Q-You partnered with MTV MAMA 2015, it must have been an exciting experience for you, please do tell us more about how you landed the job? If you noticed my career base has always been corporate sponsorship, if we are not working together or collaborating, I am not interested. So it's based on my profile and what I can deliver. I am a watch distributor; I have worked with a lot of watch brands, from the ones that distributed at my fashion show down to Panzera being the head distributor in Africa down to Vintage Concept. Furthermore for Vintage Concept, I was the main guy that actually did the main deal; the deal was worth over 200.000 Dollars’ worth of watches. So yeah I

did a major partnership with MTV Base, I was flown to South Africa and we did the MTV Mamas awards.

You know it's not just about the money, that's why we could afford to give away watches of high prices, simply because we want to show that we have the interest of the country and the creativity of the music industry which we have been doing and the music has unified a lot of Africans together, so yes it was a good platform for me. Q-Is there anyone while you were

growing up, either family or friends that have impacted on your creativity and ambition?

I have never met my grandad, but I have heard stories about him, apparently he came back as me according to our traditional believe. So I was named after granddad, whose name was Yusuf Tumi. By the way I originally came from Niger state, Nigeria. Also I look up to my father, like any other kid would look up to their father. Furthermore my environment and friends, as well as the people I work with have impacted a great deal in my life, so to conclude I would say my environment and family. However in terms of who inspires me outside of the environment I would say is Malcom X, simply because I love reading about Malcolm X, The Gandy style inspired me too. So it's been family friends and even yourself right now.

Q-Are there any African designer you would like to work with in the future?

There are lots of African designers I would love to work with in the future, firstly Harold All the nominees and winners won a watch , Bobla he is a Ghanaian designer, English Herfew of the artist celebrities and staff got watches , we are actually doing a draw right now on itage he inspires me the way he came up and Vintage called Mamas Vintage Concept so it's started everything. There are lots of African designers that I want to work with. Also there a hashtag on Twitter , get your friends and take a picture , you can actually win a watch. are a lot of African American designers that I It's a major deal for me coming down to Nige- feel we share the similar sense of style. ria and not spending up to a month and I landed on that deal, many have been here before Q-What’s the most challenging outfit me and didn't, so I count myself very lucky, I you have been appointed to make? also want to say it's based on my work ethics that made them actually want to be in line Probably doing the whole wardrobe for Tiote with me as an individual. it wasn't challenging, I am just saying. But I I can't really say much but it's not really an have never had any challenging outfit; thus the easy task, the picture just makes it look easy only problems I face sometimes are either for everyone to see but it's not really an easy based on time factor or the manufacturer actutask, I knew what I went through but it was ally messing me up. great because I made an impact in that aspect, because every brand I try to bring to Africa or Nigeria I always try to show the corporate social responsibility that they are giving back or how it has an impact in my country. 41

Q-You only design for men, but the women out there absolutely love your designs, should we be expecting women designs from you? Yeaahhh! You guys should be expecting something soon. I actually used to design for females but I just need the right woman that looks like me, not literally but the right woman who would represent my style the right way to give the women.

Q-Before we round up this interview, we want to know who Mr. Yusuf Tumi Abubakar is behind the scenes. How would you describe yourself in three words? Anything but ordinary

Q-What are your future goals? Have a fashion school in Nigeria for the first time, have a free tutorials fashion school that helps creativity, I am not talking about doing charity like other people claim to be doing charity, but actually impacting. Have a standard store in every part of Nigeria, Africa also In America. In addition I want to have a store in Newcastle, where the brand started. Then going into other stuff such as getting married, having kids, my first daughter in particular. Final goal, get married, die and leave something. That's symbolic.

