Ba Khem Arts - a fusion of ancient traditions, contemporary society and future visioning
Visiting Gus of Ba Khem Arts this week in Shoreditch was a real highpoint for me. This talented young Brother really had me thinking. I arrived with no expectations really, just open I suppose to see what the Brother has going on but I left lifted and thinking how fortunate I was to catch this on the last day of his exhibition.
The style of work reminded me of the kind of art you’d see on the front of some iconic album covers from back in the day. A whole bunch of references came flooding back; all brought to life by the explanation from the artist, who fluently talked though each and every piece with a passion.
You could miss this work with a glance but pause for a moment and join the dots up and you’ll see there’s a lot going on here.
As Gus goes about the business of applying thought to canvas, I got an overwhelming sense that he’s channeling. The lived experiences of personal relationships finds a way to be heard through references to ancient traditions, contemporary society and future visioning. Every piece is conceptual with a suggestion of cultural download.
I was left thinking... Wow! what a wealth of potential and creativity in our community. We really must find ways for this to grow and prosper.
Review of Ba Khem Arts by Paul Reid
See a selection of Ba Khem Arts work below and his website!!
Soutenons la famille Traoré: Justice pour ADAMA
Pourquoi est-il important de soutenir politiquement et financièrement la famille Traoré ? :
✔️Il y a en tout 10 procédures judiciaires depuis la mort d'Adama Traoré, tué par des gendarmes de Persan, le 19 juillet 2016.
✔️3 procédures entamées par la famille Traoré pour exiger Vérité et Justice pour Adama.
⛔️Puis il y a les intimidations contre les frères d'Adama, pour briser la lutte et l'exigence de Justice :
✖️3 procédures engagées contre Bagui Traoré.
✖️2 procédures engagées contre Yacouba Traoré.
✖️2 procédures engagées contre Youssouf Traoré.
⛔️ L'acharnement s'est aussi traduit par de nombreuses gardes à vue à répétions. Ainsi que par l'emprisonnement de nombreux soutiens du quartier de Boyenval à Beaumont-sur-Oise !
🗣Ne restez pas spectateur de cette injustice, ne laissons pas la famille Traoré seule face à cette machine judiciaire
Soutenons la famille traoré: justice pour adama
🔴Pourquoi est-il important de soutenir politiquement et financièrement la famille Traoré ? : ✔️Il y a en tout 10 procédures judiciaires depuis la mort d'Adama...
AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON 2019
This year, we will be back at Africa Fashion Week 2019 as a media partner for their 9th edition which will be taking place on the 9th & 10th of August.
This year's event is destined to mark a milestone in the history of Africa Fashion Week through the inclusion of several facets designed to enhance the event.
This exciting new structure will include:
AFRO CULTURE AT AFWL 2019
Kalakuta Republik: A place where freedom lives on !!
Provoking and non-conformist, Serge Aimé Coulibaly is transporting us in a world where Fela Kuti, the revolutionary icon that inspired the piece Kalakuta Republik, is displayed in 3D through his musical greatness, his murky and superstitious genius, his enduring creativity pushing off boundaries and his unwavering defiance. Kalakuta Republik offers no escape to facing the crude realities of revolutionary acts : the sublime and the chaos.
Part 1 " Without a story we would go mad" peaks away from codes, from what is predictable into continuous individual movements that take us into a disjointed trance. The dancers are dressed in black and white as if presenting a manichaean view and isolated experience of the world. Yet Serge Coulibaly through his appearances on stage becomes a conductor who connects with the dancers.
In Part 2 « You always need a poet », we are firstly confronted with moral decadence and the absurd. Sexual depravity, drugs, madness punctuate the sounds of jazz-infused Afrobeat. One dancer is hurt, heavyloaded while others are intoxicated, used, hurt, abused. The colours remind us of Fela Kuti’s Shrine which was both a temple and a night club. Yet, the poignant and enduring message of hope and political resistance clearly resonates throughout the piece.
The dancers keep on marching, clenched-fists in the air. And the fight goes on !!!
Kalakuta Republik will show one more night at the Barbican on 1st June and at the Edinburgh International Festival from 8th to 11th August 2019. See links below to book your tickets now.
Dizzying movement, revolutionary ideas and the sounds of jazz-infused Afrobeat recreate the Kalakuta Republik, Fela Kuti's communal compound in Lagos.
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/serge-aime-coulibaly-kalakuta-republik
Kalakuta Republik | Edinburgh International Festival
A dizzying fusion of dance, music and revolution, inspired by the supercharged music and scandalous life of Fela Kuti from Faso Danse Théâtre. 8-11 August 2019.
Origin Men take on a 3 day bike ride from London to Paris!!
