ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK- WAYNE BOUCAUD- RADIO PRESENTER, PERFORMING ARTIST AND COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR FROM TRINIDAD

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RADIO BIOGRAPHY – WAYNE BOUCAUD-D.O.B. 08/09/’62 – RADIO PRESENTER/DJ BORN IN LONDON OF TRINIDADIAN PARENTAGE. CAMDEN COMMUNITY RADIO 2004-2008 MY FORAY INTO RADIO STARTED AT CAMDEN COMMUNITY RADIO IN 2004.

IT WAS THERE THAT HE LEARNT HIS CRAFT AS A RADIO PRESENTER/DJ,FROM SCRIPTING/EDITING/PRODUCTION AND PRESENTING. HE ALSO COVERED AND BROADCASTED VARIOUS MUSIC FESTIVALS FROM THE SOUTHBANK. THE STATION FOCUSED MAINLY ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF CAMDEN AND SURROUNDING AREA’S AS WELL AND THEY WERE ESSENTIALLY PODCAST BASED, HOWEVER FOR A STUDIO BASED SHOW,  WAYNE WOULD PUT TOGETHER A MONTHLY SHOW AT SOAS UNIVERSITY,THOSE SHOWS WERE VITAL FOR HIS GROWTH AS A PRESENTER. WAYNE RECALLS HAVING A DESIRE TO REACH A WIDER AND MORE DIVERSE LISTENERSHIP,

HE GREW UP LISTENING TO SOUL/RnB/JAZZ/FUNK/GOSPEL/INDIE AND ROCK AND FOR MANY YEARS HE WANTED TO CONCEPTUALIZE A SHOW THAT COVERED ALL THOSE GENRE’S,NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE ARTIST OF WHO’S MUSIC HE PURCHASED AS WELL WAS NOT GETTING AIRPLAY SO HE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND TAKE INITIATIVE AND GAINED THE SKILLS TO PUT ON A GREAT SHOW.

WAYNE  IS FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR CAMDEN COMMUNITY RADIO FOR A  FANTASTIC FOOT IN THE DOOR ON HIS PURSUIT INTO RADIO. PLAYVYBZ.COM – 2008-2012  AND THE MORE EXPERIENCE  HE GAINED,  HE FELT CONFIDENT TO PRODUCE HIS OWN SHOWS WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY HAD PRESENTED ITSELF AND THAT CAME IN THE FORM OF PLAYVBZ.COM.

ACCORDING TO HIM, “I WILL FOREVER BE THANKFUL TO PLAYVYBZ FOR ALLOWING ME THE FREEDOM TO PRODUCE THE KIND OF SHOW I’VE DREAMPT OF DOING. THERE, I WAS ABLE TO HARNESS MY SKILLS AS A PRESENTER EVEN MORE SO. THE GUEST’S WHICH HAVE GRACED MY SHOW HAVE BEEN MY MUSICAL HERO’S FOR MANY YEARS FROM PATRICE RUSHEN/ MINT CONDITION/ STEVE ARRINGTON/ SOWETO KINCH/ ESKA/ ERIC ROBERSON/ MELBA MOORE/ LARRY GRAHAM/KEZIAH JONES, AND MANY NEW AND UP AND COMING ARTISTS. REGARDS MY RADIO INTERVIEWS MY APPROACH HAS ALWAYS BEEN FROM A CONVERSATIONAL AND IN-DEPTH MANNER,

IN EFFECT ALLOWING MORE DEPTH TO THE ARTIST IN QUESTION. I’VE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN OUTSIDE BROADCASTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OXFAM FOR THERE MUSIC SHOWS/FESTIVALS. AFTER PLAYVYBZ HAD CLOSED DOWN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE MY SHOW/FORMAT CAME IN THE SHAPE OF URBANJAZZRADIO.NET,ONCE AGAIN SAME SHOW,SAME FORMAT. OUTSIDE RADIO”

WAYNE HAS RECENTLY BECOME A QUALIFIED YOUTH WORKER AND VOLUNTEER TWICE A WEEK, . DURING THAT TIME HE HAS  PUT ON VARIOUS RADIO WORKSHOPS FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE,ALLOWING THEM THE SKILLS TO PRODUCE THERE OWN SHOWS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IS AS FULFULLING FOR BOTH PARTIES. THIS IS SOMETHING HE WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN IN THE FUTURE.

