6th Annual African Goodwill Awards 2009

Many organizations[not-for profit/profit] and individuals, the world over, love Africa and give generously of their time and monies to make the continent a better place. Very often,however, the acts of these cheerful givers go unnoticed. Nevertheless, one organization African Focus, an LA based not-for profit organization, has for the past five years been celebrating these cheerful givers with its annual African Goodwill Awards. The Awards ceremony now in its 6th year, was established with the exclusive purpose of honoring the many men, women, children and organizations that give of their time and monies to supporting humanitarian causes in Africa.

This year's award takes place in Los Angeles, California on April 25th, 2009 and will be graced with many celebrities including the legendary singer Chaka Khan, Comedian & Actress M'onique, Actor Isaiah Washington, Iconic soloist Hope Foye, Apostle Federick Price, Nollywood Actress Stephanie Okereke and Dr. Deborah Hyde.

The event kicks off with a red carpet, an induction ceremony, dinner, a goodwill awards and the after party. Our Ladybrille Woman of the Month Douye will also be performing. For more details, visit www.africanfocus.org.

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Happy Birthday to Yemi Osunkoya, London Bridal Designer!

Happy birthday to London based Yemi Osunkoya, bridal designer extraordinaire! Osunkoya who is of Nigerian heritage was featured in our November 2007 wedding series, alongside the equally talented Amsale Aberra. Revisit his interview here.

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The 2009 Stanford University Africa Business Forum, "Africa as a Hotspot for Global Investment."

Harvard and Howard Universities have done a seemingly successful job alerting potential investors in the West, Africans and non-Africans alike, about Africa's many investment opportunities.

Stanford University follows suit with its upcoming 2009 Stanford University Africa Business Forum to be held May 2nd, which focuses on "Africa as a hotspot for global investment."

The designated keynote speaker for the event is Nkosana Moyo, Vice President of Africa Development Bank.

Visit Stanford's Africa Business Forum website to register or get more details.

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Adesiji aka "Siji", "Yearning for Home"

Like what you hear and see? visit Siji's site to learn more about him and purchase his music.
Artist: Adesiji

Label: IVY Records
Origin: Nigeria

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An African Art and Couture Benefit by All for Africa and nAscent Art

[Click on image to enlarge]

All for Africa and nAscent Art present an evening of

African Art and Couture to benefit All for Africa

Thursday April 30, 2009

6:30 pm to 9 pm

Cipriani's Private Members-only Club at 55 Wall St.


Enjoy an Open Bar, sponsored by Barterhouse

Hors d'Oeuvres sponsored by Cipriani's

Meet and Mingle with Founder, Board Members and attending Celebrities to include Djibrill Diallo, Jeff Johnson, Jeffrey Wright and Gbenga Akinnagbe

Buy and bid on original art and couture designs

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Africa Union to Adopt the Future Awards' Model

Congrats to the RedStrat Group, the organizers of Nigeria's prominent youth Award show, "the Future Awards." According to the press release we just received from Redstrat, the Africa Union, a successor of the Organization of African Unity, is an intergovernmental entity consisting fifty-three [53] African nations. The details follow:

"In recognition of the success of Nigeria’s most respected youth event: The Future Nigeria Awards; the Africa Union (AU), “in considering a best practice necessary for adaptation during the review of its ongoing Youth Innovative and Creative Awards”, last month moved to adopt strategy from The Future Awards to implement one of its key youth development strategies continent-wide.

Through its Department of Youth, Human Resources and Science and Technology, the AU organized a strategy review workshop on its proposed Africa Union Youth Volunteer Corp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the over 35 participants representing leaders of youth networks across Africa unanimously proposed to work with RedSTRAT (organizers of the Awards) to integrate the communication strategies that have had unprecedented success in capturing and sustaining the attention and buy-in of young people and the media in Nigeria.

RedSTRAT’s PR Director, Emilia Asim-Ita, was one of the three Nigerian representatives at the summit which was also facilitated by Emmanuel Etim, Winner in the Best Use of Advocacy category of the 2009 Awards. She was appointed to head the media committee for the entire project.

