October edition

AFRICA, AFRICA! Enjoy the flavours and greatness of the beloved continent!

Be Inspired Who inspires and drives you?

October Edition

In This Issue

World Food Day, let’s celebrate!

Finding the root of flavour

By Thembe Mvula

African Agriculture Economy

By Michael Lee

Interview with Photographer Ayo Oduniyi

Need a web designer? Akin is the guy!

By Cheyenne Dwyer-McDowall

By Cheyenne Dwyer-McDowall

By Princess Fisher

African food at it best!

By Anjola Adelaja

Editor’s Note Hello everyone and a warm welcome back to the latest edition of our magazine. This month we want to celebrate Black history and celebrate it in style! Everyone can join in on the fun and there is so much to do this month. So you might want to either find yourself in the kitchen or trooping up and down your local street searching for some African or Caribbean cuisine. In this months' issue we are going to take it back to the roots of Black history, where the beautiful people came from. Don't worry a lot of these dishes you can do at home, it's definitely something you might want to try and have some authentic home cooking.

Oh and we can't forget to mention 'World Food Day', this is a way for everyone to celebrate food and agriculture of dierent nations! Not only can you celebrate food and agriculture of a nation but you will get to see what such a great nation can produce such as spices you can add to your food, you will definitely enjoy!

If you want a bit of inspiration in your life then check out my interview with the CEO and founder of AO Media. I think you all can take a bit of inspiration from his interview and check out my feature on Akin who designed out beautiful website. I must say, this is and inspiring edition so enjoy!

Editor

Cheyenne Dwyer-McDowall

It’s World Food Day! October is here again! The month of the year again when black heritage is appreciated for what it is and where it has come from. We all know there’s no celebration without some good food! So why not help children in Africa without those privileges? That’s why this year for ‘World Food Day’, the focus is on Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition”.

Wondering how you can get involved? Join us on the 16th October 2013. They have a website that allows you to donate online at www.fao.org . #WFD2013 – Make this day trending on twitter so everyone can play their part in helping those in need. ‘Hunger Run’ - 10k competitive marathon and a 5k non-competitive run/walk. Raise awareness and money while you break a sweat for the world.

Be reminded that food is the most valued source of survival. Lets make a difference!

By Princess Fisher

Finding the roots of flavour What is it that makes black cuisine taste so distinctive? Is it the exotic raw ingredients? The love put into each dish? Or the ethnocentric spices and herbs that bring the former alive? I believe a great balance of all three formulates good food. In this month’s issue we are focusing on black history month. Therefore what better way to get more in touch with black history than delving into the authentic flavours that play such a big part in the culture.

Spices become surprisingly simpler the more you get to know them. Many popular spices and herbs derive from different continents and, when blended together, cultivate great tasting flavours of Morocco, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and Tunisia which you can create. In particular, Ras el Hanout spice recipe goes especially well with vegetarian dishes such as Moroccan chickpea soup, a healthy and easy recipe that is guaranteed to please! Below is a recipe provided by the Food Network, so take a look! /dave-­‐lieberman/moroccan-­‐spiced-­‐chickpea-­‐soup-­‐recipe/index.htmlhCp://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes

By Thembe Mvula

Agriculture Economy of Africa It goes without saying that the continent of Africa is home to an array of natural resources.

Knowing this, other continents have demanded these commodities (through both official and forceful means) and as a result these goods have been exported across the world. These resources have helped developed economies to build mobile phones, fuel cars and even consume bananas.

Now, fundamental economic law states that when demand for goods is high, prices will rise in order for the market to clear. These higher prices would benefit African sellers in the form of higher profits. However before the existence of Fair Trade, this scenario had been quite the opposite for the continent, with African producers being underpaid and carrying out subsistence farming.

Agriculture forms an enormous role in African Economy yet there is still 600 hectares of uncultivated land. This suggests that there is so much more that the continent could be doing in order to meet its productive capacity. The only way to do this is to provide African farmers with enough money so that they can escape from subsistence farming and thus profits can be placed into purchasing more land. This is where signature comes in. Signature combines an assortment of Fair Trade ingredients in the production of its delicious Sweet Safari Sauce. Not only can you feel good about tasting the fusion of spices in the sauce, but you can rest assured that you’ve done your part to help African farmers make that one step closer to making their potential a reality.

By Michael Lee

A West African Dish You Can’t Miss African food is an art, it's brings people together filled with colour and life. I would like to say making an African dish is easy but it can be challenging! A recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation, shows how much the dish is loved in many West African countries!

Their are many ways to cook Jollof rice and this is one Ingredients for Jellof rice is:

Serves 2-4 people To season you will need: 1 Tinned plum tomatoe 2 tablespoons of mixed herbs 1 Bell pepper 1 table spoon of salt 2 Chilli peppers R2 tablespoons of mild curry powder 2 Onions 4 individual Maggie cubes 3 Cloves of Garlic 1 teaspoon of black pepper if desired 1 Cube of Ginger 3 fresh bay leaves Ingredients listed above should be blended into a liquid and heated for 20 mins Pour the seasoned ingredients into the blended liquid cook for 30 minutes on a medium heat.