Q-What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them? Challenges will always be financial challenges; I overcome them by trying to be creative to make money. So I am not just a fashion designer or a watch distributer. I represent some premier league football team in England, I am the consultant, I am a computer engineer, and I don’t really use that anymore because I am known as Mr. AP now, so I just stick to that. But yeah I try to be really creative to do something , I don't like begging people for money , if I beg that means I will find a way to pay back , and if it fails that will become a problem for me. I don't like begging my dad for money too, I have never asked my dad for money for my business and I think that's the reason my family respect what I do a lot because I have never asked them for funds . So for me right now anything that has to do with designs is not a problem for me, but fi-

nancial capacity is a problem because there are Q-As you know, Afrokanist Magazine so many things I want to do now which enis a new upcoming magazine for busitails a lot of money so I would say financial ness culture and youth, we aim to give backing is my biggest challenge for now.

well. If you notice with apparel polo I try not to get my friends involved even if they bought stuff from me, I will never post their pictures, a balanced representation of Africa and I don't like those faming stuff. It's either you're buying or youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not buying, its busiQ-What advice would you give to the Africans, our concept is based on the ness you know. It is one thing to deceive the fact every story matters, so as an entre- world but it's another to deceive yourself so upcoming youngsters out there? preneur that has been in the system for yeah. I think you guys are doing great, keep it Like I always say, don't be shy to ask, the least a while, what personal advice do you up, you guys have been chasing me since Lonyou can get is a no, and every no you get don and we are finally having the interview. have for us? should not discourage you in anyway, I have So keep doing what you do. been turned down a lot of times, those people Like I said, don't bow to anywho turned me down still came back because Q-How can our readers get in touch body because they say no, be now they want to work, I just look at them with you, or order some of your delike okay, but you know I can't say no to them, consistent, do something differ- signs? I just make them look stupid. So yes, don't let ent from what other media platanybody's no discourage you, keep doing it, forms are doing, be more crea- Well, I am very active on my social media always collaborate. If you're an upcoming deplatforms; I post like day and night, so yes my tive in terms of visuals, be signer try and look for inspiration, don't just Twitter is #MRAptumi, Facebook Mr. Yusuf sharp when it comes to covering Abubakar Tumi, Instagram is @iamuzayap. It do what everyone is doing. events or red carpets, get exclu- is pretty much simple, I am very active and I Do what you can actually personally wear am always ready to explore with other people. sive contents. outside, do what represents you, and when I believe that the only way we can gain more people see it they be like wow, and when they Engage with your audience especially on your is by tolerating the collaboration. Our prodask you where you got it from you proudly say ucts are available at shop 365 Africa dot com. social media platforms, work on videos for oh yeah I designed it . That makes it easier for They can order them online or even reach out YouTube and get more influential entrepreyou to sell, so don't just do anything, do someneurs to work with. The most important thing to me; I'd get it sent out to them, internationthing unique. Don't just do T-shirts with is branding, if you can brand your brand very ally or locally. I can even deliver them personprints or caps with prints because everyone is ally if they buy a lot, I will go the house and well and make it look professional that's it. doing it, and anyone can do it. Be unique no deliver it myself. You know there's one thing that has killed a matter how small you are going to be, I am lot of brands; they allow their friends and famstill upcoming as well. ilies to attach themselves into the brand very

HABIBA COOPER DIALLO ‘I am inspired by African women, by our strength, our resilience, And our commitment to our society and to our families’ Habiba is a very bubble young lady, intelligent, cultured and extremely hard working. Habiba was born and raised in Toronto Canada; her parents are of Jamaican, Liberian and Guinean heritage. We first met Habiba Cooper Diallo in 2014. Habiba is the founder of Women’s Health Organization International (WHOI) which started two years ago and they do programming around black women’s health or black women in Africa or African diaspora, where you have people who are of African descent. Their work is focused on programming, awareness building and maternal health issues, particularly one called obstetric fistula and around issues of maternal health and sexual health that affects black women. Habiba shared with Afrokanist Magazine that she is by black women, ‘I am inspired by African women, I am inspired by our strength, our resilience, by our commitment to our society and our commitment to our families, and in regards to WHOI the initial inspiration was a young woman from Niger she had obstetric fistula and I was inspired by how she overcame and her determination to progress with her education so she was an inspiration’. Also In 2015 few months after meeting Habiba Cooper Diallo, she gave a talk on Fistula at the University of Kent, ever since Afrokanist magazine has been supporting WHOI in raising awareness, and educating the world about Obstetric Fistula.

