The word Arami directly translates to “my body” in Yoruba, and the idea of creating “Arami (my body) essentials” is aligned towards treating the body right. So says Ore Runsewe, the young lady who built Arami Essentials from a table in her bedroom...[more]
Stowe Boyd 2022-06-07 17:27:01
Meet Uzochukwu Bobby Marcy founder of Aibaoni Cosmetics China
Uzochukwu Bobby Marcy is a Nigerian business man from Ngor Okpala Local Government Area in Imo State. He is married to a Chinese and they jointly opened a cosmetic factory near Jinhua in Zhejiang Province – China. Their cosmetics products, such as face powder, eye shadow, soaps and lip glosses have gained international recognition, and are sold in West Africa and Central America...[more]
AFA Sports founded by Ugo Udezue
The founder of AFA Sports is turning athletic and athleisure wear into an economic force for the continent.
When Ugo Udezue left his plush job as a National Basketball Association (NBA) agent at one of the top firms in the United States four years ago, he never imagined he would go on to pioneer the first and only African sports apparel company to officially outfit a team at the Olympic Games in Japan this year...[more]
Suya Suya brings West African flavors to a fast-casual bowl audience
Entrepreneurs want to bring the flavors of West Africa — especially Nigeria and Ghana — to American audiences by way of bowls...[more]
Co-founded by Chinedu Enekwe | Aux21 @Aux21Capital is a seed-stage firm investing in the future of global commerce with a focus on companies led by immigrant founders.
Aux21 is a seed-stage firm investing in the future of global commerce with a focus on companies led by immigrant founders. At the start of 2020, Chinedu Enekwe and Mark Fleming, based in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, launched the firm to build on their decades of experience in global markets. Chinedu and Mark share the stories of founders across the globe on their podcast Venture The World...[more]
Very Puzzled founded by Patrick Adom is inducting children into the fascinating world of jigsaw puzzles while teaching them about African culture.
“I saw that there were not a lot of things around my daughter that focused on her cultural heritage and I thought jigsaw puzzles were an innovative route that nobody was doing. I found an illustrator and it so happened that the illustrator had a map of Africa that was very bright and colorful that resonated with me and so I reached out and asked if it could be customized for me.
“They agreed and I paid them and they delivered the customization I wanted. I then looked on a platform called Alibaba and from there, I was able to secure a manufacturer in China. I made 100 pieces to test the market and reached out to black-owned shops in London to generate buzz about the products and also using Instagram and social media to let people know about the product,” says Adom...[more]
Meet Deborah Torres founder of Vegan Fried Chicken company Atlas Monroe https://vegnews.com/2021/4/atlas-monroe-shark-tank-vegan-fried-chicken
Vegan fried chicken company Atlas Monroe is set to become the largest manufacturer of deep-fried vegan chicken in the world. The news comes as Atlas Monroe recently acquired its own multi-million-dollar manufacturing plant at a two-story, 10,000-square-foot warehouse in San Diego, CA, with plans to open a second location this year...[more]
Co-Founded by Kunle Olukotun SambaNova Systems Raises $676M in Series D, Surpasses $5B Valuation and Becomes World’s Best-Funded AI Startup
SambaNova Systems (Co-Founded by Kunle Olukotun), the company building the industry’s most advanced software, hardware and services to run AI applications, today announced a $676 million Series D funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2*. The round includes additional new investors Temasek and GIC, plus existing backers including funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Intel Capital, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Walden International and WRVI...[more]
Charles Oluwole Job | Designer
Charles Oluwole Job was born in Lagos Nigeria, in sunny West Africa.He achieved his diploma in Architecture, and a masters degree in Urban Design at Oxford Brookes University, followed by work experience in various architectural practises in London, Paris and Zürich.
Charles was appointed Professor of architectural design theory at the Berne University of Applied Sciences in 2008, where he continues to teach, part time.
Engaged in the fields of temporary architecture, product, furniture and lighting design for international clients, the studio sees architecture in its variety of scales. A constant quest for simple innovation is the common thread through its wide repertoire of projects.
