The Movement of AFRIKIN Continued…


AFRIKIN presents current culture through art, fashion, talks, food, innovation and performance – ways to connect, communicate and experience the lives and perspectives of our brothers and sisters – our AFRIKIN – in the languages of the people.
We are AFRIKIN!


From the Founder’s Desk


Dear AFRIKIN, 
 Yes, sometimes you need to just throw the chair out the window as there is just way too much sitting around doing nothing. With the second half of the year underway, I remember just last year, I was in Sint Maarten as Hurricane Irma ravage my hometown. I pray this doesn’t happen to anyone. The loss endured by so many really puts life into perspective. The material things we hold so dear, those items we work so hard for are truly meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Love is the only thing that is real. We must live our best life by not sweating the small stuff.

This Hurricane season, while the winds are whispering, we need to hear them before they roar. We must prepare for Mother Nature’s mood swings. She will purge herself if we don’t take care of her. 

Lack of preparedness adds to the devastation. We must hold government departments accountable for providing safe spaces for protection and creating multiple channels to provide information and two-way communication.

Suicide rates are at an all-time high. It’s important that we check in on our ‘strong’ friends, the ones hiding their despair so well. A phone call, text, invite for tea and crumpets can make all the difference. Let’s be mindful of the energy we generate, the vibrations we emit.  Spread love, share positive content, be kind and understanding, compassionate and patient.

And, congratulations France on your victory in the World Cup! We look forward to celebrating with you at the Champs Elysse!

Peace and love,
Alfonso D’Niscio Brooks
Founder 


Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow…

The evil that men do, lives after them, The good is oft’ interred with their bones.~Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852


Latest Discoveries


Archaeologists discovered a mysterious black granite sarcophagus in Alexandria, Egypt this week – considered the largest ever found. The 6 foot long coffin was unearthed along with an alabaster bust of a man whose features were worn beyond recognition. We hope the face recreation more closely matches that of what the people of this area of the world truly looked like.


Art


The March on Washington Film Festival hosts a three-day art exhibit presented by Black Art In America July 13-14. This fine art exhibit pairs the pieces and stories from some of the legacy artists of the 1963 Spiral Group with contemporary artists who are following in their footsteps using their art and influence for social justice, including Lavett Ballard, Jamaal Barber, Kevin Cole, Najee Dorsey, Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Charly Palmer, Michael McCoy and Ronald Walton.

“The New York Years” by Richard Gammon. Estimated price $40,000.


Fashion


Taofeek Abijako 19, became the youngest designer to present a collection at this year’s New York Fashion Week: Men’s. The Nigerian-born designer founded the label Head of State just two years ago. Fresh out of high school,  Abijako showcased the brand’s latest collection, “Genesis,” on July 11.


Innovation


Founder and CEO Sevetri Wilson just raised over $2M for ExemptMeNow, a software that allows non-profits and startups to streamline and speed up the incorporation, management, and compliance process.

In her dual role as founder of SGI – the strategic communications firm that Wilson founded at 22 – she received the Nobel Prize for Public Service, and has helped elect major public officials to office including the first AFRIKIN female mayor of Baton Rouge. When Louisiana Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards took office, he appointed her to his Economic Development Transition team.


Performance


We’ve been waiting months for this! Avant-garde singer-songwriter-actor Janelle Monae will perform July 27 at the Fillmore Miami Beach! It’s gonna be electric!


Femi Kuti performs live with Positive Force, Jupiter & Okwess, Rumsey Playfield at Central Park in NYC on Sunday July 29!


Prayers Up


In response to government issued gas price increases, Haitian locals are protesting by burning down buildings, looting shops, and setting up fiery road-blocks in the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince since July 6. Gas prices increased $5/liter, roughly $20 gallon, with many making only $2 a day. 


Talks


Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, left, and Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed of Eritrea worked to restore relations between the countries.

Ethiopia and Eritrea declare an end to two decades of war. On July 9, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed a Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship which included the agreement that “transport, trade and telecommunication ties will be resumed; diplomatic ties and activities renewed,” according to a tweet by Etritrean Minister of Information, Yemane Meskel. There is nothing greater than to see the unification of all Africans. This is but the beginning.



