In January 2015, the Warrior Poets collective invited me to speak at Litanies For Survival, part of Afropean+ at The Bozar Centre For Fine Arts in Brussels. The event turned out to be a vibrant, memorable night of African culture – music, fashion, talks, art, dance, flash mobs – taking over one of Europe’s leading art institutions. Other talks and…
TEDxBrixton Talk – To change the world, change your illusions
Last month, I gave a TEDx Talk titled “To change the world, change your illusions” at TEDxBrixton, which has now been uploaded on YouTube. Watching the clip takes me right back to the day: all the great talks, the wonderful TEDxBrixton team, the excitement and nerves but most of all the energy in a room…
The Guardian’s #YouthEngage worldwide Twitter chat
Myself, @MsAfropolitan, @ComSecKatherine and @juneericudorie are hosting the UK leg of The Guardian’s #YouthEngage Worldwide Twitter Chat on Friday 24 October @ 1pm. We will discuss, among other things, identity, religion, cultural influences, social media, representation, governance and leadership, immigration, and whether young people feel they can get their voiced heard and become leaders. #YouthEngage is the Guardian Global Development Professionals and…
Speaking about African feminism at TEDxBrixton in October
I’m excited to share that on 11 October 2014, I will be one of around twenty speakers at TEDxBrixton, an independently organised event operated under licence from TED. The event will be taking place at the Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton and will feature a selection of carefully curated speakers from Brixton and beyond to give inspiring…
September events, workshops and talks – Afropea Now!, Digital Women UK, Complicit No More
Complicit No More In creating a forum to discuss gendered racisms, ‘Complicit No More’ aims to encourage more generous and ‘conscientious’ feminist inspired dialogue. The panel event will highlight themes and challenges for black feminism and intersectionality, tackling topics that have been framed by Eurocentrism but which are also a part of intra-oppressions: how we relate…
Ethical Fashion Initiative: when fashion is both beautiful and meaningful
It’s about 6pm on the 12th of June 2014. I’m at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, a characteristically grandiose European institutional building made all the more incredible by its waterfront view and bright, modern yet noble style. It is the type of space that – bewilderingly – makes you think of both justice and injustice. Today…
Africa Lecture Series at OSI Club, University of Berlin
The Otto-Suhr-Institute for Political Science at the University of Berlin hosts a public lecture series every year to ensure that students of the university as well as citizens of Berlin have a broad and diverse access to discourses on African politics. I will be a guest lecturer at the Africa Lecture Series of the OSI club at…
Alliance 54 to host Africa Global Women in Business Forum
As a member of the advisory board of the Africa Global Women in Business Forum (AGWIBF), it’s my pleasure to inform you of the upcoming Africa Global Women in Business Forum hosted by Alliance 54 taking place in London on 30-31 October. The aim of the meeting is to promote financial inclusion for African women and a…
Event: An African summer festival in London
If you are a reader who is currently in London, I hope you are enjoying the heat, sunshine, rejuvenation, relaxation and enjoyment that the summer season promises. It’s been a rare treat na! As a friend and supporter of the Africa Centre in London, I’m sharing an upcoming event of theirs that I’m looking forward…
Winner of the “Blogger of the Year” Award at the Women4Africa Awards
I am glad to share that I have won the ”Blogger of the Year” award at the Women4Africa Awards. The awards, which took place on 18 May 2013, was described as “the most honourable event for African’s by Africans ever in the UK”. Another attendee said “No organisation in Europe has ever created a platform to celebrate…
Winner of the “Outstanding Achievement in Media” Award at the African Diaspora Awards!
I am happy to announce that I have won the “Outstanding Achievement in Media” award at the African Diaspora Awards which took place on 2 May 2013. The African Diaspora Awards (ADA) ceremony is an event which pays tribute to African success across all walks of life; emphasising achievement and highlighting inspirational role models in the fields…
Mobilising African Women in the Diaspora – FORWARD Conference
On Saturday, 6th April, I’ll be joining a host of inspiring speakers (see below) to address the matter of ‘Mobilising African Women in the Diaspora: Creating a movement for African women’s leadership, rights and development’. The conference is hosted by FORWARD UK and will take place between 10.30am-6.30pm at Greencoat Place. If you would like to attend, complete the registration form which…
Africa is a great country – new photography exhibition in Sweden
On April 11th, I’m in Stockholm as one of four keynote speakers at the launch of Africa is a Great Country, a photography exhibition by Jens Assur, taking place at Liljevalchs. I’ll be speaking alongside Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Richard Dowden and Hans Rosling and my speech is titled “Images of African women“. Africa is a Great Country is about seeing Africa…
Dressing up as Frida Kahlo
A few weeks ago, ahead of FRIDA – Female Revolution in Dance & Art, I got “unibrowed”, moustached, red lippied and dressed up as the legend Frida Kahlo for the International Women’s Month event. Or rather, as Frida Kahlo in a selection of her self-portraits. The photos, which are part of the ongoing exhibition, were…
Upcoming speaking, teaching and social media
Are you connected with MsAfropolitan on Facebook? It’s where I share great links, resources and discussions in addition to posts from the blog. For instance, I recently posted Mamphela Ramphele’s inauguration speech for the landmark political party Agang in South Africa, and news about bell hooks winning the 2013 Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s Best…
International Women’s Month event for your diary: FRIDA – Female Revolution In Dance & Art
“I leave you my portrait so that you will have my presence all the days and nights that I am away from you.” ― Frida Kahlo To celebrate the forthcoming International Women’s Month 2013, join us (Pia Cabble, Bumi Thomas, CRE8 LIFESTLE CENTRE & MsAfropolitan) for a spectacular multidisciplinary art project inspired by the legacy of Frida…