Charles has taken part in, and won numerous international competitions. He lives in Zürich, Switzerland...[more]
Meet Ms Adenah Bayoh Who Built a $225M Real Estate Portfolio
When Adenah Bayoh was eight years old, civil war in Liberia forced her into a refugee camp. She immigrated to the U.S. when she was thirteen. By the time she was twenty-seven, she was one of the youngest IHOP franchise owners in the country. Her location soon became one of the most profitable in the Northeast...[more]
Meet Mamadou Cisse, the Founder of Oju-Wa a Cosmetic Company based in France
Oju-Wa, a cosmetic brand for men with black and mixed skin, joins The Colors Program. His dermatological skincare brand was conceived to offer a range of skincare products for men of color, who are not often honored by the major cosmetic groups. We are delighted to develop this question with Mamadou when you know that Global Men's Grooming Products Market will reach $183. 2 Billion by 2027...[more]
Agroecology in action – the amazing ‘Cacao Eleggua’ Agroforestry Farm, Sierra Leone founded by Des Peters
Cacao Elegguá is a cocoa agroforestry farm initiative that has taken root in Kenema, Sierra Leone. The aspiration of the project is to implement best practices in cocoa plantation. The vision is to serve the local community and ultimately, to improve the reputation of cocoa farming in Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole...[more]
Gloria Allorbi Wants to Put Ghana’s Favorite Condiment "Shito " on the Global Map https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/gloria-allorbi-homemade-shito-ghana
In January of 2020, Gloria Allorbi, returned to Los Angeles from her first trip home to Ghana in over ten years. The food she found herself eating back in the U.S. was falling flat in comparison to the dishes she had just been enjoying in Ghana. The owner of Gloria’s Shito, Allorbi describes herself as having become somewhat “snobbish” about the food around her, and after contemplating why it was that she was so discontent with what she was eating, she realized one very crucial component was missing: shito...[more]
Ikenga Wines founded by Onye Ahanotu
...In 2018, inspired by experiences like Kishore’s and his own, Ahanotu founded Ikenga Wines. The company is his trailblazing attempt at high-tech palm wine production, and he’s aiming to be the first to commercialize the process for distribution in the United States. Ahanotu has already begun hosting palm-wine tastings and offering advanced orders to U.S. consumers, with a promise of delivering lightly aged, effervescent wines within eight to 12 months. If he succeeds, he could be the first to produce palm wine commercially in the United States...[
more]
Nine exciting brands of Afro-Brazilian entrepreneurs that you should know
Making power moves. That’s what I think when I see the continuing explosion of the Afro-Brazilian entrepreneurial spirit. It’s been a minute since I’ve been able to share news coming out the world Afro-Brazilian fashion enterprises, and if you knew of all of the craziness coming out of Brazil these days, you’d understand why. I hope to explore some of these stories in the coming week, but for now, I want to focus on some brands that I’ve come to know in recent months as well as a few that have already featured on this blog.
Below are a few brief write-ups about nine brands that were recommended by a popular product subscription company that I introduced to readers, oh, I’d say a few years back, and its recommendations/introductions to the products of some small business products that they wanted consumers to keep their eyes on.
As you know, I’v been a fan of the “black money” concept being discussed among Afro-Brazilian entrepreneurs (even though I see some immediate challenges with the ideology and goals), so most of or all of the brands and products presented below are the concepts and productions of Afro-Brazilian business men and women. Take a look at a few of the items and maybe visit their websites, you’re bound to see a few things that catch your eye...[more]
Meet Mariee Revere founder of MoonXCosmetics
MoonXCosmetics, a handmade vegan skincare line specializing in all skin types, just experienced major success online, but not without the vision of its 20-year-old founder.
MoonXCosmetics offers an assortment of products ranging from natural hydrating oils, cleansers, body conditioners, masks, and more...[more]
On @YoleleFoods founded by Pierre Thiam – Building Bottom-Up Food Processing Systems by Lisa Elaine Held
In the process of trying to determine if I could trust the founders’ approach, I interviewed Anuradha Mittal, the executive director of The Oakland Institute. Mittal is not involved with the company and was willing to provide an outside perspective based on her years of expertise in development, human rights, and farming.
I asked her for her thoughts on this one company selling one grain, and I was genuinely (and pleasantly) surprised by her enthusiasm. I also loved this interview. It gets at so many complex issues with the global food supply chain in just a few questions. Mittal links building food processing infrastructure in Africa to efforts to dismantle a history of colonization and says we should be looking to traditional crops to figure out how to feed ourselves as the climate changes.