In a separate bowl scoop out 5 handfuls of white rice. Whatever your preference is, Basmati or Long Grain rice both will bring out a great taste regardless!

Wash the 5 Hand fulls of rice in a bowl then drain all water from the rice (the dryer the rice the better). As the liquid sauce boils, pour the rice into it and cover the pot allow no air to leave the pot. Leave to boil on medium heat for 20 minutes. Allow the rice to cool for 5 minutes before serving. To spice up your dish you can serve with vegetables or a meat of your choice!

By Anjola Adelaja

Interview with Ayo Oduniyi I had the chance to interview Ayo Oduniyi is well renown photographer who is the CEO and founder of AO Media, a successful photography and video production freelancer. AO Media services range from events, corporate, product/brand, portrait and wedding. Since developing a passion for photography Ayo has gained a huge following and his work has graced the pages of Essence magazine showing us the only way for Ayo Oduniyi is up. The work he produces shows someone who continues to work hard no matter what comes his way! He’s produced great work for Signature S.O so take a read, trust me you’ll enjoy it!

1) So firstly I want to ask … How did your interest in photography come about? And was photography something you've always been passionate about?

I was doing a unit on photography at in my first year in university, everyone else had proper cameras or access to ones. I didn’t, had a conversaNon with my Dad about what I was doing, then he got me for my birthday (early birthday present) then friends asked me to take photos etc. and we are here today. Lol. Photography hasn’t always been a passion, broadcast producNon has, so it Nes in with the whole visual aspect of my passion.

2) Your photography is gracing the pages of Essence already, you've accomplished a lot, how do you feel about that?

I tell ya, I don’t know! To be connected with such people and to have the opportunity, that’s major alone. I was happy with that, that’s all I can say. Hard work pays of!

3) Was there any challenges you faced when trying to get where you are now? (Being a Black male in such a White dominated industry)

Yes, obviously, for everyone. I wouldn’t put it down to race, if anything I’m trying to get out of this black saturated market I am in into the “white” market, if such things exist (no it doesn’t!), I guess I’m saying the market I aim to be in is the upper class rather than working class. The challenges I face are the same challenges any start up business would face.

4) I think many people of our generaKon are looking up to people like you as an inspiraKon, what do you think about that?

Are proud that you inspire others to achieve great things?

If there was one word I got a lot ever since I gave my life to Christ it was: inspiraNonal. I hear it, and I someNmes think me, if only you knew me! I guess the Christ in me (I am ChrisNan) is what shines through and I’m humbled I can be used as an example for people to look up, to leave a posiNve influence is an honour, its something to be proud about (in a humble way!) I die one day knowing that people say “ayo, you were an inspiraNon to me”, that’s a job well done!

5) How has the history of Black people affected the way you view life in general?

Has your inspiration come from any famous Black photographers?

My father made is paramount we knew where we came from, about Nigeria. On our first visit to Nigeria we want to Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcout. We went to museums etc. Going home made me grateful. Made me thank God more. Made me understand my parents and be more grateful for them, from seeing the village they came from, were the other family members are and where we are in London. I was like that’s inspirational. That’s just God.

Famous Black photographers? Erm no, well maybe Adebayo Deru counts if I can label him that now, but no no mainstream famous black photographers, funny enough I don’t know any! Lol

6) What do you have planned for AO Media in the future? Are you looking to develop a team soon or do you already have one? Do you have any other interests you would like to pursue?

AO Media, is a media house. What do I mean? I want to extend to visual production that will handle commercials, skits, short films and documentaries. I have a heart for young people, so social enterprise is definitely on the dream board too. Its going to grow into an corporation, its definitely wont remain a one man team or initiative, its bigger than me. Next stop is documentaries; that’s one of main passions. Social enterprise may come after that.

7) Do you have anything interesting you'll be doing for Black History Month?

Any events you'll be attending?

I am looking at doing a black history themed shoot. All in the mind, if I find time I may go out and do something. More focused in attending an event.

8) What has been your favourite project you've worked on? And when you work with Signature S.O do you enjoy working on Signature S.O projects?

My favourite project, umm, I haven’t done much “projects” so far to say, but I would say weddings, one I did in July with Stephanie and jay was one of my most enjoyable ones. The couple just gave me complete liberty!

8) What has been your favourite project you've worked on? And when you work with Signature S.O do you enjoy working on Signature S.O projects?

My favourite project, umm, I haven’t done much “projects” so far to say, but I would say weddings, one I did in July with Stephanie and jay was one of my most enjoyable ones.

The couple just gave me complete liberty!

Working with signature so is always fun, primarily because I know Sheila (that means I eat all the food left over!), honestly, having someone who believes in you makes working for them enjoyable and funny enough the work easier though you work harder to exceed expectations.

9) Do you have anything you want to ask me? Or any last words for Signature S.O readers?

Whatever you want to do, step out in faith and do it. Hard work ALWAYS pays off. And live for a cause greater than yourself !

10) Lastly,Where can people find you? Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.

Instagram: @ao_media Facebook: .com/ao.media.photography Twitter: @ao_media

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