KenyaUnlimited Blogs Aggregator » The Afropolitan Network:::

The Afropolitan Network:::

Some of Haiti's Poor Eat Dirt to Stay Alive

Posted: January 31, 2008, 10:25 am by Beve

I had seen this somewhere else on the web, but caught it again on Stereohyped:

Original AP article:

Why do we allow this to happen? Again, I think of Madonna's $10,000/month Kabbalah water. Or...my Lucky Jeans...ouch

I'm gonna find more orgs to list under my "Take Action" link which is dreadfully anemic.
What Did Martin Luther King Do for Black People?

Posted: January 30, 2008, 1:35 pm by Beve
Tags:

Listen in to BBC's discussion on World Have Your Say

This segment was spurned by (in my opinion controversial) article by Johnathan Farley in the Guardian. I'd be interested in thoughts on this.
Music Makers

Posted: January 29, 2008, 7:18 pm by Beve

This musician is pretty cool.

so is this one:

.....and is this one:
The Root: New Online Magazine w/ Black Perspective

Posted: January 28, 2008, 10:33 pm by Beve

The Root is a new e-zine from the Washington Post. So far, I like what I see, here's a story or Black Immigrants in the US and their voice in the Presidential Race:

I, Too, Sing for America
Zanzibar Film Festival (2007)

Posted: January 28, 2008, 8:56 pm by Beve

Here is a great clip about the renowned film festival. I'm going one day! Check out the link to ZIFF on the left hand side column, under "Film".
ABC: American Born Chinese

Posted: January 28, 2008, 9:51 am by Beve

I saw this on NPR and thought it had a very powerful visual message. Its a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, called American Born Chinese and it recently won the National Book Award. Its a powerful journey through the life of a second generation immigrant Chinese boy in his predominately white suburban upbringing. I think the issues raised here are perhaps quite similar to that of many first and second generation African immigrants.

It reminds me of my own experience in school in England where I was the only black girl in my class, until an African boy from Angola joined the class. And if you listen to Mr. Yang's story, I had almost the exact same experience where I was sort of expected to befriend the boy but I couldn't understand what he was saying most of the time. But now, in hindsight, I wish I would have made more of an effort.

Check it out
"Mr. President.." ?

Posted: January 27, 2008, 12:22 am by Beve

Something about this photo reminds me of "24" and "The West Wing"

New York Times
What Black Women's Votes Mean for the Presidential Race

Posted: January 27, 2008, 10:40 pm by Beve

Here's a great piece from Alternet about yesterday's touchdown win by Barack Obama in South Carolina.

"That's right, South Carolina. The first state to secede from the Union when that pesky "War of Northern Aggression" became inevitable. Hotbed of slaveholding activities as late as 1860, with 45.8 percent of all white families holding slaves -- the highest rate in the nation. Home to legendary states rights leader and segregationist presidential candidate Strom Thurman. And the last place in the USA where the Confederate flag was allowed to retain its place of so-called honor, flying atop the State House dome until the year 2000 -- 135 years after the abolition of slavery, in case you're counting."
Soul Influence: I Heart This Group!

Posted: January 27, 2008, 12:32 pm by Beve

We all have heard African harmony. From, the classic South African harmony (perhaps the best) to the chats of the west, choirs in the east, and prayer calls of the north,. Musicality is king. So what happens if you mix all these influences and throw in a little geographically hopscotch in the mix?

Soul Influence!

"Soul Influence is an a cappella ensemble, African in it's choice of rhythm and beat, Afro-jazz in its musical style, Christian in its conviction and lyrics, service to God and fellow man in it's focus." Just listen to these guys. They are so awesome. Perfect pitch, haunting harmony, and soulful beat-boxed African gospel and based in Toronto. Nice.

"Against a backdrop of Western Culture, Soul Influence produces a fusion of distinct African spiritual sounds of Zulu, Shona, Ndebele, Bemba, Lingala, Tonga, Taita and Swahili origin with contemporary Christian gospel music. Soul Influence sings richly layered vocal harmonies, combining the intricate beat and rhythm of the motherland with the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The result, a powerful sound that is pleasing to the ear and soothing to the soul. The music is deeply rooted in African tradition and culture but the message is universal, it’s the message of Jesus Christ. The sound and rhythm of the music brings to life the vibrancy of Africa to the hearts of those who hear it."

