The Becoming Of Her Independence

"I can also make and sell
my jewellery and not feel completely dependent
on something or someone.
I am my own woman."

In the second part of our conversation with Marie, she bravely opens up about her personal struggle with Sickle-cell, and retrospectively explains how this has motivated her to become more independent in her career ambitions.

And so the conversation continues …

Starting Again & (Re-)Building Her Independence

 

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Yaaya:

If you wouldn't mind, could you speak more about your battle with Sickle-cell?

Marie-M J:

All my life I have suffered from [Sickle-cell] crises. And so it can be difficult, because you go to work, but in the back of your mind, you know that you might lose your job because you are sick all the time.

When I arrived in London, I was able to manage my Sickle-cell. But I made a mistake. If you get any infections or any colds, you have to go and see your GP. If you forget about that, you're making your life a lot worse. But I said “oh, it's Sickle-cell, I know how to manage it”.

Yaaya:

What was the turning point for you health-wise?

Marie-M J:

I travelled to Paris to see my GP there, and then I came back to London. I was working and became very weak, it was very very bizarre, so I went to see my GP [in London] and he gave me some medication. I lost consciousness for a whole day and had to go to A&E. They had to give me a lot … a lot of blood, because my haemoglobin went down [to severe levels]. I was dying, basically. But, my haematologist didn't check my anti-bodies, so now I am on dialysis.

Yaaya:

It's difficult for us to imagine what you must have gone through when that happened. Would you be able to share with our readers, especially to another person going through the same situation, how you dealt with the aftermath?

Marie-M J:

It was a dark time for me, I was just thinking about what happened, the decisions made, and what I should have done differently. There were lots of questions to reflect on and there was lots of searching. I stopped working for a year and so I lost my job. Instead of only working for someone else and not knowing if they were going to keep me employed because I was sick all the time, [I said] “why don't I work on doing something for myself, and start my own business?” So I did a few things before focusing on designing and making jewellery.


I am also a representative for a renal focus group. When I started to go on dialysis, I didn't understand anything and its impact to my health. And I believe this lack of education about kidney donors and dialysis is very common within the black community. So as a representative, I try to promote awareness about organ donation to black people because successful matches or compatibility really does depend on genetics and race. So the more black people that are aware, then more black people can donate their organs, and therefore more lives of black people can be helped.

Yaaya:

From your story, we can see how starting your own business was about you empowering yourself, in a very personal and difficult circumstance, to provide stability for you and your son.

Marie-M J:

Yes, it was and is still very much like that. I also work as a teacher at a private college. Again, there is that voice of caution in the back of your head that tells you things can change very quickly. It's not just about the Sickle-cell. It's about life in general. Anything can happen to my health, anything can also happen to that college as well. So I wanted to build something that could give me, not just “a plan B”, but also that feeling of ownership and independence. I still teach, but now I can also make and sell my jewellery and not feel completely dependent on something or someone. I am my own woman.

Educating Thy Self

 

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Yaaya:

You didn’t have a formal education per se in jewellery making. How did you educate yourself about the creative process of jewellery making?

Marie-M J:

Yes, I didn't have a formal higher-education. I didn't do a three or four-year degree in jewellery design. But, I did go to college to do different short-courses in design and making jewellery, because there is an art to it.

Yaaya:

What do you do to continue to hone your craft?

Marie-M J:

I still do courses, for instance, I am still learning how to design and make enamel jewellery, which requires you to be more clinical and technically precise to skilfully make it well. Enamel jewellery is made with very small broken pieces of glass that you [embed] on silver that has been pre-prepared with a glue-like [substance]. You then put it in the oven to melt the glass at a very high temperature. And then the result is this shiny and colourfully decorated silver. The outcome is very beautiful. Three or four months ago, I had the opportunity to make wedding rings using enamel for a friend that got married. The bride was really happy (Laughs).

Yaaya:

Sounds like there is a science as well as an art to it too!

Marie-M J:

Yes, there really is (Laughs). So yes, back to your question, I go to college to learn. In this business, in fact in life, you never stop learning.

Yaaya:

What advice would you give to someone wishing to start-up their own jewellery line?

Marie-M J:

You have to really love the craftsmanship of jewellery. You have to love designing. And you have to be patient (Laughs). It's not everyday when you make something that it will work … that it will go according to plan. Sometimes creativity has it's own clock. So if things are not going right today, you can't force it, come back to it tomorrow with a freshness. I think it is also really important to design on paper first, otherwise you'll end up wasting a lot of time, material and money. And I speak from experience. The business administrative side is also important when it comes to finances, marketing and PR. My brother helps me with my PR. With marketing, it's really important to understand who your niche is and who are your clientèle.