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did...[more]
From Senegal , Oumar Diouf – The Afro-Brazilian Street Food King Of Oakland https://youtu.be/IhhPwXHNNOY
Manufacturing in Africa 2020 – A Panel Discussion hosted by Chimeremuzo Onyenezi
In effort to continue bridging the gap between Africa and her diaspora, I created and this event and partnered with the Global African Business Association (GABA) and the Nigerian-American Multicultural Association (NAMC) to have focused discussion on the potential of the manufacturing industry in Africa. We will be hearing stories from entrepreneurs contributing to the manufacturing space within Africa, and sharing practical ways on how to get involved. Check out the agenda below.
Neiman Marcus Adds African-Owned Skincare Brand – Yangu Beauty @YanguBeauty – To Its Premier Beauty Collection
Since the start of the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year, many have demanded that major corporations and institutions do more to advance diversity and inclusion within their business structures. Neiman Marcus announced this week that it will be adding to its premier beauty collection catering to women of color with an African-owned skincare brand, Yangu Beauty...[more]
How I Built A $75 Million Restaurant Empire – Marcus Samuelsson @MarcusCooks https://youtu.be/rsC-uQgeSgA
Meet Cindy Tawiah founder of Diva By Cindy @Divabycindy
Meet Cindy Tawiah, an entrepreneur from Maryland who has revolutionized the beauty industry by launching the first ever automated vending machine that sells natural hair care products. Her company, Diva By Cindy, is an all-natural and alcohol-free hair care brand with extreme detangling abilities...[more]
West African Dishes Are The Top Trending For 2020, And These Dishes Are Why https://www.thetravel.com/what-is-traditional-african-food/
West African cuisine is full of bold flavor and plays with ingredients to create healthy and hearty meals, making foodies fall in love with each one...[more]
Kenya unveils first diaspora investment fund
Kenya has introduced its first licensed investment fund for citizens living overseas, in a move that is expected to channel more of the diaspora’s money into development projects across the country...[more]
In Silico Study Reveals How E64 Approaches, Binds to, and Inhibits Falcipain-2 of Plasmodium falciparum that Causes Malaria in Humans by Emmanuel Salawu @EmmanuelSci (Nigeria)
Even though malaria has been known to man since the year 2700 BC, the malaria problem remains unsolved. And malaria is one of the deadliest diseases (most especially in the Tropics) killing about half a million people annually with the children under the age of 5 years suffering malaria’s worst scourge. These rank malaria as one of the most important public health and clinical health problems till date...[more]
African Vegetables from Flats Mentor Farm Massachusetts ( @FlatsMentorFarm )
...The Flats Mentor Farm is located on a 70-acre river bottom parcel of land in Lancaster, Massachusetts. Founded in 1984, it provides the space and infrastructure for small immigrant and refugee farmers to get started. “There are institutional barriers to land access. It’s hard for immigrants who are not white and named Smith to own land,” said Maria Moreira, who founded the farm. “My family migrated from Portugal in the 1960s and it was extremely difficult to purchase land if you hadn’t already owned land. It’s still hard today.” Like Henrietta, the other farmers at Flats Mentor Farm produce ethnic specialty crops, supplying wholesale and retail markets throughout New England, including more than 40 farmers’ markets. The farm has over 300 farmers: nine in 10 of them are from across Africa, and more than three in five are women...[more]
Wachira Wines – Californian Wine with a Kenyan Accent
Wachira Wines is a family owned Urban Winery delivering high-end, every-day wines borne of a passion for pairing fine Californian varietals with African cuisine.
A Conversation with Adeyemi Ajao, the Managing Partner at Base10 Partners @Base10Partners and Founder of Tuenti @Tuenti , Identified.
Ethiopian Diaspora can provide their relatives with Ethiopian services through Hello Ethio @ethio_hello
To help unlock the potential of Ethiopia through the digitalization of essential services, such as finance, healthcare, and eCommerce. To help drive sustainable and inclusive growth through digitalization.
We believe digitalization will lower transaction costs and bring essential services to the reach of the poor. It bypasses the conventional time consuming and capital intensive build-up of fixed assets (bank branches, school buildings, and warehouses).