The group also focuses on community involvement, with their AIDS awareness campaigns in partnership with The Stephen Lewis Foundation, Compassion Canada and some of their projects include Mully Childrens Family (Kenya), Arthur Davidson Hospital (Zambia) and Kajiado (Kenya). They have also toured all over the US, Kenya and Zambia and performed at various events including The Urban Aids Concert with Artists like Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado K-OS & Keisha Chante.

Members include: Uitsile Ndlovu (Soprano/ Alto), Dorothy Ghettuba (Soprano), Miriam Chimanga (Alto), Fred Onsoti (Tenor/ vocal percussion), Simba Nyawiri (Tenor/ Bass/ Vocal Percussion), and Valentine Mandeya (Bass/ vocal percussion)
Renowned Zimbabwean Sculptor Dominic Benhura

Posted: January 26, 2008, 5:07 pm by Beve

"'My motivation for being a stone sculptor is the love of it," Benhura says. "Somewhere in my heart I always felt that stone was my future.'

Founder of the Harare-based Dominic's Studio that houses at least 30 male and female sculptors, Benhura says, "I am one of those people who have been lucky enough to spend the better part of my life doing what I enjoy." -ArtMatters

beautiful art:

Baby Steps by Dominic Benhura

Twins by Dominc Benhura

[title unknown]
Out of Fashion Forum in NYC

Posted: January 26, 2008, 8:45 am by Beve

Here's an interesting post on Stereohyped about former model and agency owner Bethann Hardison even on Wednesday, January 23rd. It was the Out of Fashion Forum and it was meant to address the lack of opportunities for models of color in the fashion industry. Its a good read, and kudos for Ms Hardison for holding such a forum.

“They’re not going to look for as many black girls as they are white. That’s just commonality. It’s a white man’s industry – if you decide to be part of that you know you’re not going to be in the majority with them. You expect that.”
Let's Rock and Blogroll! (ok that's a cheesy title, I know)

Posted: January 25, 2008, 2:40 pm by Beve
On embarking on this Afropolitan journey, I have entered into the incredibly enriching, educational and change-inspiring world of the black blogosphere. There are perhaps thousands of black bloggers out there who write about issues that concern them and the community. So I want to start a spotlight feature on the new ones I add. Here are some to start:
- Kenya Imagine [Kenya/US]:
This is more so a website, than a blog, but it has superb articles especially on the Kenya Elections and the Post-Election Crisis, that I would say is unrivaled by other blogs
- [US]
  Sphere Magazine a sleek, culturally relevant take on black culture as well as global issues that effect college students and young people, created by the multi-talented Adrian Hopkins who I am proud to know.
- [Nigeria/US]
  Uduak Oduok's Ladybrille "or the African woman in the West who is educated and globally conscious of fashion trends and styles," and Yaya Marieba's CosweareAfricanwomen.... are the places to go for African fashion. I am continually impressed at these ladies and their sense of style. Plus both have a built in loyal readership.
*photo by Arun Nevader
- And perhaps the quirkiest and most fun blog I frequent Black Nerds Network. Just by looking at the logo you can tell....Its just fun!
Stay tuned for the next installment of.....Let's Rock and Blogroll!
Sorrow

Posted: January 25, 2008, 10:25 am by Beve
Divine Chocolate

Posted: January 24, 2008, 12:00 pm by Beve

Delicious no? This is a brand of fair trade "Made in Africa"chocolate by a co-op of Ghanaian farmers called Divine. I would buy one just for the gorgeous wrapper. Its available all over the US.
Complex Math Found in African Architecture, Design

Posted: January 24, 2008, 6:08 am by Beve

Mathmetician Ron Eglash traveled to Africa to do research on fractals. What he found was amazing, but not surprising to those of us who appreciate the ingenuity and creativeness in Africa. Please listen to this talk and be prepared to be inspired!
Mama Africa Remix - Akon Featuring Bamboo

