I Am African And I Can: February 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Hawa Barry-Diallo

Former Model's Dream Becomes a Dream Come True for Young Guinean Women

What began as a wish to see a photo of herself in Amina Magazine, at the age of 14, oozed into embarking on a modeling career, to today being a role model to many. Hawa Barry-Diallo is the face behind Miss Guinea North America, and is molding young Guinean women to reach their highest potential.

Launched in 2009, Miss Guinee North America (MGNA) is more than a pageant. It is a groundbreaking platform where sisterhood, partnership and self-worth is garnered.

Pageant girls, perceived as invigoratingly beautiful, stylish, persuasive, with a killer walk and smile. When they are ushered off the stage, this is what Mrs. Diallo wants to know from the crowned Miss, "after the pageant, what are you going to do?"

"I want to be a big sister, a role model," expressed Mrs. Diallo.

Since the launch of MGNA, she has been exactly that to the pageant girls, a big sister and role model.

"During pageant week, she took us out to dinner and gave us advice, just like a sister. Even after the pageant she's been supporting me with projects that I do outside of Miss Guinee," said Fatoumata Diabate, the current Miss, about Mrs. Diallo.

The person who takes home the MGNA crown earns traveling opportunities, is pampered with beautiful designer clothing, and has the utmost support and guidance from Mrs.Diallo, the other three boards of directors, and the entire MGNA team when she decides to start her not for profit organization.

Although not all of the contestants get to be the recipient of a 1000-$3000 US Dollar scholarship, what they all walk away with is a polished look and sense of security in them --a priceless package which will serve them wonders throughout life.

A polished look and security in herself is something that the former model always embodied. And for that, people have always pleaded her to consider a modeling career.

"You are so beautiful," said a woman Mrs. Diallo met in the 90s, in Philadelphia, before she decided to officially move to New York and dedicate her time to modeling. "I hope to see you in a magazine one day."

In 1999, Mrs. Diallo got a taste of the American Dream, as she "landed her first big time paid job after only being in the US modeling industry for 3 months."

"I'm just a normal girl from Guinea. I can't believe I'm standing next to all these people," said the former model with disbelief.

At the time, she competed with hundreds of other talented individuals, but something about her stood out.

She became a sought after model, snatching away every job opportunity there was with her dazzling beauty and got-to-have-it attitude.

Agencies loved her, the camera loved her, and so did her fans. Just at the crux of her modeling career, the Guinean beauty decided to leave it all behind, settle down and start a family.

Her friends and colleagues thought she was out of her mind for making the decision to drop modeling. But as Mrs. Diallo put it, "I don't regret it."

She'd taken off a robe that brought her publicity and put on a robe that gave her the might to empower young women.

"As long as you do something to make a difference, you are giving back," Mrs. Diallo said.

All aspects of her life mirror a desire to make a difference. The former model, also, for 12 years has been co-owner of EZ Rehab Solutions, a Maryland-based Physical Therapy clinic.

While these young women have had their taste of stardom after joining the MGNA pageant, the spotlight goes to Mrs. Diallo, the woman who has used every bit of fiber in her to help young Guinean women tap into who they are destined to be: beautiful, grounded and inspired to succeed.

A Glimpse of Mrs. Diallo's World

"I'm just a normal girl from Guinea. I can't believe I'm standing next to all these people."- Mrs. Diallo

Photographer: Jeff Gamble

"I was always naturally confident."-Mrs. Diallo

Photographer: Jeffrey Gamble

" I talked to top editors, went to top parties, and featured in top magazines."-Mrs.Diallo

Mrs. Diallo featured in a Target campaign

Mrs. Diallo in NV Magazine

Mrs. Diallo in Amina Magazine

Topic: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Dudley Cosmetics Ad

Mrs.Diallo with American actor Danny Glover

"I always loved fashion."-Mr.Diallo

Photographer: Jeffrey Gamble

Mrs. Diallo featured in Essence Magazine

Mrs. Diallo featured in NV Magazine

African-American Hispanic Bridal Show, NY

Mrs. Diallo at Macy's Fashion show in Manhattan, NY

Mrs. Diallo at the National Press Club in Washington, DC

The 9th Annual Women in Excellence Award

Mrs.Diallo in Guinea, Conakry, where she was awarded for her leadership, on 24 May 2013

