Essentials by Esmé is an online retailer specialising in the supply of experience and gift boxes made up with products from small wellness and homeware businesses, responsible and environmentally engaged suppliers and producers.
Essentials by Esmé cashes in on the concept of “treat yourself” by creating a distinctive “experience” to the client through ready-made boxes. The client also has the option of creating her/his own experience by creating a box.
This project was born during the first lockdown period.
Before the Coronavirus crisis I was living life at full speed, working crazy hours and spending an unbelievable amount of time commuting into central London. So being able to have a break and go through a deep reflection about my life and what I really wanted to do were life changing for me.
I could also spend more time with my family.
I started to make some themed boxes to send to my family and friends and it was so heartening to see how happy they were to receive them. My whole experience during the lockdown sowed the seeds for Essentials by Esmé!
Essentials by Esmé’s values are responsible commitment, quality, environment protection, sustainability and ethics.
Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Hudson-Wilkin was raised by her father and aunt Pet, her mother having left for England when she was born.[2] She did not meet her mother again until she was nine.[3] She was educated at Montego Bay High School, an all-girls secondary school in Montego Bay.[4][5] She was 14 when she decided to join the ministry and, in a 2012 interview in the Daily Telegraph, she said: “I simply had this overwhelming sense that this was what I was called to do
My name is Linford Sweeney and I live in Manchester, United Kingdom.
I am Jamaican-born of West African descent, and I am a self-employed Community Black Historian, Caribbean Genealogist, Spirituality-Life Coach, Numerologist, Poet and Published Author of two books. I seek to educate, empower and promote all aspects of African-centred self-knowledge, personal development and spiritual wellbeing.
For many years, I worked in community development and engagement within my local authority, the NHS, community enterprises, and as a civil servant. Furthermore, I taught marketing and management in a local Manchester college.
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.
The African Courier is a news platform for the African community in Germany.
It reports on the diaspora experience, with a focus on community life and issues of migration, discrimination and racism, African-German cultural exchange and generally on other issues of special interest to Africans.
With too many negative representations of Africa entrenched in images of war, disease, poverty and famine, The African Courier also seeks to redress the imbalance by giving a realistic image of the continent with all its challenges and opportunities. This, we think, is very important if the world is to engage Africa to mutual benefits.
The African Courier is therefore a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Our work is focused on the intersection of journalism and engagement to effect positive change in people’s lives.
The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998.
In January 2016, The African Courier became an online-only publication, with a daily updated website and a weekly e-newsletter.
Drop us a line if you want to be featured, guest post, suggest a possible interview, or just let us know what you would like to see more of in our featured articles. We’re always open to new and interesting suggestions for informative and different articles.
If you have any comments or questions or advertisement enquiries, please contact us by phone at +493023007440 or by email at info@theafricancourier.de
Tsungai Tsikirai is an award winning singer-songwriter and dancer, born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and based in the United Kingdom.
Her first proper taste of the world of arts was at the age of 15 when she joined the drama club at Mpopoma High School in Zimbabwe from which Iyasa Performing Arts Group was birthed under the musical direction of Nkululeko Dube. Their productions took them around Zimbabwe initially, and later to South Africa, Botswana and the USA.
Tsungai was soon scouted by Albert Nyathi who she worked with before going on to work with other renowned local Zimbabwean artists like the late Andy Brown and Nicholas Moyo of the arts council who provided mentorship and support
In 2002, Tsungai relocated to the United Kingdom where she continued to perform. She collaborated with Siyaya and featured on their Futhi Njalo album, going on to perform at Glastonbury Music Festival in 2010 with the group. Amongst her many performances, Tsungai has also been a part of the UK gospel group Free to Worship, who she toured the USA with. She also worked with Sheffield based Sosa-Xa, being involved in their BBC Last Choir Standing workshops, and she also worked and toured with Tavaziva Dance led by Bawren Tavaziva.
Tsungai’s passion for the arts saw her partnering with other artists from southern-Africa to form a performing arts group, Flame Lily Arts. Although she has a flare for dance, her greatest passion is singing with some of her music influences being the legendary sounds of Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Angelique Kidjo.
In 2014 she was awarded Best Music Female Artist 2014 at the ZIMMA Awards, and in 2015 Mporiro Festival awarded Tsungai for her contribution to contemporary music.
Tsungai launched her debut album, Rova Ngoma, at The Breaking Boundaries Concert which was aimed at promoting cultural diversity, empowering women through arts and community development.
Lydia Tett Olet is the Founder and Director of Malaika Dance Unique. MDU was created in 2008 after Lydia worked and gained experience and skills in a large number and wide range of performing organisations including: The mushrooms, Jabali Africa, Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble, Sundance with Patti Boulage, African Heritage ,Ceremics, Iroko Theatre Company, Assistant director of Bantu Arts, Global Fusion and MDD Company.
Lydia is also involved with TY Moore concept productions and Chima movie empire productions in acting, writing, making and producing movies
She is a writer of the first Kenyan play (The Darkest Hours of Victory) and has just completed her first screen writing London Nollywood movie called “Captivated” with TY Moore concept productions.
Lydia is also The assistant director and presenter of royalgreenwichtv.com – An online TV Initiative.
Lydia is also the Founder of Kenya in the Park – One of Africas fastest growing outdoor celebration event in Europe
Recognised as a budding global leader from Nigeria, Peter Odu works as a Project Manager for Cater &Merger, a consulting firm based in the United Kingdom.
He is a past President of the Law Students Association of Nigeria, University of Calabar Chapter, the youngest in his time to be so. He holds an LL.B with honours from the University of Calabar, with horizontally stacked specializations across consulting, law and start-up finance.
Peter has trained across multiple global organisations like White and Case LLP, Kylnveld Peat Marwick and Goerdeler, King and Mallesons LLP and the Bright Network Commercial Internship Experience UK. He has also articled at the office of the former Attorney General of Cross river state, Attah Ochinke & Co.
Possessing certifications from the World Bank Group, double certifications from the United States Institute of Peace, the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the Mediator Academy at the age of 23, he exhibits a relentless drive for the equalization of global opportunities for students in Africa.
Passionate about a leadership blueprint, he is currently focused on contributing to platforms that build the African workforce of tomorrow.
You can reach him for professional enquiries on odupeter127@gmail.com and for professional purposes at peter.odu@caterandmergerconsult.com
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.
Jackline recently published her first book of poetry titled “Mwana”. She is also The Africa4u youth ambassador for the UK.
The founder of The Salam Project, honoured to be working with a talented, hardworking and passionate team.
He started The Salam Project in the hope of challenging ignorance (Islamophobia, extremism, radicalisation, re-offending, gang crime and hate crimes towards females) in society through workshops, artistic (poetry, rap, comedy, film showings etc.) showcases, motivational talks and social media campaigns. Outside of work he loves to spend time with his wife and kids.
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 