WAYNE IS VERY LOYAL AND SUPPORTIVE TO HIS STATION,WHOM EVER THAT MAY BE, AND WOULD ALWAYS STRIVE FOR THE BEST THAT HE CAN BE,

HERE YOU CAN LISTEN TO A 10MIN. SAMPLE OF MY INTERVIEWS – http://i.mixcloud.com/CBq0Gl HERE YOU CAN CHECK ALL HIS SHOWS www.mixcloud.com/blackin3d email – wayneboucaud@btinternet.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/wayneboucaud Twitter – www.twitter.com/boucaud1 Podomatic – http://www.podomatic.com/profile/wayneboucaud

BRING BACK OUR GIRLS BRING BACK OUR GIRLS BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

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Words are not Enough …
Words will never be Enough
And the Soil has been stained- Even before I was born ..
Its skin polluted into new layers of rotten fragments
And for many years … Pools of tears untold
Stories which never made the HEADLINES,
Bodies that grew into Shadows
Vanishing into the dirge of a Bleak Sadness

Words are not Enough
Words will never be Enough ..
Dark Riddles embrace the mystery of the same old anguish

The laughing voices remain faceless
Raping our land
Raping our spirit
Raping our home
Raping the content and the fruits of our energy
Raping our WOMEN …

And then – SILENCE
And over the years, more SILENCE
The world keeps QUIET
The same old story in different LANDS
and many more stories which never make The HEADLINES

Words are not Enough
Words will never be Enough
And when you put the puzzle pieces together
A new HELL lets loose

Slowly our homes begin to burn
But even the most educated minds cannot see the FIRE
Sometimes it takes COURAGE
Sometimes it takes TRUE LOVE
Sometimes it takes UNITY
Sometimes it takes the start of a NEW SONG and an Old Revolution
For what is a NATION without WOMEN

Silence
Then more Silence
Then more common phrases

“God Dey”
“E go better”
“It is well”

But these are just Words
JUST WORDS

POEM BY Tony Tokunbo Fernandez

PICTURE DESIGN BY Dark Zac

 

                                                                               

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK- JEN- TITILOLA DA SWEETNEZZ – SINGER, SONGWRITER, POET AND MUSICIAN

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Da Sweetnezz” (real name; Jennifer Titilola) began singing in around 1994; when she was very young joining the St Anthony’s Primary School Choir, it was from then on that her passion to be heard grew and grew. Years later she then went on to join the local Church Choir in 1998, and also her Secondary School Choir; St Angela’s. It was here in music classes that Da Sweetnezz discovered a thirst to write her own lyrics, and from then on she never stopped! After she left school, for a while Da Sweetnezz’s singing was put on hold so that she could concentrate on her university studies.


However in Summer 2005 she took part in a Youth Project to get young people off the streets, which took place in East London, Canning Town and was organised by a Youth Club called ‘Community Links’ which is well known over London and in connection with the ‘Jack Petchey Foundation’. Da Sweetnezz and two of her closest friends signed up for a music course at this Youth Project; whereby they formed a band called; Lyrics 2 Kill or ‘L2K’, and Da Sweetnezz was the oldest member at the time. At only 16 years old and being the lyricist of the group she acted as the heart and soul of the trio. There was not and still isn’t a day that goes by without a pen being put to lyric pad. Through this music course, by using the facilities available to them, instruments, recording studio; and with the help of some professional music producers and a singing coach the trio recorded one track. The track was entitled “You”, which ‘L2K’ then went about promoting.