#BossMoves


Queenbridge Venture Partners – backed by Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (aka Nas) – recently sold their pharmaceutical delivery service PillPack to Amazon for sold $1.2 BILLION! If you remember, Nas’s venture capital firm sold Ring – the Smart doorbell company – to Amazon for $1 Billion in March. Congratulations Nas on these savvy additions to your portfolio that have netted such amazing profits! We look forward to the next!


Philanthropy


Basketball icon LeBron James – through his “I Promise” program – is donating $41M to send 1,100 Akron, OH students to college, making him the world’s 6th most charitable athlete. This will cover tuition and the university’s general service fee – approximately $9,500 per year.



Future Focused


Local and foreign investors pumped $73.7 million into Nigerian startups within three months and fintech received a 75% share of it. Financial services remained the most attractive for investors as startups in the segment brought in $55.74 million of the total funding in value for the quarter. Cellulant, Africa’s payment platform received the larger share of the funding with the sum of $47.5 million. A single Series C funding round made up 64% of the total funding in value during the quarter under review.


Sounds We’re Spinnin’




Sports


Vive la France! Congratulations to France for winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup! Croatia gave a valiant effort but were no match against the French, celebrating Bastille Day with a bang!

Congratulations Serena Williams, first runner-up at Wimbledon 2018. Serena has won 23 Grand Slams and placed runner-up 6 times in her career.

Allez les bleus! Congratulations to France for winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup! Croatia gave a valiant effort but were no match against the French, celebrating Bastille Day with a bang! We are off to the Champs-Élysées … Wheels up in 10. Vive la France.Congratulations Serena Williams, first runner-up at Wimbledon 2018. Serena has won 23 Grand Slams and placed runner-up 6 times in her career.


Family Fun!



The Overtown Music and Arts Festival had a show this year! Musiq, Estelle Darlings, Vivian Greene and more entertained the family-friendly crowd this past weekend. How did you enjoy the show?


Days of Note


July 10th was Bahamian Independence Day! 
July 14 – Happy Bastille Day to our AFRIKIN in France! It’s been a great weekend of celebration!


Great AFRIKIN in History


July 13, 1972 Shirley Chisholm becomes the first AFRIKIN Presidential nominee, with 151 votes from the delegates polled.
“In the end, anti-black, anti-female, and all forms of discrimination are equivalent to the same thing — anti-humanism.” ~Shirley Chisholm 
July 7, 1875, Legendary AFRIKIN educator and activist Mary McCleod Bethune is born.


Food


Nigerian Jollof Rice 

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups Easy Cook Rice
  • 3 Large/ 4 Medium Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe)
  • 1/2 Can of Plum Tomatoes/ 2 Medium Size Tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 Scotch Bonnet (Ata Rodo)
  • 2 cups Beef or Chicken Stock
  • 120g Tomato Paste
  • 2 Onions
  • 100ml /6 Tablespoons Cooking oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon Minced Ginger
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Curry powder and Thyme
  • 1/2 Teaspoon any seasoning of your choosing
  • 3 Knorr Chicken cubes
  • 2 Teaspoons White pepper
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • 1 Medium Size Tomato for Garnishing
  • Salt to Taste


Directions

Blend the red bell peppers, tomatoes, scotch bonnet and 1 onion to a smooth paste and set aside.Add the cooking oil into a large pot, place on the hob on medium heat, add half sliced onion into it and let it fry till fragrant. Add the blended pepper, tomato paste, Knorr cubes, curry powder, one teaspoon white pepper, bay leaves, cover and let it fry till oil begins to float to the top (15-20 minutes).

While that’s frying, wash your rice thoroughly to rid it of starch and set aside or parboil for 5-8 minutes with little water on low heat. The rice should still be very firm and not soft, wash with warm water and set aside.

When oil floats to the top, add the chicken/ meat stock, cover and let it fry for a further 8-10 minutes.Add the washed rice. Transfer the rice into another big pot, then add the stew so you can control the amount of stew that goes in to avoid over adding. Combine thoroughly, ensure the stew is only about a cm over the rice when combined, (it’s better to start with little liquid and add as you go).

When that’s fully combined, add the butter, the minced ginger, the remaining teaspoon of white pepper and combine. Cover and let it cook till the rice softens. Stir every now and then with a WOODEN spoon; this prevents clumps and doesn’t break the rice up. Add little bits of stock or water as you go, be careful not to add too much. Jollof rice needs steam to cook and not water, expect it to burn a little, this is what gives it the much loved smokey flavor.

