Afri-love

The best of 2011: Afri-love interviews

The motivation behind the Afri-love interview series is to demonstrate the possibilities that come with pursuing your passion. The interviews acknowledge that the path is challenging and they show how its travellers have persisted through adversity with wonderful results. As with the blog in general, there is a strong creative thread – poets, painters, musicians, designers, artists, writers and people creating change through activism.

Here's a round-up of some popular interviews from a diverse group of inspiring people:

Interview with author and black film aficionado, Nadia Denton (left), and accessories designer Adele Dejak.

Interview with poet, sports writer and musician, Musa Okwonga.

Interview with feminist activist Amina Doherty aka sheroxlox (left) and multi-dimensional creative, Ann aka afrolicious.

Interview with singer-songwriter, Amira Kheir.

Interview with artist and photographer, Mutua Matheka.

Interview with artist and creative consultant, Kesha Bruce (left) and artist, photographer and writer, Kameelah Rasheed.

Interview with blogger, writer and commentator, Minna Salami, aka MsAfropolitan (left) and developer, author and entrepreneur, Andrew Mugoya.

What was your favourite interview?

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If you missed yesterday's best of 2011 installment, "African and Africa-inspired fashion, interior and furniture design," here it is.

Tune in for the rest of week for:

• Thursday – Popular commentary posts (from technology to natural hair, from life lessons to identity)
• Friday – Top music finds of 2011

Get almost-daily Afri-love direct via RSS or straight to your email inbox. Want it less often? Subscribe for juicy extra content (2-4 emails per month). 

An interview with poet, writer and musician, Musa Okwonga

An emerging trend with the inspiring people I've interviewed is that many are masters of several trades. Today's interviewee, Musa Okwonga, is no exception. Musa is a poet, writer, musician, City lawyer by training, member of poetry collective A Poem in between People (PiP), a blogger for The New York Times and The Independent and a twice-published author. His first (and award-winning) football book is titled A Cultured Left Foot and his second  is titled, Will You Manage?

Musa also runs Poejazzi, one of the most exciting spoken word and music nights in London, along with word and graphic artist, Inua Ellams and poet and musician, Joshua Idehen. Poejazzi has received two five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has been named TimeOut Critic’s Choice, and included in its list of 101 Things To Do Around London. Poejazzi has curated two sellout shows at the Southbank in collaboration with E4 and Udderbelly, one sellout pre-show for Henry Rollins at the Southbank, and successful shows at Proud Galleries and Roundhouse Theatre.  They have also featured many acts who have gone on become mainstays in london and UK spoken word scene, including Scroobius Pip, Polar bear, Natty, Heidi Vogel, Kate Tempest, Beardyman, Ed Sheeran, and Jono Mccleery, to name a few.

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What's your passion?
Writing. It's the one thing that I do pretty much every day, whether that be tweeting, blogging, poetry or longer pieces.

What inspired you to become a poet? What inspired Poejazzi?
I have written poetry for many years – I wrote my first poem when I was eleven or so – but the real inspiration came when I started reading the old poets, like Alexander Pope and Shakespeare. I have always liked epic writing, and so that's where it started for me.

Interview with developer, author & entrepreneur, Andrew Mugoya

You may be familiar with Andrew Mugoya from his guest posts earlier this year ("5 Reasons why Ghana is the next African App Powerhouse", "Learning from the Success of Nollywood"). A friend, my fellow co-owner of Asilia, and the company's Technical Director, I've been meaning to interview Andrew for a while. In the wake of the hugely successful launch of his ebook – African Apps in a Global Marketplace (which you can download for free, over on Afriapps), I've finally got down to sharing with you what inspires and drives the man.

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What's your passion?
Learning and creating. I'm fascinated by the discovery of ideas, knowledge and understanding. That translates to a love of reading, debating, sharing ideas, innovating, entrepreneurship and being creative. Luckily, Asilia gives me the perfect vehicle to exercise most of these activities.

What inspired your interest in technology and specifically, African apps?
Technology has fascinated me from the time I was a child. I enjoy problem solving, innovation, creativity and developing solutions – technology was the field that enabled me to express these qualities. This fascination with technology led me to pursue it in university, as a career and now in business.

Apps are the flavour of the month on the tech scene. Being a son of Africa, I realised that there wasn't any avenue to discover and browse African apps. Afriapps was created to fill this gap.

 

What has been your greatest obstacle/challenge?
I've always found that the main barrier I need to overcome in any situation is my attitude. With most things in life, the problem and solution is usually yourself.

There is a Swahili saying that captures this well: 'kikulacho ki nguoni mwako' – what's eating at you is in your own clothes.

How have you dealt with/overcome it?
Changing my perspective to a problem and approaching it differently, sometimes repeatedly, has often made all the difference. 

Strangely, I enjoy challenges as they give me a chance to exercise my problem solving and to be innovative.