 Firstly by taking part in a talent show and disco held for the youth members at the Community Links Youth Centre, and secondly by performing at a music, fashion, arts ‘n’ crafts, talent showcase “The Mayors Newham Show”; held at different local parks situated around Newham. For her participation in this Youth Project and her achievements as a musician with ‘L2K’ Da Sweetnezz was awarded the Jack Petchey Achievement Award for “Outstanding Achievers” in 2006. Her group ‘L2K’ were a truly unique girl singing group and a fantastic example of how young talent should be utilized.

I can confirm that “Da Future Is Sweet” is a masterpiece of new school jumpy beats, with lyrics one hundred per cent written by Da Sweetnezz; the two latest’s singles off the EP are entitled “Funky Soul” & “Funky Love”, and Da Sweetnezz currently promotes them at every gig and live performance; the official release date was in January 2012, and it is available for free download here: http://soundcloud.com/da-sweetnezz/sets/da-future-is-sweet/

 To book Da Sweetnezz please email / contact: managementlush@gmail.com

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE BY TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ- RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR 2014 – NIGERIAN EUROPEAN AWARDS

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THE SMALL WORLD COMMUNITY CONCERT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY- SUNDAY THE 27TH OF APRIL AT THE WHITE LION IN STREATHAM, SOUTH LONDON AND AT THE SAME TIME THE NIGERIAN EUROPEAN AWARDS WAS TAKING PLACE IN ITALY ( THIS WAS AN EVENT I HAD BEEN INVITED FOR, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT TO ROME AS A RESULT IN A CLASH IN DIARY

I ONLY GOT TO LEARN THIS MORNING THAT I WON THE AWARDS FOR NIGERIAN RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR 2014 AT THE NI.GERIAN EUROPEAN AWARDS- TO SAY THE LEAST I AM HUMBLED AND TOUCHED, THIS AWARD DOES NOT JUST BELONG TO ME, IT BELONGS TO MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS AND MY FANS …

THIS AWARD BELONGS TO MY PARENTS MR Sigismond Olayode Fernandez AND MRS Pauline Fernandez

THIS AWARD BELONGS TO MY SIBLINGS Nicolette Fernandez Okewole AND Steven Fernandez

THIS AWARD BELONGS TO MY MENTEES Pintinz Agbonzikilo , Olubogu Ifeanyichukwu PetwyzAdebisi AdewalePrince Ifediba Chidalu NsoforDanielle Suzanne Isitt AND Funke Olutoye

THIS AWARD BELONGS TO Africa4UAFRICA AWAKENING INTERNATIONAL,AFRICANS IN LONDON AND AFRICANS IN BERKSHIRE AND FRIENDS

THIS AWARD BELONGS TO Dark Zac AND Zim Link

THIS AWARD BELONGS TO EVERY ROLE MODEL AROUND THE WORLD WITH A VOICE, WITH A TALENT AND WITH A MESSAGE, CREATING AND PAVING THE WAY FOR THEIR VISION – AGAINST ALL ODDS (YOU KNOW HOW WHO YOU ARE)

BUT THIS AWARD ALSO BELONGS TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART IN THE SMALL WORLD COMMUNITY CONCERT YESTERDAY ORGANISED BY AFRICA4U AND ZIMLINK BECAUSE WE WERE ALSO CELEBRATING SOMETHING WE NEVER KNEW OF AT THE TIME

Real O’Rael, Dorothy Dix, Ali SkuseMorakinyo Awosanya, Ferdinard Lawson, Nia ConsciousBrother ImaraWayne BoucaudMary Ajoke AkangbeJen Titi-Lola Da SweetnezzAdebayo RazakHart Culture, MR Oz Bayldon OF WHITE LION

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK Naija EU AwardsNaija EU Magazine AND THE ONE AND ONLY MR Tony Tprhymes Patrick FOR ALL YOUR GREAT WORK- THANK YOU SIR

LETS CONTINUE PROMOTE THE GOOD CAUSES OF NOT JUST NIGERIANS, NOT JUST AFRICANS BUT PEOPLE OF ALL CULTURES

ONE WORLD ONE LOVE

T.T.F

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ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK – NIA CONSCIOUS BROTHER IMARA

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 Nia Imara first got involved with supplementary education for children of Afrikan heritage


back in 1992 at the age of 24 after hearing an request for assistance for the Nubia Foundation

Saturday School which was based at the New initiatives Community Centre in Stockwell,

South London, on a community radio station.