From Anifa Mvuemba founder of Hanifa | A 3D Runway Fashion presentation @officialHanifa
Congolese designer, Anifa Mvuemba, gave a preview of what catwalks might look like in a post-pandemic world with a collection using virtual models.
Mvuemba released the latest collection for her fashion brand, Hanifa, on Instagram live on Friday. During the show, the digital models sashayed down the runway with the designer's outfits draped on headless, three-dimensional bodies. The Pink Label Congo collection featured pants and dresses in vibrant colors and was described as the future of runway fashion by spectators...[more]
The Wilfred Ngwa Lab at Harvard – Is Pioneering new Technologies and Approaches (including PhytoMedicines) for Cancer treatment and reducing Healthcare disparities https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jLop-JWq0
Dr Ngwa's research is focused on clinical translation of technologies/approaches that can increase access to quality cancer treatment. This includes smart radiotherapy biomaterials (Tiny drones to Target cancer or nanoparticle drones) and PhytoMedicines. The award-winning drone technologies are designed to help eliminate both local and metastatic tumors with minimal collateral damage or side effects. The drones can be employed to sustainably deliver different drug payloads (including immunotherapy/chemotherapy drugs or cannabinoids) precisely to disease sites or targets, with greater therapeutic efficacy. This work leverages the abscopal effect and the biomaterials drone technology in research to significantly increase survival and quality of life for patients...[more]
Meet Richie from Ghana founder of Didi Grande Restaurant Japan
DiDi Grande makes entrance in Azabu-Juban a classic American Grill & Italian in a contemporary yet comfortable surrounding designed. Utilizing both old and new methods of cooking, DiDi Grande offers simple yet elegant dishes while focusing on Selected Premium Black Wagyu from our Shikishima Farm in Nasu-Tochigi and Hokkaido Prefecture with seasonal japanese ingredients from the freshest market produce. We take pride in serving only the best quality Black Wagyu steaks to our guests...[more]
Ade Adesanya cofounded Moving Analytics ( @movinganalytics ) to improve an outdated cardiac rehabilitation system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zHaTnSl-FE
Riyan Organic Somaliland – Founded by Muna Magan (@muna_magan)
A European investor once told me.The world is not ready for Somali skincare products. Well, They forgot that the world is craving for the secret behind our beautiful skin. I'm delighted to say, after two years. We are selling worldwide and most of our customers are Europeans!! - @muna_magan
Riyan Organics, a young independent health and beauty label, produces 100% natural products. Inspired by ancient traditions, packaged, marketed and delivered using modern science. It is based on the idea that beauty products should be made from pure, natural, sustainable and ethical ingredients. Based in Hargeisa, Somaliland and Gothenburg, Sweden. The Riyan Organics brand, believes that business can be a "source for good" so we engage in positive enterprise.
“The Real Homes of Africa” by Aliyah Mahdi via @TravelNoire
There’s a new web docuseries that aims to show people the glamorous side of West Africa.
Entrepreneur Aliyah Mahdi is the host of “The Real Homes of Africa” where, instead of showcasing what people may be used to seeing on television, she will guide viewers through some of the most stunning homes in Senegal.
Mahdi is the co-founder of Made In Africa, an organization that helps to build local businesses and improve local and international commercial trade between the diaspora. Partnering with her husband, she founded the organization in 2014 after repatriating from the United States to Senegal...[more]
Beyond the return: 28-year-old African American relocates to Ghana; starts food truck business
28-year-old Deijha Gordon has left her family in Brooklyn, New York to start a food truck business (based in basecamp Accra) Ghana.
The decision to come to Ghana for the first time and subsequently decide to relocate to the West African country is borne out of a sense of duty to help, Deijha tells ABC News...[more]
‘Top Chef’ Star Eric Adjepong’s First Public Restaurant Will Be a Fry Bread Counter
Fans of Eric Adjepong, the D.C.-based breakout star from Top Chef Kentucky, will soon get a chance to taste his West African-influenced cuisine without hiring him to compose a private dinner party.