We caught up with Habiba again at the start of 2016 after her book launch in November 2015. The interview includes exclusive information about the 19year old author, student and entrepreneur .

Q-Habiba, You are a woman of mixed heritage and we like to know more about your background, also how this factor has influenced your writing style?

Not really. I am from a large city in Canada, Toronto, which is urban and cosmopolitan in the same way as London. So, no I did not really experience in form of cultural shock.

My mother is Jamaican and my father late father was a Fulani of West Africa. Being ethnically-mixed means I have grown up having to view the world through a unique lens.

Q-What sparked your interest into being actively involved in raising awareness on Black women’s health?

I have to continually negotiate and navigate multiple identities, which is quite challenging at times. In my experience, I've found it interesting to witness the perspectives held by people of both my cultural groups about the other.

First and foremost, it was my being a Black women and taking an interest in my own health. However, ever since learning about fistula, I realized that there are many health issues facing Black women that are often neglected.

Q-.Having natural hair yourself , could you share with AfUltimately, however, my mixed-heritage has contributed to my cos- rokanist magazine why it is important for black women to grow mopolitan identity and strong intercultural sense, which is evident in their hair naturally with no harmful chemicals? my latest book, Yeshialem Learns About Fistula. Q-You grew up in Canada and were educated in Canada. How would you sum up your experience moving to the United Kingdom? Would you say you experienced any form of cultural shock?

Black women should love themselves--every aspect of themselves. The physical aspects of the self-include hair and skin, if we love our selves, we would love our natural hair as well.

Yeshialem Learns About Fistula Book Launch

Q-Tell us more about Yeshialem learns about Fistula. Why did you write the book, and how has the reception been towards the book?

was repaired, but sadly, she passed away a few years later due to an infection. Anafghat was from the Tuareg ethnic group, a nomadic group that's found across the Sahel and Sahara Desert.

I wrote the book to build awareness around obstetric fistula. It's very obscure, so few people are aware of the condition and given it's tragic societal consequences, it's necessary that we eradicate it. No one has ever written narrative literature that is entirely dedicated to fistula, not to mention a children's book.

Many of the nomads, such as Tuaregs and Fulanis, who live in the Sahel region wear indigo-dyed clothing. Hence, I wore indigo in honour of Anafghat.

Therefore, I thought it would be a great idea to do this. It's great to begin sensitizing children about the condition as they are the future and can begin tp influence societal attitudes and behaviors towards women health.

Q- You have a major interest in medicine, which is reflected in your book. Do you have future plans to pursue a career in medicine? Yes, most definitely. I intend to study medicine in the near future and subsequently work as fistula repair surgeon.

Q- Should we expect more books from you in future? Q- You wore a blouse and skirt which caught our attention on your book launch; we believe your outfit was made from the material known as Leppi or Adire. We would appreciate it, if you could Yes, I have several other book ideas that I would like to pursue in due time. talk us through your outfit, how did the outfit fit into the theme of the launch? My book launch was a tribute to Anafghat Ayouba, a former fistula patient from Niger who inspires my work on fistula. Anafghat's fistula 46

Some of Habiba’s Awards and Recognitions In 2014: Progress Women of Excellence Award Forbes: 5 Social Change Pros Offer Advice To Young Entrepreneurs “The key for young people who are interested in starting an organization is persistence. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to help grow your organization or to increase your knowledge base in order to extend your impact in your area of innovation..." 2014 American Express Ashoka Changemakers Emerging Innovators Announced "American Express and Ashoka have recognized 45 innovators as future leaders of social change across North America. Their solutions tackle a wide range of the world's most critical challenges. The innovators, representing organizations from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will attend 2014 American Express Emerging Innovators Leadership Boot Camps..." 2013: Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 Award, Youth in Motion One of Canada's premier youth leadership awards: "Top 20 Under 20 alumni winners have together reached out to 3 million youth through their initiatives, raised more than $10million for various charity organizations and earned more than