Nia was coming into a new form of consciousness where he wanted answers to the many

questions that were posed in his life and to make a difference to the next generation. While

he had weekends free in his catering career the intention was to help young children achieve

higher standards in education and also to relearn mathematics, but the added bonus was 

learning substantial amounts of Afrikan history that was completely ignored in his education 

in mainstream schools and also at home. Nia witnessed children who had been excluded from 

mainstream schools and deemed “uneducatable”, excel in all areas with voluntary teaching 

staff who were not all qualified teachers. 

Nia vowed that when he eventually had children that they too would attend a Black 

supplementary school to make sure they had a better start to their education and have a 

better self confidence due to an early induction to their historical and current heritage.

His first child attended the same Black supplementary school, Nubia Foundation, that he

had previously volunteered in 8 years previously when his daughter turned 4 years old. Nia 

witnessed his daughter learn to write her name in hieroglyphics and learn algebra. When his 

daughter eventually started mainstream school at the age of 5 she was able to educate her 

own teacher and her classmates about hieroglyphics during a trip to the British Museum. Nia 

also witnessed the schools refusal to even attempt algebra as they deemed children of that age 

incapable of learning such mathematics. 

As Nia’s daughter and son progressed through their education in mainstream and weekend 

supplementary education, their learning ages were accessed as being 18 months ahead of their 

classmates. 

Nia became a single parent since his son was 7 months old and his first daughter was 3 years 

old but still insisted that they attend weekend supplementary education. 

NABSS first went online with a directory in 2007 and then the latest website was launched 

in June 2008 with further educational resources which include an events calendar, home 

education information, news, workshop directory and much more. 

The first NABSS National Conference was launched at the Hackney Museum in June 2009 

in conjunction with Black and Other UK Home Educators. The following year the event turned into the National Black Supplementary Schools Week and has continued every year since bringing in other individuals and organisations that are involved with the education of 

Black children and their families.
For 2014 the event  is themed on Health, Nutrition and Medicine during August.


Nia is in demand in the media to comment on cultural and educational issues on both radio 

and TV and is also invited to contribute to both public and private events. 

Nia is also involved with applying for a Free school license with the Ma’at School of 

Excellence, in North West London, The Black Identity Zone at Harlesden Library, the Nzinga 

Lecture series with Black History Walks, the committees for the National Black People’s Day 

of Action, the Interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament, the Afrikan Cooperative Union,  the Sister’s Health Forum and a few other organisations while also 

being a parent governor at his children’s school. 

NABSS can be contacted at www.nabss.org.uk or emailed at info@nabss.org.uk

MR ADEBAYO RAZAQ – A YOUNG COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR, ROLE MODEL AND PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICA SOCIETY, UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS YOUNG MAN?

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Residents of Buckingham’s Hamilton House care home had a Valentine’s Day treat when students from the University of Buckingham visited them with Valentine’s cards, roses, cake and chocolates.

 The idea came from law student Adebayo Razak, who is founder and president of the university’s Africa Society.

Eighteen, mainly African, students spent the afternoon with residents. As well as taking roses and treats, they read a poem and a story, played music, including Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye and Ben E. King, and danced with the old ladies.

Activities manager Sarah Picketts said: “It was amazing. It just lived way above their expectations. I was just speechless for them. The old ladies were just so emotional and they never stop talking about it. They absolutely loved it.

“The residents were on such a high when they’d finished, it was hard to bring them back down. One lady wouldn’t put her rose down.