Adjepong will open a fast-casual counter selling roti flatbreads and doubles — popular street snacks from Caribbean islands and South Asia made of fry bread and spiced chickpeas — this spring in Northeast D.C.’s Union Market food hall. On the Double marks the Ghanaian-American chef’s first solo project since debuting on Bravo’s popular cooking competition series in late 2018...[more]
Meet Amina Hersi – one of Africa’s most successful female entrepreneurs
Amina Hersi "has launched several multimillion-dollar projects in Kampala, Uganda. Her investments include Oasis Shopping Mall in Kampala's central business district and the Laburnam Courts Apartments, on Nakasero Hill adjacent to State House Kampala. She in the process of launching the first sugar factory in Northern Uganda. Atiak sugar factory will not only bring revenue and development for the region but is championed as the first large scale industrial project for Northern Uganda."...[more]
Meet Nike Folayan – A Wireless Engineer
Meet Eden Gebre Egziabher founder of Makina Cafe ( @MakinaCafe) , the first and only Eritrean and Ethiopian food truck in New York City.
Eden Gebre Egziabher owns and operates Makina Cafe, the first and only Eritrean and Ethiopian food truck in New York City. Driven by her passion for the foods she ate as a child growing up in Addis Ababa, Eden serves Eritrean and Ethiopian staples like injera bread, chicken and beef tibs, misir (spicy red lentils), tikel gomen (cabbage with carrots and potatoes), gomen (collard greens), and sambusas, which are similar to samosas. Eden, born and raised in Ethiopia from parents of Eritrean descent, aims to use Makina Cafe to celebrate her two countries of origin and their cuisines.
Global Eats: West African Foods Are Popping Up, But Still Have Ways to Go cc @Kitchnbutterfly https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/global-eats-west-african-foods-are-popping-still-have-ways-go/?fbclid=IwAR0xyRcuYjL1WYKNd2WZa2ghSQUH7tsZ5B1IZwVvzrdSUx2SQkG1y1_l03g
The region’s ingredients are trending in foodservice—and have direct connections to familiar U.S. southern cuisine—but wide acceptance is an uphill climb...[more]
Meet Biomedical Engineer, Ronke Olabisi @OlabisiLab ,who fixes bones with oyster shells!
Adam Feinberg from Carnegie Mellon University and Ronke Olabisi from UC Irvine undertaking groundbreaking work in healing ‘unhealable’ wounds with adult stem cells and creating 3D bio-printed materials that can be used in biomedical research to test new drugs and print new organs such as hearts and lungs...[more]
Meet Adan Abbey Founder of Horn of Africa Insurance #Somaliland via @FutureAfriForum @hornoainsurance
What are you waiting for?…"Kilishi Delivered" in Toronto #Canada
Kilishi Delivered is the sole online distributor & marketer of Albarkah Foods Kilishi products, for delivery to consumers across Canada and the US. We deliver great tasty Kilishi, crafted to perfection in Canada from grass fed beef, right to the front doors of our customers in no time.
Omugwo #Nigeria – An Online Care Giving Service
Omugwo is an online care giving service company, where you can find the most professional and reliable caregivers to meet the needs and match the expectations of your entire family. We provide you with the most reliable, professional and experienced caregivers in Nigeria, whom have been trained and properly vetted.For an understanding of the cultural practice 'Omugwo' listen here
Ogun State Motorsports #Nigeria – Driven International
Masterplan for a motorsports and leisure venue in Nigeria. Driven International are pleased to be working with brand and marketing agency EMC3 Nigeria, on behalf of Ogun State to design a new motorsport development near Abeokuta...[more]
Bisi Ezerioha (Founder of Bisimoto Engineering) : The Fast and the Curious https://youtu.be/s4HBMmPUfJ8 @bisimoto
Bisi Ezerioha takes things apart as a kid and puts them together as an adult so they'll go VROOM! Bisi Ezerioha is the CEO and chief engineer of his company Bisimoto Engineering. A chemical engineer by training, he was a pharmaceutical researcher for years before he decided to bring his mad engineering skills to the pursuit of creating ridiculously fast cars. His automotive creations have appeared in numerous films and video games. And oh yeah, he drives really fast... on the track.
Stem Cells in Space: Dr. Abba Zubair’s Research Story https://youtu.be/g5khrXRfTrk #Nigeria
All natural ready-to-drink premium crafted soft cocktails with superfruits from Mocktail Club @Mocktail_Club founded by Pauline Idogho @PaulineIdogho
All natural ready-to-drink premium crafted soft cocktails with superfruits, tannins & rich flavors with a kick. Perfect as is or in a cocktail.