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Pictured: Kenny Agyapong, Abdul Karim Abdullah, Edward Asafu-Adjaye, Vernell Akyeampong (Not Pictured: Emmanual Ansah)
#BlackExcellence365 Spotlight: Afrochella
Hey Tumblr! It’s been a while but we’re back again with another #BlackExcellence365 spotlight that transcends from Ghana. We had the pleasure of talking to the founders of @afrochella and their efforts to bring the African and African-American diaspora through music, culture, and the motherland.
For those wondering, what is Afrochella and how did the birth of this festival in Ghana originate?
Afrochella is an opportunity for us to celebrate the contributions of creatives from and within Africa.
Every December, Africans flock home for the holidays. The one thing that has always been clear is the caliber of talent and resourcefulness amongst Ghanaians specifically those coming home for the holidays across all industries. We felt there was a need to harness this greatness.
Early 2017, Abdul called Kenny discussing these ideas and on a whim asked Kenny to reserve the Accra Polo Court and Kenny said, why not. Edward, the third founder was recruited to unpack the branding of ideas and marketing. Later, Vernell Akyempong and Emmanuel joined the leadership team to spearhead art, design and community involvement respectively. Together the team unpacked the ideas and created Afrochella.
We’ve seen the recent crossover of Afrobeat in the U.S in the past couple of years. Why is creating this festival and bridging the gap between Africans and Black Americans so important for the culture?
Kenny: We need to change the narrative from a discussion that separates us to a conversation that brings us together. Afrochella understands educating both sides of a shared culture will benefit and unite the diaspora. One of our mantra for 2019 is Empowering Me, Empowers Our home. This simply means, a bridging of the gap between Africans and the Diaspora will strengthen the continent and the resolve of our people everywhere.
Abdul: Bridging the gap between Africans and Black North Americans is very important for the culture because I lived in both worlds. We can highlight two cultures in one. I was born and raised in the US, and it was not cool when I said I was African. But now African is the new sexy and that is mainly because of music. Afrobeat music is showing the other side of what Africans are capable of.
Vernell: First of all, there’s no America without Africa! The truth of Black America lies in Africa. Bridging these separate but equal groups is essential to the freedom of any black person. For me it’s about time we celebrate OUR culture.
Ghana’s and West African culture in general is seen in today’s Black culture in the U.S. How does Afrochella showcase Ghanaian culture?
Edward: We showcase Ghanaian culture through food, music, art and cultural displays. Our goal is to ensure all of the attendees feel the vibration of the culture during their time at the festival. Ghanaians as a whole are welcoming people. We want to showcase the Ghanaian culture by the sites, sound and delights. That is why our four pillars at Afrochella are Food, Art, Music and Culture. Once you land at the airport in Accra, you can just feel that you are at home.
How does Afrocehlla embody the essence of #BlackExcellence365?
Abdul: Afrochella embodies the essence of #BlackExcellence365 because we are five young men who grew up in Ghana or the US and didn’t want to take “no you can’t do this” as an answer. We started something that was just an idea and now it is a full-time business. We had an idea to showcase and highlight our Ghanaian(African) culture to the world. We use our new found platform
To encourage young black professionals(like ourselves) to invest in Africa and the talent on the continent
Draw attention to various charity initiatives existing in Ghana
Develop information sessions called #AfrochellaTalks to reinforce our pillars and ensure we are educating our audiences on the possibilities in Music, Fashion, Food, Business and Art within Africa.
What is something you would like people to take away from Afrochella?
Abdul: More so than anything - we would like for our attendees to see their visit to Ghana/Africa to be an introduction to possibilities for themselves. If Afrochella is possible, then there are several opportunities in different industries available to the diaspora as long as they are willing to invest in the talent and people on the continent.
Edward: One thing I would like everyone to take away from Afrochella is the experience. We want your life to change in that 8-12 hours. “WOW this is Africa and this is the Africa they don’t show mainstream”.
Thank you to the Afrochella team for sharing and for this incredible event! If you’re interested, check out their Tumblr page, @afrochella for all of the updates and content.
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
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I want to empower people on the continent to do their research and help their own communities. I think community health centers are one of the ways you change that. People can go in and get the information they need about the importance of knowing your health status.
Abdul Karim Abdullah, Founder of Afrochella
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🌟Time for the World to see what you knew all along 🌟
Afrochella's Rising Star Challenge is a partnership with Audiomack to increase the visibility of artists across Africa. 25 of the best submissions will be included in a curated Audiomack playlist for the public to vote through streams, favorites, and shares. Only 7 artists will be vetted to perform on stage at Afrochella, December 28th at El Wak Stadium.
The artist with the most engagement will win $1000 USD; a studio session at BBNZ live ; as well as an artist feature on Audiomack's platform.
Click the link to learn how you can have this magical moment.🌟 https://afrochellarisingstar.carrd.co/
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This year as apart of our #AfrochellaReads initiative we're renovating Genesis Orphanage School in Jamestown. It's our way of investing in our communities and creating better places for children to learn, grow and create. Get involved at https://afrochellagiveback.carrd.co/
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Black excellence.
Photo by @stevemorrism
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Afrochella Events - 2019/2020
D I A S P O R A C A L L I N G
Diaspora Calling highlights the process of various African cultures transcending across borders without losing its heritage. Food, music, and art will be celebrated, expressed and explored through the many dimensions Africa’s nations have transcended. The African Diaspora has reached and impacted every continent in the world, and this year we are calling a celebration for where it all began.