$50-million for entrepreneurial business ventures..." (The Globe and Mail) The Planet Africa Group: Academic Achievement Award "Habiba Cooper Diallo was named one of Canada's Top 20 Under 20 for innovation, leadership and achievement. She is the founder of Women's Health Organization International (WHOI)." 2012: Huff Post: Habiba Cooper Diallo: Advocating For Women's Health In Africa ' "They had endured one of the most horrific afflictions known to humankind... and had the courage and willingness to share such devastating stories with me,” the 16-year-old student recalled in an email to The Huffington Post Canada.' Share News: Teenager wants to affect health of women in developing countries "It’s estimated that there are close to one million young women with the debilitating condition in Africa. Because of their severe incontinence and smell, many have been ostracized..." 2011: First-place, Nova Scotia Lion’s Club Speak-out

Q-Tell us more about the Women's Health Organization International, WHOI?

Q- What advice do you have for young people pursing their dreams?

I established my organization, WHOI, for the primary purpose of The sky is the limit, so don't shoot for the stars. Shoot for the sky. building awareness around obstetric fistula and conducting programming in support of Black women's health. It's almost four years old and we've been successful and building awareness around fistula in Canada in addition to setting up a local health-based program for young Black women. Q- Your mother is Dr. Afua Cooper. Would you say your mother has been a great influence for you? Indeed, my mother is a mentor to me in every way. I have learned a lot from her over the years and she continues to support my every endeavor. Q- How many countries have you visited and what countries would you love to visit in the future? Wow, I think I've visited about 15 or 16 countries. Next on my list is Niger, Mali, Senegal, Rwanda and so many others!

Habiba with one of her favorite artist Oumou Sangare

Q- What advice do you have for their parents? Always support your children in the challenges they take up. Habiba in Morocco (December 2015)

Q- What are your favorite African dishes? I love Mafetiga (peanut butter sauce) and Hako bantara (cassava leaf) Q- Talk us through your favorite music genres and name your 3 favorite artists? I love reggae, dancehall, and traditional African genres from across the continent. Oumou Sangare of Mali and Gigi Shibabaw of Ethiopia are two of my favorite artists. Lately, I've been listening to Dicko Fils (Fulani artist from Burkina Faso), so let's count him as a third. 49

Mai Ceesay International Business Developer

Would you smile if you could enjoy all life has to offer with complete peace of mind? Would a regular full or part-time income make a difference to your life? Contact : 07896953572 50

Africans Unite against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) was established in May 2001 as a platform for advocating for the rights and welfare of African children following the deaths of children like Victoria Climbie, Jude Akapa and Damilola Taylor in the UK. It became a registered Charity in July 2002 and a Company Limited by Guarantee in October 2001 with a Board of Directors appointed to run the organization. AFRUCA is embedded in and has developed out of African communities in the UK as a response to their realization of the problems African children and parents face and the gaps that exist within the child protection system for African children in the country. The main focus of their work is Prevention and Early Intervention.

Their vision is to see a world in which African Children can live free of cruelty and abuse at the hands of others

Umar Khalifa Yakubu Umar Khalifa Yakubu is a peaceful 27 years old. A son, brother, father, friend. His mission is to leave the world better than he met it without asking for anything in return. He is passionate about people, technology and solutions. He does what he wants to do regardless of what people say/think/do, because he understands the frailty of life and that nothing really matters in the end.

