The Best Books for Budding Black Feminists, According to Experts
There is no single definition of Black feminism. Many of the experts we spoke to while compiling this list of books spoke about the subject from their own particular lens. Chelsea Frazier, a Black feminist ecocritic, for instance, talked about the importance of using Black feminist texts as a way to find solutions to the current environmental crisis. “Black feminist ecological ethics offer an alternative understanding of environmentalism,” she said. Treva Ellison, assistant professor of Gender and Women’s studies at Pomona College, on the other hand, focuses on Blackness and how it relates to gender and sexuality. While both are navigating similar spaces (and agree that Parable of the Sower is a necessary read), their specialties often pull them in completely different directions, leading to diverse ideas of what the Black feminist canon includes. Which is to say, there could be dozens — hundreds! thousands! — of “Black feminism” book lists. For this one, though, we tried to keep it simple and stick to the best books for the burgeoning Black feminist.
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A Tribute to Toni Morrison on her birthday; Front Porch Art Center hosted Feb. 18 party in honor of late Nobel laureate
A dozen black women from various Chicago neighborhoods gathered Feb. 18 on the West Side to celebrate a literary foremother whose books have articulated many people’s feelings and experiences. Toni Morrison died Aug. 5, 2019, at age 88. She was the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
The Front Porch Art Center, the organization founded by Keli Stewart, invited people to a party on Feb. 18, Morrison’s birthday, to read quotations from the author’s work while enjoying cake and cupcakes provided by Brown Sugar Bakery, which has a presence in Austin.
“We see the front porch as a place where we gather,” Stewart said. “They say the West Side is hood, but I say we are really country. I think our stories are preserving some important stuff. Toni Morrison’s stories make up for the absence of stories about what happened in Mississippi before our parents came here.”
Shani Smith, a South Side community activist, reinforced Stewart’s point.
“My grandfather had to escape from a plantation,” she said. “So I say I’m just the second generation out of slavery.”
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Source: Austin Weekly News
What you need to know about the 2020 Knysna Literary Festival
‘Let your imagination take flight’ at the 11th installment of the annual Knysna Literary Festival!
This year the festival will be presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna to promote South Africa’s rich literary heritage. The festival is said to be the Garden Route’s only annual festival that hosts an exclusive group of hand-picked authors from South Africa and is fast becoming a must-attend with bookworms and lovers of all things literary.
Knysna Literary Festival
The Knysna Literary Festival will take place from 6 to 8 March 2020 and will offer a diverse and inspiring programme.
This year all events are set to take place at selected venues around the iconic Thesen Islands, in the heart of Knysna, and topics and books are guaranteed to inspire lively debate both at the festival, as well as long after.
The festival aims not only to expose locals and visitors to South Africa’s literary talents, but also to provide established authors with a platform to connect directly with their readers and target audience.
The 2020 programme
The festival’s diverse programme touches on matters such as hot-topic current affairs and politics, history, adventure, conservation, cuisine and storytelling.
All best-selling authors are either local or have close ties to South Africa, and have been selected not only for their literary talents, but also for their skills in entertaining and delighting audiences with readings, conversations, debates and workshops.
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Over the years the festival has attracted many well-known literary celebrities making the festival the ‘must-do’ event of all literary enthusiasts, book worms and culture vultures.
Not only is the festival high on the agenda for readers, but authors and journalists likewise aspire to be a part of this prestigious festival, setting the bar higher each year with the programme on offer.
This year the programme includes readings from Pieter du Toit and Ivo Vegter among many more. To see the full programme click over here.
A passion for reading
Aside from the main festival weekend, writing competitions are held for school-goers in the area, encouraging reading and writing amongst the local youth; the idea being to instill a passion for reading and writing from an early age.
“Our goal is to stimulate the creative minds of students of the greater Knysna area, encouraging these young adults to make the most of their educational opportunities,” said Ling Dobson, Principal of Pam Golding Properties Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. “We present unique workshops throughout the year to stimulate literary awareness, focusing on both the skill and sheer enjoyment of writing.”
