Nigerian Actress Genevieve Nnaji release fashion line

Nigerian Actress Genevieve Nnaji has finally released her fashion line, St. Genevieve, which we have been hearing about for months now, and I am happy to say that I’m actually liking some of the clothing.

The line contains bold, exciting prints with cool shapes and spectacular silhouettes. It’s refreshing to see that she adopted European influences in her clothing, yet still retained African style.

Not only is she a hot actor, but it seems that she is also quickly becoming a major force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. Move aside and make way for Ms. Nnaji. Here she comes.

Photo from Niyita

 

Black baby doll test

In 1947, Psychologists Kenneth B. Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark conducted a test, in which they studied how young, black children perceived themselves.

The children identified the white  baby doll with attributes such as “pretty,” and “nice,” but they attributed “ugly,” and “bad” with the black doll.

This reflected feelings of inferiority and being “less than” in society.

But those of you, who lie to yourself that racism and the perpetuation of self-hatred amongst those of African descent is a thing of the past and should be forgotten, might say:

This happened in the 40s. There was so much racism back then. It’s not hard to believe why black kids would hate themselves.

Consider this disturbing fact:

In 2006, a similar test was reconducted and the results were almost the exact same. 

Society in itself teaches self-hatred. Just take some minutes and observe the television commercials and shows you watch everyday.

What roles are the blacks playing? Are they typically portrayed as respectable, beautiful people?

What about commercials? “No more frizz in your hair.”

Then we see a disappointed white woman, with afro-like hair, which is similar to the natural quality of black women’s hair, shake the “frizz” off.

That hair is “ugly.” It isn’t desirable. But, then we see the same woman apply some shampoo and poof! The frizz is gone!

She then appears with “beautiful,” long straight hair.

It’s no wonder some black women feel they must relax their hair or wear hair extensions to be beautiful.

Now, I’ve worn my hair straight before, and I also wear it curly. I have no issue with straight hair. Black women can wear their hair straight or curly if they like. I don’t care about the mere act or styling the hair.

I am concerned with the conviction and motives behind it. Are black women doing this, because they view their natural hair as ugly, or are they doing it because they simply desire to?

Just a thought.

What do you see everyday in the news? “The suspect is mostly a black, tall male.” As if white people never commit crimes. But, news media covers more black criminal stories than white stories. In fact, we are inundated with them.

Now let’s examine society at it’s very core: the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines black as:

• Dirty, soiled
• The absence of light (light is usually a good thing)
• Sinister or evil, wicked
• Angry discontent
• Indicative of condemnation

It defines white as:

• Upright fairness
• Free from moral impurity, innocent
• Favorable
• Fortunate

With all these societal tools working to diminish black beauty, it’s no surprise young black girls are harboring self-hatred.

Here’s the way I see it:

If you are going to take the time out to have babies, you have the sole right and responsibility to morally and racially educate them, especially as a black parent.

Teach them that they are beautiful, that their color is bright and that it distinguishes them.

Teach them that they are outstanding and intelligent human beings and that they are more than capable of accomplishing anything they put their minds to.

Start from the time they are babies to instill self-confidence in your children, because as we have learned, children start at a young age to absorb subliminal messages about who they are.

As a responsible parent, you must and should counteract those messages.

Picture from Collect Dolls

 

The daughters of Malcolm X and Robert F. Kennedy speak at Towson University

Ebony Oakcrum with Ilyasah Shabazz after the event

Two daughters of promise, who live after the legacy their fathers left behind, dedicated time yesterday to inspire promise and hope in the hearts and minds of those who gathered.

Large crowds came out for the fantastic event, “Daughters of Promise: In Our Own Voice,” sponsored by Towson University’s Women’s Center.

In front of a diverse crowd on Thursday Oct. 15, 2009, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, joined the daughter of Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz,  for a compelling speaking event at Towson University.

The evening was bright, and it overflowed with funny anecdotes, inspirational quotes and unforgettable wisdom.

Rory Kennedy presented information on rape oversees committed against women as young as five, who are then rejected and forced to carry their burden all alone.

She shared her documentary, in which she covered the story of a young girl, Ali, who was raped at the age of 9, contracted HIV and sought comfort in the assurance of her father, who painfully rejected her.

Veronica Wilson, a senior at  Towson University, said that the event changed her life.