Posted: January 23, 2008, 8:08 pm by Beve

Pretty cool remix.
links for 2008-01-23

Posted: January 23, 2008, 1:18 pm by Beve
- Stories on Malawi: Malawi growth expected to exceed 7 pct in 2008
- First Black Rugby Coach for South Africa - Peter De Villiers
Man Infiltrates Chicago Gang, Does Research for 7 Years

Posted: January 23, 2008, 12:30 pm by Beve

This is the incredible dissertation story of Columbia Professor and Sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh. They say doing a PhD is a killer, but this is on another level. Read/listen to the story on NPR

Whats incredible about this is the gang leader who he befriended, JT, was a college graduate with a corporate job and left all of that to make 100K selling as the head hancho for a crack operation. There is the misconception that the guys running gangs are not that bright. They are actually some of the most astute and disciplined people. What a waste.

Not our usual Afropolitan story. But when I heard about this I assumed the guy was white. Interesting that he is originally from India.
Heath Ledger and Congo

Posted: January 23, 2008, 5:11 am by Beve

The news of Heath Ledger's passing is very sad indeed. His role as the Jocker in the new Batman film, "The Dark Knight" was said to rival Jack Nichalson's. As someone who is a cinephile, one could tell that He was truly on the cusp of a great film career. He was one of my favorite actors and another actor of my generation who tragically died in a week.

Yet, any sadness was put in perspective by other news that came out today. The International Rescue Committee reported that 45,000 people are dying every month in Congo (mostly children). Whats more, is 5.4 million have died so far as a direct result of the conflict. This is equivalent to the entire population of Denmark.

"The vast majority of deaths were from nonviolent causes, such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia or malnutrition'

I just don't know how to bridge these two pieces of news and the attention they will each get. All I can say is I wish humans had more humanity. If we are working at this kind of deficit in morality, I don't know if there is any use in trying to raise "awareness".
New Afropolitan Show!

Posted: January 22, 2008, 11:19 pm by Beve

This comes from Ya Ma'Afrika:
"Created, written and directed by Thato Rantao Mwosa, "Ya Ma'Afrika" is a fictional drama show that fuses the lives of 4 African women living in New York City and highlights the cultural experiences, contradictions and challenges of African women living in the West. In the show, Yetunde, Kui, Chipo and Welisane are housemates from all corners of Africa with different backgrounds. The show captures the cosmopolitan side of Africans, rarely shown on TV in the West. "Ya Ma'Afrika" celebrates the diversity of talented actors from all over Africa and the Diaspora. The show's dynamic cast includes Zimbabwean poet U-Meleni Mhlaba, as Kui; A talented Noro Ejaita from Nigeria, as Yetunde; A celebrated Zimbabwean actor Nomsa Mlambo (Everyone's Child) as Chipo and Cameroonian actor/model Yana Bille, as Welisane. The cast also includes a published writer/model/actor Erickka Sy Savane; An award winning Congolese-American poet and author Omekongo; A celebrated Jamaican playright and actor David Heron; A model/actor who has been featured in international style magazines Souleymane Sy Savane from Ivory Coast,; S. Atibon Nazaire, a Hatian American actor who has starred in award winning films; A talented theater actor Nate Steinwachs and an outstanding Orville McCarter who also has a theater background. Other actors include face of Maybelline Yomi Abiola, Haitian American Prague Roberts and the current Miss Zimbabwe-USA Makho Ndlovu. Else Bollanga serves as the show's executive producer. Ya Ma'Afrika is produced by Soundview Broadcasting situated in Queens NY. The show will air on a satellite channel Telesud early June."
That's it, I'm going!

Posted: January 22, 2008, 10:57 pm by Beve

I've stumbled upon a great (and yet another popular) blog by Afropolitan G. Kofi Annan called Annansi Chronicles. He's a writer, entrepreneur, and consultant on all things emerging in Afropolitan Africa.