“I told them they’re welcome to come back any time.”

Mr Razak, aged 30, said it was an emotional experience for the students as well as the elderly people.

He said: “We had a very warm reception. We had a lot of hugs, we had a lot of kisses. they were very welcoming, very loving. We see them as our new friends. One of the ladies told me this was one of the best times she’d had in her life.

“It was not just the act of taking roses and cake and chocolates. I felt the elderly and the young people were able to connect in heart.

“As international students coming all the way from Africa, Buckingham has embraced us and I don’t think there’s anything better we can give back to society than the commitment of love and care.

“We’ll definitely go back there.”

 

Only last year, Students at the University of Buckingham raised an incredible £3,500 for charity during their Rag Week in August from a number of events including a human auction, a duck race down the river Great Ouse and a fine for all students not wearing hats or appropriate Rag clothes. This project was also put together by Mr Razaq

 

Mr Razaq is a passionate and selfless young man who gets involved in community initiatives aimed at adding value to everyday life. He is definately a Community ambassador you should watch out for in the near future

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK- LORNA STEWART

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Lorna Stewart is a Multi Award Winning Entrepreneur.  She is a Business and Leadership Development Consultantant | Mentor | Trainer | Speaker | Sponsor | ‘Human Potential’ Coach.  She is the creator of six separate award winning projects designed to support the sustainable development of entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals.  With a career spanning over 20 years in business and leadership roles, and running her own enterprise for a decade, Lorna has build up a solid reputation for success.  With a vast network of high profile leaders, influential and inspirational contacts, Lorna has secured major opportunities for her business associates as well as the entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders that her business supports.  
 
Her clients include
 
Mayors, High Commissioners, Local Authorities, Corporate Companies, Charities, and Education Establishments.   As a philanthropist, Lorna also supports entrepreneurs of small to medium-sized businesses, leaders and professionals to achieve their aspirations and bring their dreams to life.  She also works directly with young people to raise their aspirations and to help them to explore enterprise, leadership and careers as viable and sustainable paths to secure their socio-economic futures.
 
 
 
 
 
Lorna Stewart Long Biography
 
 
Lorna Stewart is a Multi Award Winning Entrepreneur.  She is a Business and Leadership Development Consultantant | Mentor | Trainer | Speaker | Sponsor | ‘Human Potential’ Coach.  She is the creator of six separate award winning projects designed to support the sustainable development of entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals.  With a career spanning over 20 years in business and leadership roles, and running her own enterprise for a decade, Lorna has build up a solid reputation for success.  With a vast network of high profile leaders, influential and inspirational contacts, Lorna has secured major opportunities for her business associates as well as the entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders that her business supports.  
 
She specialises in
  • Business Growth and Sustainability
  • Business and Leadership Development
  • ‘Human Potential’ Development
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • National and International Trade Relations
 
History
 
Lorna commenced her leadership journey at the tender age of 21, when she became the youngest governor of a school in the UK, and appointed to the role of Chair of Personell.
Aged 27 she was head hunted and appointed to the role of Executive Director for the Simba Charity, and Chair of CAYCE (Culture Arts Youth and Community Education).  In this role she oversaw the Stephen Lawrence and Daniel DeGale Fundraiser held at the Grand Blackheath Halls in Greenwich.
 
In 2006 Lorna was again head hunted and given the responsibility for co-writing the Sustainability for the University of the Arts London (the largest arts education institution in Europe).  The subsequent year she appointed Chair of Black History for the university and was commissioned to write projects to support their Diversity and Inclusion Agenda.  Her projects made the University the very first education institution to win a Black Business Award.  The following year she was responsible for writing the University’s Diversity Policy and setting up and monitoring the Diversity Committees on all University Sites. 
  
As an event manager, Lorna is the organiser of the annual Black Business Awards, held at the London Hilton Hotel and organiser of the Mayor of Lewisham’s Annual Launch of Black History Season.  She also organised the UK Diaspora Trade embargo for the Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago High Commissions in 2011.  She was the official event manager of the Apple Centre Launch.
 
