Hananatu Tunis

One Million 'P.A.D.S' for One Million Girls

The girl who once lacked confidence has transformed into a woman vested with abounding confidence. This woman, Hananatu Tunis, is now empowering one girl at a time.

When Tunis walks in a room, she effortlessly captivates attention. She's petite in size, but don't for a second underestimate her mental strength.

The 25-year-old humanitarian is the celebrated mind behind "One Million Girls." She launched the campaign October, 2013 to help young girls in developing African countries feel dignified, by providing them both sanitary products and training on self-confidence.

Her experience as a pageant girl, Miss Liberia U.S, Miss Africa U.S, and Miss Intercultural, paved the way for all the projects she had brought to life.

"When I look back, I always felt the need to reach out," said Tunis.

As a young girl, Tunis subconsciously wanted to become a humanitarian. She believes that the actions she took earlier throughout middle school and high, foreshadowed the humanitarian work that she is doing today.

"HT, is someone who I consider a trailblazer and a visionary of her time," expressed Elisa Perkins, M.Ed., Student Affairs Professional at The University of Texas at San Antonio. "It has been inspiring to watch her perfect her craft through projects like 'One Million Girls,' this woman is going to places!"

Since the launch of "P.A.D.S" (Prepared and Driven for Success), approximately 2000 pads have been dispatched to Monrovia, Liberia, all with the help of friends, family and supporters.

A pad, represents femininity. Through the "P.A.D.S" project, young girls are educated on taking care of themselves.

So, what propelled this self-starter to launch a project with a platform to "empower, educate and energize the girl child?"

Tunis, is a leader who leads from the front. She travels all the way to the Continent of Africa to distribute the sanitary items, and  also to inject some of her confidence in the girls.

Her confidence is contagious. She wanted to touch girls all over the world, but her first destination had to be Liberia, where her parents are from.

Upon her arrival, Tunis stands before a room filled with girls waiting to hear about "One Million Girls." She gives a lengthy and meaningful speech about why she's there, gets to know the girls, shares her story, then begins the workshop.

During the workshop, the girls are introduced to "Love the Skin You're In," a creative tool Tunis and friend Serena Mohamed came up with to help the "One Million Girls" embrace their beauty.

Beauty, according to Tunis, is not solely defined by external attractiveness, it is a feeling we get from looking at someone from within.

The girls also do a magazine exercise, where they waddle between pages searching for images of women they "think" are beautiful and give explanations as to why they find those women beautiful.

Once the girls have come up with their own definition of beauty, Tunis reiterates her perception.

At the end of the workshop, the "One Million Girls" do a mirror activity, where they look at themselves in a mirror and talk about what they see. The girls are also given the chance to walk the run way --in the classroom-- and show off their anew and empowered self. They will, by then, have a clear understanding of how they should see themselves and the world.

Tunis' mission, is to empower the girls to the point where once they walk out of the classroom, they can also empower other girls. According to the founder of "One Million Girls," this, is how one million girls will be touched.

Granted, the young girls not only walk away with sanitary items, they walk away with power. The power to influence other girls.

Tunis founded a non-profit organization, "FashPhenomenon," on 4 September 2009. She calls it her "first baby," because it was introduced to the public before "One Million Girls." "FashPhenomenon" gives way for girls to express themselves through fashion.

2014 is off to a good start for Tunis. She terminated her studies at St. John's University, with a major in public relations and minor in public address.

Originality, grace, confidence, she has it all.

This young, driven humanitarian is "building an empire of service." She aspires to serve the homeless, and also is working on a project geared towards promoting the business woman. The door to success is wide open. Tunis, will be marching fiercely through the door of success alongside her one million girls.