Q- CyberLogik Foundation. First of all enlightenment for “undeserved” commuthat is a powerful and unique name, so nities. We are constantly inspired by their work. we would like you to tell our readers, the meaning behind the name? I also believe that if everyone has a small CyberLogik Foundation was borne out of humanitarian project. The world will be better for it. passion for humanity. CyberLogik is a brand name like Pepsi. Q-The concept of 3D printing is fairly new to the world, especially areas that CyberLogik represents the generation connected to the internet. We are all con- are still ongoing development, how nected as humans by relatives and blood would you describe the reception you lines, however today that connection is received? closer thanks to the internet. CyberLogik is a lifestyle for our generations that think A 3d printed prosthetic hand we fabricattechnology. ed for young boy from Adamawa living in an IDP got a little bit of media coverage. Q-So briefly, give us a description of Musa the recipient of the prosthetic hand the foundation’s purpose? was in shock and then he got attached to his hand really fast. His father and teachThe purpose of the foundation is to touch ers were also very happy. They looked at as many Africans as we can, in the areas us like we were super heroes. All thanks of; educate, disaster relief, innovation to e-Nable. through technology Q-How long have you been running CyberLogik foundation for? CyberLogik Foundation was born in 2010. Q-Was it your observation in regards to people’s health and well-being or was it a more personal experience that has led you to create the foundation?

To answer your question, 3d printing is still is testing mode around the world if you ask me. A few people globally have taken interest in this new technology that will change the world by changing the way we build.

start a 3d Printing Club where people buy their own printers and we guide them to build. When we do this, we will be able to help a lot more people. Alone, we cannot achieve much but together we can move mountains. Q-We applaud you for the initiative to bring such powerful change to northern Nigeria; it is one of a kind humanitarian initiative, which is without a doubt a necessity, given the heartbreaking reality caused by the terrorist group Boko Haram, after effects of war or attacks are always traumatic and even creates chaotic societies. But could you share with us what difficulties you encountered or still encountering while providing printed eNABLE hand devices for the locals? Thank you, on behalf of everyone who has made CyberLogik Foundation a reality. The challenges we faced are as follows; 1. Buying a Printer: 3d Printing companies do not ship to Nigeria. They are also very heavy so shipping cost is high.

2. Sales and Support: Sales are support One of the things that motivated us was is not available in Africa. Filament the fact that there is no record of 3d printand parts need to be shipped from ing going on in West Africa. In Africa, Europe or America. Parts with issues cannot be fixed here so you have to You know it is hard for me to talk about only South Africa and one other East Afbuy brand new. rican country have some 3d printing recthings I do not understand. I do not know where I am headed or what God has ords. 3. Productivity Loss: When we have planned. However, growing up my mothpartial prints, we lose time and moner always made me understand that it is There is a saying that friends and family ey. nothing more than luck that made me ex- will not support you till strangers start to ist in a family that has resources. celebrate you. 4. Electricity: Unstable electricity means that we have to provide backup powWhen we had the idea and did the rounds This made me and my siblings understand compassion and the uncertainty er via generator and UPS. of bouncing ideas off older ‘wiser’ people, cum unfairness of life. We always had to we didn’t get much support in terms of give our old clothes out to charity and verbal encouragement, however after we 5. TIME: It takes about 20hours to that was the foundation of philanthropy. print one hand. A partial print is when fabricated 2-3 hands and people could the 3d printer stops in the middle of My observation regarding people’s health touch and feel the idea then the questions printing due to an error. This mean and well-being is that families, schools started pouring in and a lot of people printing again from scratch. and communities/society should encour- got interested. age cleanliness and preventive habits There is a big future for 3d printing, but I Q-Tell us the highlights you have had more. don’t think it will come to Nigeria or while providing your service to comThe cleaner our environment, the less West Africa as fast as I would like, the munities? prone we are to diseases. There’s a founsame way other technologies take their dation called WAFSLI that we are affiliated with who’s main area of focus is deliv- time before getting massive adoption in Africa. CyberLogik Foundation hopes to It has been a blessing. I’m just very ering clean source of water and hygiene lucky to work with people that are a 54

part of CyberLogik Foundation. The highlights for me are the planning and development process where we get to collaborate with great minds. I have learnt a lot from people around me.

can so that more people can get to printing.

Q-How can people from other countries who are in desperate need of your foundation, get in touch with you or get When we first started the foundation, it all access to printed e-NABLE hand destarted from a though. How that thought vice? became a reality was very exciting. We They can reach me on khalifasdid so much with so little. by@gmail.com or the following twitter (See below video link from 4yrs ago I think). In 2011 was the first time we worked with IDP’s. We donated relief items to victims of post-elections violence in Kaduna state.

handles: @CLK_Foundation, @Umarsb, @iamcyberlogik Q-Where do you see CyberLogik Foundation in 5 years’ time?

