African Women Build: Celebrating 5 Years of Building

In the last 5 years of documenting and branding the stories of African women, WCA has experienced our joys, triumphs, challenges and lessons learnt when it comes to building. So when I reflected on how to actually celebrate 5 years of building WCA no other term was well fitting than #Africanwomenbuild. The concept being that building is a process, but the idea is you have to start from somewhere. This year's theme for WCA to mark our 5th anniversary focuses on our story and what has the term building meant for us as a media brand over the last 5 years. To think that a dream that I started with and a conversation that I had with my friend Ashleigh Washington on the platform of 147th and St Nicholas Avenue started from a blog and is  now a media brand  is truly a dream come true. I wouldn't say I knew exactly where I wanted WCA to go when I started, I just knew that I had gotten tired of always talking about the amazing women brands I had been meeting and wanted a space to curate, share and brand their stories. And since 2012 I am proud to say we have kept that promise. So now what's next? We officially begin our year with the African women Build series. The series will capture stories of African women who have been building for the last 5 years. 

We define building when it comes to business, career, family relationships etc. So we took the first step with our original Bosschiques we launched with in 2012 and hosted a photo shoot with Tamara Flemming an amazing photographer  and a series of video shoots to document their lives in the last 5 years and to understand what building has meant for them. To me there was no other way to begin our 5 year celebration without celebrating them. They believed in my vision from day 1 and are truly a sisterhood I cherish.

I  encourage you to stay tuned to whats in store for this year because we are taking some directional shifts that we think would be exciting for the professional, business owners, non profit owners, individual brands owned by African women in the diaspora and on the continent. We will continue to maintain our promise of curating and sharing your stories and putting the interests of African women at the center of our work. We look forward to an amazing 2017 with you all. 

Photo Credit Tamara Flemming Relavant Images 

Passionate Legacies: A celebration and fundraiser for The African Women's Development Fund at 15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Passionate Legacies: A celebration and fundraiser for The African Women's Development Fund at 15

“When you invest in women and girls, the return on your investment is not about the life of the one woman or the one girl who has been affected, but it’s about healthier families, healthier communities, healthier countries and revitalized communities all round.”-- Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi

New York, NY—March 1, 2016— The African Women’s Development Fund-USA (AWDF-USA) today announced a cocktail gala event for the 15-year anniversary celebration of the African Women’s Development Fund. The event is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, March 16, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Millennium Plaza Hotel located at 1 United Nations Plaza in Manhattan.

Entitled “Passionate Legacies: A Celebration and Fundraiser for the African Women’s Development Fund @ 15” the event will host founders, grantees, partners, community members as well as the passionate legacies, work and history of AWDF.  It is a great time to recognize the achievements and history of AWDF during the 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN headquarters in New York.

The invite-only affair will include a cocktail hour and two live performances from recording artist and prominent leader in the Pan African movement, Maame Afon Yelbert-Obeng. The event will also commemorate African women through the dual launch of “Voice, Power and Soul II,” a book that illustrates the success stories of African women feminist, and “Sheroes,” an AWDF Compilation CD that includes music from artists such as Angelique Kidjoe, Nneka, Somi, Maame Afon- Yelbert Obeng, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and many other African women   select videos and short films original poetry authored by African women.

Hosts of the event include AWDF Co- Founder and First CEO Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, AWDF CEO Theo Sowa, Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee, and The AWDF-USA Board.

AWDF USA provides a vehicle for effective American philanthropy to Africa that builds the capacity of the continent’s women for social change and sustainable development. This event is an important platform to elevate the visibility of our work with the US Diaspora, empowering and engaging African women currently living in the United States.

For further inquiries please email info@womenchangeafrica.com. Additional information is also available online via AWDF USA , and on social media via facebook.com/awdfusa or twitter.com @AWDFUSA. 