We will continue this conversation in our Part 3 post, where Marie provides her own perspective on living as a black person in Europe and her experiences with social integration in France.

Leave your comments below to continue to support Yaaya’s vision of providing platforms to voice powerful stories of incredible women like Marie-Maimoona Jeannot.

Image Source | These images do not belong to Yaaya. Images courtesy of Marie-Maimoona Jeannot (Light Of Marie Jewels)

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Marie-Maimoona Jeannot, Introducing The Light Of Marie

Marie-Maimoona Jeannot, born and raised in France by her Martiniquais parents, has been living and working in London for many years. By trade she is an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutor, an employability co-ordinator and a representative for a dialysis unit. For her own creative ambitions and independence, she is the founder and designer for the stunning jewellery line Light Of Marie Jewels. Her jewellery line specialises in truly unique accessories made from sterling silver and semi-precious stones.

In the first post of this four-part interview, Marie talks to Yaaya about why she wanted to be a part of this conversation, how she started her jewellery line Light Of Marie Jewels, and the personal significance to her of being a black woman with her own business.

And so the conversation begins …

When Yaaya Met The Light Of Marie Jewels

 

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Yaaya:

Hi Marie, it’s very lovely to meet you.

Marie-M J:

It's very nice to meet you too!

Yaaya:

Out of curiosity, why did you think it was important to share your story through Yaaya?

Marie-M J:

I felt it was a great chance to share my experiences and what I've learned along what has sometimes been a difficult life-journey. As a woman, I wanted the chance for people to hear my perspective … you know, my true story.

As an owner of a small business in a very [competitive] market, this was also a great PR opportunity. A way to share my passion and what I love doing with people. Not just for commercial reasons, but for people to see what I have been able to accomplish and hopefully inspire another person to do the same.

When I looked at your blog, I really liked it. One of the aspects of Yaaya that I identified with was this [sentiment of] accepting and celebrating the diversity [of] black women. And this acceptance of allowing us [black women] to be natural. Not feeling you have to change who are to be socially relevant or sometimes even tolerated.

Shining The Light Of Marie

 

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Yaaya:

You are the founder and designer for the jewellery line Light Of Marie Jewels, which designs and makes hand-crafted jewellery using semi-precious stones and sterling silver. Can you tell us a bit more of the what 'Light Of Marie Jewels' means and the design process?

Marie-M J:

It's about my inner-light. But also of any woman's inner-light. Her radiance. When I design my jewellery, I think about how I want it to make me or the woman feel, how I want it to not only look beautiful around her neck, if it is a necklace, but also …. bring out her inner beauty.

When I design my jewellery, the ideas usually come to me when I am trying to think about what I would like to wear with a certain dress, and how more beautiful it would be if I wore 'that' necklace. Sometimes, I even dream about it. I think a lot. So when I am on a train or on a bus and I design a particular piece of jewellery in my head, as soon as I go home, I draw it on a piece of paper really nicely. You have to put it on paper straight away, otherwise you might forget it.

Yaaya:

Can you explain the choices for the materials you use to make your jewellery?

Marie-M J:

I use semi-precious stones because they are natural. And [I use] silver because I love silver. I'm not really a 'gold' person, and it's also really expensive anyway. But silver, I really like. I love the different ways you can design with it, and solder it into different shapes.

I just really like silver and the creative [possibilities]. (Pauses) It's the fact that you start with a sheet of silver and you can make anything you want. A ring, a bracelet, necklace, earrings … you know. And when you finish, you yourself are amazed. [It's] like “wow”.

Yaaya:

So it's that transformation process that you like. Taking something very raw and using that to visually and tactilely interpret an 'in-that-moment' idea or an emotion.

Marie-M J:

Yes … yes!

Yaaya:

How did ‘Light Of Marie Jewels’ start?

Marie-M J:

(Thinks) I have been doing this for six years. My son is seventeen now, but at the time when I started he was eleven years old. Then, he was telling me all the time, “I'm bored, I'm bored, I'm bored!” So I said to him, “well, if you're bored, we're going to find something for you to do”.


So I gathered some leaflets from a local college [The Forest Gate Learning Centre], and I saw a course for jewellery making. I went to the college to make some enquiries and learned about silver jewellery-making course and enrolled onto the course. Don't worry, I didn't forget about my son! (Laughs).

Yaaya:

Do you have a particular target in mind for your jewellery line?