Mrs. Diallo with Guinean musician Salif Keita

Mrs. Diallo with Ike Leggett, Montgomery County Executive

Mrs. Diallo at the White House with Arne Duncan, U.S Secretary of Education

Giving Back: Her Trip to Guinea (01/01/14)

"Children are a gift from god, let's take care of them."-Mrs. Diallo

"As a determined Guinean woman to see Guinee change for the better, I strongly believe that the change will not be achieved without selflessly investing in our youth today and strengthening the base with quality Education, leadership, empowerment and Patriotism."-Mrs. Diallo

The Miss Guinee North America logo

Ways to reach Mrs. Diallo:

Instagram: queenb2343

Facebook: Hawa Barry Diallo / Miss Guinee North America Pageant

Monday, February 17, 2014

Phumelele Kunene

From Working for Her Boss to Being Her Own Boss

While some people go into 'crying mode' after being laid off, others --like Phumelele Kunene-- use that time to start a business. The tears she shed after being laid off were not tears of self-pity, but joy and liberation.

"That was the best thing that ever happened to me at the time, because I wanted to launch my business," said Kunene.

At 12 p.m., employees usually have one thing in the back of their mind --lunch-- not being laid off.

On 7 January 2013, at noon, nearly 1000 JPMorgan Chase & Co. employees were laid off. Kunene, a research analyst for JPMorgan Chase at the time, saw the heavens open up. In her mind she was free, free to finally be her own boss.

"I feel like my father groomed me to think like an entrepreneur," Kunene explained.

In the 90s, Kunene worked as bookkeeper at her father's law firm in Swaziland.

Not only did her father hire her because she was competent and trustworthy, he felt that experience in bookkeeping would enable Kunene to do her own bookkeeping when she decided to become an entrepreneur.

Today, Kunene is indeed an entrepreneur. She launched her clothing line BlackPhumelele, on 20 February 2013. And only a month after the birth of BlackPhumelele, she made an appearance on NBC Today Show.

The name BlackPhumelele is a marriage of two powerful words.

She incorporated her name Phumelele (which in her native language, Siswati, means success), and black to empower black entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.

Kunene feels that fashion is an expression of who you are without saying it. And, that fashion breaks through cultural barriers.

If fashion is an expression of who we are, then Kunene's long dreadlocks that fall to her back certainly is an expression of who she is --fierce and audacious.

Kunene studied marketing management at IMM Graduate School, in South Africa. Notably, she had no background education in fashion design prior to launching her clothing line.

"I thought that designing was just a dream, but once I used the sewing machine, I became inspired."

Raw talent, self-drive and dedication gave Kunene the force to build a solid home-based business.

BlackPhumelele designs are suitable for the business woman who is adventurous. Hard and soft textile are merged to give the woman a sensual, edgy and feminine look.

When she custom designs attire for her clients, she adds elements of who they are, so that they, too, can feel they've contributed to the creation of a beautiful and unique garment.

Because Kunene is self-employed, she has the luxury of time. No waking up at 6 a.m. to turn off an alarm, and no relying on a 9 to 5 to secure her finances. She's a boss!

"You want to do something that you love to do and not feel like you are going to work," Kunene said with a gentle smile that would soften even the heart of a criminal.

The designer's raw talent is not only drawing cash flow into her bank account, it is also helping her preserve it, for whatever she wants to wear, she can design for herself.

Not a 10-foot long chain, a Dodge Brothers truck, nor the force of gravity can pull down Kunene, because her attitude towards life and success is unshakable.

"I know that when I say something, it goes that way, I also know that if I don't take any action things won't move," the South African designer reassured.

Although Kunene enjoys the luxury of being her own boss, she is working tenaciously behind the scenes because in two years, she plans on having her designs in Bergdorf Goodman, a high-end store located on Fifth Avenue.

"Know your why," the entrepreneur advised. "When you are connected to your why, you will have an easier time accomplishing your goals."