MY TOP NEW YEAR FITNESS RESOLUTIONS AND SOME GOODIES JUST FOR YOU! By Bernice Maabena Asiedu, Fitness Expert Fitvolution

Bernice Maabena Asiedu, Fitvolution

Let’s look at it from a slightly different perspective this year, shall we? Change is necessary, especially when the same old ways of looking at it has not resulted in any remarkable achievements.

So, this year if you are reading this here are some tips on how to lead a truly healthier lifestyle this year:

1. FILL YOUR PRIMARY PLATE FIRST:

Pay attention to your primary foods (foods that feeds your soul, spirit, heart and mind) such as love, spirituality, home environment, career, relationships etc.

We mostly turn to secondary foods (foods that fill our physical plate) when we are starved for primary foods.

 Are you using food as an emotional salve for any primary hunger? are you stressed? The answer is not in the cookie jar.

If you find yourself reaching for comfort food when life throws you a medicine ball, you’re not alone. Let’s help ourselves out of it this year. Be honest with yourself, confront your issues, get help, and when your primary foods are on lock down, secondary will be easy to handle.

Reach out to your faith place- if your health is as serious a matter to you as your building project, then why do you not take it to your higher power in prayer or meditation or whatever it is you do?

Think deeply about this now.

2. Be ready to Change!!

This time, for real, do allow yourself to change for the better. No seriously do!  From experience, a person must attract my attention with her readiness for change before I will offer help as a fitness consultant.

New results do not come from old behavior. Treat your desire for healthier you as you would your wedding plans and results will surely come.

3. Analyze

 Your question should be: how did I get here? Was it too many night hangouts?  Was it a toxic relationship?  Was it boredom? Did your mom visit for the holidays?

Now find new and better ways to avoid it!

4. Action Plan!

What are you going to do about the challenge? Here are some tips:  Register at a gym, Find an accountability partner, Employ a certified health coach.  You will do it differently when you plan as you will for your wedding!

I advise that you ALWAYS devise a plan first, do not just hop up and follow them.

                                

5. Forgive yourself!

Let us be honest with ourselves, we all fall off our healthy routines many times over, but the key is to be able to get back up again and continue pushing forward. Unforgiveness will rob you of your determination and worse, you might stop trying permanently so remember to forgive yourself often. So at this point where you still have it in you to do better for yourself, do yourself a huge favour and let your past remain in the past.

Start over!

6. Pay attention to your associations

Who are you hanging around? Are they constantly underrating your efforts at staying healthy and fit? Are they making jokes out of your efforts? Rubbing your old unhealthy ways in your face? Move on now! Find people who will encourage your little efforts; we call them #fitpals. Find you a fitpal at the gym, on social media, even in your office, there may be one person equally enthusiastic.

Following awesome food bloggers who post lavishly creamy calories loaded meals on social media might not be your best option at this time.

7. Keep a food journal!

This is one of the best ways to watch and know exactly what you are consuming; two ways to do this?

Take photos of everything that enters your mouth in a day or write it down and then conclude after a week. After this exercise you will know whether you are stalling your progress or helping it.

8. Indulge certified coaches and not products!

There is no such thing as quick results, when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. We encourage you getting a coach if you can afford to.

Coaches help you preserve when you feel as if you are hitting a wall of a plateau. Products are not the way to go.  Now what will you do in the case of a product you picked from the shelf that promised 10days extreme weight loss and it didn’t achieve it’s goal? Will you go back to the shelf and complain?

What do you do after the 10days? You need consistency and sustainability.

9. Add some strength training to your routines!

                                

Ha! Did I just switch zones? I absolutely did! This is a must know- a hidden benefit for strength training is that every time you grab the dumbbells you are protecting yourself from injury.

A study in medicine and science in Sports and Exercise found that women who lift weights regularly for seven months were five times less likely to suffer a lower-body stress fracture during intense exercise (like running and calisthenics) than those who were not as diligent about doing resistance work.

For a more resilient body, do at least one exercise each for your arms, legs, chest, butt, back, and abs twice a week.