A Glimpse of Tunis' World

Tunis posing with her pageant sisters

Spreading the word about her cause

"One Million Girls"

04/24/2013

Tunis at St. John's University introducing "P.A.D.S for Kenya" 

 She partnered with the Student Government Association to raise sanitary products for women and girls in Kenya

Launch of "P.A.D.S for Kenya"

(L-R) Jaamal Brown, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs & Leadership, Tunis, David Gachigo, Associate Dean of Student Life at St. John's University 

 Tunis in New York introducing FashPhenomenon's "Love the Skin You're In" workshop to a group of young women

 The founder proudly holding up a T-shirt of the "One Million Girls" logo

On 31 March 2012, Tunis received an "Excellence in Service" award from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's Rho Xi's Chapter 

(L-R) Tunis, Tunis' mom 

Tunis' P.A.D.S project earned her 2 awards from St. John's University (1st place in Business Plan Expo competition, and best Social Entrepreneurship plan)

Tunis was featured in Revlon's September 2011 issue as

"Revlon's Role Model of the Month"

Once a winner, always a winner

Tunis being crowned Miss Intercultural, 18 July 2009

Donations from "One Million Girls"

supporters

                                                                         

 Prideful and happy "One Million Girls" in Liberia showing off their sanitary kits

The Magazine Exercise

  The "One Million Girls" from Cathedral Catholic High School looking through magazines Tunis brought from the United States

A Proud Liberian

  Ways to reach Tunis:

Twitter: @Heyits_hana

Instagram: @Heyits_hana

YouTube: Hana T

Facebook: Hanatu T. Tunis

Mohamed Dione

  How Do You Like Your 'Maffé Tiga' Cooked?

Mohamed Dione isn't biologically related to Celine Dion, but his talent will touch millions, as did Celine Dion. His films ignite a sense of appreciation for humanity and serve as a moral compass to Africans living in the diaspora.

Dione is best known in the Guinean community for his film "Maffé  Tiga" (Peanut Butter Stew), which he wrote, directed, and starred in.

The short, fiction film was produced to share the beauty of Guinean culture, but also to dismiss a myth which is believed to have caused discrimination between tribes for generations.

"Growing up, maffé tiga was my favorite dish," recalled Dione. "But, I never understood why my family didn't want me to eat maffé tiga from 'other people.'"

The myth entails, some Guinean women can make any man fall in love with them by adding in their sauce a recipe called 'gnamou djodho,' which in Fula means 'eat and sit'--indicating that, once the man eats the meal, he'll be hooked on the woman.

The analogy is that, parents  want their sons to be wary about eating food cooked by women  of a different tribe, because they don't want a marriage between differing tribes.

Although this myth appears rather absurd, according to the creator of the film 'Maffé Tiga,' he produced it because to this day, many wholeheartedly believe in the myth and confirm that it works.

"Maffé Tiga" was Dione's first shot at directing, so he wanted to share a piece of him that would educate Africans on loving each other despite tribal differences.

Dione's high school English teacher, Kathleen Wood, overtly said, "I love the REALITY of 'Maffé  Tiga,' the raw emotion in the cultural tapestry, and no doubt, I love my 'kid' acting out his script."

Throughout high school, he developed interest in theater, which moved him to later study it in college.

Dione, 27, began acting at the tender age of seven, when he came to the United States.

Oreo-like complexion, bubbly smile, venerable presence, and a height akin to that of a Rose Gum tree--these external traits set him apart from others.

One awakening moment in his acting career was, in 2005, when he auditioned for a film called "Freedom Writers," and did not get the role. After not getting in "Freedom Writers," he got a role in "Law and  Order," with Whoopi Goldberg playing his mother, which opened doors for him.

"That's when I realized [acting] is no joke," Dione admitted.

Nonetheless, he kept pursing his passion. He enjoys what he does and will use that art to change the world.

Dione has other projects. He is working on his documentary "Going Home: Guinea Conakry," which features Guinean poet and musician Gallice Jr. "Homeless," a 7-minute film about two friends who meet a homeless man at a park and learn something from him that change their lives.

He's starring in a film "Theory of Conflict," which should be out later this year. Also, Dione recently traveled to Guinea to act in a French and Guinean film called "The Moon Has Fallen." He has acted in American films, TV shows, plays and commercials.  Like "Restless City," "Across the Universe," "NYC 22," "Chappelle's Show" and many more. 

When asked, 'who is Mohamed Dione?' He responded, "I find out about myself every day."

"I thought I liked the cold," he said while looking out the window, "but I don't like the cold anymore," he laughed.