Marie-M J:

I design jewellery for men too. But I think I am more passionate about designing jewellery for women. 'Light of Marie' is for the woman that carries herself with a quiet confidence. She is elegant. She appreciates great jewellery craftsmanship and can find true beauty in the naturalness of raw materials.

Yaaya:

How would you describe the style of your jewellery line in one sentence?

Marie-M J:

Beauty that is very individual, elegant and sophisticated.

Yaaya:

What personal significance does 'Light Of Marie Jewels' have for you?

Marie-M J:

When I make my jewellery, it's very therapeutic. I love the welding process as well. It's so weird, but it makes me so happy and joyful, and I hope that translates into the finished product. I am doing and making something that I love, that I want to be exquisite and stunning.

But more importantly, Light Of Marie Jewels is a way for me to express myself in a creative way. It's a way for people to hold my story in their hands and to relate to it by including it into their own style. My jewellery is typically chunky or statement pieces. I think it's because I am reserved that I like my jewellery to speak for itself, make people ask questions, or take a second look because they've seen something unexpected.

Yaaya:

How important did you think it was for yourself as a woman to own and start your own business?

Marie-M J:

It was extremely important for me. I think it's good for women to be entrepreneurial. But for me it was personally significant because of the way my life has been. You see, I have Sickle-cell.

Look out for Part 2 of this four-part post on Friday 27th September, where Yaaya discusses with Marie one of the most personal and difficult chapters in her life-journey.

Leave your comments below to let us know what inspiration you take from Marie’s talents and creativity. Invite others to join the conversation by sharing this post!

Image Source | These images do not belong to Yaaya. Images courtesy of Marie-Maimoona Jeannot (Light Of Marie Jewels)

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Climbing The Ladder And Lending A Helping Hand

"Having a mentor ... is one of the most important things ever, and if there is a way we can get connected
to different types of mentors,
then I think we will all be successful young black women ..."

In the final part of our interview with Amma, we begin with a discussion on social invisibility and the representations of black women in the fashion industry. We then speak in depth about the importance of mentors, where Amma reveals how important a business mentor will be for the growth and success of Sarf’O, as well he own development as an entrepreneur. Our vivacious conversation ends with her detailing her achievements and hopes for Sarf’O in the future.

And so the conversation continues …

Social Invisibility

 

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Yaaya:

One of the issues that we are very passionate about at Yaaya, is bringing more attention to the social invisibility of black women in Europe. Have you ever heard of the term social invisibility before?

Amma O:

Not really. I haven’t heard of that term. What comes to mind is the creating an awareness of a certain culture or society, or certain group of people. That’s what comes to mind when I think of social visibility.

Yaaya:

No, social invisibility.

Amma O:

Oh I see! Ok so something that is hidden, Yaaya is trying to bring it to light? I think we touched on that earlier, you know, allowing black women to have a say and a platform to shout out loud, and I think that’s what social invisibility means to me. It’s like you are not there, there is nothing there for you, but all of a sudden... it’s almost like freedom. Someone has opened the door for you to be heard. That’s what that means to me I think.

Yaaya:

Do black female designers get enough mainstream attention or global opportunities to showcase their work?

Amma O:

I think you can get it [media attention], and it is out there, but you have to struggle before you can get it. You need to to invest time and money to get that exposure. So it is out there, but before you can get to it you must struggle.

Yaaya:

Why do you think this is?

Amma O:

That’s a very good question actually.Because African fashion is not on the high street, a lot of Europeans are not used to African fashion, or do not know about it, hence it is very difficult to convince them that this it is great. That’s why it’s difficult, and why it’s a struggle for people to accept it.

Yaaya:

What do you think could be done to address this issue?

Amma O:

People shouldn’t give up. We should just keep going and keep pushing. We need to let the world hear what we’ve got to say, what we do, and show our creativity. At the end of the day the world is full of creative things, so why are we not allowed to show what we can do? I don’t have a specific solution, but things like blogging about African fashion and creativity, allows people to find out what we do. Exposure online, Facebook and going to London Fashion week are all things we can do. It’s hard, but we will achieve what we want in the end.

Support Networks, Role Models And Mentoring

 

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Yaaya:

As a young person starting out in the fashion industry, we would imagine networks of support, and guidance from a mentor in the industry is invaluable. Do you have a mentor, or a network of support you can tap into to seek advice and encouragement?

