Andre Junior Mekinda Mekinda

'Finding Your Way in USA'

A Guide From An Immigrant to Immigrants

Learning to integrate in a new country can be a concern to many who decide to emigrate. When Andre Junior Mekinda Mekinda landed in America from his native land Cameroon, he learned to adapt to a country which was foreign to him and then published a book which serves as a simple-guide in helping immigrants adapt to America. 

"Most people don't understand what I do until they see the actual product," said Mekinda, author of "Ready for America: The Practical Guide to Finding Your Way in USA."

The book helps new-comers understand health insurance, employment, rules and regulations, the education, finance, and transportation system  in America. 

One month after arriving in the United States with a scholarship granted to him by the U.S. Department of State (June 17, 2012) was when Mekinda decided to work on a book that was destined to facilitate the lives of many immigrants in America. Call it a coincidence, or just plain destiny, but on the exact day two years later (June 17, 2014), Mekinda received from his publisher a copy of "Ready for America." He had gone through countless of trials and errors, and at times even 'give up' flashed before his eyes, but he kept reminding himself of the task at hand, his 'million-dollar' project. His hard work paid off in a form of a book.

The author explained that, "so many people are disappointed when arriving in America because they don't know what to do. In any transition in life, you need someone to hold your hand...there are important things that you need to know in the beginning."

That someone is Mekinda. He published "Ready for America" to give immigrants a shortcut. His book is a result of all the issues that he had gone through when he first arrived in the United States. He wants to "fix issues he faced."

One of the issues Mekinda faced in the beginning was commuting. The transportation system was, overall, confusing. The map did not make life easy for him; getting lost was a routine. So what did he include in his book? A map that he took the time to draw himself. It is creative and simpler than the one presently available to the public. He said with a promising smile that, "if you are able to move around in New York, you will be able to move around in any other state."

"Creating is not easy. One of the things I admire about Mekinda is his creativity. He has fantastic ideas, and is devoted to push to the end," said Kevin Besseck --long-time friend of Mekinda-- in French.

Mekinda is involved in so many projects that sometimes one would wonder if he has more than 24 hours in a day. But just like everyone else, he has 24 hours in a day. Like a clown's ability to juggle different balls simultaneously, one of Mekinda's talents is being able to creatively and tactfully juggle different projects  at once with excellence. 

"Ready for America," a guide which was brought to life by an immigrant who chose to learn from his experiences and create a pathway to facilitate the lives of many who decide to make America their second home, will be translated to French, Spanish,  Arabic and Mandarin.  Mekinda's goal is to have his book catch the attention of the State Department and to seal a promising contract with them. With over "50 million" people coming into America yearly, when the deal goes through, Mekinda will have the ultimate taste of the American Dream. 

A Glimpse of Mekinda's World

"I am a problem solver. I specialize in providing solutions. If you have a problem and need a solution, I'm here."-Mekinda

 "I'm somebody who wants to help make changes."-Mekinda

In 2009, Mekinda created Dream Kamer Image (DKI) -- a creation that was intended to re-brand the image of Cameroon by capturing beautiful images of Cameroon and having them printed on T-shirts. Also in 2009, he founded his non-profit organization (Drépano Solidaires) to raise awareness on Sickle Cell disease. In December 2011, he launched "Look, Listen, Learn," a project that was designed to help facilitate communication between farmers and engineers in Cameroon. In the first  9  days, he sold 2,500 DVDs and in 4 months more than 10,000

"Nothing stops me from achieving my goals."-Mekinda

In 2013, Mekinda was the only African to compete against individuals of different American universities in career planning in Agribusiness Management and Marketing Systems.He won 1st place.

"People should believe that the American Dream is possible.This country [the USA] is the land of dreams, where everything can happen."-Mekinda

Mekinda studied Law in Cameroon for 10 years and when he came to the United States, he decided to study Agribusiness and Technology for one year at Muscatine Community College, Iowa to expand his knowledge of agriculture. 

A Proud Cameroonian

"I have a list of 25 different solutions to major problems that can improve people's lives in Cameroon without spending billions."-Mekinda

Ways to Reach Mekinda:

YouTube: Junior Mekinda

Facebook: Junior Mekinda Mekinda

Email: Juniormekinda@gmail.com

Saran Kaba

 The Importance of Knowing

 Where You Come From

Tales have always held a special place in Saran Kaba's heart from childhood. They have kept her grounded and close-knit with her roots, and for that reason she took it upon herself to use storytelling to educate the youth on the importance of knowing where you come from.

Kaba is the author of "The Three Little Birds," a children's book about three little birds "that learn the hard way that when you're not united, things don't go as planned." She took a traditional tale shared by colleagues of her mother's  who had heard the strory growing up (originally from the Susu tribe), and added her own twist.

She was "the first to contribute a Guinean story to publishers: One Moore Book" and has received good-feedback since it was published. Several public schools have reached out to her asking to introduce her book to the youth and educate them on Guinean tradition. 