These are my top resolutions; the end result: a happier, more confident- and healthier you.

GOODIES!

 YOUR STARTER SMOOTHIE

1. Ginger O!

2cups pawpaw (Papaya)

½ lemon squeezed

1cup pineapple

Grated ginger (or ginger juice) to taste

2cups spinach

Pour ½ cup water in a blender

Add spinach and blend (ensure greens blend thoroughly)

Add other fruits and blend

Add some ice cubes for freshness

Enjoy your nutritious smoothie!

2. STARTER RED JUICE

2  carrots

1beet

1green apple

1cup water with ice

Blend together and enjoy!

3. TROPICAL TANGO

½ cup mango

¾ cup pawpaw

½ cup fresh coconut pulp

Add up coconut juice as fluid base

Blend together and enjoy!

Bernice Maabena Asiedu

Lead Fitness Coach @ Fitvolution

Have a question for Maabena?

Email me at fitvolution1@gmail.com

Instagram: fitvolution_with_maabenaa

www.fitvolution.me

Designing with Passion, Love, and Social Change Introducing Lulu Kitololo

Running an art based graphic design brand and a studio, Lulu Kitololo is a power house, and brings so much inspiration to us. Lulu Kitololo is an artist, designer, creative director and blogger, with Africa as her main muse.

She owns Asilia, a London-based graphic design studio that creates vibrant and eclectic communications materials for visionary people. This has involved designing branding, print and websites for international NGOs, film festivals, fashion brands, theatres, musicians and more.

In 2014, Lulu launched a line of art and design goods, including greeting cards and art prints.

Lulu is also founder of the blog, Afri-love, which explores creativity, enterprise and wellness – and the balance of these three – for African creatives, on the continent and in the diaspora.

Lulu holds a BFA in Communications Design, with Highest Honors, from Pratt Institute and an MA in African Studies, with Distinction, from SOAS, University of London.

Lulu lives in London, calls Nairobi home and, dreams of living by the beach in Dar Es Salaam. It was a pleasure chatting with her, as we laughed, and as we learned about her journey as a woman and a Bosschique. Hope you enjoy!

Lulu Kitolol Photo Credit: David Lau

                                                                  

LULU THE WOMAN

Q: Lulu, If you were to describe your personality in one word what would it be?

A: I would definitely say I am an Optimist. I'm one of those potentially annoying people who is convinced that there is always a solution, always a way. No matter how difficult things are, I believe that there is something valuable to be gained from the situation - something that makes us better in some way (wiser, stronger, more self-aware etc). 

A large part of it comes from me just thoroughly loving life, people and this beautiful world we live in. So much to smile about.

Optimism has been a very useful mindset for me, when it comes to business, relationships and my health. If anything, identifying myself as an optimist had helped me get through tough times because I'm accountable to this label I've given myself!

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your cultural heritage and what brings you to this work? 

A: My father is Kenyan and my mother is from Tanzania and I was born and raised in Nairobi. My parents are very connected to their roots and I grew up with a strong sense of patriotism. I had the fortune of attending great international schools but, what was lacking in my education was the history of where I was, where I was from.

I went to university in the US and there, my yearning to learn more about, not just Kenya but, the entire continent of my birth, grew stronger. I was meeting people from all across Africa and was fascinated what was different about our experiences but also, by how much similarity there was. So while I was at school, working towards a BFA in Communications Design, I was also taking courses about African film and literature and the politics of it all.

This interest took a more formal route when I enrolled at SOAS, University of London for an MA in African Studies. I focused on governance and politics, literature, film and anthropology. It was an amazing year

Many questioned why I, an African, should need to learn about Africa. Many wondered why such a departure from my first degree. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut and trust that all your seemingly disparate experiences have a purpose. Of course I can say that in retrospect but I do believe it to be true!

The work I do now gives me the opportunity to combine many of my interests, knowledge and experience. 