“I am blessed to have been a part of this historic day at Towson,” said Veronica. “The mere act of having these two women of stellar accomplishment in this room speaking to all of us, inspires me to want to leave here and change the world.”

If only more people like Rory Kennedy stood up for the rights of the disenfranchised around the world, maybe this epidemic could be brought to a gradual end.

Ilyasah discussed the horrors of witnessing her father’s assassination at the young age of 3.

She discussed common misconceptions of her father, such as the notion that he changed his ideology following his excursion to Mecca.

Ilyasah spoke about the trauma her mother experienced after losing her husband in her 20s and having to raise six daughters by herself.

Her mother expected no assistance from a “diabolical, racist” government that she and her husband had fought relentlessly against.

She put all of her six daughters through school and still went on to acquire a Ph.D afterwards.

But by far, the most compelling segment of Ilyasah’s speech involved the danger of not knowing one’s history.

She criticized the American educational school system, which has strategically stripped African-Americans from the integrity of their history.

“Before there was Harvard, there was the University of Timbuktu,” she said.

There were a few disapproving expression from those, who appeared recalcitrant in their attempt to hold on to denial.

Ilyasah persisted that Black-Americans have been purposely lied to by the American government about their true identity, and this fostered a spirit of detachment amongs blacks.

“When you here that Africans are dying of poverty and starvation, you say it doesn’t bother you, because you do not see that African as a reflection of yourself,” she said.

Ilyasha argued that not only does miseducation encourage detachment, but it also fosters self-hatred and a lack of confidence among blacks, citing to the study that was reconducted in 2006, in which young African-American girls were shown a white barbie doll and a black barbie doll.

They consistently said the white doll was beautiful and pretty, while the black doll (a reflection of themselves) was ugly and bad.

Ilyasah said that any African-American or Caucasian, who either does not know the true history of blacks, denies it, or teaches the lie that the history of Africans began in slavery, rather than in royalty and wealth as educated kings and queens in Africa, is doing themselves and those around them a great disservice.

Ebony Oakcrum, a junior at Towson University, enjoyed Ilyasah’s presentation.

“I was amazed,” said Ebony. “She said some tough things that I think were hard for some people to swallow, but that’s typically how the truth is, especially when some people have dedicated so much time and effort to hiding it.”

Dr. Phyllis Freeman from the Women’s Center, presented a brief poem to end the event in style, and the daughters greeted guests, engaged in conversation and took pictures.

Photo by Success O.

 

Miss. Nappturality

Teesha Borum is a contestant for Miss. Nappturality

Going-Natural.com has kicked off it’s natural hair competition, Miss. Nappturality. 

African and African-American women from various segments of the country will compete to win the title and to be crowned Miss. Nappturality.

 The women, who range in age and diversity, will have to prove why they are worthy of the award.

They will be judged not just on their beauty, but also on their philosophy pertaining to natural hair and contributions, which they make to the natural hair culture.

Amina Momolu, an African Junior at the University of Maryland said that she is excited about the competition and can’t wait for it to start.

“Of course I am elated about this,” said Amina. “I mean it’s not everyday you see a competition for black women that encourages natural beauty. It’s very necessary, and I hope it get’s picked up for television.”

Picture by: Going-Natural.com

 

Taking care of your natural hair

If you wear your hair naturally and curly, there are a few things you might need to know. Natural hair isn’t like relaxed or treated hair. It is actually more fragile and requires greater love and care.

Here at Sophisticated African we want you to look your best from your head to your toe, and we want you to represent the unique fashionista you are, so check out these tips:

1. 1. Wash and condition your hair atleast three times a week.  The nature of African hair calls for a lot of moisture, so feed it!
2. Use natural hair products to ensure your hair is getting what it needs best.
3. Stay away from products with a bunch of chemicals you can’t understand, like parabens. They are horrrible for your hair.
4. Incorporate hot oil treatments and deep conditioning regimens to your hair routine. Remember, you have to feed your hair.
5. Something special that does wonders for my hair is raw west African Shea Butter.
6. The most important key however, is to moisturize. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. The texture of your hair requires more conditioning, so don’t hesitate to keep the oils, juices and fluids coming!

Here are some resourceful websites for going natural:

• My Natural Hair Care Guide
• Nappturality
• Mowtown Girl
• Treasured Locks
• Going Natural

Here are some online natural hair stores that I purchase my products from. They are fantastic!