Source: theSouthAfrican.com
Why AMVCA Remains The Biggest Celebration Of Film Talent & Creativity Across Africa
24 African actors and 44 filmmakers from various countries were announced as nominees for the 7th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), which has been hailed as Africa’s biggest celebration of film and TV talent on the continent.
A total of 43 films released between April 1, 2018 and November 30, 2019, received nominations.
The nominations packed a varied crew of creatives and technical support staff into honour groups, where they stand a chance to win the coveted AMVCA statuette in recognition of their outstanding performances which have contributed to the growth of the industry.
Several of your favourite movies received a mention, along with movies that although critically sound and daring struggle to attract mass attention and viewership due to the small size of their market or distribution constraints.
The movies, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free and God Calling both led with 11 nominations each in categories including; Best Director, Best Picture Editor and Best Cinematographer.
Read more here:
https://www.newsghana.com.gh/why-amvca-remains-the-biggest-celebration-of-film-talent-creativity-across-africa/amp/
Netflix’s first African original series will challenge your preconceptions
It’s too easy to miss brilliant streaming shows, movies and documentaries. Here are the ones to hit play on or skip.
Netflix’s first African original series is a ripper that delivers action, espionage, insight and exotic locations, challenges assumptions about Africa, and places strong female characters front and centre at every turn. Our heroine is the eponymous Queen Sono (Pearl Thusi), a glamorous and deadly agent for a mysterious South African spy agency dedicated to fighting injustice across the continent. But, charming as it is in places, Queen Sono is no sunny wish-fulfilment fantasy. Its Africa is still a place of monumental corruption, foreign exploitation and militia atrocities, and the South African characters in particular speak in jaded and bitter tones about the undelivered promise of their country’s hard-won democracy.
Queen Sono (Pearl Thusi), a glamorous and deadly agent for a mysterious South African spy agency.
Queen Sono (Pearl Thusi), a glamorous and deadly agent for a mysterious South African spy agency.
It looks as though the Big Bad is going to be Ekaterina Grimova (Kate Liquorish), a murderous Russian business-criminal out to manipulate wars and insurrections across the continent to rake in cash via her mercenary business. Neither Queen nor Ekaterina are averse to a spot of bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat, but where Ekaterina’s wardrobe is mostly business and athletic wear, Queen’s is all about the most head-turning new fashions. You might think such colourful clobber would be a hindrance in the secret-agent caper, but in the show’s first big action sequence – a real kinetic one shot in the narrow streets and covered markets of faraway Zanzibar – shows how Queen can turn it to her advantage.
Other things, though, are a bit trickier for Queen to deal with. One of these is the legacy of her mother, a legendary freedom fighter – or notorious terrorist, depending on your view – who was assassinated in front of the five-year-old Queen. Another is Queen’s former lover and comrade, Simon (Tuks Tad Lungu), who has become so disillusioned by corruption that he has taken up arms in a seemingly futile rag-tag insurrection making hit-and-run strikes across several countries. There are lighter moments too, many of them involving Queen’s beloved grandmother (Abigail Kubeka).
Series creator and South African TV comedy veteran Kagiso Lediga achieves a fine balance of action, drama and reflection, and he organically presents socially conservative audiences with progressive perspectives on women, sexuality and religion. Viewers unfamiliar with Africa will find some preconceptions challenged (at one point the series juxtaposes a lowlife white family in a cramped, rundown house against black people living in the kind of luxury afforded by generously remunerated government office). Engrossing telly, and certainly never dull.
THE GOOD HUSBAND’ A MOVIE FROM AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR, DICKSON IROEGBU, HITS CINEMAS FROM 17th APRIL.
The Good Husband, a Nigerian movie which explores the challenges that comes with marriages will hit the cinemas in Nigeria from the seventeenth of April. The film which was produced and directed by multiple award winning filmmaker Dickson Iroegbu, promises to thrill the anxious audience as they wait patiently for the release date.
‘THE GOOD HUSBAND’, tells the story of a marriage counsellor, who is committed to the success of other people’s marriages, but allows this passion drive a wedge into his home – a generous case of taking the log out your eyes before the spec in your neighbours eyes.