That was exciting because we got people In 5yrs, we will have touched 1 million to send their old clothes, toys, books, shoes from as far places as Malaysia, UAE, people. Canada and England. Q-As a young entrepreneur yourself, When we started the CyberLogik Founda- what is your ultimate goal in life?

focus. I believe Afrokanist will be here for the next 50yrs. They can send me an email: khalifasby@gmail.com . We are not really fans of financial support. We believe that in the world of today, it’s more about being resourceful than having resources. We appreciate help that do not involve cash. Q-Before we do round up this interview, could you tell us something about yourself that no one really knows? My wife knows everything. Q-What message would you like to leave for young people, who have been inspired by your story and your amazing work?

1. 2. tion Scholarship program was also an ex- As an entrepreneur, my ultimate goal is to 3. citing time, we started from one student in make a lot of money so that I don’t have to 4. 2013 to fifty students in 2015. 5. think about the means to the end. In fact 6. This exponential growth in the number of just give me the ends, you can keep the 7. students is something that happened with- means. 2 words: Financial Freedom. I 8. don’t need to be on Forbes List. out CyberLogik Foundation fully understanding what in the hell we were getting Q-We are certain there are people out ourselves into. there who will be more than willing to Most exciting for now is our e-Nable prosthetic project.

assist your organization and provide support, how can they get in touch with CyberLogik Foundation?

We plan to make and give out as many I am a big fan of Afrokanist Magazine. free hands as we can, while we work on design improvements for the e-Nable com- There are a lot of magazines without focus but I like the fact that Afrokanist has a munity, and teach as many people as we

Believe in Yourself Never Give Up Don’t Listen to #Little People Take A Risk Focus on Signal over Noise Look for Problem Solvers Attract Great People Really Like What You Do

“The road to success and the road to happiness are two lanes of the same highway. And the toll you must pay is simply being true to yourself”.

– Author Unknown.

All About Success In Short!!! This article is geared towards helping to understand more about yourself and having to know more on the topic of success and happiness. I must say that the re-reading of this article many times over is what will make you get more value out of it.

your beliefs with your behaviour, the pieces of your personal puzzle will begin to fit. Success will become your companion, life will be good. It will appear as if you are magnetised to every condition, person, circumstance and things you require. Also I must add that whatever you need Ninety-eight percent of our population will arrive just when you need it. This are quick to agree that success in life is a might be a shock to you if you are readpuzzle. It seems to be a perpetual strug- ing this and it is the first time you are gle to figure out where the pieces fit. hearing this. But because of the little inEvery time we have the picture coming creased in awareness that you will detogether smoothly, for whatever reason, velop through studying this article, you we find ourselves trying to force a piece will not be surprised by the sudden apinto place ... but in the end, we recognize pearance of some good you desire. that it does not fit and we set it aside. Every person has their own personal In order to solve a personal success puzpuzzle. However, success in life is based zle, it is important that you begin with an on universal laws and is, therefore, avail- accurate understating of what success able to everyone. means. You will agree that this is the first piece of the puzzle to put in place. Many years ago Earl Nightingale suggested that, “Strange and marvellous What is success? Many people have difthings will happen with constant reguferent meaning of success. Ask one hunlarity as you alter your life and begin dred people and you will probably get living in harmony with the laws of the ninety-eight different answers, most of universe.” which will not work. If they did work, you would see more happy, healthy, As you obey to these laws and integrate wealthy, well-balanced people in the 58

world. Let’s take 100 individuals who start their commercial lives even at the age of 25. Do you have any idea what will happen to those men and women by the time they are 65? These 100 people, who all start their commercial lives even at the age of 25, all believe they're going to be successful. If you ask any one of them if they want to be a success they would tell you they did. You would notice that they are eager why or without knowing where they are going. Now think of it. Right now in America, there are over 43 million people 65 years of age and older And most of them are broke. They are dependent on someone else or government for life's necessities. This figure is similar to most countries in the world, some are worst. We learn to read by the time we are seven. We learn to make a living by the time we're 25. Often by that time we are not only making a living, we're supporting a family. And yet by the time we are 65,

people have not learned how to become financially independent in some of the richest land that has ever been known.