V for Vanity: Dec 20th - Jan 5th, 2020
V for Vanity is a neon light show activation by Afrochella's Community Engagement Director and Creative Director, Vernell Akyeampong. This year's theme is - Telling a story of Yesterday Today & Tomorrow. Attendees can pick up physical wrist bands, and purchase festival merchandise while navigating through the activation primed for social media sharing.
Afrochella Talks: West African Edition
Afrochella Talks is a conversation series dedicated to discussions on African business, music, food, and the creative industry. The focus of the discussions are to provoke a shift in how Africa and the African diaspora can capitalize on the many facets of each industry. There will experts from various fields participating in panel discussions with audience members.
1. Visual Story Telling: Communicating Progress | August 24th, 2019
Host: Eyetsa Lorraine Ocloo (The Shop Accra)
Panelists: Godwin Ashong (Artist), Hanson Akatti, (Graphic Designer and Illustrator), Kwame Asafu-Adjaye (Artist and Fashion Designer), Isaac Nana Poku (House of Stole), Amarachi Nwosu (Photographer, Filmmaker, Writer), Adjo Kisser (Artist)
2. Off The Top (Live) | September 28th, 2019
Ghana's 'Off the Top' Youtube series will have a live show for a special Afrochella festival edition. The trivia-based show features millennial cast members that are tested on their knowledge of various subjects from religion, culture, mathematics, science and more. Afrochellans can participate in all the fun ad their live show.
3. Africa Open For Business | November 8th, 2019
Host: Andrew Bimpong (Co-founder, Workshed Africa)
Panelists: Kenny Agyapong (Afrochella), Richard Awuku Sakyi (Yah!), Yemoh Ike (Vagabond Movie), Richard Bempong (Workshed Africa), Krystal Ababi (Sugarkane Bridal)
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4. Feed Our Nation: Understanding Food Production | December 6th, 2019
Host: Dedo (Tea Baa)
Panelists: Yvette Ansah (Café Kwae), Fred Apaloo (Villa Grace), Zubaidah Abdel-Rahman (Zubzz.com), + More announcing soon
5. Ghanaian Music Beyond Borders | December 26th, 2019
Partnership w. Audiomack
Host: Ivie Ani (Okay Player)
Panelists: Tenille Clarke (Chambers Media Solutions), Alvin Bekoe (BBnZ Live), Juls (Producer), + more announcing soon
Afrochella Feeds: Dec 27th
Afrochella Feeds' mission is to bring awareness and improve hunger in Ghana. In alignment with The SDG, the Zero Hunger initiative Afrochella will aid the nation by providing over 500 meals from The Afro Food Truck. The Food truck will travel across various Ghanaian communities from Madina Zongo to Labadi (Light House) Circle.
Volunteer: https://afrochella.com/giveback
Afrochella Festival Day: Dec 28th
Subscribe for Festival Line-Up, Guests and Activities: http://eepurl.com/dB7l0L
Afrochella Reads: Dec 30th
Afrochella will be renovating and repainting the Genesis school of orphans (formerly known as NOYAA) in Jamestown, Greater Accra region. The school was recently demolished and the land sold, leaving the students to study under tents for the remainder of their last term. Afrochella is inviting the African Diaspora to aid the students with school supplies through monetary donations to help us collectively reach our goal fostering the importance of “Quality Education”. This is the 4th goal listed on Ghana’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals In partner with the UN.
Volunteer: https://afrochella.com/giveback
Royalty Night - Jan 1st, 2020
A New Years Gala and awards ceremony. In harmony with the Year Of Return, African Royalty Night will celebrate ancestry in a night of indulgence, elegance and African print. The night will acknowledge the diversity of African life through the lenses of its people, nobles, statesmen and royalty. Culture Management Group will honor individuals within the community elevating Africa within the four pillars of Afrochella - Culture Empowerment, Art, Music and Food.
Tickets Available: http://www.africanroyaltynight.com/
Afrochella Experiences - Dec 31st - Jan 3rd, 2020
Travel through Ghana uncovering the history and culture of the country through curated experiences with Afrochella’s Experience team. The tours consist of food crawls, discovering iconic gardens, Cape Coast exploration and much more.
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Queen Energy.
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Have you ever tried to Google a generic human action like a person smiling? Do you see yourself represented? This year we're owning our narrative on the web and sharing the celebration of Africa our way, for the diaspora. We're elated to announce TONL as our Official Stock Photography partner! Air Horns. For insight, TONL is a black-owned platform created by Founders Joshua Kissi & Karen Okonkwo. Their platform challenges the stale, homogenous look of traditional stock photography by showcasing the many ethnic backgrounds of everyday people.
Starting this year and beyond, you'll be able to see more images from Afrochella surfing the net thanks to TONL.
Say Cheese!
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I envision Afrochella becoming the impetus and Mecca for the celebration of African music, culture, and art. It will bring people from across the diaspora to Africa, not only to celebrate the rich culture of our continent but to experience and awakening and closeness to Africa's history and people.
Emmanuel Ansa, Community Involvement Leader, Afrochella
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The art at Afrochella is our favorite way to interact with everyone. Art Director and Founder, Vernell have put together another exciting installation this year called V For Vanity that we can't wait for you all to experience!
Photo by Steve Morris
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Afrochella celebrates African greatness -- a wave that will never ever ever die (at least in our books)! Last year was an outburst of such amazing talent exuding from Ghana and neighboring countries like Nigeria, Togo and Senegal. We even had the Full Circle guests stop by for a turn-up.
Here’s a recap of some of the art, music, food, fashion and culture we experienced! This is the energy we expect to see for 2019! Grab your tickets at afrochella.com/tickets
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