Month: August 2020

Opinion

aKoma is Dead. Long Live aKoma!
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With the poor representation of Africa in the media and the lack of avenues for African creatives to express themselves, two former Turner/CNN staff, Chidi Afulezi, from Nigeria, and Zain Verjee from Kenya, joined forces in 2015 to form AKoma. Conceived as a platform that would enable and unleash Africa’s talent on the world, Akoma had the mantra “The most important person in Africa is the storyteller.” After 4 years trying to sell the message of Akoma to customers and investors, the duo pulled the plug on their enterprise. This article narrates the tortuous journey of Akoma.

by Chidi Afulezi | Medium

Continue reading “aKoma is Dead. Long Live aKoma!” →
Entertainment

Majek Fashek |Legendary Nigerian Musician to Be Buried In America
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BY DANIEL ICAN | GHGossip

After his sad demise in America, the family of Veteran Nigerian reggae musician, Majek Fashek, have revealed that he would be buried in New York, USA.

Continue reading “Majek Fashek |Legendary Nigerian Musician to Be Buried In America” →
Uncategorized

Omoyele Sowore | New Jersey journalist remains jailed in Nigeria
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By Mike Kelly | NorthJersey.com

Omoyele “Yele” Sowore of Haworth, a journalist and social activist, has become the forgotten man of the coronavirus pandemic. He’s not sick. Since his arrest in Nigeria a year ago, he has been trapped in a bizarre diplomatic quarantine — confined to house arrest, facing what he calls bogus criminal charges, with little prospect of returning to his wife and children anytime soon.

Continue reading “Omoyele Sowore | New Jersey journalist remains jailed in Nigeria” →
Book review

Emmanuel Kulu Brings a New Perspective to Ancient Egyptian History in His Novel “I, Black Pharoah Rise to Power”
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By BlackNews

Buffalo, NY — Author/ African historian Emmanuel Kulu, Jr. has faced racism for his controversial novel, I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power. In early 2019, Kulu began his campaign restoring the true African origins of Ancient Egypt. Upon posting his book cover via social media, Kulu received massive amounts of death threats, racist comments, and hate emails regarding the cover.

Continue reading “Emmanuel Kulu Brings a New Perspective to Ancient Egyptian History in His Novel “I, Black Pharoah Rise to Power”” →
Sports

Steve Kibare | Budding Kenyan-American golfer targets big tours
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By LARRY NGALA | Daily Nation

For many amateur golfers aspiring to join the professional ranks, competing in the biggest Tours and tournaments in the world is a long-held dream. American-born Kenyan Steve Kibare, who is due to join Dalton State University on a full golf scholarship this fall (this month), has what it takes to join the big tours in the world.

Continue reading “Steve Kibare | Budding Kenyan-American golfer targets big tours” →
African Food

A taste of Ethiopian cuisine at Abyssinia in Santa Rosa
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By CAREY SWEET | THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Traditional Ethiopian dining involves an interesting setup: you park yourself on a low-to-the-ground barchuma stool at a multicolored mesob wicker table. The mesob has a domed cover that looks like a mini woven Taj Mahal, and when you remove it, a centerpiece tray awaits with a dramatic array of dishes arranged around African injera flat bread.

Continue reading “A taste of Ethiopian cuisine at Abyssinia in Santa Rosa” →
Uncategorized

Google honors Kenyan freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza
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By Dinah Matengo | CGTN Africa

Google has published a special Doodle on its homepage to honor and celebrate Mekatilili wa Menza, one of Kenya’s first freedom fighters. She is known for inspiring the Giriama people to resist colonial rule in the early 20th century.

Continue reading “Google honors Kenyan freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza” →
Entertainment

Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’ Is Praised — And Panned — By Africans
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By IFEANYI NSOFOR and ESTHER NGUMBI | NPR

There are two kinds of reactions to Beyoncé’s new Black Is King video: lavish praise – and deep criticism. The praise comes from her many fans and from many reviewers. The criticism often comes from Africans.

Continue reading “Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’ Is Praised — And Panned — By Africans” →
Communities

Senegalese Community Mourns Denver Fire Victims in Suspected Arson Case
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By Voice of America

Senegal’s president sent condolences after five members of a Senegalese family living in the U.S. died earlier this week when a fire swept through their home in Denver, Colorado.

Continue reading “Senegalese Community Mourns Denver Fire Victims in Suspected Arson Case” →
Entertainment

7 African artists share their feelings on the glory — and missteps — of Beyoncé’s Black is King
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By Amanda Parris  |  CBC

Of all the life-altering and terrifying changes that have occurred in 2020, one of the more fascinating shifts has been happening in celebrity culture. Stars have always been placed on a pedestal, and now that pedestal’s being shaken. 