Amma O:

No I don’t, and it’s such a shame. It’s something that I’ve recently been sitting down and thinking about, as I don’t have a background in business. I’ve always had the passion to be an entrepreneur, and own my own businesses, but that doesn’t mean I have all the skills and qualities required. Having a mentor, somebody that I can speak to about certain problems and issues are very important when you are starting your own business. When your head gets crowded, you need somebody to help you group your thoughts, and steer you in the right direction. That’s why it’s very important. Going to places to network like fashion shows, exhibitions, fashion events, or even just normal professional settings, where a lot of professional people are about also helps. Having a mentor is an important thing, and if you don’t have one, its very hard.

Yaaya:

Do you have any plans to try and reach out and find a mentor?

Amma O:

Definitely! I’ve been going to seminars about setting up your own business, and places where you can find mentors, but I’ve noticed that they are always in a rush! They don’t give you that much time. I’ve learnt a little bit from some of the people I’ve met, and I try to seek help here and there. Some of my family members give me books to read about business, so I’m starting to read those books. I know people who are starting out as well, and I go to them when I am struggling. I am definitely looking for some sort of mentor to assist me, and I’m going to keep searching until I find one! (Laughs)

Yaaya:

What designers do you currently look up to and why?

Amma O:

Within African fashion?

Yaaya:

Generally.

Amma O:

Because I’m into shoes, I look at people like Vivienne Westwood or Giuseppe Zanotti. I look at Jeffrey Campbell’s collection a lot as well. I know he [Jeffrey Campbell] is everywhere, and he is famous and popular, but the way that he thinks about designing shoes is amazing! There are some semi-popular designers who are quite underground, but known amongst the celebrities that I look up to. I do research on different types of shoe-makers and designers as well. These are people that inspire me alot from time to time. If I’m struggling with designing something, I go on the net, look around, and see what’s in, and think "how am I going to infuse my 'African-ness' with this style?" (Laughs)

Yaaya:

If you had the opportunity to reach out to any of the designers you mentioned, and ask them to be your mentor, would you?

Amma O:

Hell yes! Definitely, because they came from somewhere, and they’ve got to where they are now. That’s the question that I would like to ask them. “You started from somewhere, how did you get to where you are now?” because that’s the journey that I’m on. I would like to know the sort of things they went through to get to where they are now. I would like to ask for their advice, and see how they can assist me. Maybe we could all work together as well (Laughs).

Yaaya:

How important do you think mentoring is, especially to black girls and women?

Amma O:

We [black girls and women] are not always encouraged to set up our own businesses or become entrepenuers. You would be lucky if you have parents that encourage you to start your own business! I think when you have that mindset, the mindset of standing on your own feet, it’s important to have someone, like a business person, to help you out.

Recently my mum was telling me to get a job and save up, which is a good thing. You should get a job and save up, but I’ve always heard this saying that a wage is to live on but a salary is for a lifetime. I think I’ve messed the saying up! (Laughs) But essentially if you have your own business, you can push yourself. You have the vision, and you know what you want out of it. No one will ask you about your money, or how you spend it either. Having a mentor when you are starting up a business is one of the most important things ever, and if there is a way we can get connected to different types of mentors, then I think we will all be successful young black women. Not everyone is about a 9-to-5 job.

Yaaya:

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own fashion label?

Amma O:

We are all doing it, but my question is “what makes you stand out?” What makes you stand out, is what you should use to keep doing what you do. That’s my advice.

Yaaya:

Short and sweet!

Achievements And The Future

 

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Yaaya:

What is your proudest moment to date so far in your career?

Amma O:

I just think when I’ve worked hard, and you see the fruits of your labour. To me that’s an achievement.

Yaaya:

Can you think of a specific example?

Amma O:

Recently I completed a fashion show, and it was really stressful. Once everything was on stage, and people were seeing my work and clapping for me, I just thought “this is amazing,” and this is what it is all about. You struggle and it’s going to be hard, but once people appreciate and respect what you do, I think in a sense you have achieved something because you are making an impact. When I walked on the stage nobody would have thought that it is little ol’ me that has designed all of these things. I’ve probably inspired somebody to go ahead and do what they want to do. I also feel like I inspire my friends, family and younger sister, and that’s an achievement in itself. You have to come into the world and impact other people’s lives before you leave.

Yaaya:

What key milestones do you have for Sarf’O over the next year?

Amma O:

Lots! I’ve got quite a few things I would like to achieve for Sarf’O. We are still working on our website, so that is something that I’m hoping to complete by the end of this year. I want to get our products out there, and create more awareness about us [Sarf’O], and what we do. I would also like to get our products into shops as I said earlier, and approach shops like Selfridges, because they sell African designs. I’d also like to approach shops like Topshop, Zara and places like that.

