If there is a celebrity who is equally inspirational as he is controversial, it’s Akon. Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, famously known as Akon, was born in 1973 to Senegalese immigrants Kine Thiam and Mor Thiam in St. Louis, Missouri. After his birth, his family relocated to Senegal where they lived until he was seven.…
Investigators are still attempting to piece together all of the details following the recent terror attack in New York City, in which an Uzbekistan-born man drove a rented truck into a group of pedestrians killing eight and seriously injuring 12. Their job has been made easier by the fact that the attacker, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov,…
When making history, wealth and power are not decisive factors. When seeking to create development and prosperity, however, equality, justice and inspiration are more important factors; such is the message that former United States President Barack Obama is seeking to deliver on October 31 and November 1 during the first summit of his foundation. On…
Chadwick Boseman has had the chance to play some pretty legendary figures in his acting career. He was Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. He will likely soon be best known, though, for playing T’Challa/Black Panther. His first turn as the superhero was in 2016’s Captain…
This year, you can expect to see a lot of trick or treaters dressed as Princess Leia, Wonder Woman, and characters from Beauty and the Beast. These costumes have all been favorites for years but they are especially popular this year, in light of Carrie Fisher’s death and the huge popularity of the live-action films.…
The investigation into the highly controversial campaign that turned a reality television host into President of the United States has yielded its first set of indictments. Paul Manafort, a political operative who was once in charge of the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign, surrendered himself to federal agents as directed by a court order arising…
Halloween celebrations in Africa are a completely foreign concept. Were it not for globalization, many Africans would not even know of the celebrations of All Hallows’ Eve. In Africa so far, no country has earmarked October 31st to recognize Halloween. Foreign envoys from the West, however, mark the day with festivities at their embassies,…
American Airlines, an already troubled carrier in terms of passenger satisfaction and customer service, is at the center of an unusual travel advisory issued by the United States National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). According to a recent NAACP press release, passengers of African heritage could be flying the unfriendly skies aboard…
The rate of fast food consumption in Africa is growing quickly with countries such as South Africa seeing an annual average of 3-4% growth of consumption between 2009 and 2014. In South Africa alone, the number of people buying fast food once a month increased by 14% between 2009 and 2015. International chains are seeing…
Fats Domino, the legend of boogie-woogie piano and one of the fathers of rock and roll, has passed away at age 89. Without Fats Domino, there may have been no Beatles or the genre of ska. A huge number of artists were influenced by this legend of rock and roll, from Elvis Presley to Robert Plant. Antoine…
Black Panther is a big deal. In a time of year known for having poor movie turnout, it managed to turn in the third biggest 4-day weekend ever, making over $235 million. The estimated global launch was $404 million. Every social network saw a flood of praise and excitement as people saw the movie. Black…
The box office success of the film Black Panther, a major Hollywood production directed by Ryan Coogler and featuring a strong paean to Afro-Futurism, is living proof that audiences are ready to welcome diversity at movie theaters. Coogler rose to prominence in Hollywood after Fruitvale Station, a love letter to his California hometown of Oakland,…
The 2018 British Academy Film Awards took place on February 18. The Time’s Up movement was front and center this year, as it was at the Golden Globes, the Grammys, and the SAG Awards. Many stars in attendance wore black in solidarity with the movement. Hosted by Joanna Lumley this year, the ceremony took place…
Black Panther has been one of the most hotly anticipated films in years, especially for black moviegoers. By all accounts, it’s lived up to the hype and then some. At the official premiere, attendees walked the purple carpet in fashion inspired by African royalty. At the film’s huge opening weekend, a large portion of the…