Continue reading “7 African artists share their feelings on the glory — and missteps — of Beyoncé’s Black is King” →
People

Atandwa Kani | South African actor complains on being racially profiled in America
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By Kyle Zeeman | Times

South African-born actor Atandwa Kani has once again spoken out on racism in America, recounting an incident where he believes he was racially profiled. The star, who is now based in America, took to Instagram to recount how he had stepped out of his apartment onto the road when a white couple saw him and immediately crossed the street.

Continue reading “Atandwa Kani | South African actor complains on being racially profiled in America” →
Entertainment

Burna Boy: ‘Brothers in the US have been stripped of their knowledge of self’
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Lanre Bakare | The Guardian

Burna Boy might be Africa’s biggest music star, but when he speaks, it’s hard to place exactly where he’s from. Ask him about the US, and a mid-Atlantic lilt comes into play; quiz him on his time in the UK, and he sounds more like Skepta than King Sunny Ade. But when he talks about his beloved Nigeria, the rich tones of the west African country are exposed, and it’s this that has made him arguably the continent’s most sought-after musical export.

Continue reading “Burna Boy: ‘Brothers in the US have been stripped of their knowledge of self’” →
People

Greg Osayande Aghaze | Nigerian-American filmmaker who seeks to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Nollywood
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By Vanguard

Greg Osayande Aghaze, is a Nigerian who has since committed himself to a filmmaking career in Hollywood. Having produced quite a number of award-winning movies in the American filmmaking industry, Aghaze is one whose career spanned across the world of finance and media entertainment.

Continue reading “Greg Osayande Aghaze | Nigerian-American filmmaker who seeks to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Nollywood” →
Entertainment

Daniel Kaluuya | Judas and the Black Messiah Director Defends Casting British-Ugandan
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Writer/director Shaka King doesn’t anticipate criticisms like those of Kaluuya in “Get Out,” Cynthia Erivo in “Harriet,” or David Oyelowo in “Selma.”

By Ryan Lattanzio | | IndieWire

Continue reading “Daniel Kaluuya | Judas and the Black Messiah Director Defends Casting British-Ugandan” →
Opinion

African countries are having to come to terms with a growing diaspora’s dual citizenship
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By Amindeh Blaise Atabong | QUARTZ

Earlier this year, Jawar Mohammed, the prominent political activist and media entrepreneur, who had returned home to Ethiopia from the US, looked set to challenge his former ally, prime minister Abiy Ahmed, in the country’s election. But there was immediately uncertainty created over Jawar’s eligibility simply because he had been a US citizen. Ethiopian law does not allow dual nationality and even though he written letters saying he’s renounced his US citizenship that uncertainty remains.

Continue reading “African countries are having to come to terms with a growing diaspora’s dual citizenship” →
Immigration

George W. Bush pays tribute to America’s immigrants in new book
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Hillel Italie | Associated Press

A new book by former President George W. Bush will highlight an issue which now sets him apart from many of his fellow Republicans — immigration.

Continue reading “George W. Bush pays tribute to America’s immigrants in new book” →
African Food

Jollof Wars | What’s the Difference Between Ghana and Nigeria’s Recipes
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The rivalry between Nigerian and Ghanaian styles of jollof is a (mostly lighthearted) debate among the West African diaspora

by Jiji Majiri Ugboma  Photography by Clay Williams | Eater

Continue reading “Jollof Wars | What’s the Difference Between Ghana and Nigeria’s Recipes” →
Entertainment

Mojisola Odegbami | How a grandmother from Nigeria ended up in Beyoncé’s new visual album
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By Aisha Salaudeen | CNN

Mojisola Odegbami did not anticipate that a trip to the United States would land her a part in a visual album by one of the most popular music artists in the world — Beyoncé. The 69-year-old Nigerian grandmother appeared in two music videos in Beyoncé’s highly anticipated “Black Is King” album, which premiered on Disney+.

Continue reading “Mojisola Odegbami | How a grandmother from Nigeria ended up in Beyoncé’s new visual album” →
Entertainment

Tamar Braxton thanks her Nigerian boyfriend, David Adefeso, for ‘being my rock’ amid mental health struggles
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By Hannah Yasharoff | USA TODAY

Tamar Braxton publicly thanked her Nigerian boyfriend, David Adefeso, for “saving my life” after announcing she would be parting ways with a television career she said negatively impacted her mental health. 

Continue reading “Tamar Braxton thanks her Nigerian boyfriend, David Adefeso, for ‘being my rock’ amid mental health struggles” →
Achievements

Zambian Dambisa Moyo and Kenyan David Ndii make list of The 100 Most Influential Economists Online (2020)
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By Ebimo Amungo

Two African economist have made the list of of The 100 Most Influential Economists Online (2020). Zambian-born Dambisa Moyo was recognised as a global thought leader while Kenyan economist David Ndii, a well known columnist for the Telegraph also made the list.