When the rice is soft enough, add the onion rings and sliced tomato and stir. 

Onions and tomatoes should be added just a couple of minutes before final doneness. Combine thoroughly..switch off the heat and leave to steam with the residual heat for another minute or two and your Party Jollof Rice is ready.Serve with Fried Plantains, Nigerian Moi Moi, Nigerian Salad or Coleslaw


Nigerian Jollof Rice
Ingredients
4 Cups Easy Cook Rice
3 Large/ 4 Medium Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe)
1/2 Can of Plum Tomatoes/ 2 Medium Size Tomatoes
1 1/2 Scotch Bonnet (Ata Rodo)
2 cups Beef or Chicken Stock
120g Tomato Paste
2 Onions
100ml /6 Tablespoons Cooking oil
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Minced Ginger
1/2 Teaspoon Curry powder and Thyme
1/2 Teaspoon any seasoning of your choosing
3 Knorr Chicken cubes
2 Teaspoons White pepper
3 Bay Leaves
1 Medium Size Tomato for Garnishing
Salt to Taste
Directions
Blend the red bell peppers, tomatoes, scotch bonnet and 1 onion to a smooth paste and set aside.Add the cooking oil into a large pot, place on the hob on medium heat, add half sliced onion into it and let it fry till fragrant. Add the blended pepper, tomato paste, Knorr cubes, curry powder, one teaspoon white pepper, bay leaves, cover and let it fry till oil begins to float to the top (15-20 minutes).
While that’s frying, wash your rice thoroughly to rid it of starch and set aside or parboil for 5-8 minutes with little water on low heat. The rice should still be very firm and not soft, wash with warm water and set aside.
When oil floats to the top, add the chicken/ meat stock, cover and let it fry for a further 8-10 minutes.Add the washed rice. Transfer the rice into another big pot, then add the stew so you can control the amount of stew that goes in to avoid over adding. Combine thoroughly, ensure the stew is only about a cm over the rice when combined, (it’s better to start with little liquid and add as you go).
When that’s fully combined, add the butter, the minced ginger, the remaining teaspoon of white pepper and combine. Cover and let it cook till the rice softens. Stir every now and then with a WOODEN spoon; this prevents clumps and doesn’t break the rice up. Add little bits of stock or water as you go, be careful not to add too much. Jollof rice needs steam to cook and not water, expect it to burn a little, this is what gives it the much loved smokey flavor.
When the rice is soft enough, add the onion rings and sliced tomato and stir.
Onions and tomatoes should be added just a couple of minutes before final doneness. Combine thoroughly..switch off the heat and leave to steam with the residual heat for another minute or two and your Party Jollof Rice is ready.
Serve with Fried Plantains, Nigerian Moi Moi, Nigerian Salad or Coleslaw


Book Club


THE AFRIKIN BOOK CLUB FEATURES DOWNLOADS FOR POWERFUL EBOOKS YOU MAY HAVE NEVER READ. SEE WHAT WE ADDED TO THE SHELF!


Event Recap


Have you seen the photos from AFRIKIN 2018: Art | Culture | Community in Miami, May 19th? Check out our gallery for pics of yourself, your friends, and all your AFRIKIN in attendance


Coming Soon!



AFRIKIN Radio

We have been putting in the work necessary to bring you the best content that advances the ingenuity and promise of our people across the Diaspora. Check out our live shows and podcasts with new music releases, classics, unbiased news, controversial talk shows, and important interviews. Learn more about your AFRIKIN around the world and enjoy new perspectives.Until then, check out the vibe on our Soundcloud.


Save The Date!


Come join us in Ghana! Our sister organization Project OKURASE hosts the 2nd Annual Nkabom World Music Festival in Okurase Ghana August 4-5, 2018.  Nkabom means “unity” in the Twi language. Artists throughout Ghana and beyond will come together, creating opportunities for never-before-heard conglomerations of rhythm, melody and production.  The artists will perform sets on the main stage throughout the two days, as well as host musical and cultural workshops and clinics for all in attendance.   Project Okurase is still accepting donations to help with them continue the beautiful work they are doing. For more information and to donate, visit them at www.projectokurase.org.
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