"[Guinean] culture is so strong in oral history; sharing stories will educate our kids," she said with a glow in her eyes and friendly smile.

Although Kaba was born in America, she speaks with never-ending appreciation for her connection to Guinea (where her father is from). As a teenager, she had the privilege of experiencing "the best of both worlds," living in both the United States and Guinea.

"It's very important to know where you come from," said Kaba. "That is what helps you decide what you want to do with your life."

Knowing where she came from and seeing Guinea's conditions during the time she resided there in the 90s, helped Kaba rest her head on becoming a philanthropist.  

She is the co-founder of Guinée Espoir, a New York-based non-profit organization. "Guinée Espoir (meaning Guinea Hope in French) is dedicated to promoting youth development in Guinea, West Africa. Guinée Espoir's vision is to create a lasting change in the lives of children living in Guinea by working to increase the access to education and addressing important topics such as healthcare and professional development. We work together with other organizations, local partners, and established groups, on projects aiming to better the lives of children in Guinea," explained Kaba.

Ihaku Ngokwey, a long-time friend of Kaba had this to say about her: "Saran is one of the strongest people I know. She's a very driven person...has a great work ethic, and is all about personal development, bettering herself."

Engulfed with a desire to show the world that moral values are instilled in Guinean tradition, and the passion for giving back, Kaba's journey has just begun, for she has plans of returning home to discover more stories to share with the world.

A Glimpse of Kaba's World

"I am obsessively determined...I talk about things and plan to make them happen."-Kaba

Kaba holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies from City College and a Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College

 

"If you don't ask for what you want, you will never get it...keep pushing and do what you can until you can't."-Kaba

"I know it sounds cliché, but I get my biggest pleasure from helping others."-Kaba

Since Kaba graduated in 2005, she has been working in the non-profit sector. Some of the organizations she has worked with include: Equality Now (an international women's rights organization), Foundation for Aids Research, Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, Ubuntu Education Fund, she is a co-founder of Guinée Espoir, and is now working at Center for Reproductive Rights 

"There are so many organizations out there with the same goals. Why don't we all talk to each other and make these projects happen together? If we work together, we can get these projects done quickly."-Kaba

Twins and Founders of Guinée Espoir

(L-R) Sarata Kaba-Fofana, Saran Kaba 

"I am very fortunate to work with my twin sister...it's amazing to have someone who has the same goals and vision as you... we make a good team because we're good at different things (I'm good at talking and she's good at planning)... we are go-getters, we never take 'no' for an answer."-Kaba

Ways to Reach Kaba

Facebook: Guinee Espoir/ Saran Kaba

Website: Guineeespoir.com

Email: Saran116@yahoo.com

Evelor Savior

An Angel Sent to Heal Mankind

When an angel descends, people's lives undergo a major transformation. When Evelor Savior, a native of Haiti and an angel sent from above, touched the face of Earth, her mission became: to heal mankind.

"My mission is to give people an option to free themselves," expressed Savior, an intuitive self-happiness mentor, certified energy healer, speaker and  author of "Stronger Than My Mistake," "Delicious, Joy, Love, and Self-Happiness," and "Happy Vagina Miracle."

Savior has always seen the world different from everyone else. She has an intuition comparable to having a third eye.

"Evelor has helped me uncover that all the love I need is in me. I am complete and all the rest is complementary or what I call gravy. [She] is very intuitive and wise for her age," said wellness and nutritional consultant Lorena Clark, about Savior. 

Savior has helped hundreds of people expand their happiness in different areas of their life: health, well-being, spiritual experience and self-awareness. If you are stuck in your life, her mission is to help you get unstuck. Savior is, indeed, a savior. 

With a powerful intuition she has had all her life and having spent over $30,000 in training to solidify her skills, Savior has what it takes to help anyone's life undergo a 360-degree transformation. 

There was a moment in Savior's life, when she was not in tuned with her intuition. Once she tapped into her intuition, everything changed, from how she feels to how she sees and feels about the world.

"Everything is based on how you feel about yourself. And, my job is to make people feel their best," explained Savior.

According to the energy coach, whatever is showing up in your life, it is because of what your energy is vibrating. If you are at a "high-frequency," you are attracting things at high frequency. If you are not happy, you are not attracting happy things. She adds that, when you make a transformation in one area of your life, it "manifests" into other areas.

In winter time, she might wear blonde hair, in spring red, in summer brunette, in fall black. If there were an extra season, she'd probably go for blue, as well. Everything Savior wears speaks volumes of who she is,  a woman who loves taking risks. A spontaneous woman. A woman who expresses herself freely and passionately. And a woman who believes in sharing her gift.