How impressive!!! Ten men of African and Caribbean descent, embark on a 3 day bike ride London to Paris, led by Captain Adisa Stephen-Ezeocha, with the participation of Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa and Pablo Reid who are the co- founding members of Origin and 7 Origin facilitators and volunteers, departing from London in the early hours of the morning on Friday 31st May to reach Paris on Sunday morning.
continue reading on for more info
In addition to fundraising for the program « Origin », they will also pay tribute to the late American professional cyclist Martial Walter know as « Major » Taylor, who won the sprint event at the 1899 world track championships to become the first African American to achieve the level of cycling world champion and the second black athlete to win a world championship in any sport. He raced in the U.S., Europe and Australasia between 1901 and 1904, beating the world's best riders and competed several times in the « Parc des Princes », Paris. Taylor fought racial prejudice he encountered on and off the track and became a pioneering role model for other athletes facing racial discrimination.
continue reading on for more info
« When the idea of London to Paris on a bike first came-up, I remember thinking... “damn crazy” but what I actually said was “...how about Brighton?” shared Pablo Reid on his Facebook account. Pablo Reid has got many « strings to his bow » and an impressive resume as the founder of British Cultural Archives in Brixton and as co-founder of the project Origin for which the bike ride aims to raise £6,000 and, to this day, has already exceeded its target.
But as Pablo explains « The whole cycling initiative started to become much more than a fundraiser […..] I started to see an opportunity to journey with the ORIGIN men, through a seriously challenging ordeal. Then I saw the question of ‘talking the talk’ or ‘walking the walk’? You know, we often say that we want young people to broaden their horizons and to come out of their comfort zones but how often do we demonstrate this in our own lives? »
And these men have consistently aimed to be a source of inspiration and strength to the younger generation through the Origin Project which came into being in 1999. Last year, for instance, they also succeeded in raising £13,000 against the initial target of £6,000 as they fought in « a white collar boxing » competition for which they trained for 6 months, all for the benefit of the many young men’s lives they are empowering through Origin, a Pan-Afrikan « Rites of Passage » program to take young African and Caribbean boys from childhood into manhood.
continue reading on for more info
As these courageous and connected men engage with the young people as mentors, older brothers, fathers, they create an ecosystem involving parents and communities. The program is holistic and aim to create a nurturing, stimulating and safe environnement where both children and parents feel supported through life challenges. Origin promotes African ancestry and heritage consciousness, identity formation and community belonging. Origin doesn’t want to plug into the whole « Black youth in deficit » narrative but encourages both youth and parents to embrace personal development, explore themselves, their aspirations, lives and roles.
Boys preparing to pass into manhood and below Origin co-founders Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa on the left, Pablo Reid in the middle and Adisa Stephen-Ezeocha on the right
To play your part and support Origin now, click the link below:
Click here to support Brothers In Paris - ORIGIN organised by Toksy Toks
For this year's fundraising challenge TeamORIGIN has swapped the boxing gloves from last year for two wheels this year. On Friday 31st May 2019, ORIGIN facilitators and graduates will be cycling ...
To follow their progress and itinerary, suscribe to their blog.
Des afro-descendants parcoureront Londres - Paris en vélo en 3 jours pour une collecte de fonds pour leur association Origin
Au départ de Londres Stockwell vendredi 31 mai 2019, 10 bénévoles de l'association panafricaine 'Origin', qui travaille avec des groupes de jeunes afro-caribéens et leurs parents chaque année pour une préparation à un rite de passage basé sur les traditions africaines afin de guider les adolescents de l'enfance au passage à la vie adulte, parcoureront plus de 300km en vélo jusqu'à Paris, entrainés par leur capitaine Adisa Stephen-Ezeocha.
Pablo Reid et deux autres collègues fondèrent il y a 20 ans Origin, désillusionnés par les contraintes du travail social avec les jeunes, oeuvrant trop souvent en isolation de leurs familles. Le programme permet d'équiper parents et enfants à transcender les barrières mentales et psychologiques dressées par leur propre éducation ou leur environnement et à s'engager positivement à contribuer à l'essor de leurs communautés. Pour ce faire, ils lèvent des fonds chaque année en relevant un défi qui témoigne de leur détermination à s'investir auprès des jeunes et à les inspirer. L'année dernière par exemple, ces hommes se sont entrainés intensivement six mois pour une compétition de boxe "White Collar Boxing" qui consiste à combattre des inconnus sur le ring.
Cette année, ils se sont inspirés du cycliste "Major" Taylor, un coureur cycliste américain qui remporte le championnat du monde professionnel de vitesse à Montréal en 1899 et qui détient sept records du monde en 1899 et fait figure de 1899 à 1904 de cycliste sur piste le plus rapide du monde. Il participera notamment à plusieurs compétitions au Parc des Princes et le groupe "Origin" s'y rendra lorsque les 10 bénévoles arriveront à Paris pour lui rendre hommage.
