‘New American Table’ by Marcus Samuelsson
Ethiopian-born and Swedish-raised reknowned chef Kassahun Tsegie, better known as Marcus Samuelsson, is the co-owner of Aquavit and C-House restaurant and the youngest chef ever to receive a three-star restaurant review from The New York Times. Chef Marcus is at it again, promoting his new book titled ‘New American Table‘, a bridging gap between a cook book and a travelougue that celebrates the ethnic influences on the American ways of eating. The book is infused with 300 different types of meals that be enjoyed during breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
Oprah picks Uwem Akpan’s “Say You’re One of Them” as her 63rd book club selection
History has been made as the number one most influential woman, Ms. Oprah Winfrey selected “Say You’re One of Them” by Nigerian native Awem Akpan as the 63rd book to make it into her book club collection. You’re probably wondering where in all this the history making is that but ever since Oprah started her book club collection, she has never selected a collection of short stories before which is what “Say You’re One of Them” is all about. A collection of five stories set in different parts of Africa including Nigeria and Rwanda, which tells a tale about the journey’s of African children ’s hardship and the bitter sweet occurrences of having to grow up in Africa. » Read more…
The Green Lantern, Comics and Politics
Comic books have long been the stuff of fantasy.They have provided an escape into a world where evil gets punished and the good guy always wins. In recent years, comic books started to tackle social issues and give voice to situations that had long gone unnoticed. Batman and Superman helped teach children about the danger of landmines and the Green Lantern and Spiderman tackled drug abuse.
The Imported Ghanaian
Complex creatures who have survived extinction events that killed the likes of the dinosaur, crocodiles are vaunted in the animal kingdom for their strength and adaptability. Admired for its ability to thrive in the water despite being an air-breather, the croc has inspired a Ghanaian adinkra symbol, denkyem. Ghanaian author Alba Kunadu Sumprim says of denkyem, “It encourages us to adapt to changing conditions, particularly those which appear difficult and out of our control.”
Scarlet Song by Mariama Ba.
Love. Passion. Culture. Tradition. These are the recurring themes that are present in Scarlet Song, a novel written by writer Mariama Ba.
Although interracial relationships in Africa are not a new occurrence,they are still very much talked about and discussed ,with different attitudes and points of view. » Read more…
M.H.A Menondji, Inspiring French-Beninese Author : “Beyond those Hills: An Officer and a Lady.”
M.H.A Menondji is a newly-published author, originally from Benin, who grew up in France. A passionate of Human Rights, she currently resides in Los Angeles.
Her other passion has been writing and her only ambition, in this regards (in her own words), is to “break the mold” and instill positive multiculturalism in the fount of creativity African writers have used for many years.
With her debut novel, ,“Beyond Those Hills: An Officer and a Lady”, which is deemed to be a showcase of accelerated linguistic and cultural assimilation, Menondji took on the challenge of writing in a language she learned as a third language while a full-time, self-supporting student. » Read more…
Olumide Popoola- “More than just a poetess”
Olumide Popoola is a Nigerian/German poetess who has resided in the outskirts of India, Netherlands, London, Nigeria, South Africa and Germany in her pursuit for knowledge. Her welcoming voice, profound writing, and her passion to speak up about matters affecting the society has earned her numerous titles in the media stadium. Olumide’s Ayurvedic medicine background (an Indian healing way of life) , has proven that she is more than just another poetess but a soul bigger than her own self. We caught up with the poetess just to have her shed some light on her journey. Enjoy!
Nana Awere Damoah: Excursions In My Mind
It’s always exciting to discover new authors, especially when they have something to say. So, my curiosity peaked when I came across Excursions In My Mind, by Nana Awere Damoah. A newly-published author, Nana describes his book as “bite-sized essays about . . . family, schooling, reflections on key issues: self-help, leadership, love for parents, nature of friendship, and partnership with Jesus.” Intrigued, I decided to talk to Nana for a preview of what readers can expect if they accept his invitation to go on an excursion in his mind.
Liberian Author Travels With Her People Down Redemption Road
Not many first novels feature a foreword by the President of the author’s country. But Liberian author Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road: the Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia, opens with a Foreword by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. An endorsement of such gravitas puts a lot of pressure on a book to be good, and Redemption Road more than meets the challenge. Redemption Road is the recounting of Liberia’s process of healing from the wounds of its civil war and the efforts of the nation and its people to rebuild themselves individually and collectively. Through the eyes of fictional characters who speak the truth of what Liberians experienced during the war and its aftermath, Ms. Shaw shows that she truly understands the restorative power of words. Ms. Shaw spoke to Jamati and other attendees of her book discussion at the Culture Shop in Washington, D.C. about her inspiration and hopes for Redemption Road.
Jane Musoke-Nteyafas: Multi-talented and Multi-Dimensional
Thoreau once said, “The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” Jane Musoke-Nteyafas is a dynamic and powerful African sister who fully embraces this philosophy, expressing her boundless imagination and talent through poetry, short stories, plays, music, and the visual arts. Jamati recently caught up with this Phenomenal Woman to talk about art, beauty and self-love.
We Too Are Black In America
On July 23 and July 24 at 9pm, CNN will air a six-hour documentary, Black in America with Soledad O’Brien. The documentary promises to be an in-depth and unprecedented examination of the lives of African-Americans in the years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite the ground-breaking nature of this program, I know that many Africans will not tune in, and will dismiss a program about African-Americans as not relevant to their lives. However, Africans who hold this viewpoint fail to recognize that the African-American story is our story, too.
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
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June 22 - 24, 2010
2010 Africa Business Conference and Trade Fair
USA - North East
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July 10, 2010
Talent-ED
USA - North East
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March 22, 2010
A “Tribute to Mama Afrika: Miriam Makeba”
USA - North East
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July 14 - 17, 2010
Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY) in New York
USA - North East
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