‘The Good Husband’ is a timely tale in today’s Nigeria where divorce and sometimes spousal murder is assuming alarming proportions. It explores themes of sex, communication, the rigours of different perspectives of couples and respective relatives, as well as themes of love and forgiveness. The movie promises the twist and turns of marital journeys providing rib-cracking and reflective moments.
This film boasts of some of Nigeria’s best and brightest movie exports such as Sam Dede, Monalisa Chinda, Francis Duru, Thelma Okoduwa-Ojiji, Paul Sambo, Bassey Ekpo Bassey, and introducing Eeefy Ike and Shield Nwazuruahu and several others.
Dickson Iroegbu, a leading filmmaker in Nigeria revealed that his company Teamwork Studios Limited is reaching out to Churches and Mosques across the globe, not leaving out Nigeria, to encourage the viewing of THE GOOD HUSBAND movie to help fight the scourge of divorce and spoilers in marriage.
Mr. Iroegbu who has produced and directed over twenty blockbuster movies, has revolutionized the Nigerian film industry with many of his movie productions such as , ‘Women’s Cot’, ‘Critical Condition’, ‘Unfaithful’, ‘Romantic Attraction’ and ‘The Mayors’, which earned him Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Director at African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA.
Dakore & Timini Egbuson: Two Siblings, One Industry
It’s not very often that you find siblings who have chosen the same career path and are both excelling at it. However, these siblings, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Timini Egbuson have both proven that excellence runs in their family with their works in Nollywood.
Though years apart in age and experience, both siblings have created a name for themselves. Dakore who is the more seasoned and experienced of the two has for many years worked to create a name for herself. Timini who has only just begun to scratch the surface of what he can achieve is now working to maintain the brilliance associated with their name, ‘Egbuson’.
Dakore Egbuson-Akande
Dakore Egbuson has always been in love with performance, first as a singer, then as an actor. As a child, she wanted to be a singer and was the best at music in her primary school. She told This Day, “While growing up I have always known that I would be in the entertainment industry. I always knew I would be on stage. I was the best in Music in school – at Corona School. At a stage, I wanted to be a journalist. I later enrolled for a degree in Mass Communication at the University of Lagos. I started out as a musician and I am just happy that acting came along the way”.
She made her debut into Nollywood with Emem Isong’s Silent Tears in 1998. She went on to work with the producer on three other projects, “Play Boy”, “She-Devil” and “Emotional Cry”, which she credits as her breakthrough film. She featured in multiple movies after her appearance in these movies including the popular “Dangerous Sisters”, acting alongside Genevieve Nnaji and “Games Men Play”. She took a short break from the industry after she got married in 2011 to focus on her family. She made a comeback in Biyi Bandele’s 2015 movie, “Fifty” and has continued to appear in highly acclaimed movies and blockbusters.
The multiple award-winning actress earned numerous nominations for her appearance in Jade Osiberu’s 2017 movie, “Isoken” including an Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) for ‘Best Actress’ and an ‘African Movie Academy Award’ (AMAA) in the same category. She ended up winning the AMAA Award. Since that win, she has featured in “Castle and Castle”, “Chief Daddy”, “New Money” and “The Set-Up”. She is currently hosting Multichoice’s new reality TV show, “Ultimate Love” along with Oluwaseun P. Olaniyan.
Timini Egbuson
Timini is the last born amongst the Egbuson children. He was inspired to get into acting after working as his sister’s personal assistant on set for a few years while he was in university but the path was not a direct one. He told Guardian about how he developed his love for acting, “When I was at the university, I used to play around with the idea of acting and I used to accompany my sister, Dakore Akande to film sets and it also developed my love for acting though at the time I didn’t see it as a means of livelihood.”
After he got his B.Sc in Psychology from the University of Lagos, he got a job in an e-commerce firm and worked there for two years. However, he didn’t feel fulfilled in that role so he started going for auditions until he landed his first role in 2012 as ‘Dozie’ in “Tinsel”. That role opened the door to his breakout movie, playing ‘Tobi’ on MTV Shuga for three seasons.