A Glimpse of Kunene's World

Kunene on the runway

The Real Women, Real Fashion event in NYC, hosted by fashion designer Derek Fabulous

BlackPhumelele Designs

BlackPhumelele Fashion Shoot at Brooklyn Bridge Park (May 2013)

"I love adding soft details to hard fabrics to finish a look."-Kunene

"I love prints and grew up around trees, nature and rough terrain in Swaziland."-Kunene

More of BlackPhumelele designs

"I love simple, classy silhouette lace. It has this softness and delicate appeal; it speaks to femininity."-Kunene

BlackPhumelele Collection

Kunene at Bottomless Closet event, receiving an award for successfully developing and launching her own business

Voices of Zen launch in Brooklyn, a guided meditation product for women who have lost an expectant child, authored and recorded by Sonia Daly

Kunene with American entrepreneur and former fashion model Kimora Lee Simmons

Kunene at the South African General consul, a cocktail celebration honoring South African designer David Tlale's successful participation of the New York Spring 2014 fashion week

Kunene attending the annual Dress For Success gala at the NYC Hyatt hotel, where she was one of the success ambassadors for 2012

"Never take 'no' from anybody."-Kunene

Ways to reach Kunene:

Twitter: Blackphumelele
Instagram: Blackphumelele

Facebook: BlackPhumelele

Monday, February 10, 2014

Fatima Sesay

'Inside the Diaspora with Fatima'

No One Is Excluded

Straight out of the hurdles the civil war inflected upon Sierra Leone, Fatima Sesay found herself waking up in New York City, where dreams are embedded in skyscrapers. She escaped war, and now is living her dream.

'Are you sure that's what you're going to do? You're not going to make money.' These words were splashed on Sesay's face over and over as she crossed the bridge to self-discovery, simply because she chose to follow a different path; she chose to be a journalist.

"At the end of the day, it's not about where you work, it's about how you present yourself," said Sesay, the young woman who decided to become a journalist instead of a doctor, lawyer, or an engineer --professions which African parents would rather see their sons/daughters pursue.

Despite people's effort to discourage her from pursing her dream, Sesay managed to graduate from Lehman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Journalism, and is even more determined to return this Fall to complete her Masters in Media Studies.

Sesay's journey has been a tug-of-war. She faced an army of people who were devoted to making her give up, but her determination alone was enough man power to make them give in.

Even though there are people who are not happy with the career she has chosen for herself, this is what Sesay feels for others: "I love seeing people do what makes them happy."

The Sierra Leonean journalist works at Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc. as Social Media Manager, and is the official host and producer of "Inside the Diaspora with Fatima."

"'Inside the Diaspora with Fatima' showcases the life and time of people in the diaspora, be it they are from Africa or that they have a personal connection to the Continent and its advancement."

When asked why she introduced "Inside the Diaspora" to the public, the online-show host responded: I felt like there was a lack of connection with the African Diaspora.

Sesay communicated that she is "all about being inclusive," and feels the need to not only showcase events pertaining to Africans in the diaspora, but also "bridge the gap between Africans and African-Americans."

She wants her viewers to understand that "we all go through the same struggles, just in different ways."

Viewers can expect to see on the show social event coverage, music from the diaspora, in-door interviews (highlighting people who are doing positive things), out-door interviews (street trivia) where 'strangers' are asked questions and are expected to give responses without having preparation beforehand.

"You don't have to be a billionaire or Oprah to make a difference," Sesay said thoughtfully.

Everything about the journalist radiates fun and appreciation for life. From the bright colors she wears, to the glow in her eyes when she talks about things that matter, to her warm and welcoming laughter.

John Jay Graduate Marie Toure defined: "Fatima has a TV personality; she can enlighten the room when she walks in and make everyone laugh."

Thus far, only five episodes have been produced and over 3000 viewers tune in to experience what the show has to offer.

Fungai Maboreke, presenter and reporter for Sahara TV, believes"'Inside The Diaspora' will give Africans, African-Americans, Caribbean and others a closer incite on African issues regarding, politics, religion, sport and entertainment. The platform is like a bedrock of the realization and potential of the contribution of Africans in the specific sectors of society."

If you think that Sesay's dreams are big, she's about to pop your lid because this woman has even bigger dreams. In the years to come, she envisions starting her very own media company, an NGO (non-governmental organization) that will provide academic support to students in impoverished African countries, and even considers taking up an acting career.

"Inside the Diaspora with Fatima" does its job in that it paints Africa's image positively, but Sesay enunciated that if Africans unite, the image or perception of Africa will be embellished in the long run.

"We have to stop discriminating against each other. Imagine the impact we would have on the world if all Africans came together."