Yaaya:

What are some of your future projects that you are most excited about, and that our readers should look out for?

Amma O:

They should just look forward to more of our creative designs. We are going to start doing other fashion shows and exhibitions.Next year we are planning to be at African Fashion Week. We will hopefully be doing the exhibition not the showcase. That’s something that we are looking into at the moment. They [Yaaya readers] should basically watch this space, and we will have more stuff out there for them to look forward to. We are not going to disappoint them!

And So The Conversation Ends … For Now :)

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Yaaya:

So Amma, what we'd now like to do is ask you to complete the following sentences.

Setting up my own business has been a learning curve because ...

Amma O:

There have been a lot of challenges on the way, and looking at competition can put you off, but you need to stand firm.

Yaaya:

Designing makes me feel ...

Amma O:

Haap-ppyyyy! Very happy. And then when I see people wear my designs ... (Sighs) That’s how I feel. Put that in there! (Laughs)

Yaaya:

One of my ambitions is to ...

Amma O:

Be an entrepreneur.

Yaaya:

Yaaya to me represents ...

Amma O:

A great place for young African women to be heard!

Yaaya:

Brilliant ... Thank you Amma!

This post concludes the final part of our interview with Amma Osei. Find out more about Sarf’O via Twitter at @Sarfo_World and Facebook at SarfO.World.

Catch-up on the earlier parts of our conversation:

Part 1: Amma Osei, Capturing The ‘Boga’ Style

Part 2: Taking A Walk In Her Shoes

Image Source | These images do not belong to Yaaya. Images courtesy of Amma Osei (Sarf'O).

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Taking A Walk In Her Shoes

"Taking on [Ghanaian] culture ... and adapting it to
the British way of living
is also what being Ghanaian and British
means to me"

In the penultimate part of this interview with Amma, the founder of Sarf’O, we explore her journey into the fashion industry. Her candid responses highlight the opportunities and challenges of being a young entrepreneur in a highly competitive industry, and the importance of persistence and self-belief. We also delve into Amma’s Ghanaian-British heritage, and its influence on both her designs and her desire to be successful.

And so the conversation continues …

Journey Into Fashion

 

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Yaaya:

We’re now keen to explore your journey into fashion. You studied Media Production at De Montfort University, which we're sure is creative and hands-on like the world of fashion design. Did your degree influence your decision to start Sarf’O?

Amma O:

Not really. I’ve always loved fashion. When I was young, I told my mum that I wanted to be a fashion designer. When I was saying it, I was saying it for the fun of it. I didn’t know that it was actually going to become a reality. I’ve always loved fashion. This passion, and the fact that I love shoes, made me think “why not put these two things together and make something out of it”. Studying media production also helped me a lot, as although you are using the camera to see things from the outside, you are the one that sets up the story, and creates it. Designing bespoke shoes is what I create for people to wear. So I am the creator and somebody will wear my products.I also take my own product pictures, so again it’s what I want people to see that I put forward.

Yaaya:

So you are combining the skills you learnt at university, and your design skills?

Amma O:

Definitely. It’s very important to use all of your skills in your business.

Yaaya:

You started Sarf’O when you left university. At that point in time did you treat Sarf’O as a business, or was it something you just simply enjoyed doing?

Amma O:

It was actually a hobby (Laughs). I designed something for myself for my birthday, and everyone saw it and was like “wow, that’s very good.” I designed something for my sister’s friend for her birthday, which was a hit with the people at the party. My sister was one of the first people who really encouraged me to take Sarf’O seriously. She started to do this when her friend wore what I made for her, and everyone at the party liked it. I got orders to make shoes for people from there. Afterwards I thought, “hold on a minute, I can make money out of this. I’m sitting here unemployed, but I could be busy.This is something that I can start eating from. This is a business right here.” That’s how I got into it, but in the beginning it was definitely a hobby. I didn’t think it would be the way it is now. I’m quite grateful for that actually.

Yaaya:

As a young person, setting up a business is a wonderful achievement that demonstrates drive, commitment and an entrepreneurial flair. Was it ever one of your goals to set up a business?

Amma O:

Yes. This is one of a few businesses that I’ve thought of setting up, and that I had planned in my head. My head hurts everyday when I wake up (Laughs). There are so many things that I want to set up. I actually enjoy working for myself, and I think that is my goal in life to be an entrepreneur, work for myself, and do what I want to do, and not be told what to do all the time. That’s why I feel like starting now [will help] train myself to handle bigger things in the future.

Yaaya:

With business comes challenges and opportunities. What challenges and opportunities have you faced with Sarf’O so far?

