Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, the CEO of African Heritage Media and Chairman of NIDOE (Nigerians in Diaspora Europe) would be hosting a special program and Thanksgiving service on the 16th and 17th of May 2020 in commemoration of his 52nd birthday.

I am Cornetta Williams Walker BACP / FDAP registered integrative  psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor  living and working in Manchester, UK.

I work with adults and YP, couples in crises.   It’s apparent many people from our community during Covid -19 Pandemic are struggling with living with domestic abuse, isolation, trauma , anxiety,  loss and grief, resentment, feel disconnected from family/friends /society or not having a structured routine.

You may be struggling with Furloughing or undetermined unemployment. For some it may be a challenge living with high levels of uncertainty.

As a result of this you may have difficulty in sleeping ,or have low mood or using substances more,etc. Because of my belief in community healing.  I would like to offer time limited free counselling sessions.

I have limited availability on Friday and Saturday mornings.  Sessions will be either via Skype or Zoom. If you are interested please text 07956771843.

This offer is part of my Covid-19 community response. I offer a private and confidential space and I have over 30 years experience working as a community advocate, leader and counsellor in UK and Internationally.

I am also happy to work with individuals outside the UK.

This FREE offer may not be suitable for those of you requiring long term counselling, supervision or coaching.

What is required from you is the ability to commit to 50 minutes sessions on a regular basis.

STAY CONNECTED , STAY SAFE

CORNETTA WILLIAMS WALKER

Natasha M. Bynoe
Chief Executive Officer

About Natasha Margaret-Victoria Bynoe the Historian
Ms. Bynoe has worked on many projects that researched the lives of the enslaved in the Caribbean for the University of the West Indies and various government agencies. As of January 2020, Ms. Bynoe was appointed the C.E.O of a newly formed non-profit organization The African Diaspora Institute of Cultural Exchange and Historical Research also known as C.E.H.R. “We are an Institute that connects the mosaic of cultures of the Black Atlantic through cultural and educational exchanges and research.” For Ms. Bynoe, there is not enough scholarship as it pertains to African Diaspora histories. It is her vision as C.E.O is to create historical and cultural projects to open opportunities for many historians and culturist from around the region and to create public seminars and programs.

Her current research explores the spaces in West Africa used for human captivity. The amalgamation of narratives from both sides of the black Atlantic, shows a route filled with unimaginable horrors and triumphs: from the capture to enslavement. The oral histories told by the chiefs, kings, and griots are often times in contrast to narratives written in the history books. As of May of 2018, Ms. Natasha Bynoe traveled to Ghana and Burkina Faso to record the various narratives passed down generations of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and slave raids that happened well into the first quarter of the 20th century stories that were told at the various areas of capture, punishment, and places used for markets to buy and sell human capital. Most importantly, the stories of rescue, escapees, and those left behind to form new ethno-societies are stories rarely heard.

Ms. Bynoe is an extremely proud alumni of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Barbados. She has a B.A (Hon) and M.A in History. In 2018, Ms. Bynoe spent 3 weeks as a researcher at Cape Coast Castle, and Elmina Castle in Ghana and holds the honor of being the first Barbadian to give a presentation at Cape Coast Castle, the title: ‘ Terror Continued: The First Seventy Three Years of Enslavement in Barbados’

Lady NV Radio Presenter
Natasha Bynoe aka “Lady NV” best known female DJ for creating high voltage musical sparks on radio has been in the music industry over 25 years. Lady NV has toured over 28 cities on more than 3 continents. As an assistant to Russell Simmons at RAL/DEF Records, she worked at a variety of prestigious record labels. While working as an assistant publicist she represented clients like Gangstarr, Arrested Development and Janet Jackson on EMI North America Records. After leaving the labels, Lady NV went to work directly for Hip Hop legend KRS-1 as his personal assistant and was later promoted to the position of his assistant manager.

When NV left the employment of KRS-1, she brought her deft resolve to radio starting on WNWK 105.9 New York, Power 105 NYC and Hot 102 Jamaica. Securing a deal with Madison Paarc Radio Networks in 2008, Lady NV was the hosts of a highly energetic, and celebrity studded syndicated show called ‘Urban Vybz’ with up to 5 million faithful listeners mainly in Africa and America. ‘Urban Vybz’ was a two hour mix show with Lady NV as the turntablist and DJ, mixing World African Music, Reggae, and Soca. ‘Urban Vybz’ was rated #1 in Gambia on Unique FM and was heard in Zimbabwe for 3 years, Liberia for 2 years, Ghana for over 8 years, and Gambia for 10 years. The same buzz Lady NV created worldwide was felt at SLAM 101.1FM Barbados. The Weekday Fix was a hub for both international and local celebrities. The Weekday Fix was the most listened and rated #1 show on Slam 101.1 FM for 3 years.