My company, Asilia, works with a lot of individuals and organisations who have some connection to Africa and a big part of our job is to challenge perceptions and present new ways of representing 'Africanness'. I am satisfied if I've gotten one person to think, and hopefully, to think differently!

Q: So with all the work, how do you take care of yourself  and what to you enjoy doing to take time for yourself outside of work?

A: Balancing establishing a business with self-care has been one of the toughest things and I'm not sure I've 100% got it down yet. Yet I appreciate more and more how taking care of myself HAS to be my number 1 priority.

Over the years, through experimenting, I've discovered what I need to be well (physically and mentally). I try to meditate every morning and write in my journal (these 'morning papers' have become essential!). I'm working towards a daily yoga practice and this year, I've also set myself a daily challenge around making plant-inspired art. I've taken up swimming again, which I love - I'd prefer for it to be in the ocean but, I'll work with what my location allows :). Dancing and enjoying live music and performance are other neglected pastimes that I'd like to partake more in this year.

ART, BRANDING AND BUSINESS

                                     

Q: Give us more insight on your  brand Lulu kitololo and the company Asilia. What made you start these companies at what moment did you decide you wanted to launch?

A: Asilia came to life quite organically. I had left my job as a designer in a communications agency because I wanted more autonomy over how I spent my time and what I spent it on. I was working on several design commissions, often with a friend who is a web developer and at some point, he and I decided to go into business together. At first it was the two of us, working from our respective homes, and as the years went on and we were receiving more work, we slowly expanded the team.

We set up the business in Kenya and built a team there too.

A lot has happened over the 4 and a half years that we've been operating full-time. At present, the Kenya arm of the business is in the process of transitioning into an independent new company with a new offering. Asilia is thus now a London-based graphic design studio, with a core team of 4, and a network of various others who provide complimentary services.

Lulu Kitololo is the art brand that I've only really started to establish this year. It's birth is the result of me finally embracing that I am, after all, an artist and that, to be happy and fulfilled, I need to create my own work. So far I've released a series of printed paper and textile goods and I'm really excited about developing the brand as the year goes on so, watch this space!

Q:  What problem are you trying to solve with your company Asilia? Tell us about  what are the types of services you provide what would an ideal client receive from you?

A: Asilia specialises in working with passionate visionary people who are up for challenging perceptions and doing things differently. We help these individuals and organisations to express what is special about their work and to ensure that their marketing materials are aligned with this, their values and their personality.

We provide graphic design services ranging from creating visual identities and print materials, to creating websites and design for other digital spaces including social media and apps. An ideal client would receive a comprehensive visual identity ‘toolkit’, enabling them to create and commission engaging and consistent communications materials that get their message across but also, help to build brand recognition and loyalty. We would then also apply this visual identity to the materials that are appropriate for them which, might include their website, stationery, promotional collateral such as brochures, flyers, posters, packaging, social media pages, email newsletters, t-shirts … and the list goes on!

As far as clients, we kind of split our target audiences into three groups, one is the larger organizations they tend to be NGOs and nonprofit organizations, we worked with the African Union as well, another audience is small businesses and often it is people who are experts in their field and they after long careers say they are going to set up their own thing, but they have seen a gap and something that can be done differently and they are doing it. E.g. we worked with a woman who set up a homeware brand she is from Senegal and the Gambia and moved to the UK balances African inspired textiles but in tones that are more conducive for the European context that we live in, we did our branding for them, the third group is start ups they tend to be individuals who have an idea and are at the very early stages and they are building up on the side they aren’t ready yet to commit fully as far as financial investment but they need something professional to kind of get going.

Q: What is an interesting project you are currently working that you don’t mind sharing with us?