Continue reading “Zambian Dambisa Moyo and Kenyan David Ndii make list of The 100 Most Influential Economists Online (2020)” →
People

Mima Fondong | Meet the daughter of trending Dr Stella Immanuel
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By Henry Oduah  | QED

Arguably the most popular doctor at the moment, Dr Stella Immanuel is receiving a lot of attention following a viral video of her advocating the use of hydroxychloroquine as a cure for coronavirus.

Continue reading “Mima Fondong | Meet the daughter of trending Dr Stella Immanuel” →
Entertainment

Angelique Kidjo and Beyonce Trend As Nigerians Debate who should be called Mama Africa
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By | THEWILL

Popular Beninese musician and songwriter of Nigerian descent, Angélique Kidjo, is trending on Twitter as Nigerians debate on who deserves to be called Mama Africa.

Continue reading “Angelique Kidjo and Beyonce Trend As Nigerians Debate who should be called Mama Africa” →
Entertainment

Shatta Wale | Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo paid for video shoot trip with Beyoncé
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By Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi | Peacefmonline.com

Dancehall musician, Shatta Wale has disclosed that the Akufo-Addo government arranged an all-expense paid trip for him to go to the United States and shoot the music video of ”Already” with American music icon, Beyoncé.

Continue reading “Shatta Wale | Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo paid for video shoot trip with Beyoncé” →
Uncategorized

Simileoluwa Adebajo | A Fire Destroyed San Francisco’s only Nigerian Restaurant but the owner Is Already Rebuilding It.
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by Eve Batey | Eater

This was supposed to be a story about how the owner of San Francisco’s only Nigerian restaurant made a bold move to save her business, shuttering her dining room, pivoting to a takeout and delivery model, and moving her operation into a commissary kitchen. That’s not what this story is about anymore, however, because , a gigantic, six-building blaze destroyed it all.

Continue reading “Simileoluwa Adebajo | A Fire Destroyed San Francisco’s only Nigerian Restaurant but the owner Is Already Rebuilding It.” →
Uncategorized

Kunle Adewale | Nigerian artist, gets special day in Cincinnati
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Kunle Adewale, has received a rare international recognition in the United States when the Mayor of Cincinnati declared August 2 as “Kunle Adewale Day” in recognition of his contribution to the United States in both fields of Arts and Medicine. The Mayor, John Cranley, made the declaration with a seal.

Continue reading “Kunle Adewale | Nigerian artist, gets special day in Cincinnati” →
Sports

Serge Ibaka demands respect for Black lives around the world
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Serge Ibaka is a power forward for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. He was born in Congo Brazaville and is a member of the NBA winning Toronto Raptors team of 2019. In this article he talks on his views on the treatment of immigrants and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

By Aaron Rose | Sports Illustrated

Continue reading “Serge Ibaka demands respect for Black lives around the world” →
Entertainment

Nigerian boy gets scholarship after viral video of dancing in the rain
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By David Lyman | Cincinnati Enquirer

You saw the video, right? The 45-second recording of a kid dancing in the rain? There was something inspiring about it. But would anyone else be interested? Well, here we are, seven weeks after that post, and the video of this kid – his name is Anthony Madu, by the way – has been seen nearly 310,000 times on Instagram alone. And it’s been re-posted on every social media imaginable, where it has been seen by tens of thousands of other people.

Continue reading “Nigerian boy gets scholarship after viral video of dancing in the rain” →
Immigration

USCIS announces massive increases in U.S. immigration fees
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BY DANIEL SHOER ROTH | Miami Herald

The Trump administration announced on Friday an exorbitant increase in fees for some of the most common immigration procedures, including an 81% increase in the cost of U.S. citizenship for naturalization. It will also now charge asylum-seekers, which is an unprecedented move.

Continue reading “USCIS announces massive increases in U.S. immigration fees” →
Uncategorized

Stella Immaneul says CNN has helped her ministry grow in revealing interview-Video
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Stella Immaneul, the Cameroonian-American doctor sheds more light on her beliefs in the efficacy Hydroxl Chloroquine in the treatment of Covid 19, her religious beliefs in Incubus and Sacubus and other issues.

https://videos.files.wordpress.com/Znu0BeaV/wp-1596303233289_hd.mp4
Ancestry

How some Black Americans are finding solace in African spirituality
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BBy Nylah Burton  | Vox

Porsche Little, a Brooklyn-based artist, diviner, and aborisha — or someone who serves the Orisha, a group of spirits central to the Yoruba and other African Diaspora religions — says that she has received a huge increase in requests for divinations and readings throughout the pandemic.

Continue reading “How some Black Americans are finding solace in African spirituality” →