Amma O:

Challenges. Sometimes you can get stuck. If you are on your own, if you haven’t got partners or other people that you work with, you can get really stuck. You always have to think of out of the box and develop new skills.

I’m now starting to learn how to sell myself a little bit more, especially when it comes to marketing. When I used to give out my business cards, I felt like I was bothering people, but now I realise that they actually they don’t mind, and I don’t think about it like that anymore, because its my business, and I have to make sure people know about it. These are difficult things that I’m tackling at the moment. Trying to sell yourself is a very hard thing to do when you are on your own. Sometimes you get stuck, you just think “what more can I do here?” You feel like you have to be more active, but at the same time you can [feel] unsure about how to move forward. You always have to be one step ahead. You can’t always just sit and wait. That’s another thing that I’m learning.

It is very difficult, but it's also very satisfying when you have achieved something. Like when I did the fashion show. I was really proud of myself. I felt that if I put my mind to it, Sarf’O can be bigger than it is now. So that’s the challenges and the opportunities.

You also get to meet great people in the industry, people that will encourage and support you, and you also meet people that are negative. It’s either you take it on, and don’t take it personal so you can improve, or you give up altogether. When you also see your competitors work it is hard, because when you see what other people are doing you think “why didn’t I think about that?” But actually your customer base is not the same as theirs. They [customers] like you for what you do, and they like another designer for what they do. We are all different.

Yaaya:

Speaking of customer base. What’s your customer base?

Amma O:

All kinds of people, but because my designs are African influenced, most of the time it’s mainly African people that are into my designs. Although I’m trying to reach all kinds of people. I mainly cater for young men and women. My shoes are mostly heels and platforms. My shoes are mainly for young, career women, who can rock heels!

Yaaya:

What’s your process for making shoes?

Amma O:

I’m not very good at drawing but I have a little book (Laughs). It’s so funny! I draw really silly drawings in there, and I annotate them. Although the designs are in my head, I put them on paper. So when it comes to designing: I open my book, and I know what I want to create, and what I want the shoes to look like. I always go straight into the designing. I don’t make a prototype because when I visualise it, to me, it’s already made. I just need to see it physically. That’s how I do it.

African Fashion and her Social Identity

 

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Yaaya:

Your designs reflect a fusion of African textiles and contemporary European fashion trends. Would you say that this is a reflection of your British- Ghanaian heritage?

Amma O:

Yes, because I grew up in Ghana, and I grew up here as well. I feel like African print or textiles, is very beautiful. I don’t know how you see it, but the shapes and the geometry is just beautiful. When you put it [African textiles] on suede shoes or men’s shoes, or even when you apply a bit of Kente, it just brings it to life. Sometimes I think “why don’t they sell things like this in the shops, or on the high street?” When I finish making shoes, I start thinking about how am I going to get them in Topshop or Zara. Going back home and being here, definitely influences my work.

Yaaya:

What does being British and Ghanaian mean to you?

Amma O:

(Laughs)That’s a very interesting question, and I don’t even know how to answer it. Being Ghanaian is being cultured, knowing where you came from, not forgetting, and being grateful for what you have now. It’s the grateful part,which is also what being British means to me. I’m grateful because I’m here [in Britain],but that doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten what it was like back there [Ghana]. I had the opportunity to live there, meet my family and grow up with them a little bit, and see the culture. That’s my drive in life - to make it and do well, so I can go back and show them [family in Ghana] that they shouldn’t be disappointed in me. Taking on the [Ghanaian] culture and bringing it here, and just adapting it to the British way of living is also what being Ghanaian and British means to me.

Yaaya:

What are your favourite African textiles and why?

Amma O:

That’s a very good question. As I’ve said earlier, I like the word ‘unique.’ I’m into patterns and geometry. If the pattern stands out, and the colours are bold and rich, that’s what I’m attracted to. I don’t have a specific African fabric that I like, as I don’t look at that. I just look at the colours, the boldness, and mixed patterns. That’s what attracts me to African fabric. I think Vlisco is very nice. They are just outstanding! They think outside of the box, and I would love to approach them one day and say: “give me some cloth, and lets work together!” They sell cloth and make clothes but I haven’t seen them make bags or shoes yet. That’s something I will try and get into later on, you know, just approaching people with ideas like that. Their fabrics are just amazing! When I went to Ghana I saw this shop, that had designed a corset type of dress with Vlisco, and I was like “oh wow this is amazing!” So I’m all about patterns and colours.

Yaaya:

Would you describe Sarf’O as an ‘African Fashion’ label?