Due to unprecedented times it was decided that poetrybysheena will roll out Poem:99, an annual poetry competition sooner rather than its usual time in July. There will be many parent’s unsure what to do with their children due to schools being closed because of Covid-19. Well, here is one way to keep your kiddies occupied and to ensure their little minds are nurtured despite the tough and testing times we all face. Like my strap line says, together we are the best educator! 

Poem:99 has officially gone LIVE as of today and everything you need to know about the competition can be found under the tab, Poem:99. As you will notice this year’s theme is “blessings”, very poignant due to the circumstances that we find ourselves in. We have many things to be grateful for and the judges and I, can’t wait to hear how you interpret this year’s theme. All entries must be emailed to sheena4076@live.com.

So let’s do this, are you ready? Let’s meet the Judges. I am proud to say that this year our trio is a fantastic line up of both established and new emerging poets. I shall introduce them in turn:

Mo Rahman:

Mo’s writing reflects current themes about life, social issues, love, passion and spirituality. Her heritage and her south Asian roots are a big factor in how she identifies with life. The environment, places she has visited, and world issues inspire her. These inform her choices on how she translates what she has experienced and expresses them into words or Art. She has recently come back into writing Poetry as she was a closet Poet— very private but now she is more comfortable in reading her work publically. She like to experiment and currently exploring mixing her poetry with sound, music and other languages. For Mo this is another avenue to explore and be creative with.

She is also a trained Reiki practitioner and Spiritual Artist, drawing, painting, designing an eclectic range of inspired Spiritual Artworks, in which she has devised and developed a range of workshops exploring movement, meditation and art.

Mo is hoping the entrants of Poem:99  are not shy of entering and states  that “ we’re all different and different is good. If we were all the same, the world would be a boring place”. 

Mo is really pleased about associating with Poem:99 “ I’ve always wrote about Spirituality, I never felt there was a platform for my type of poetry. It’s good to inspire the next generation about faith, community and expectations.  I am very pleased to be involved with judging Poem:99  this year.” 

Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez:

Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez is an International Award Winner, Published Author & Poet, Events Consultant and MC

He has also organised The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for over six years in a row (2013,2014 ,2015, 2016 and 2017 and 2018 ).

The annual events he has organised at the UK House of Parliament over the last several years has attracted the attendance of Members of Parliament for Labour, Conservative and The SNP, as well as Councillors, Community leaders and Role models from at least 21 Nationalities.   Tony has a flair for bringing people together from different cultural backgrounds to celebrate their stories and connect collectively.

People also see him as a Cultural and Social entrepreneur, which means he is skilled in working with many different communities and bringing people together in successful focused events. Tony has organised many cultural events involving both BME and mainstream communities

Tony is overjoyed that he will be able to participate with a community grassroots initiative such as Poem:99, and can’t wait to get stuck into reading your entries.

Tahira Rehman :

Tahira Rehman is a Performance-Poet and an Outreach support worker in Leeds. She has made a big name for herself in 2019 with headline performances at long-running nights such as Spoken Weird and Punk in Drublic this year. Her poetry has been published in the US by Our Verse Magazine, in Canada by ‘ofpoetsandfrenchman’ and locally by Make Our Rights Reality Charity.

She has headlined at various spoken word events including folk music festivals. She is also the author of Mirages to Reality published in April 2019.

“Tahira Rehman is a vibrant and vital addition to the scene. Her poetry has that unique combination of being timeless and fiercely contemporary. ” – Matt Abbott

“A uniquely styled performance that was atmospheric and powerfully thought provoking!” – Blur The Lines | Leeds Playhouse

“She captivated the whole audience, she was so amazing.” –  Spoken Weird

Tahira is a busy performance-poet and has given up her time to join Poem:99 this year, she is super excited to be judging and looking forward to reading the entries.

Well, thank you to our lovely judges! I hope their individual introductions have excited you all; it’s over to you guys now, really looking forward to reading your entries.

If there is anything you are not sure about, rules, entry form or anything else, email me at sheena4076@live.comor call 07935177562, I will be happy to assist you (always obtain permission from your parents/guardians before you make contact via email/telephone).

Finally, a massive thank you from me personally to my kind sponsors, you have all made Poem:99 2020 possible given the tide of trial and uncertainty we all face, love and respect to you all.