What has your greatest achievement been?
Launching Asilia, developing it into a partnership with Lulu and, growing it to where it is now, in such a short time is something I'm very proud of. Our staff, the quality and style of work, our clientele and our in-house initiatives all reflect the qualities I aspired to have in the business. Asilia is the perfect culmination of the journey I've taken with my education and career.

Worth mentioning are Afriapps and my recently launched ebook, African Apps in a Global Marketplace.

Where will you be in 10 years?
Still running Asilia and its many initiatives and sub-businesses. I intend for my kids (and their kids' kids) to one day be part of the company.

 

How does Africa inspire you?
Africans, when left to their own devices, are very ingenious and innovative. Way before recycling became fashionable, Africans were reusing discarded objects to create all sorts of objects. I remember when we were kids, we'd make footballs from paper bags and toy cars from tins, wire, strings, old tires etc. 

Africa reminds me that you can always make something from whatever you have at your disposal. You only need some creativity and innovation.

Anything else you'd like to share?
Do what you love. The world would be better place if we all did.

Anything we should look out for in the coming weeks/months/year?
More initiatives, more projects and more great work from Asilia and its staff. We are always creating and developing, both for clients and in-house. So there is always something exciting coming out.

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Photo by Barbara Muriungi/TheM2K, illustration by Lulu Kitololo/Asilia

Flowers From Fatima: an interview with designer Fatima Spencer

Meet designer Fatima Spencer. The dedicated 22 year-old makes handmade floral hair accessories and has built a business around her passion for hair and fashion – Flowers From Fatima. She wanted to share her inspiration with thousands of other women of colour and it's perfectly in line with this week's emerging theme – embracing your true self and setting your creative expression free!

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What inspired you to start making the flowers?
I was inspired to design flowers through my family's community action program, in which I helped to plant flowers throughout my neighborhood. I became so enamored by flowers that I used to pluck the flowers from the garden often and wear them in my hair. However, I soon realized that the delicate beauties could no longer be admired in their natural state. Too quickly they wilted. Shortly after, I began to replicate the beauty of Mother Nature by designing silk floral accessories that were more suitable for fashionable wear and equally as beautiful, in meaning as well as appearance. 

What prompted you to turn the idea into a business?
Beautiful prompt – my older brother actually encouraged me to start a business! He's always been a business-savvy individual and he had so much confidence in both me and my work. I am grateful to have such a wonderful family! 

What challenges you've faced?
Right now, my greatest challenge is making the most of what I have. I started this business with little money, a dream, and a lot of hope. Until I get where I desire to be, I have to improvise and give Flowers From Fatima all that I have, mostly spiritually, to help it flourish. It seems to be growing! I am eternally thankful for my dedicated customers and friends who find joy in all that I do and acknowledge my hard work. 

What opportunities you've taken advantage of?
As long as the people that I collaborate with are positive individuals, I always seize the opportunity to share Flowers From Fatima with others, whether it be through showcasing my product at local events or sharing a few words in magazine features. 

What next for Flowers From Fatima?
Only UP from here!  

Check out more of Fatima's designs on the Flowers From Fatima website. First time customers get 10% off. You can also follow Fatima on Twitter.

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Images courtesy of Fatima Spencer

TGIF! Interview with singer/songwriter Amira Kheir

I'm listening to Amira Kheir's debut album, View from Somewhere, as I post this and it's just what the doctor prescribed. The Sudanese-Italian singer/songwriter's music is inspired by traditional Sudanese singing and instrumentation along with hints of jazz, soul, East African, West African and Middle Eastern music. A real pan-African global fusion that soothes and makes you want to move (a sultry, downtempo kind of groove) at the same time. I'm happy to share with you an interview with my fellow SOAS alumna …

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What's your passion?
Music music music!

What inspired you to become a musician?
As I began to explore music more and more, I realised that nothing else has the power to summon emotions of the highest degree, flood open doors of consciousness and emancipate spirits like music. I knew my life would be in function of this inexplicable and immense force.

 

What has been your greatest obstacle/challenge?
I don't think that has come yet! With smaller obstacles I've tried to stay focused and work with what I have. Even in the worst of situations we always have something to help us out – it's important to remember that and work with it.

Interview with Live Unchained Co-Founder, Kathryn Buford

I'm really excited about today's interview with Live Unchained Co-Founder and PhD candidate, Kathryn Buford. Live Unchained is a global arts and media initiative featuring black women artists and writers across the African diaspora. I virtually met Kathryn earlier this year when she approached me for an interview and since then, we've been exchanging ideas, finding opportunities to collaborate and sharing life experiences. Despite the thousands of miles between us, we've become friends and I'm really honoured to know this inspiring, intelligent, thoughtful woman and to share her story with you.