Amma O:

The name itself is African. It’s of Ghanaian heritage. I’m not going to leave that behind, as it’s where I started, and how I do things. Although in the future I’m thinking of making different kinds of shoes, I’m still not going to leave the African influence out of it, as African fashion needs to be better exposed and be on the catwalks of London Fashion Week! I can see some of our tribal prints in Topshop, and I’m sure the designers were not necessarily thinking of Africa when they designed certain clothes. However when you look at the patterns and the colours, it reflects the types of clothes we [Africans] wear and sew. So you just think to yourself, “come on we can make it out here as well!” Only recently one of my friends sent me a picture of a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, and he’s made a pair of canvas loafers out of tie and dye fabric, and I thought “this is crazy!” African print and fabric is everywhere, so I’m definitely not going to leave that out of my designs.

Yaaya:

Over the last couple of years, there has been a surge of African inspired designs in the shops of high street retailers. Why do you think this is?

Amma O:

It’s Africa! Our influence is now coming to light. In fact, everything that we are about is now coming to light. We want to be heard now, and it’s our time. Now is the time we have to spread the word about our fashion. I wasn’t proud to wear African fabric clothes until recently. I mean you are a young person. In 2005 would you wear African clothes? You wouldn’t, because you did not find it attractive. We were not encouraged to wear our own clothes, so now that it’s in fashion, even the Europeans themselves are like “wow these people have great stuff!” That’s why they are trying to fuse it into their dresses or shoes. African fashion is going to go a long way, and I can’t wait!

Yaaya:

Do you think the popularity of African designs and textiles has done any good in the way the world perceives Africa and Africans?

Amma O:

Yes. Fashion speaks to people. When other people see the creativity that comes out of Africa, or from British born Africans, and see how we value our African heritage and fuse it with European clothing, I’m sure they appreciate what they see. It’s brilliant that information is out there about what we wear and the talent of African designers, as it’s a great way to think about Africa.

Look out for Part 3 of Amma’s interview, where we discuss social invisibility and representations of black women in the fashion industry. The interview will conclude with what mentorship means to her, and her aspirations for Sarf’O.

Image Source | These images do not belong to Yaaya. Images courtesy of Amma Osei (Sarf’O).

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Mosunmola Abudu, Woman of Many Talents

Whoever said mo' money, mo' problems, clearly had not met ‘Mo’ Abudu. She is a woman who has defied the odds, conquered obstacles and ventured beyond boundaries that only a few dare dream of.

Meet Mosunmola ‘Mo’ Abudu: Talk show hostess, TV Producer, Media entrepreneur, Human Resource Management Consultant, Venture Capitalist, Mother… clearly a woman of many talents. Although born in the UK in 1964, she spent her early years in Ondo, Nigeria where she imbibed traditional culture and values. At the age of 12, she returned to the UK to further her education and later attained a Masters’ Degree in "Human Resource Management" from the University of Westminster, London.

Mo began her career as a Recruitment Consultant in 1987. 3 years later, she became Branch Manager before moving on to work for Starform Group in 1990, where her role included managing the Corporate Credit Management Exhibition from 1990 to 1992. In 1993, Mo became Head of ExxonMobil’s Human Resources and Training unit and tread this path, till she took a leap of faith in 2000 and founded her own specialist Human Resource company, Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited (VLA).

Where most men and women would have considered this the pinnacle of their success, for Mo, this was just the beginning. The ultimate accomplishment lay further ahead. She went on to develop an executive training centre at the Protea Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria and in 2006, characteristically took another leap of faith and delved into hosting her own talk show 'Moments with Mo', the first syndicated daily talk show on Africa regional television. With over 300 episodes and counting, ‘Moments with Mo’ focuses on numerous topics ranging from issues of lifestyle, health to culture, politics and inter-racial marriages. Guests on the show have included dignitaries, Presidents, Noble Laureates and most notably, US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton. In addition, Mo is also the creator and executive producer of 'The Debaters', a TV reality show which focuses on ‘giving Africa a voice.’

Recently, Mo launched her own continent-wide TV network Ebony Life, cementing her status as 'Africa’s Oprah,' which she says is flattering, as the billionaire media icon is one of her 'heroes'. She also serves on a board with fellow board members, including the Managing Directors of Chevron, Texaco, Coca-cola International, ExxonMobil, the Dangote group and others.

Known for quotes such as "inspiration propels vision" and "great vision propels action", Mo is undoubtedly a visionary, and an unstoppable force. Her next goal is to break into Hollywood and shoot "large-budget movies about Africa". She is also looking forward to interviewing US President Barack Obama and receiving an invitation to the White House.