People soon began to see that he was truly talented. He has appeared in movies such as “Fifty”, “Fifty The Series”, “The Intern”, “Room 420”, and “Ajuwaya”. He also hosted Ebony Life’s “The Spot” from 2016 to 2017 when the show finally ended. Recently, he appeared in Elevator Baby for which he received an AMVCA nomination for ‘Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series)’.
He credits his sister as his role model and motivator. He told Sun Newspaper, “She’s been like a role model. She was successful in acting and I saw that success is something that can happen; it is something you can sustain. You can have life; you can have everything you need. It’s like going into a career, you want to go into farming and you know a farmer that is successful. That gives you the hope, the motivation to actually dive with both feet in and see what can come out of it. So, for every step of the way, she has pushed me, she has motivated me.”
Both siblings have continued to be there for each other displaying a bond at events and on social media that cannot be overlooked. They are still thriving to be the best and there is no doubt that the ‘Egbuson’ name will only continue to be associated with excellence thanks to these two.
East African songs for Music Freedom Day
Around the world, violations of artistic freedom are varied and include the censorship of songs and banning of live performances, and sometimes go as far as arrests, beatings and even capital punishment.
East Africa has a rich history of change brought about by music activism. During the struggle for independence, civil rights movements recognised the power of songs and utilised them in their quest to attain freedom and democracy.
And today organisations such as Amnesty International, Article 19, the Open Society Initiative, among many others, promote and defend freedom of artistic expression in Africa by funding important initiatives against censorship and artistic persecution.
On Music Freedom Day, our East Africa content editor, Lucy Ilado, has curated a special playlist that features protest songs from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania that touch on topics such as economic justice, good governance and human rights.
‘Kenyan Message’ by Muthoni Drummer Queen (Kenya)
This song is about the selfishness of Kenya’s ruling class. Muthoni points out the daily frustrations of Kenyans, including a lack of medical facilities, the high cost of living, and unemployment.
‘Kudu’ by Vitali Maembe (Tanzania)
‘Kudu’ is about the misappropriation and theft of public funds in Tanzania. Vitali also goes on to mention a few corruption scandals and the names of the implicated politicians and businessmen who have influence over decision-making process in the country.
‘System Volongoto’ by Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
Eddy Kenzo launches a searing attack on the government in ‘System Volongoto’. He uses parables to paint a picture of a paralysed and fraudulent government whose corruption has created high levels of poverty. He also highlights the plight of Ugandans who are not seeing any wage growth.
‘Wajinga Nyinyi’ by King Kaka (Kenya)
Rapper King Kaka refers to both politicians and Kenyan voters as fools: the politicians loot public funds while the voters repeatedly vote them into power.
‘Tujiangalie’ by Sauti Sol and Nyashinski (Kenya)
This collaborative song contrasts the country’s huge debt with the remarkable potential that could create a better future for all Kenyans. It also makes a call for positive and constructive leadership in the country.
‘Acha Nikae Kimya’ by Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
‘Acha Nikae Kimya’ (Let Me Remain Silent) was released in relation to the arrest of rapper Nay wa Mitego in 2017, with the song making references to the government’s crackdown on Tanzanian artists. The song also calls on all Tanzanians to take responsibility for their actions.
‘Jeshi’ by WeN_Music (Kenya)
This song speaks to the youth. Even though young people may lack political power, they have the power to generate social actions and reactions. They can also rise up and demand their rights.
Alisema by Nay wa Mitego (Tanzania)
‘Alisema’ highlights the depressed state of the formal job market in Tanzania: all the citizens, especially young people, blame the government for their misfortunes. Nay wa Mitego says that unreproachable governments do not exist but insists that the Tanzanian government must create an environment where open criticism can be levelled against its leaders.
Uganda Zukuka by Bobi Wine ft. Nubian Li (Uganda)
‘Uganda Zukuka’ is directed at the government and the people, reminding the latter that they have the right to revolt if the former threatens their safety and stunts development. The message to the government? There’s a rising new opposition movement in Uganda.