A success is the successful salesperson who wants to become a top notch salesperson and grow and build within his or her organization and sets forth on the The trouble is most of us are acting like pursuit of that goal. the wrong percentage group - the 95% A success is anyone who is pursuing who do not succeed. Why do people deliberately a predetermined ideal, beconform? Well, they really don't know. cause that's what he or she decided to Most people seem to believe their lives do ... deliberately. But only one out of 20 are shaped by circumstances, by things does that. That is why today, really that happen to them by exterior forces. there is no competition unless we make They are outer directed people. A survey it for ourselves. Instead of competing, all was made one time that covered a lot of we have to is to create. people, working people. These people were asked, "Why do you work?" "Why Although some people will say, “I am not do you get up in the morning?" 19 out of like that of a creative person”. Well I will 20 had no idea. If you press them they tell you now that what you are saying will say, "Everyone goes to work in the really is that you don’t know what you morning." And that is the reason they do really want. James Allen, a victorious it - because everyone else is doing it. writer and father of mind philosophy, coined an IDEAL as “an Idea that you fall Now let's get back to our definition of in Love with”. From the definition of sucsuccess. Who succeeds? The only person cess, you will now know that for you to who succeeds is the person who is pro- progressively realize your dream, your gressively realizing a worthy ideal. It is worthy ideal has to be known. That is the person who says, "I am going to be- the reason why it is very important to come this", and then begins to work to- know what you really want out of life. wards that goal. I'll tell you more of the Because when you do, when you find successful people. that idea that you fall in love with, that A success is the school teacher who is you want to do to help yourself and eveteaching school because that's what he ryone around you, it will be easy for you or she wants to do. to commit to it and work at it. A success is the woman who is a wife and mother because she wanted to become a wife and mother and she is doing a good job of it. A success is the man who runs the corner gas station because that was his dream is. A success is the entrepreneur who starts their own company because that was their dream - that's what they wanted to do.

However, that’s not all. Why do those with ideals succeed in life, and those without them fail? Well let me tell you something which, if you really understand it, will alter your life immediately. If you understand completely what I'm about to tell you from this moment on, your life will never be the same again. Here is the main key to success and happiness, and the key to failure. "We become what we think about". Let me say that again. "We become what we think about". Throughout history, the great wise men and teachers, philosophers, and prophets have disagreed with one another on many different things. It is only on this one point that they are in complete and unanimous agreement - the main key to success and happiness, and the key to failure: We become what we think about". This is what Benjamin Disraeli said: "Everything comes if a man will only wait ... I've brought myself after 59

long meditation to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and nothing can resist a will that will stake even existence for its fulfilment." King Solomon wrote in his book “Proverbs” that, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”. As he continue to think, so he will remain. Is that not apparent? William James said: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." He also said, "If you only care enough for a result, you will almost certainly obtain it.", "If you wish to be rich, you will be rich." "If you wish to be learned, you will be learned.", "If you wish to be good, you will be good." He continues, ".only you must, then, really wish these things, and wish them exclusively, and not wish at the same time a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly." Ralph Waldo Emerson said this, man is what he thinks about all day long." In the Bible you will read in Mark 9-23: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. Even William Shakespeare knew about this when he wrote, "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we often might win by fearing to attempt." To sum it all up, George Bernard Shaw, an Irish born playwright and a cofounder of the London School of Economics put it this way, "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them.” It is interesting, isn’t it? And every person who discovered this, for a while, believed that they were the first to work it out. "We become what we think about." It stands to reason that a person who is thinking about a concrete and worthwhile goal or an ideal is going to reach it,