I'm excited that and happy to announce that he is moderating a panel aptly called Africa 2.0 for the hip festival SXSW Its funny because I've been wanting to go the last couple of years, but now I have a perfect opportunity. If you haven't heard of South by Southwest, its a really cool Indie Festival that has gathered a huge indie fan base b/c of its showcase of bands and films as well as panels. This panel is titled "Africa 2.0: Affecting Change Using Technology"

Can't wait!
Chinese and African Relations

Posted: January 22, 2008, 10:55 pm by Beve

Here's an interesting podcast from American Public Media; it appears some Chinese entrepreneurs are experiencing tensions with local Lesotho.

"How do you draw foreign investment without driving your own citizens out of business? Lesotho's business leaders say the government should train local entrepreneurs to compete as the global economy comes to their doorstep. Thabang Mokatse is with the Lesotho Chamber of Commerce.
'If no steps are being taken, in no time, the whole economy will be in the hands of the Chinese.'
As there continues to be more investment in Africa by the Chinese, I think this potential tension is something that governments need to look into and educate all stakeholders (we'll see how that goes).

I also see a little resemblance here to the tensions between Korean Businesses in African American neighborhoods (especially in LA) in the States. There is also a tinge of the same "them invading our borders" paranoia seen in the US against Mexicans. But there is also some truth in some Basotho small business being undercut by the influx of Chinese business. I can already see this being a slippery slope.

Give it a listen, its only about 5 mins. Thanks to AltNigeria Log for the info.
Futurama

Posted: January 22, 2008, 10:02 pm by Beve

It appears that I am posting from the future! Sorry about that, its a glitch in the matrix, I think I've figured it out, but if not, rest assured I am still in the present tense.
AfriGadget

Posted: January 22, 2008, 7:32 pm by Beve

AfriGadget? How cool is this site! In the same spirit as William Kamkwamba of Malawi's windmill.
Bongiwe Walaza

Posted: January 21, 2008, 6:14 pm by Beve

Here is an amazing designer out of South Africa. Big up to Yaya's blog where I first saw her beautiful designs. You can find her Summer 2007 Collection on her website. But check out the stunning dresses:

I really like where African fashion is right now. It is a fusion of so many influences now.
Afropolitan Alert: Kenna

Posted: January 20, 2008, 5:24 pm by Beve

Kenna is an Ethiopian born American musician. His music is so cool. Kind of like Pharell of the Neptunes, meets Rick James meets graphic design.
:: Morning Edition ::

Posted: January 20, 2008, 1:19 pm by Beve
Diamonds Anyone?

Posted: January 20, 2008, 8:01 am by Beve

Ad by Amnesty International French Chapter
Jamhuri Wear is Dope

Posted: January 20, 2008, 3:46 am by Beve

Love this brand. Jamhuri Wear is just what an Afropolitan brand should entail, including love for the motherland. Check out their line of clothes African hoodies including Dakar, Soweto, Kenya, Addis Ababba. The label is the brainchild of designer Jeffery Kimathi and all these items can be purchased from the link above.

Now if they can just produce more women's tees!
An Afropolitan Tale

Posted: January 20, 2008, 3:38 am by Beve

Here's an interesting life story on Mimi Magazine about Vanessa Mutota's experience moving back home to Namibia after living in England.
:: Morning Edition ::

Posted: January 19, 2008, 1:23 pm by Beve
- BET Boardroom Spoof - MEGAVIDEO
- Bob Geldof: My Africa - Independent
Gooooooooooooooooooaaal!

Posted: January 19, 2008, 11:31 am by Beve

Tomorrow is the first day of the Africa Cup of Nations, probably the most exciting time in African Sports.

Here's a look at the schedule of matches and a link to Africast, a site that allows streaming video of African News and Movies, usually in real time. I'd like to add that Africast is pretty amazing and this is pretty much how many Kenyans abroad kept in tune with news during and after the Elections Crisis.