Similar to Lupita Nyong'o, Dione is son to a Guinean diplomat, and was born in a country many would probably never imagine him being born--Saudi Arabia.

What is the likelihood of these two actors/directors one day coincidentally meeting at a local Starbucks in Hollywood and reminisce about their identical upbringing?

"There's Facebook, there's Twitter," Dione listed. "But nothing beats talking to someone face-to-face."

He appreciates traveling because it permits him to meet people from all walks of life, which is important for an actor, since "acting  is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances."

Whether people watch Dione's films because they identify with his character, or they find them entertaining, he is humbled when people invest their time and money into his films.

The Guinean/Senegalese star said that, some people don't always love a movie the first time they watch it. Sometimes, only when they watch it several times do they grow fond of it.

"I used to want people to love my films, but now I just want them to taste the cake and decide for themselves if they like it or not," said the maffé tiga lover. "All a filmmaker can ask is that you watch his film. That is victory."

A Glimpse of Dione's World

 Dione at the Young African Leadership Symposium, on the Entertainment and Technology boom panel

 A Still Shot From "Conflict of Theory"

A Still Shot From "Going Home: Guinea Conakry"

Dione at Columbia University receiving  an excellence award from Promo Guinée and Action Guinea for his film "Maffé Tiga" Peanut Butter Stew

Dione in Lagos, Nigeria for the  2012 Africa Academy Movie Awards (AAMA)

Dione and Ghanaian actor Majid Michel

You can watch "Maffé Tiga" (Peanut Butter Stew) here:

<iframe class="snag-films-embedded-player" width="500" height="281" src="http://embed.snagfilms.com/embed/player?filmId=0000013b-04d1-dee7-ad3b-1ed16dc40000" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

 

Ways to reach Dione:

Twitter: @MrchocolatChaud

Instagram: mrchocolatchaud

YouTube: Mohamed Dione

Facebook: Mohamed Dione

Ousman Diallo

Bringing Imagination to Life

Roses are red violets are blue, if Ousman Diallo can own his craft so can you. In the midst of harvesting his garden, the Guinean artist found love in poetry and photography.

The moment Diallo came to the realization that it was indeed time to explore the world of photography, was when he haphazardly checked his iPhone one day, only to find that he could no longer take photos --his memory card was full.

Taking matters into his own hands, Diallo decided to purchase his very first camera, a Canon Rebel camera. Since the day he locked eyes with her, the only other beauty he remained faithful to is poetry, his first love.

Diallo had been pursing poetry since the fifth grade.

Today, he is working on his Masters completion in photography and design at Syracuse University.

After picking up his Bachelor's in computer information and technology from Syracuse University, in 2012, he picked up a flight to Italy.

During his 6-month stay in Italy,  he got a more international perspective of how America is looked at.

Perspective. Perspective is exactly what Diallo's admirers draw from analyzing his work.

"Ousman's work in all aspects reflects a deep sense of compassion and generosity," said Mike Choi, filmmaker and co-founder at Auxygen, a creative and design firm. "His work elevates spiritual consciousness and touches base on social biases of the people in the world."

One can only imagine Diallo's reaction to receiving an overflowing amount of weekly messages from people who express to him how his art has "some type of affect on them."

Diallo's writing is a reflection of his personality, laid-back and conversational. He writes about things he has the authority/perspective to write about. Then, performs what is perceived as "serious," in a not-so-serious way.

"People like what I say and how I say it," said Diallo.

The best part of creating, Diallo proclaimed, is when he's done; coming up with an idea in his head and making it happen. Then, sharing it with friends, who also end up sharing with their friends.

Pat McGowan, co-founder at Auxygen, who also specializes in graphic and industrial design, said that Diallo's work reminds him those who mind don't matter, and those who matter mind.

"His fearless approach motivates all of us to keep constantly creating," McGowan revealed.

For Diallo to Keep being productive and inspired, he spends a lot of time alone, reading biographies of 16th century poets and painters.

Diallo finds pleasure in photographing: architectural, journalistic, fashion work, and portraits.