you will get out of life”. The theologians will say, “As you sow so shall you reap.” To my own understanding, it means everyone has a price to pay. If for every Conversely, the person who has no goal, cause there is an effect, then it must simiwho doesn't know where they are going, larly means we can achieve nothing withand whose thoughts must therefore be out paying the price. thoughts of confusion, anxiety, fear, and worry becomes what they think about. To be a doctor, you must pay the price of Their life becomes one of frustration, long years of difficult study. To be sucfear, anxiety, and worry. And if we think cessful in selling, and remember each of us succeeds in life to the extent of our about nothing ... we become nothing. Well why do we become what we think ability to sell, selling our families on our about? This is when some basic under- ideas, selling education in schools, selling standing of some natural laws of the uni- our children on the advantages of living a good and honest life, selling our associverse will help with. ates and employees on the importance of Dr Wernher Von Braun who was consid- being exceptional people. ered by his peers as the father of space But to be successful in selling our way of program said that, “The natural laws of the universe are so precise, that we don’t the good life, we must be willing to pay have any difficulties building a spaceship the price. What is that price? Well it is many things. that will take man to the moon and return hi safely with the precision of a frac- Think - You will become what you think about. Imagine - Remember the word tion of a second”. He concluded that, “These laws must have been set by some- imagination and let your mind begin to soar. Do not limit yourself to anything. one.” One of the laws that Ralph Waldo Emer- Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is everything.” son refers to as “the law of all laws”, the Law of Cause & Effect. This law was best Courage - Concentrate on your goal every day. Save - ten percent of what you describe by Sir Isaac Newton when he earn. This is yours to keep. states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. The phi- Action - Ideas are worthless unless we act on them. Someone said, “If you think losophers will describe the same law as “whatever you put into life is what you can or cannot, you are right.” because that's what he or she is thinking about. And we become what we think about.

Pay these price. Do your best. Follow your heart. Listen to your heart. It might looks like it will never workout and fear will creep in but remember that nothing worthwhile will ever happen without some heat. You will benefit more than what you think if you do this. Let me conclude by this wonderful statement: “Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you perceive an idea and strive to reach it." James Allen What a promise!!! God’s speed. By Ayoola “coachAOG” Ogunrekun Preparedness Meets Opportunity = SUCCESS. (LifeCoach, Author, OG PhD, CoFounder) www.CreateMyMobileWebsite.info Facebook: fb.com/coachAOG Twitter: @coachAOG Skype: ogunrekun6

answers to Afro pop quiz

A– 53 A– Algeria D– Nigeria C– Somalia A– Port Louis A– Daniel Arap Moi E– Yemen A– Burkina Faso A– Funmilayo Ransome Kuti D- Gambia Thank you for taking part in our Afrokanist Pop Quiz, You’ve now learnt a thing or two, about our beautiful continent Africa

AFROKANIST POP– QUIZ What do you know about Africa 1. How many countries are there in Africa? A- 53

B- 46

C– 30 D– 56

2. Largest country in Africa? A– Algeria

B– Nigeria

C– Egypt D– South Africa

3. Which African country has the largest population? A– Democratic Republic of the Congo C- Kenya

B– Republic of Mali

D-Nigeria

4. Which African country does this flag belong to? A– Libya B- Burkina Faso C– Somalia D- Rwanda 5. What is the capital Mauritius? A– Port Louis B– Abuja C– Accra D– Freetown 6. Name the president of Kenya in 1993? A– Daniel Arap Moi B– Olusegun Obasanjo C- Yoweri Museveni D- Hery Rajaonarimampianina 7. Which one of this is not an African country? A– Comoros B– Burundi C– Sao Tome and Principe D– Libya E– Yemen 8. Which African country does this president and revolutionary figure belongs to? A-Burkina Faso B- Equatorial Guinea C– Ghana D- Sudan 9. Which one of this female activist is a Nigerian?

Funimlayo Ransome Kuti

Wangari maathai

Winnie Mandela

10. What country did Jollof Rice originated from? A– Ghana B– Nigeria C– Senegal D– Gambia 62

We are Expanding our team and we are looking for budding entreprenuers to fill various roles. Such as photographers, bloggers and web developers. Email: Afrokanist@yahoo.co.uk