Eclectic line-up confirmed for Johnny Clegg Tribute Concert
The artists will come together to pay homage to the late icon in the build-up to the first anniversary of his death on 16 July.
They will be joined by Lira, Prime Circle, Just Jinjer, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Francois van Coke, Jesse Clegg, Cito from Wonderboom, Zolani Mahola, Majozi, Kurt Darren, Young Mbazo, The Parlotones, Arno Carstens and Matthew Mole.
Ella Mental, éVoid and Juluka co-founder and Clegg’s long-time friend, Sipho Mchunu, will also make special appearances. In addition, the commemoration will feature dancers from Zululand’s hostels.
“Jesse, Jaron and I are incredibly excited and proud to be able to celebrate Johnny’s life on the 25th of April with a day of music and togetherness,” Clegg’s widow, Jenny Clegg, said.
“For someone who was so passionate about human connection and the role of music, art and culture, this event embraces and celebrates who he was and what his legacy stands for.”
Johnny Clegg’s ex-manager and friend, Roddy Quin, siad: “Johnny’s style of music traversed cultural barriers like few others and he used his music to speak to every person and to show us what it was to embrace other cultures without losing your identity.”
The money raised at the event will go towards the Click Foundation in support of the Friends of Johnny Clegg charity, which was established in 2018.
The show will run from 11am to 6pm.
Kemi Adetiba Makes Netflix’s Women in Entertainment Series
To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, Netflix is partnering with UN Women to launch a special collection “Because She Watched” curated by groundbreaking women in entertainment from around the world, and our very own Kemi Adetiba has been included among them.
“Because She Watched” is a special Netflix collection of series, documentaries and films to celebrate International Women’s Day. The collection, which will be available all year, is curated by female creators from behind and in front of the camera, who live all around the world, including Sophia Loren, Salma Hayek, Yalitza Aparicio, Millie Bobby Brown, Laurie Nunn, Lana Condor, Petra Costa and Ava DuVernay.
From “Unbelieveable” and “Luna Nera” to “Orange is the New Black“, “Lionheart” and “Sex Education“, female creators have enabled audiences around the globe to see themselves and new perspectives on screen. These series, films, documentaries and the creators behind them have started important, often hard, conversations that have helped to challenge the way we see the world.
Created for International Women’s Day, the collection celebrates the stories that have inspired the women who inspire us. These series, films and documentaries have started important, often difficult conversations that have helped to challenge the way we see the world.
Hollywood actress, Laverne Cox has this to say about her empowerment as a woman:
Having a world where everyone is truly represented is about true democracy. And truly seeing ourselves allows us to envision endless possibilities for ourselves, and each other. Orange is the New Black is the first project where I felt genuinely empowered as a woman, thanks to the woman at the helm of the show, Jenji Kohan, and the many women directors, writers, producers and crew members as well as the stories that centered diverse women in an unprecedented way. This show created a space and platform for me as a black openly trans woman that created space for other openly trans women of all races to be truly seen in the depth of our humanity.
The collection is available at Netflix.com/becauseshewatched or by searching for “Because She Watched” on Netflix. Every title in the collection will be labelled “XXXX’s Women’s Day Pick” so members can easily see who picked which story. In addition, members will be able to choose from a selection of “Because She Watched” profile icons to celebrate their favourite female characters from the collection.
Watch the trailer below:
Kizz Daniel’s To Unleash 3rd Album “King of Love”
Kizz Daniel is set to release a new album titled “King of Love”, two years after his last album, “No Bad Songz“.
The singer announced his upcoming 3rd studio album on his Instagram page with a photo of his new tats “King of Love” and album cover with the caption, “King Of Love ❤️ || The Album #KOL2020”.
“King of Love” houses 5 tracks produced by Phil Keyz, Kris Beatz, Fancy, Young Jon, and Selebobo.
His first studio album was released in 2016 album “New Era” and the second “No Bad Songz”, a 20 track album released in 2018, under FlyBoy Inc.
