A UN-Sponsored Organization In 1997, the United Nations helped several organizations combine their resources to found the African Women’s Alliance (“the AWA”). This international nonprofit enterprise draws upon the talents of African women residing in their own nations and across the world. It was incorporated in 2001 as a nonprofit organization. Its members hope to enhance the lives…
With nearly 39 million mobile phone subscriptions and a device penetration of almost 90 percent, Kenya could be described as one of the most wireless nations not just in Africa, but also in the world. Kenya is not only a global leader in smartphone usage, but also in development of mobile technologies. At any given time,…
There was a time when the Syrian Arab Republic was not the site of an out-of-control civil war where government forces carry out chemical weapon attacks against civilians, and where an abominable terrorist organization has set out to destroy rich archaeological treasures dating back several centuries. Less than a decade ago, Syria was a country…
In late 2016, Fadumo Dayib made history when she announced her candidacy for the presidential elections of Somalia, thus marking the first time a female politician aspired to the highest office of the troubled nation. Dayib was not in Somalia at the time of the announcement, which she made from Finland—the nation that welcomed her…
Esi Edugyan is an award-winning novelist whose cultural heritage and diverse education fuels her rich stories of history, race, and finding one’s place in the world. Born in 1977 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Edugyan began writing poetry as a teenager and her talents were soon recognized by a high school teacher. She started her…
Time Magazine has released their annual list of the most influential people of 2017. The list includes important figures including world leaders, artists, and athletes. The 2017 list includes a number of African and African-American individuals of note. Among those who made the list this year are athletes LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Colin Kaepernick, musicians John Legend and Alicia Keys, actress Viola…
An explosive new Vanity Fair report about the Donald and Melania Trump marriage has also provided new insight into the relationship between Melania and Ivanka Trump. President Trump’s relationships with both women, his wife and his daughter, have always been closely scrutinized. Both relationships are certainly unlike any we’ve seen with any previous First Family. As First…
A Nigerian government official attracted worldwide attention this month for cutting off the hair of a number of female employees. Andrew Kumapayi is a commander for the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Rivers State, Nigeria. He was performing a “routine inspection of officers’ hair and nails” when he determined some hairstyles to be non-compliant. Images…
Israeli musician Idan Raichel blends styles to share music with a message of peace. A keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and composer, his music draws from Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African musical styles. His lyrics are almost always in Hebrew and he often uses bits of traditional Hebrew texts. LA Times described what Raichel does as creating “a zesty…
Oprah Winfrey and Viola Davis are two of the most powerful women who continue to leave their incredible imprints on the world. The pair have been recognized in a most deserving way, landing on People magazine’s World’s Most Beautiful issue this year. Congratulations, Oprah and Viola. Your glamour both on and off the red carpet, stunning features, poise, intellect and confidence…
Remember Hijarbie? Haneefa Adam has been styling Barbie dolls, often based on inspiring real-life women, with homemade doll-sized hijabs and sharing pictures on her Instagram account. She did it to address the overwhelming lack of representation and to inspire young Muslim girls. Now, Mattel is releasing its first-ever official hijab-wearing Barbie doll. The doll is…
The 2017 American Music Awards were hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross. The show began with a heartfelt speech by Jamie Foxx about the power of music in the wake of tragedy and how that was especially needed this year. The speech was a moment to honor the many brave first responders who have been called…
Glamour’s annual Women of the Year Awards has always celebrated the strong pioneer, including those who have set out on new journeys, played by their own rules and made significant progress in unchartered territories. The 2017 awards ceremony was recently held at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, and what a memorable event it was. From an…
Serena Williams has had a pretty amazing year. She won her 23rd Grand Slam, got engaged, and gave birth to a daughter, Alexis. On Thursday, she capped 2017 off in New Orleans with a beautiful, fairytale wedding to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, her beau of two years.The date for the nuptials was chosen because it was…