Continuer à lire ci-dessous
Le groupe "Origin" s'est fixé le montant de £6000 sterling à collecter et a déjà réuni £7,521. Pour les soutenir et les voir de passage à Paris, cliquer les liens ci-dessous:
Click here to support Brothers In Paris - ORIGIN organised by Toksy Toks
For this year's fundraising challenge TeamORIGIN has swapped the boxing gloves from last year for two wheels this year. On Friday 31st May 2019, ORIGIN facilitators and graduates will be cycling ...
CAN 2019 - Gagner des bons cadeaux en pronostiquant avec LOBBYNOIR!!
LOBBYNOIR | La première vitrine des entrepreneurs afro-descendants. - LobbyNoir
LOBBYNOIR | La première vitrine des entrepreneurs afro-descendants.
First Panafrican Centre in Cotonou, Benin to open on 25th May 2019!!
Two years ago, the Pan-African activist Kemi Seba, president of the NGO "Urgences Panafricanistes" launched an International Day to showcase and promote African production. See video below (French only)
Kemi Seba is now at the initiative of the First Panafican Centre "CENTRE PANAF" to open its doors in Cotonou, Benin on Saturday 25th May 2019.
In a release on his Facebook Page, Kemi Seba expresses his joy : " I have the honour to announce to you that on 25th may 2019, the official opening of PANAF CENTRE will take place. It will be the 1st African PRODUCTION CENTRE to promote and sell local and continental products in COTONOU.
Several tens of thousands of euros were invested in this commerical space of 430m2 aiming to sell exclusively African and Afro Diasporic products, comprising of a supermarket 100% African, a RESTAURANT 100% African, a fashion BOUTIQUE 100% African (not to mention other boutiques that will open in the coming months).
It will showcase local producers, creators, patriotic entrepreneurs who are discriminated against for the benefit of foreign companies "We seek to demonstrate that entrepreunariat does not systematically rhyme with blind capitalism. On the contrary, our centre will operate within and be based upon cooperative economics".
See some photos of the centre below.
For more info about Panaf Centre: 229 97 16 6583
Several tens of thousands of euros were invested in this commerical space of 430m2 aiming to sell exclusively African and Afro Diasporic products, comprising of a supermarket 100% African, a RESTAURANT 100% African, a fashion BOUTIQUE 100% African (not to mention other boutiques that will open in the coming months).
It will showcase local producers, creators, patriotic entrepreneurs who are discriminated against for the benefit of foreign companies "We seek to demonstrate that entrepreunariat does not systematically rhyme with blind capitalism. On the contrary, our centre will operate within and be based upon cooperative economics".
See some photos of the centre below.
For more info about Panaf Centre: 229 97 16 6583
Akala, Stormzy, Trevor Nelson and more lead the honouree line up for this year’s Black Magic Awards!
THE ANNUAL BLACK MAGIC AWARDS HOSTS ITS FIRST EVER MEN’S EDITION THIS JUNE AT THE CRITERION THEATRE, LONDON
Returning to London’s The Criterion Theatre on Monday 10th June (2019), The Black Magic Awards will look to celebrate and honour the brilliant accomplishments of inspirational black men from across TV, Film, Music, Comedy, Fashion and the Community.
Founded in 2017 by Comedian, Actor and Film Producer Kojo Anim and Editor and Entrepreneur Annika Allen, the Black Magic Awards is dedicated to recognising the epitome of black excellence. Honourees already announced include; US and UK Film and TV Actor Aml Ameen ( Acting Honour), award-winning Actor and Director Noel Clarke ( Film Honour) accomplished Rapper, Author and Political Activist Akala ( Influence Honour) Brit and Mobo-winner Stormzy ( Inspiration Honour), BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ and Presenter, Trevor Nelson MBE ( Radio Honour), Comedian and Actor Richard Blackwood ( Comedy Honour), Anti-knife Crime Activist Amani Simpson ( Community Champion) and more will be awarded on the night.
This year's ceremony will be hosted by Kojo Anim, and will include musical performances, guest features, as well as a special commemoration to rapper Cadet (Letter to Krept, Advice) and TV and Film Director Victor Adebodun (The Intent, Venus vs Mars). Following the success of the past two years with the women’s Black Magic Awards, which saw the likes of Emeli Sande, Angellica Bell, Munroe Bergdorf, Angela Griffin, Vanessa Kingori MBE, Gina Yashere, Angie Le Mar and Yolanda Brown turn up to collect their honours, this year marks the inaugural men’s edition which is set to become an annual awards ceremony.
“We are at a time where so many people continue to push negative stories about young black boys and men, but not many are sharing the stories about the magic that has come and continues to come from them; says Kojo Anim, co-founder of The Black Magic Network This is what we’re doing, reminding everyone of how boys from underprivileged communities grew into men who refused to lose with the cards they were dealt. It’s time to celebrate their magic.”