As he explained, the difference between an amateur photographer and a professional photographer is that, " a professional photographer knows what he's doing; he has a vision and he knows how to make it happen."

An amateur photographer would sporadically pick up his camera and photograph friends. Whereas, a professional photographer would frequently receive offers from prestigious names like Vogue to do photo shoots, and a history channel to film a documentary.

What's next for Diallo?

He wants his photography skills to reach the next level. He also hopes that Auxygen, a company he helped co-found, keeps growing because the company has a group of  top-notch designers who are willing to take their creativity to the next level.

A Glimpse of Diallo's World:

Diallo performing poetry

Musical performance

Diallo after winning 2nd place at a poetry competition

A photo shot by Diallo

"Someone I knew once told me I probably don't have an eye for fashion photography...well sir, these steps are for you."- Diallo

"The only difference between a photographer and a painter is we use light as our canvas."-Diallo

Diallo studying photography in Italy

Diallo with American actress Gabrielle Union

Diallo with American singer, songwriter, actor John Legend

Ways to reach Diallo:

Vimeo: Ousman Richard Diallo

YouTube: Ousman D

Facebook: Ousman Diallo
Website: http://www.ousmandiallo.com/gallery

Adeola Oladele-Fayehun

Corrupt African Leaders: You Can Run, but You Can't Hide!

Power can be used to change lives; it can also be used for selfish desires if not tamed. African politics has never been funnier. Individuals like Adeola Oladele-Fayehun are using comedy as a way to put corrupt African leaders under scrutiny.

Fayehun works at SaharaTV, where she is the host of "Keeping It Real With Adeola," a weekly satire show that brings African politics to the surface. 

In 2007, she earned her BA in Mass Communication from Olivet College, and in 2008 her Masters in broadcast journalism from the City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism. 

The journalist started off working behind the scenes, then moved her way up to hosting her very own weekly news show.

104 solid episodes of  "Keeping It Real With Adeola" and viewers are still begging for more.

Fayehun's online show attracts viewers from all parts of Africa (even non-Africans).

"Some viewers stopped watching the news because it was too depressing until they discovered 'Keeping It Real With Adeola."'

So, what is so unique about "Keeping It Real With Adeola" that made  a large and diverse audience start tuning in to watch the news again?

One word: entertainment.

No longer do viewers want to listen to news that is displayed in a tedious and monotonous tone. They want news, and they want it as real and entertaining as it comes. "Keeping It Real With Adeola" does just that.

"I wanted to do African news, but did not  want to do what everyone else was doing," she said.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she jokingly said: "I'm not dead yet."

Then, she went on to explain how she wants people to remember her as someone who spoke up and kept people informed in an entertaining manner.

Throughout the week, Fayehun spends a great deal of her time and energy preparing newsworthy topics. She tends to look for bizarre stories, funny stories, but at large, stories that affect people.

She deliberately breaks down stories in a way that people can relate to them. Needless to say, it doesn't all unravel in a snap-of-a-finger. All week long she's researching, writing scripts, editing videos just in time to publish her masterpiece on Saturday.

Fayehun wants Africans to care about what's going on --not just in their respective counties-- but also what's going on in other countries.

She pointed, "whether people care about politics or not, it affects their lives. So why not care?"

Although the Nigerian-born journalist covers a lot of Nigerian-related news, she brings in news about other African countries because, "everything that affects one African country can affect other African countries."

Fayehun assured that if corruption is taken care of in Africa, everything else will fall into place.

If some of the corrupt African leaders were to tune in to watch "Keeping It Real With Adeola," they'd probably be ashamed because Fayehun does not sugarcoat anything, she keeps it real.



"[African leaders] need to take care of their people. They need to understand that they are there to serve the people, and not to enrich themselves," said the host of "Keeping It Real With Adeola."

A Glimpse of Fayehun's World:

    Fayehun interviewing Nigerian musician Yinka Ayefele

    Fayehun with artist Akon

Fayehun was interviewed on "The Stream" on 30 December 13

(Left) Malika Bilal, Fayehun, Femi Oke (Right)

Ways to reach Fayehun on social media:

Twitter: @AdeolaFayehun

Facebook: Adeola Fayehun