A: We’re currently working on a new logo and website for the African Women’s Development Foundation (AWDF). It’s their 15th anniversary this year and they need a site that reflects just how dynamic, exciting and prolific of an organisation that they are. It’s about presenting a diverse 'world of African women’. Not only is the subject matter absolutely up my street but, the AWDF team are so wonderful. Having meetings feels more like hanging out and chatting with sister friends. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of work getting done but, without the unnecessary formality that you sometimes find with many large organisations. Instead, it feels more like creative collaboration amongst people invested in a common goal. That’s what all projects should feel like! 

Q:  As the  person Co-running your company tell us the 3 most important things you have learnt in your work that you want to share with others who are interested in starting their own branding business?

A: 1. You have to love what you’re doing because you’re going to be devoting a lot of  your time and energy to your business. Also, it’s that love that will help you to hang in there when people are doubting you and encouraging you to give up and get a job. It’s that love, and commitment to your vision, that will sustain you through the difficult times. Because there will be most definitely be difficult times.  

2. You have to be prepared to take ownership for things – the good and the bad. When you’re running a business, while you may have support from business mentors, coaches, peer networks, partners and colleagues (all of whom can be very important), at the end of the day, the buck stops with you. You have to be ready to take responsibility (and a lot of it), to make decisions and to deal with their consequences.

3. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and to say no to things that are not aligned with your values and your vision. Every time I’ve made the mistake of saying ‘yes' in these situations, I’ve paid for it and it’s been painful. I think we often say 'yes’ out of fear. But when you are clear about who you are, what you want and what you need to do to achieve it, it’s easier to have conviction. Therefore, it’s crucial to make time and space for reflection so that you can constantly review whether you’re doing what you need to be doing and, whether you might need to readjust your priorities and activities.

Q: Tell us about a personal challenge you overcame as a leader in this capacity and how did you overcome it?

A: As a leader, your decisions have a bearing on other people. So when I commit to things, I’m aware that this has an impact on my team. As the team has grown, I’ve had to deal with my natural propensity to say ‘yes’ because, now, it’s not just my workload, work/life balance or finances that I may be compromising. I have to consider the balance of the entire system which makes it possible for the business to run. Taking time to step back and create solid systems empowers me to make more informed decisions. It’s a work in progress because, I’m always reviewing our systems to ensure they satisfy our needs as best they can. Obviously, as the business evolves, the systems need to do so as well.

Lulu Kitololo Illustration Portrait

WOMEN

Q:  What advice do you provide to young women who may be interested in this field and are looking for how to actually start their businesses?

A:  Start now. I’m not saying take the leap and quit your job but, start your business on the side. This is a great way of building contacts and practising. You’ll be astounded as to how practice improves your skills over the years. I look back 10 years and I’ve grown as a designer, by leaps and bounds. Not just technical skills but also, my problem-solving abilities.

Also, always make time to work on your own projects. They bring great joy and, the more you do – and show – the more commissions you’ll get from people who want a piece of this work. Which leads to greater joy (which you get paid for).

Be yourself. There are millions of designers but there is only one of you. By definition, being yourself eliminates all competition. I believe that there’s enough bounty out there for everyone and so I choose to not even think in terms of competition but rather, in terms of peers.

Finally, you cannot be the expert on everything. Be strategic and get help for the areas of running a business that don’t fall within your expertise. Reserve your time for what you do best. In the bigger picture, money invested in getting help enables you to up the earning potential of your business. Don’t let money be the excuse that you’re spending most of your time doing things that ultimately don’t grow your business.

Q: 10 years from now where do you see yourself?

A: I’ll be spending half of the year in London and half of the year somewhere on the continent, preferably by the coast. I’ll still have some oversight over the design business but won’t be much involved in the day-to-day. I will however, be spending the majority of my time making art and writing. Not to forget, I’ll be financially free and my partner, Lusungu and I will be raising some kids who keep us on our toes!

Q: Finish the sentence  “Women Change Africa because…..?”

A: We’re not afraid of leading with heart

For more on her work you can visit http://www.lulukitololo.com/ http://www.weareasilia.com/