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What's your passion?
I'm developing Live Unchained, a global arts organization for women of African descent, with one of my dearest friends, Miriam Moore. I see this project as my brainchild and I am passionate about seeing it to its full potential as a globally recognized brand that celebrates and empowers women of African descent and their creative interests. I've learned to take all my dreams and gifts seriously and I am passionate about realizing them and, hopefully, inspiring others to do the same.

What inspired you to pursue a PhD? What inspired Live Unchained?
My undergraduate college experience was a bit rocky, but academically I performed well and wanted to teach at the collegiate level, so that meant a PhD. Honestly, I know why I started the PhD, but throughout the process I often asked myself: WHAT AM I DOING?!!! WHY AM I PUTTING MYSELF THROUGH THIS?!!! LOL I thought sociology was fascinating--exploring questions of culture, revolution and identity, so I decided that would be my doctorate. But, I didn't realize how grim and euro-centric the dominant thinking in sociology had been and learning how to navigate that took a lot of work. Learning how to handle harsh criticism and different personalities was also challenging. Now, I've learned to make my graduate work revolve around Live Unchained, and that has finally helped me answer those burning questions ;) I know anything that helps me grow Live Unchained is worth seeing through.

Interview with author, photographer and Black film aficionado, Nadia Denton

I've been working with Nadia Denton for the past few months and she's got so much up her sleeve! She's involved in film – she established and co-ordinated Black Filmmaker (bfm) Film Club, a monthly platform for Black World Cinema at the Institute of Contemporary Arts between April 2003 – Jan 2010 – and just this month launched her book, The Black British Filmmaker’s Guide to Success (which you can download for free!); she has an exhibition of her photography going on right now; she's developed the Black History Month film programme in Islington, London and; she's in charge of PR & Marketing for the upcoming Film Africa 2011 festival. I'm always super-inspired by creative people who dabble in several areas and happy to hear what makes them tick. Today, Nadia shares …

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What's your passion?
The exciting rush of life!! The pulsing beat of spirit. The feeling of exhilaration when you are not sure of what is ahead but you still enjoy the ride.

What inspired you to get involved with film?
It happened by accident. I started running the film club as a time filler, then realised what a social statement many of the films I was programming were making. Since then I have committed myself to putting on film events.

Interview with feminist activist Amina Doherty (aka sheroxlox!)

I haven't yet met Amina Doherty in person but I love this woman! This 27 year old Nigerian feminist activist is inspiring as inspiring gets. Her work and her life is guided by a passion for creativity and an unshakable belief in the powerful agency we each have to make positive changes in our lives, our communities and the world.

Amina holds a BA in Political Science & Women’s Studies from McGill University and an MSc in Gender, Development and Globalization from the London School of Economics. Currently setting up FRIDA | The Young Feminist Fund, Amina has a range of experience working with organisations such as human rights funder The Sigrid Rausing Trust, the Directorate of Gender Affairs in Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean Policy Development Centre, the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action, Feminist Majority Foundation and Arts & Business.

A daughter of the Diaspora, London-based Amina has lived and studied in Africa. Here's her story, in her own words …

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What's your passion?
Over the years I have worked as a researcher, grantmaker, freelance writer, and community activist and in all of those roles, I have made a conscious effort to infuse my love for all forms of creative expression. I am passionate about music, poetry and spoken word, art, fashion and seeing new places. Driving all of these things however, is a love for life and an overwhelming belief that we should seek to live our lives with as much courage, adventure and love as we possibly can. My passion is Life itself.

What inspired you to be an activist in general, and specifically, to work on feminist issues?
For many years I struggled to call myself an “activist” in large part because I felt as though I wasn’t “activist” enough; as though the contributions I was making would never be enough to bring about the kinds of substantive social change that I wanted to see in the world. A world wherein people continue to be discriminated against on the basis of their race, gender, class, sexual preference, socio-economic position and other varying axes of inequality. 

However, over the years I have come to understand that what actually makes someone “activist” is a heartfelt and genuine commitment to change. Simply knowing that, as an individual, I have the potential to be powerful in whatever it is that I set my mind to, motivates me. I am driven by the understanding that the smallest acts can bring about the biggest changes … being an activist is simply about taking a stand (or a seat) and refusing to move to the back of the bus. 

Blog-love: That African Girl

If you haven't already, check out Makafui's blog about learning to live between two worlds (something I'm sure several people can relate to, in one way or another!), That African Girl.

She has a great series called "Behind the words", where she interviews bloggers. I'm very honoured to be the latest subject in the series – check out the post out here. Thanks Makafui!

The world I choose – a Think Act Vote Futures Interview

Think Act Vote (?!X) is my kind of initiative. Using creativity and culture, the think-tank explores and expresses issues of sustainability, citizenship, politics and essentially, change. Most importantly, they remind us that change is in our own hands. We have agency – to dream and to take action towards making those dreams come true. 

Recently, Think Act Vote asked me to contribute to their Futures Interview series and share my dream of the future. This is it. 

What's the future you choose? Share it with Think Act Vote here and check out the many inspiring visions.