A Glimpse of Savior's World

"You are creating yourself every minute, every moment, and that's why it's important to be aware of how you're feeling...you need to be in tuned with who you are and why you are here."-Savior

"You are here to evolve and expand. If you don't want to expand, the universe challenges you."-Savior

In the past, Savior has done acting and modeling gigs for MTV, Spike TV, Fuse TV. She has movie credits from "Stomp the Yard" featuring Chris Brown, Megan Good and also "My Super Ex-girlfriend" featuring Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson

"A lot of people have routines. I don't have a routine. My ideal life is to be able to do whatever I want."-Savior

Savior interviewing Dwight Eubanks from  Atlanta Housewives

(L-R) Dwight Eubanks, Savior

Savior interviewing famous author Jeannie Trantel from Dr. Phill

(L-R) Savior, Jeannie Trantel 

"The purpose of life is to be happy daily."-Savior

"My biggest accomplishment is being able to help women feel sexy, healthy and striving phenomenally."-Savior

"I live in the moment. I love life in the moment...I get to create my life how I want it; I design my life."-Savior

Ways to Reach Savior:

Twitter: @EvelorSavior

Instagram: @evelorsavior

Facebook: Evelor Savior

Email: Evelormusic@gmail.com

Website: MyAngelicLife.com

Fatoumata Binta Diallo

A Black Woman Trying to leave her Footprints in the Modeling Industry

An exotic walk, skin that gleams, and cheekbones unique to her. All her life, Fatoumata Binta Diallo's beauty had been compared to that of renowned black models. As she works tirelessly to reach her  personal goals, she leaves behind everlasting-footprints.

"When i'm on the stage, the only thing I see is me walking on the runway and people calling my name," admitted Diallo, the 5'9 Guinean-native model residing in Chicago.

With her love for fashion and a strong desire to show off her catwalk on the runway, Diallo's dream of becoming a model flickered through her imagination during her sophomore year in high school. 

Since Diallo decided to dedicate her life to modeling, she has been splurging her resume. She has participated in multiple projects, worked in multiple places for different designers: in 2009, she competed in Miss Guinee North America Scholarship Pageant. In 2010, represented Guinea at Miss Peid Dorada in Mexico. In 2011, she worked the runway at New York Fashion Week (NFW), in 2012 in Paris for Sadio Bee during Miss Union African in Paris, for Adama Paris Dakar Fashion Week in 2013, Senegal for Elie Kuame during Dakar Fashion Week (DFW), Evgheni Hudorojco from Moldavie, Weni from Benin. Today, she is a model for Abercrombie & Fitch.

"I love the fact that she is always happy. Whenever I am around her I feel positivity. She is a hardworking girl and I have faith in her, she is my favorite model," expressed Fifi Soumah, crowned Miss Guinee North America 2009 and winner of Miss Africa USA 2010, on what she loves most about Diallo.

"When you reach a certain age in the modeling world, you have a less chance of making it," clarified Diallo. To this 27-year-old model, age does not impede her from reaching for her goals, because she is "going to put [herself] out there."  

"Putting herself out  there" will give her publicity and contracts. Tagged to that will be an army of people ready to criticize her intentions. But none of this bothers Diallo. 

"Many people judge us models in Africa because they think we are selling our bodies...sometimes we are misjudged by our own people," she explained. 

Despite Diallo's people's misunderstanding of the 'beauty' of modeling, Diallo is not putting her dreams on halt for anyone. She has been working on launching her very own modeling agency (Binta Modeling Agency) in Guinea, which is slated to open next year. She wants "to put it out there that modeling is a job just like every other job. [Models] wake up everyday to work like everyone else. [They] stand up long hours during fashion shows or photo shoots."

Diallo has embraced the uniqueness of the features that she has been blessed with, helped designers flaunt their creations, remained true to who she is and her roots. But that is not all. She could be the next Naomi Campbell or Tyra Banks, appearing on several ads and  rocking every runway with her exotic catwalk. 

A Glimpse of Diallo's World:

 

"I love my face because when I look at myself in the mirror every morning, I see my father."-Diallo

"Beauty to me is, you have to be beautiful inside and outside; you have to have the whole package."-Diallo

"What people say about me does not do anything to me.I just continue to do what I am supposed to do to make my life better."-Diallo

Aza Photography

Model: Diallo

"My father always told me that I would make it big one day."-Diallo

Dakar Fashion Week 2013

"A model is a person who displays clothes, poses for an artist...a woman or man who wears a designer's clothes to show them to potential buyers at a fashion show."-Diallo

Dyrti Martini Photography

Model: Diallo
"One of my favorite models is Naomi Campbell, because she represents well black females."

  

"I am a very nice person. If you need someone, I am always here to help...since 2 years ago, I started working with the children in my village Gaoual (N'djouria) by providing them with clothes and food."-Diallo

A Proud Guinean
" I represent Guinea everywhere I go. I love my country , I love my people."-Diallo

Ways to reach Diallo:

Instagram: Binettemodel

Facebook: Binette Diallo-International Model / Binette Kane

LinkedIn: binette diallo

Email: binettediallo@outlook.com