British Nigerian Filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa embraces her naturally kinky hair. See video
Front page of the NYTtimes: Video of Zina Saro-Wiwa championing Self -Acceptance In the New York Times last Friday, filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa presented an op-Doc on black women’s decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather then use chemical straighteners. I think non black women could all use a little return to naturalness in their […]
Monica Wangu Wamwere: A mother fighting for her son’s freedom
Monica Wangu Wamwere: Unbroken Spirit Through determination, relentless perseverance, faith, and peaceful means Monica Wangu Wamwere prevailed and saw her son, Kenyan human rights activist and political prisoner Koigi wa Wamwere and many other imprisoned in the Kenyan jails released. She participated along with Noble Laureate Wangari Maathai in the 1992’s Mothers’ Hunger Strike. The […]
Interview with Auma Obama (audio)
Auma Obama talks about her life in Africa and Europe, and her relationship with her brother, Barack Obama. Her memoir, And Then Life Happens, tells the story of her meeting Barack Obama for the first time in the 1980s, and how they built a lasting relationship, traveled together in Kenya, and researched their family history, […]
Miriam Makeba: World-Famous South African Singer & Civil Rights Activist
Miriam Makeba — nicknamed Mama Africa On this journey that I have undertaken with the African continent, I find myself opening doors and encountering worlds heretofore unbeknownst to me. I discover histories, talents, personal journeys that move me profoundly and speak loudly and persistently of the limitless courage, rich talents, and absolute dedication of many […]
New York Africa Film Festival at the Walter Reade theater
This weekend is a great opportunity to learn more about African film. The New York African Film Festival at at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater is screening contemporary and classic African film exploring notions of home and homeland. April 11 – 17, 2012.
Nigerian High Fashion Week in Lagos: African Designers are Stars
Writing this blog is taking me on my own personal journey of discovery. I found out this week that FASHION is thriving on the African continent. Last week was fashion week in Lagos, the host of the Arise Africa Fashion Show where seventy seven African designers were represented. Well established and internationally known African designers […]
Contemporary Dance and African Heritage
New work by Okwui Okpokwasili and Nora Chipaumire. Friday night at St Marks Church in New York city, Danspace, in the context of Platform 2012 curated by Ishmael Houston- Jones, presented the powerful performances of two highly accomplished performers and Bessie award-winners: Okwui Okpokwasili, a second generation African American from the Bronx – her parents […]
A busy weekend of African Culture in New York.
New York city is the place to be if you are interested in African music! Since Friday night I have been immersed in African music. At Symphony Space, the Soweto Gospel choir’s rich voices brought forth the joy and humor which is so typical of the way the black South Africans celebrate their religion. The […]
Kenyans at Leisure
A Day at the Beach at Mombasa, Kenya. After an endless journey I am finally in Mombasa where I have rejoined Dee and Mike Belliere (MEAK’s founders), who are here overseeing a pediatric open-heart mission at the Mombasa Hospital. Looking over the Indian Ocean the hotel, a long time fixture in Nyali Beach, has seen […]
Sudano-Sahelian Architecture in Mali
Mali: An Architecture of Earth. Driving from the Dogon country to Bamako, which took us several days, we passed through the towns of Mopti, Djenne, and Segou where we saw stunning examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, mostly adobe brick mosques with elaborate mud turrets. These mosques, or more exactly the original ones, were built at the […]
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