Community

2017 has been a year of highs and lows for me but definitely one where I have learnt an awful lot from these experiences and from you. Below is a month by month summary of MisBeee Writes' Year in Review with the months displayed in Fante and Twi.    January:  Sanda-Ɔpɛpɔn   The year started off strong with a powerful interview from Tabom descendent Kai Lutterodt. Kai can trace her Ghanaian heritage six generations back to Brazil and has family connections to Brazil House in Jamestown.  Her story was not only an inspiration for me but spurred readers with Ghanaian heritage to get in touch and share their own journeys of tracing their family history back to Brazil. Kai Lutterodt and Brazilian friends - sourced from Kai   Autism awareness campaigner Venessa Bobb works tirelessly in the UK to dispel myths surrounding the condition in Black communities. This piece in the Voice was designed to keep this awareness going.   Never give...

Three years ago (in June 2014), I was on the verge of walking out of ' Belle ' - the second film by award-winning British-Ghanaian director Amma Asante. This film was inspired by a painting in Kenwood House, Hampstead, London, which featured Dido Elizabeth Belle - a biracial woman born to enslaved African Maria Belle and English officer Admiral Sir John Lindsay in Jamaica in 1761. Dido and Elizabeth in the Zoffany-inspired painting The painting is particularly striking because unlike many from that time, which showed black and Asian people in subservient positions next to their white counterparts, Belle holds almost equal status to her white cousin Elizabeth. I say almost because although both ladies are dressed finely, Belle is positioned ever so slightly behind her cousin.  The difference is subtle but that, for me, is the story of Belle's life! She does not quite fit into any complete narrative, and inconsistencies in her life story, position her as a powerfu...

Imagine the stories, the knowledge and the political, economic and social oversight you would have if – like lawyer and journalist Dr Feyi Ogunade – you had travelled to 53 African countries?  Dr Ogunade’s travels across the continent have been largely due to him working for the African Union. During his travels he has fought for the rights of Black Mauritanians to remain in their country after the government ordered their expulsion in the late 80s.  African Union logo He is now working to develop a watchdog body that aims to monitor and ensure the African Union delivers on its set objectives. I spoke to him to learn more about his experiences, which has been broken down into three podcasts. I n the final and third podcast instalment here , Dr Ogunade talks about the rise of Asian investment across Africa, the controversial topic of homosexuality and its place on the continent and his future business plans. You can catch up on the previous two podcasts bel...

...And do North Africans identify more with the Middle East or Africa? These are just some of the questions lawyer and journalist Dr Feyi Ogunade fielded in this podcast . Dr Ogunade has managed to visit all but one of the African countries on the continent. His visits have largely been linked to his work with the African Union. This podcast is the second in three installments and charts his experiences of visiting 53 African countries. The music featured in this podcast is called 'Di Asempa' and comes from Atakora Manu & His Sound Engineers. For the first podcast, click:  Exploring the continent’s diversity For more posts like this, click Vlog: Azania - exploring cultural unity across ancient Africa And  What is the capital of Africa All comments are welcome on this page. If you are having trouble posting on the Google+ page, please share your views via Facebook  here , tweet @MisBeee or on Instagram @misbeee Please be aware that you m...

Too many times, I have heard the African continent described as a country with one homogeneous ethnic group. Considering that the continent is 30.4 million square metres (m2) in size, dwarfing Russia at 17.1m2, according to Nature America , and easily swallows up China, India, the US and most of Europe, isn't it about time her true might is reflected properly? I recently met a man who, through his work and in his spare time, has visited 53 of the 54 countries recognised by the African Union. It may have taken him 25 years but his experiences have helped to give him a more balanced appreciation of the continent, her people and the politics. In the first of three podcast instalments here , l awyer and journalist Dr Feyi Ogunade  talks candidly about nation building and corruption and tells us some of his favourite cuisines and destinations. This podcast is based on questions from MisBeee Writes readers. Music in this podcast is ...