“We were very excited to receive this news!” Asim-Ita remarked. “It holds a special significance to us, because The Future Awards is a proudly original Nigerian idea and model that has become a success over just four years. When we call Nigeria the ‘Giant of Africa’ it shouldn’t just be an empty phrase; this is the kind of leadership we should be showing the region. More importantly, this news goes to prove what we have always said – that our generation is able and ready to re-direct Nigeria positively.”

In a related development, another member of the RedSTRAT team, Chude Jideonwo, was selected by the United States government to represent Nigeria at the recently-concluded International Visitors Leadership Programme in March/April. Jideonwo, selected based on work with The Future Nigeria Awards, was one of 25 youth leaders chosen from every continent of the world to meet with US political, government, social, academic and youth leaders across more than five states.

Created and managed by three young Nigerians under the ages of 25, The Future Nigeria Awards is the most popular arm under The Future Nigeria Project (www.thefuturenigeria.com), which seeks to develop young Nigerians and empower them in terms of skills, inspiration and positive change. Over the years, it has proven to be one of Nigeria’s most popular and effective youth platforms, working with a Board of Trustees including Prof. Pat Utomi, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Dr. Rasheed Gbadamosi, Mr. Bayo Ligali, amongst others. The 2009 edition had as keynote speaker the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole."

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VIP Launch Party for "Fashion for Peace," Kenya 2009

Last year, Kenya's fashion community including models and designers joined forces through the event, "Fashion for Peace," to show creativity and solidarity in the face of adversity, the post-election violence that took place in Kenya.

This year, while a post election violence is no longer at issue, the producers of the event have decided to carry on with the "Fashion for Peace" event. They are kicking things off with a VIP Launch party which will be held April 22nd, 2009 at the Hotel Tribe in Kenya. In addition, "Fashion for Peace" has a strong line up of designers that now include local and inter-continental African designers: Arapapa, Betty Vanetti, Doreen Mashika, John Kaveke, Kiko Romeo, Patricia Mbela, Kofi Ansah, Tiffany Amber and Thula Sindi.

VIP LAUNCH PARTY DETAILS
Date: April 22nd, 2009
Location: Tribe, the Village Market Hotel
RSVP: mpe(at)tribehotel-kenya.com

2008 FASHION FOR PEACE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

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Branding the "Koko" with D'Banj's "Koko Mansion Reality TV Show"

From shows like the Apprentice, American idols, Big Brother, Deal or No Deal to America's Next Top Model, African nations and specifically Nigeria, have made it trendy to purchase these American/Western franchises to produce their own derivatives, following the format of the franchisors. Nigeria/Africa's music superstar D'Banj is breaking the trend by orchestrating his own reality TV show called 'Koko Mansion.'

Yes per the details provided to us, it is just like any other reality show i.e. twelve [12] girls will reside in a lavish mansion and go through various obstacles/activities/tasks with one emerging as the ultimate 'Kokolette.' However, what makes it intriguing from a business standpoint is the fact that D'Banj, owner of the "Koko" brand, believes and understands his brand, his brand's values and is deviating from the norm by establishing his own reality TV show. Talk about being a pacesetter!

We presume with D'Banj pioneering a different route to huge success, other successful African brands in the fashion and entertainment world will follow suit; not thinking they necessarily have to purchase a USA/Europe Franchise to brand themselves. The details on the show follow:

"Koko Mansion is a reality TV show Exclusively aired on HiTV beginning on the 1st of June.

It comprises 12 girls who will reside in a state-of –the-art mansion in Lagos City, while living lavishly as any Kokolette should. During these weeks, the young women will be groomed and tested in various Diva tasks and activities in order to determine the one with the greatest Koko Virtues.

Don’t get it twisted! A Kokolette is a “Fully endowed woman with intellectual property” likened to the “Betty Irabor’s” and “Nike Oshinowo’s” of today.

The show will exclusively portray the true lifestyle of the principal Character – D’Banj as a celebrity with a lot of razzmatazz.

The Kokolette who emerges as the winner will win:
• A Chris Aires Diamond ring,
• A brand new convertible car and N5million
• Most importantly, the winner will be D’Banjs Kokolette for one full year and will be his companion at public events both within and outside Nigeria."

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