Lorna is the Founder and Director of Black 100+ The Exhibition and Legacy of Black Achievers in Modern Britain, which raises the profile of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs and bridges the gaps between them and mainstream organisations and those within our multi-cultural society.
 
Her high profile clients include:  
 
  • Mayors:  Lewisham | Southwark | Ealing | Lambeth
  • High Commissioners:  Jamaica | Nigeria | Trinidad and Tobago | Barbados
  • Local Authorities:  Lewisham | Southwark | Lambeth | Brent | Greenwich
  • Corporate Companies and Charities:  Apple | City YMCA | Bank of England
  • Education Establishments:  University of the Arts London | Goldsmiths University | Haberdasher’s Askes School | St Matthew Business Academy
 
As a philanthropist, Lorna also supports entrepreneurs of small to medium-sized businesses, leaders and professionals to achieve their aspirations and bring their dreams to life.  She also works directly with young people to raise their aspirations and to help them to explore enterprise, leadership and careers as viable and sustainable paths to secure their socio-economic futures.
 
Services
 
  • Workshops, seminars and master classes
  • Prestigious networking events
  • Business fairs and expos
  • Guest speaking and motivational speaking
  • Mentoring and Coaching

THE ZIMLINK LAUNCH PARTY- SATURDAY THE 21ST OF JUNE AT THE WHITE LION IN STREATHAM- GUEST SPEAKERS, POETS & WORKSHOPS- FROM 12 NOON- ADMISSION IS FREE-

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BREAKING NEWS –

ITS THE MOMENT EVERYONE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR, THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY OF Zim Link INSPIRED BY COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR Dark Zac WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY THE 21ST OF JUNE AT The White Lion, Streatham 234 STREATHAM HIGH ROAD, STREATHAM, SOUTH LONDON, SW16 1BB FROM 12 NOON TO 5PM

ZIMLINK IS A COMMUNITY BASED CHARITY MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLES LIFE EVERYDAY WITH NO FUNDING WHATSOEVER- THEY ALSO OFFER FREE TRAINING TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO EDITING, INTERVIEWING AND OTHER AREAS OF MENTORING

THIS IS AN EVENT YOU CANNOT TO MISS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF GUEST SPEAKERS, POETS AND WORKSHOPS TO EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF SOCIAL HARMONY AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Lindani Moyo Masuku – ZIMBABWE

Cecily Mugo -KENYA

Steve Mulindwa- UGANDA

Real O’Rael – NIGERIA

Jen Titi-Lola Da Sweetnezz – POET

Emma Ako – POET

ADMISSION IS FREE- DONATIONS ARE WELCOME ON THE DAY –
Africa4U WILL ALSO BE GIVING OUT FREE BOOKS ON THE DAY

FRIENDS OF ZIMBABWE
FRIENDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
FRIENDS OF THE WORLD
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE DAY- IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK OR PERFORM ON THE DAY, RING ME ON 07882809005 ASAP

Akpojaro Ekariama AND Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez- COMPERES FOR THE DAY

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR Oz Bayldonn- THE MANAGER OF The White Lion, Streatham FOR SUPPORTING US WITH A REGULAR VENUE AND FOR HIS SELFLESS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES-

 

 

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK- MR ATTA KOUASSI FROM COTE D IVOIRE

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Born out of a passion for Africa, sound, music, culture and tradition, Focus Organizationwas founded by Kouassi Atta (Cote d’Ivoire) in 2010. His aim was simple, to bring good music to the masses – music with soul, power, difference, honesty and heritage.

 

It wasn’t long before Atta’s focused energy took him to every corner of London, searching high and low for venues, partners and willing individuals to help host his ambitious music events.