Thank you for reading!

Poetess Sheena 

************************************

Poem:99 2020

www.poetrybysheenapoetrybyname.com

Instagram: poetrybysheena

Sheena4076@live.com

By Myself
Emerald Ewata

When I’m by myself,
I’m in a thousand worlds,
I speak a million tongues,
I’m no longer just “myself”,
But a better version of me

I don’t bother about bullies,
There are none there,
Nor do I bother about grades,
I’m a brainiac there

There is no war, greed or corruption,
As the world run justly
No one gets sick and no one goes hungry,
We all have all that we wish for

I hear my name from afar,
I feel myself slipping away from my worlds
Until it’s no more,
What were you thinking of, I’m always asked,
Alas, I have no knowledge of them again
I’m not bothered about anything when I’m by myself,
I just slip into my world of many worlds

WRITTEN BY EMERALD EWATA

ABOUT JACKLINE WAZIRI 

Jackline Waziri was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 1993, she was the daughter of Fauzia Waziri Juma.

Her mother Mwanjaa Shabaan Robert, Jackline is the great granddaughter of the legendary Swahili language writer and poet Late Shaaban Robert.

When Waziri moved to the United Kingdom, she developed a keen interest in Literature, Creative writing and Poetry.

Today, she is an upcoming Poet with profound thirst for life on a mission to make a difference to her generation and African communities worldwide.

Her poems are rich in imagery, a wide range of stylistic devices and content inspired by a deep world of experiences, transitions ,journeys and the unapologetic vision to embrace “All things African”

Waziri illustrates her truth and paints an art of her journey here in the UK, but her writing also embraces a world that still lives in Tanzania, this is also reflected through her writing.

Waziri says, “In a world that my African-ness- has been easily taken away from me, or that I

have given it away consciously, with out knowing better. This is for you”, Waziri’s great passion

is to bring healing, truth, light, awakening and unity to the African Community but in particular the African children who are the future to lift up and rebuild Africa- The Motherland .

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE UPDATES ON JACKLINE WAZIRI 

Let us make Africa BLACK again

completely black

Looking into the mirror and seeing our ancestors rise

Let us make Africa Black again

Marry our own queens

Give them our seeds

Water them together

with

Our Education

Our Leadership

Our philosophy

To Kings and Queens

Allowing OURS to continue to build

Our economy

Embrace

Our culture

Using

Our mother tongue

No need to switch on the lights for us. We love.

Our blackness

Let us make Africa black again.

Written by Jackline Waziri

Dear Family and Friends,

We are pleased to announce the nominees for this years AFRICA4U ONLINE AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.

Originally a qualified teacher, Mrs Dorcas Olayemi (Yemi) Amusan-Fagborun (BA Hons Peace Studies; MA Women’s Studies) is currently the CEO of Peacemaker International, a registered charity in England and Wales, operating in Bradford, Manchester and Nigeria, advancing conflict resolution through mediation, racial harmony, equality and diversity training and services.

The organisation empowers women and children for justice and supports families, people with learning disabilities and the elderly. It also provides mediation and conflict resolution to the community.

She co-pastors Peacemaker International Assembly (an evangelical ministry) with her husband. Yemi started her career in women’s empowerment and gender equality with MA in Women’s Studies when she researched ‘Effects of Polygamy on Women and Children.
Having finished her First degree from the University of Bradford, she went to Platter College, Oxford to learn ‘practical mediation’- where theories are put into practice.

Today, she is a qualified mediator.

She featured as ‘the only African woman’ in various places, including:

• Trustee/Vice Chair at the Manningham Housing Association,
• Graduate of Common Purpose (leadership training),
• Director at Racial Equality Council

She left all these places with remarkable commendations.
In May 2009, she was awarded Community Involvement Award 2009 at the African Achievers Awards UK and in 2012 she was awarded two other community outstanding awards.
Mrs Amusan-Fagborun is a passionate national/international campaigner on female genital mutilation (FGM) and very keen about gender violence, including Domestic Violence, Forced Marriages, Honour-related Killings, Child Marriage, Child Trafficking etc.

She uses her life experiences to educate people about harmful effects of FGM and why the practice should stop. For more than two years, she has been coordinating in Bradford a community-led multi-agency group, bringing together public, community and voluntary sectors and professionals to provide an integrated way of working to support and increase the safety of women and girls who have been affected by or are at risk of FGM.
Her new approach to eradicating FGM includes engaging politicians, children and young people, talking to school teachers both in Bradford and Nigeria. The approach has started to bear fruits as you will hear in her presentation.