The Movement of AFRIKIN
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
Founder’s Note
| Dear AFRIKIN, Thank you for allowing us to enter your inbox, our energy to penetrate yours. When I created AFRIKIN, I recognized the importance of sharing our culture in ways that matter, ways to reshape the world’s perception of our people – starting with our own. AFRIKIN is Africa + Kinship. We are all brothers and sisters from the same geographical source point- the motherland, Africa. This title transcends race and how we’ve been conditioned to identify ourselves and instead focuses on the unity of our people around the world. Our global family is doing amazing things and I am proud to share even a small bit of that news with you. We recognize the best way to fight hate is with love. We can only win these battles when we come together. Meet the beautiful people who make up#TeamAFRIKIN. We look forward to sharing this experience with you and yours as we advance the ingenuity and promise of our people across the Diaspora. Peace and love, Alfonso D’Niscio Brooks Founder |
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow…
Immigration Reform?
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” ~ Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
| Things that make you go, hmmmm… #NationalRefugeeDay |
Art
| “Past Times”, an acrylic collage on canvas by AFRIKIN artist Kerry James Marshall sold to billionaire Sean Combs for $21.1M at Sotheby’s auction. |
| Beyonce and Jay-Z – The Carters – broke the internet this week with their surprise album “Love is Everything” and the accompanying video “Apesh*t”, shot entirely in the world-famous Louvre. |
Fashion
| The Miami Edition of Walk Fashion Show kicked the summer off with interesting and eclectic work by independent AFRIKIN designers such as DSAW Denim, Nrf Ra Denim, Dus Couture and Britache by Bri. These are ones to watch! |
| Model Queen Jahmia in Nfr Ra Denim by Raynelle Benjamin Chapman |
Food
JAMAICAN RUNDOWN
What do they call this dish in your country?
Ingredients
| 2 lbs salted mackerel or cod 6 cups coconut milk 1 medium onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 medium tomato, chopped 2 stalks scallion or green onion, chopped 3 slices of scotch bonnet pepper 1 tsp dried thyme |
Directions
- Remove the bones from the Mackerel and cut into 2-3 inch pieces. Place in a heatproof bowl.
- Pour boiling water over fish until covered and leave for thirty minutes to soak. Drain water and set fish aside.
- Pour coconut milk into saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Stir until it reduces to a thick custard consistency with oil visible on top.
- Add the onion, garlic, tomato, scallion, scotch bonnet pepper and thyme; stir. Sautee until onions are transparent.
- Add fish to pan skin side down and scoop the sauce over to cover it. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes until fish is cooked.
- Serve hot with boiled green bananas and boiled dumplings.
Innovation
| Mareena Robinson Snowden recently made history as the first as the first AFRIKIN woman to receive her PhD in Nuclear Engineering from MIT. Her work in the field of nuclear security is making changes as the field is influenced not only by technical drivers, but also by cultural and political considerations, Robinson-Snowden previously received her B.S. in Physics from FAMU! Congratulations to the scholar! |
| Mareena Robinson-Snowden celebrating her history-making graduation. |
Performance
| “Hip Hop history is embedded in its movement,” says dancer Tsiambwom Akuchu from Cameroon. He recently choreographed and performed solo at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with a piece tracing the history of AFRIKIN dance and cultural resistance from our roots to the contemporary hip hop. |
| We are looking forward to attending the reggae, rhythm & blues festival Groovin in the Park at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NY Sun. June 24. Hope to see you there! |
Talks
| Miami welcomed the 22nd annual American Black Film Festival (#ABFF). It was a beautiful weekend to see our favorite AFRIKIN actors, actresses, directors, producers share and discuss their amazing work at the Lowes Miami Beach (Jackie Gleason Theater). We can’t stop talking about Superfly and Omari Hardwick at the Real to Reel competition. What was your favorite part of the film festival? |
Is Gmail Trying To Stop You From Getting All This Awesomeness? Click “View Entire Message”!
#BossMoves
| Bozoma Saint John becomes the Chief Marketing Officer of Endeavor, the holding company that operates the following: WME, a leading global entertainment agency that represents a powerful clientele (including Oprah!); IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion; UFC, the world’s premier professional mixed martial arts (MMA) organization; the Miss Universe Organization; and more. Congratulations! London Breed makes history as the first AFRIKIN woman elected Mayor of San Francisco! Breed and former State Senator Mark Leno, both Democrats, faced off in a primary election held June 5. The University of California and University of San Francisco graduate worked as an executive director of the African American Art and Culture Complex for over a decade, before becoming involved in public office. After Mayor Lee’s death in December, she become acting mayor, making her the city’s first AFRIKIN female chief executive. Congratulations! |
Sounds We’re Spinnin’
Sports
| It’s time for the World Cup! Cheer on your favorite AFRIKIN athletes from around the world! From Argentina to Nigeria and everything in between, we are excited for the amazing displays of athleticism futbol always brings. Will the public’s rivalry between Cristiano and Messi finally be resolved? It’s gonna be a hot summer! |
Family Fun!
| In celebration of Caribbean American Month. Storytelling through rhythm, music and dance based on the award-winning children’s book Stori, Stori; Caribbean Tales With a Little Jazz by S. Ettosi Brooks. This two-part program starts with a hands-on workshop where kids can create puppets that they will use during the second performance part of the program, which features Tosi Brooks, Pablove Black and Sasa Dance Theater. |
Days of Note
| Juneteenth (June 19) is the commemoration of the end of slavery in America, the day that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, TX with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved AFRIKIN were now free. We take this time to recognize the AFRIKIN who survived the atrocities of slavery and how much still needs to change.June 20 is #WorldRefugeeDay. As we observe the conditions faced by AFRIKIN immigrants around the world, what are your thoughts on how they are treated upon arrival and the peril from which they are running? |
| June 20 is the start of the Summer Solstice! As the temperatures rise, raise a few more glasses of water to your lips! We need you to stay hydrated! |
Great AFRIKIN in History
| THURGOOD MARSHALL WAS THE FIRST AFRIKIN NOMINATED TO THE SUPREME COURT JUNE 13, 1967 |
| AFRIKIN POET, ACTOR AND REVOLUTIONARY TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR BORN JUNE 16, 1971. |
| In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute. ~ Thurgood Marshall |
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. |
| Any News You Want to See Covered in The Movement of AFRIKIN Newsletter? Contact us! |