Another interesting part of this tournament is that it pulls a lot of star players from the elite European clubs such as Didier Drogba of Chelsea, Sam Eto'o of Barcelona, Kolo Toure of Arsenal and Mahamadou Diarra of Real Madrid, to name a few, go back to Africa to participate. Its said to be frustrating for the coaches who see it as "loosing" their players. All I can say is:

Hey, you gotta represent!
Rosie the Riveter

Posted: January 19, 2008, 9:33 am by Beve

(We Can Do It Too!!)

The one on the left is the famous Rosie the Riveter icon that encouraged women to leave home and work during WWII when many had husbands fighting overseas.

by J. Howard Howard Miller 1942

The second is a newly published image of an African American Rosie, from the US Library of Congress through Flickr (everyone is on here now?) of a real life "Rosie the Riveter". I love it. I love them both.

by Alfred T. Palmer 1943
The Malawian Connection

Posted: January 18, 2008, 12:48 am by Beve

So I just realized that my post about Malawi and my post about William Kamkwamba are both about Malawi, coincidentally.

Herein lies my point about perceptions about Africa. Which story garners international headlines? Madonna adopts a baby orphan from Malawi, not, the boy genius of one of the poorest countries in the world. Thus you have a country, Malawi, which becomes known more for its poverty and orphans, than any kind of ingenuity or creativity. There are over one million orphans in Malawi, but William's story shows that these kids have the potential to be future "Williams", and not just barely exist. Judging by the two posts, and the Wall Street Journal footage, you wouldn't even think this is the same country.

Along with my Gwenyth Paltrow "I am an African" post, if celebrities want to help Africa, the best thing to do is pay school fees! Instead of doing an ad campaign which most people will gloss over, just adopt a school, the way we do here in the US, but pay everyone's school fees. This is directly investing in Africa's future.

William Kamkwamba had to drop out of school but still figured out a way to harness the power of wind (which, I might add, is environmentally friendly). Because of this he was able to get sponsored to go back to school and now is on track to be an exponentially great inventor/investor himself. This is the old, teach a man to fish situation.
"Madonna's Malawi"

Posted: January 18, 2008, 11:07 pm by Beve

Yes, according to Vanity Fair Africa issue, Madonna now owns the entire country of Malawi. Not to mention her paternalistically titled foundation "Raising Malawi". It's interesting that she spends $10,000/ month on Kabbalah water. I think I'm being too harsh and judgmental, but it just rubs me the wrong way!

Maybe I'm just to sensitive? What do you think about this?

read more
:: Morning Edition ::

Posted: January 18, 2008, 1:20 pm by Beve
Boy Builds Windmill to Power House!

Posted: January 18, 2008, 11:19 am by Beve

Amazing, isn't it? The title alone? These are the kind of kids that need heavy mentoring and investment (although it looks like he's pretty bright!). If you couple this, plus the views of 35 year old Economist James Shikwati, one begins to see why the future of Africa is not Aid in Africa but "Made in Africa"....hmmm that's kinda catchy. You read it hear first!

Viva les entrepreneurs!
"There are No Black People in Argentina" Really?

Posted: January 18, 2008, 9:49 am by Beve

Here is a story I found fascinating. Its from 2005, but I still found it engaging and learned a thing or two about communities that struggle to find a collective identity after being written off in history books. In 1810 30% of Argentinians were black. Now it is 1.8%. The article states that the conventional knowledge says the reason for the drop had been either war, where they were on the frontlines, or yellow fever. But they're still there, albeit some of them a little lighter skinned.

I found it curious that people who visibly look black are forced to pass as white, since (at the time of this article), there was no racial category of "Afro-Argentine" for them to check. So essential Argentina is all white. Really? I think something similar happens in Brazil, where people say they are "muy, muy moreno" instead of "negro".
"
Argentina was interested in presenting itself as a white country," said George Reid Andrews, a history professor at the University of Pittsburgh who has specialized in black history in Latin America. "Its ideologues and writers put a great emphasis on the yellow fever epidemic and the war, and it was feasible to pretend that the black population had simply disappeared as immigration exploded."

*photo by

Silvina Frydlewsky of the Washington Post

Estimates of the current population of blacks in Buenos Aires are essentially wild guesses, partly because the Argentine government has not reflected African racial ancestry in its census counts in well over a century."