• Shea Butter Hut – For raw Shea Butter that you hair will love you for.
• Oyin Handmade– Based in Baltimore, Oyin Handmade products are really handmade. They are packed with tons of healthy butters and creams, and the smell is to DIE for! My favorite is burnt sugar pomade.
• Carol’s Daughter – If you are looking to pamper your hair, this is where to go. These products not only smell great, they contain natural ingredients, vitamins and all the essential oils your hair will appreciate. Try the hair milk.
• Beauty 4 Ashes – These products are on the expensive side, but if you have the money, it’s worth it. Not only will you find hair care systems for moisturizing dry and damaged hair, but the products contain Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, B5 and much more nutritious elements. Try the Godhead Avocado and Coconut Deep Conditioning Mayo Mask.

Photo by Hello Beautiful

 

Afrocentric webisode series coming this fall

Props to Ladybrille Blogazine for getting the word out about a new Afrocentric webisode series coming this fall. Now when was the last time you watched afrocentric webisodes, or any African-oriented episode for that matter?

“Afro City,” is based on a singer named Jazzman Love and her three best friends. It tells a story of relationships, love, strength and triumph. This should be interesting, and you can bet I’ll be watching every bit of it.

You should tune in too, because I get the impression that it’s going to be a lot of fun. Check out their unique, cool and Afrocentric outfits on twitter.

In case you’re wondering if it’s worth watching, don’t worry. I’ll be providing feedback about it so you won’t have to watch in vain.

 

Inspirational African Model Day

If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to take some authoritative leverage here and name today a holiday. I mean, who says only predetermined, special people get to name holidays?

So, here we go:

Drumroll please!

Today is Inspirational African Model Day!

Aren’t you excited? Today we get to honor five African models who inspire greatness. The models who are not afraid of who they are. They aren’t ashamed of their unconventional beauty, and they certainly are not afraid to show it. But most of all, these fashionistas are doing more with their beauty than lavishing in it and using it to make them millions.

They are using their prominece to reach and change the lives of people across the world. They’re building partnerships and making a difference in Africa. These beauties are speaking out against injustices that would ordinarily be silenced, and in doing so, they are changing the world as we know it one day at a time.

Their efforts have won them an honor on Inspirational African Model Day. Spread the word. These women are great!

Alek Wek, a Sudanese supermodel, who has modeled for Victorias Secret and Clinique, is a member of the U.S. Committee for Refugees’ Advisory Council. She works to bring attention to the crisis of  Sudanese refugees and refugees worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo by Hello Magazine)

 

Ethiopian Supermodel Liya Kebede, who has had various photo spreads in Vogue and has modeled for Gap, Revlon and Victorias Secret, is a major force in the modeling industry. But, when she’s not modeling, she’s serving as an activist. Liya is the World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. She is also founder of the Liya Kebede Foundation, which advocates support for maternal, newborn and child health programs.

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo by Don Ashby and Oliver Claisse)

 

Supermodel Iman Abdulmajid is from Somali. She is often credited as one of the first African models, who paved the way for others. Iman is dynamic and very versatile, as she is fluent in five languages, including French and Italian.

In addition to her diverse background in modeling and acting, Iman currently hosts Project Runway Canada. She is founder of Iman Cosmetics, a make-up line for women of color. Iman is also a representative for Keep a Child Alive, which provides therapeutic assistance and support for children and families with HIV.

 

 

(Photo by The Insider)

 

Katoucha Niane was a French supermodel from Guinea. She modeled for a number of top designers including Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix. Katoucha later stopped modeling and dedicated her life to the battle against female circumsion, which is a common practice in some remote African countries and villages.

She experienced the same form of genital mutilation when she was 9-years-old. Her bravery to speak up about her experience and speak out against female circumsion, has earned her an indelible position on the Inspirational African Model Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

(Photo by AP)

 

Okay, you know I had to save the best for last.  All of these women have done outstanding things. What makes Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba the best however, is simply the fact that she is from my country, Nigeria. So, you know I have to represent!

Oluchi is not only an extremely successful supermodel, who has modeled in Sports Illustrated, but she’s using her accomplishment to help others. She tries to be a role model for aspiring young prospects in Nigeria. She has also founded OModel Africa modeling agency to assist aspiring African models to reach their goals.

 

 

 

 

(Picture by New York Magazine)