Mingling among artists, afropolitans and music enthusiasts, Atta soon found himself atPassing Clouds, celebrating one of his very first events with the hypnotic rhythms of theSoukous kings, Kasai Masai. It was here that Atta met Victoria Blackshaw, a young gig-goer ready to take on all things focused. Together, they embarked on a journey of no return, working with incredible artists, learning about new genres and dance moves, and connecting with scores of other great promoters around town. Severa Adou, fellow Ivorian and budding musician, moved to London from Paris soon after and joined the Focus team, helping organise gigs all over the capital.

 

 Launching in East London (Cargo, Passing Clouds, Favela Chic, Open the Gate)Focusmoved across to West London (Mau Mau, Notting Hill Arts Club), popped down to South London for a while (CLF Art Café, Mango Landin’), ran a night in central (MoMo’s) and finally moved back East to host a couple of a residencies (Rich Mix, Charlie Wrights, Bedroom Bar).

 Focus grew, spreading its roots in the London music scene and earning the respect and partnership of organisations like Joyful Noise (London African Music Festival), Wormfood, AGMP, Target Live, Continental Drifts, 2 For The Road.

 

Focus Organization WINNER Best Events Promoter – BEFFTA AWARDS 2013

Focus Organization nominated for Best Events Promoter – BEFFTA AWARDS 2012.

Focus Organization nominated for Life Changers Awards 2013

 

 We have now worked with an amazing list of local artists including Muntu Valdo, Kasai Masai, Afla Sackey, Diabel Cissokho, Future Groove, Yaaba Funk, M3nsa, Bumi Thomas, Mashasha and Sam, Harare, Native Sun, Kadialy Kouyate, Djembe Thunder, Dj Edu, DJ Eric Soul, JP Kairo, AJ Holmes, Eddie Boi, Dj CD – Carlos de Carvalho etc..

 In conjunction with our partners, Focus has supported events including Africa Utopia, Africa Express (Amadou & Mariam-Baaba Maal-Bassekou Kouyate’-Rokia Traore Etc with special guest: SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY), Global Local, “The BEST From AFRICA Showcase FESTIVAL”with Continental Drifts, Toumani Dabate’, Jimmy Cliff, One love Festival, Black Uhuru, Catch a Fire, Public Enemy etc…

 

 Mr Atta of Focus continues to celebrate the diversity of London sounds, from cultures worldwide, and is always looking for new music to promote.

This Community Ambassador continues to make us proud and is a profound example of a Role Model, setting the pace for a better tomorrow

 For all new enquiries or if you just want to say hello, email Mr Atta below:

attak@focusorganization.com

ORISUN (THE SOURCE) PRESENTS YORUBA CLASSES IN THE UK – AN INITIATIVE BY MR RICHARD OLUYINKA

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ORISUN (THE SOURCE) Presents Yoruba Classes (For Children 5-10years, 11-16years) Our School specializes in teaching the Yoruba language to children aged between 5 and 16. Yoruba is a spoken language in the South Western states of Nigeria. We are a community group, based in North Acton, working towards a brighter future for our children who live in the United Kingdom. Our group serves children in the local community. The children will learn their mother tongue in a friendly, inspiring and warm environment. They learn their cultural heritage and traditions that they would otherwise have no opportunity to learn. They learn and perform cultural dances, raps, storytelling and songs. Aims and objectives 1. The children will become fluent speakers of their first language. 2. They will meet other children from their community and socialise. 3. They will receive help with their schoolwork. 4. They will understand the spoken and written form of the language. 5. They, in turn, will be able to pass the knowledge on to their offspring. The children will learn through songs and rhymes. They will carry out role-plays and read books in the target language. COMING SOON! These classes will be held every Saturdays, during term time, (starting summer 2014 with an open event for parents and children) Venue: UNIT 2 PORTALWEST BUSINESS CENTRE PORTAL WAY LONDON W3 6RU The group also holds workshops and talks for adults who wish to learn about the Yoruba culture. Please book your limited places now! Please send an e-mail to: orisunthesource@yahoo.co.uk Call 07404232846 from 9am-5pm