Annika Allen, co-founder of The Black Magic Network also adds: “This is our third year of the Black Magic Awards and to introduce the men’s honourees feels really special. Come June, we look to recognise some phenomenal men who have broken the mould within their careers and are a shining example within their respective industries. We are excited and humbled to host an evening with so much black excellence under one roof!”
The Black Magic Awards show is organised by The Black Magic Network and provides honours to black men and women from across numerous industries that have paved the way and celebrates their illustrious talents yearly.
Tickets are now available to purchase (see link below)
www.criterion-theatre.co.uk/the-black-magic-awards
AWARD CATEGORIES:
Acting Honour – Aml Ameen (TV & Film Actor)
Radio Honour – Trevor Nelson MBE (Radio 2 and BBC 1Xtra DJ)
Television Honour - Ortis Deley (Presenter)
Film Honour – Noel Clarke (Actor, Writer, Producer & Director)
Music Honour – Lethal Bizzle (Rapper and Grime MC)
Inspiration Honour - Stormzy (Musician & Rapper)
Comedy Honour – Richard Blackwood (Comedian & Actor)
Brand Honour – Trapstar (Lee and Mikey Trapstar)
Influence Honour - Akala (Hip Hop Artist, Writer and Social Commentator)
Legend Honour – Megaman (Founder of So Solid Crew, Rapper & Producer)
Impact Honour – Colin Batsa (Co-founder of EGA Music Group & Music A&R)
Community Champions –
- Action Jackson (Motivational Speaker),
- Michael Pusey MBE a.k.a CK Flash (DJ, Youth Worker & Founder of Peckham BMX Club),
- Brixton Soup Kitchen (Brixton based service for homeless people)
- Amani Simpson (Anti-knife Crime Activist & Youth Leader)
Join the conversation and follow for more news and updates on: Facebook @theblackmagicnetwork Twitter @theblackmagicnw Instagram @theblackmagicnetwork #BlackMagicAwards2019
ABOUT THE BLACK MAGIC NETWORK
The Black Magic Network is a black lifestyle and entertainment network that provides a platform to showcase positive stories about diverse groups like no one else can. Entertaining, authoritative and insightful, we produce and feature exciting and arresting TV, film and written content that highlights life experiences, passions and culture. We empower and inspire. We listen and advise. We engage and promote debate.
ADN 2019 - AFRO DIASPORA NETWORKING - PARIS
L'Afro Diaspora Networking est l'événement "empowerment" annuel axé sur le développement personnel et professionnel de la diaspora afropéenne.
La 1ère édition se déroulera à Paris le 1er juin 2019.
L'ADN est organisé par un regroupement de plusieurs réseaux et associations issus de la de la diversité francophone.
Cette journée est rythmée par des conférences, ateliers, projections vidéo et espace networking dans un lieu
prévu à cet effet de 09h00 à 17h00. Les conférences sont animées par plus de 18 consultants, experts, et coachs sur les thèmes du développement personnel, de l'évolution professionnelle, de l'entrepreneuriat, de l'investissement et la gestion des finances personnelles. L'ADN est l'occasion de se connecter réellement, enrichir ses connaissances, découvrir des formateurs, des services utiles et opportunités suites aux interactions du networking. Une pause déjeuner conviviale de 12h00 à 13h15 autour d'un buffet est prévue.
Le but de l'événement est d'abord d'installer un cadre où sont réunis des leaders inspirants et de favoriser les échanges entre des personnes souhaitant apprendre, partager, mutualiser leurs ressources et participer au progrès social de la diaspora.
UN CONCEPT UNIQUE
Ce concept solidaire s'articule sur une journée riche en partage entre la diaspora afropéenne et ses sympathisants.
C'est le 1er événement où s'associent plusieurs groupes de la diaspora le même jour, dans un même lieu, une fois par an, afin de proposer un événement qualitatif visant l'excellence.
Sarah Yakan (fondatrice de Femme d'influence) et Rokhaya Diallo (journaliste LCI et BET/Ecrivaine) seront les invitées qui interagiront avec le public sur les thèmes au programme.
Les associations et réseaux réunis s'appuient sur des valeurs communes fortes : Humanité -Solidarité-Loyauté-Respect-Bienveillance.
Partenaires organisateurs: UBB, BlackNetwork, Carib Expat, AJGF, La Diaspora africaine ambitieuse et ses amis, Caribbean ProNetwork, Conscience Panafricaine en action, Le cerle des ambitieux caribéen, Kwetumi, FESSEF, Afro-caribbeans Action.
Infos et billetterie: https://afrodiasporanetworking.com
L'Afro Diaspora Networking est un événement annuel axé sur le développement personnel et professionnel. Où et quand aura lieu l'événement ? Samedi 1er juin 2019 au MAS à Paris Afro Diaspora...