"Not every African woman has a pile of wood on her head and a baby strapped to her back!", she once famously said. If any African woman knows this well, it is Mosunmola Abudu. She is a strong, articulate woman, whose vision and legendary aims have inspired millions of others around the world. Few words can be used to accurately describe Mo Abudu, but we will sum it up in one: she is Yaaya!

Image Source | Wikipedia : 'Mosunmola Abudu'

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Freda Ruth Murray-Bruce, Where Passion Meets Intelligence

To quote the woman herself, "sometimes in life, your achievements are not based on passion or motivation". Yet passion and motivation have been behind her every step towards admirable success.

Meet Ms Freda Ruth Murray-Bruce. Driven, compassionate and God-fearing, Freda is Director General of the Bayelsa State Investment Promotion Agency [BIPA], an outfit that provides assistance with investor activity in Bayelsa State, home to Nigeria’s largest crude oil and natural gas deposits.

A conqueror of challenges in her own right, Freda started life as a Language student at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. On completion, she travelled to the UK, and worked in web development for British Telecoms and desktop publishing for Morgan Stanley. She left the UK to Canada, where she worked for Hewlett-Packard and Bell Canada, whilst completing a Masters in Computer Science.

But it was not enough. Something was missing. "I seemingly had it all", she recalls "my house overlooked a golf course worth $50,000 in annual membership, yet I felt very empty. I was not impacting people."

Freda hearkened to this hunger from within, and decided to pursue a Master's degree in Development, with a view to working with the UN and exercising her passion as a human rights and development activist. Fast forward 2 years, and armed with an LLM from the University of Westminster, the development world was her oyster. Where better to start than in her country, Nigeria? After all, charity begins at home.

She returned home after a 15 year hiatus, and worked for UNIDO and UNDP. Her foray into politics came with the then Vice President Goodluck’s invitation to join his think tank. She did, and has not looked back since. About her job at BIPA, Freda says "when I heard about the job, which was about bringing investment into Bayelsa to change the fortunes of a deprived community, I could not pass up on it."

When she is not working to change the fortunes of deprived communities in Bayelsa, or impacting the lives of orphans and young children, Freda loves to dabble in interior design, read, write, and direct theatre pieces. This self-confessed introvert is "passionate about life, but not outgoing." "I am happiest when I am indoors," she says with candid confidence. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Leicester.

Asked why she felt it was important to share her story with 'Yaaya', she replied "I have a desire to impact lives. I have a great passion for people, so will contribute to platforms [such as Yaaya] that allow me to encourage people with my own challenges and strife. The second reason is a national due. Nigeria is a collection of every one of us. We owe it to ourselves."

Her advice to ambitious black women? "Never give up. Life will [give] you many opportunities to doubt yourself. Always see a tomorrow better than today. People are tired of beggars. Don't go asking for help. Proffer solutions. Be encouraged. You will make it."

By any yardstick an accomplished woman, Ms Murray-Bruce possesses a disquiet characteristic of determined people. To her, the future is bright, but yet to begin. "I have not started what God called me on earth for. I believe I am destined to represent Nigeria nationally and internationally, advocating for changes that will further the destiny of millions. Don't just watch this space," [laughs] "pray for this space!"

We will watch, wait, and pray. But first, we will say this: that few women genuinely embody the 'Yaayan' attributes: strong and supportive, passionate and purposeful, courageous and caring. Yet in one lifetime, Freda has demonstrated all these, and then some. We salute Ms Murray-Bruce. She. Is. Yaaya!

Image Source | Image is copyright of Yaaya

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Event: Nelson Mandela, The Long Walk To Freedom | 18th September 2013

Nelson Mandela:
The Long Walk To Freedom

"Celebrating the legend. Remembering the man."

Join Sharon D Clarke (Holby City, The Amen Corner), Bernadine Evaristo (Blonde Roots), Ben Okri (The Famished Road), and many more as they celebrate Nelson Mandela.

In tribute to his life, work and the revolutionary political change he brought about in South Africa, leading writers, poets, musicians, performers and spoken word artists perform pieces in his honour and read 27 extracts from his autobiography "A Long Walk to Freedom."


More information on the Southbank Centre website.

When:

Wednesday 18th September 2013

Admission Cost:

£10, £12

Where:

Queen Elizabeth Hall
Southbank
London SE1 9PX

Image Source | Photo by Southbank Centre

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Event: Blackness In Britain | 12th September 2013

Blackness
in Britain

"A clarion call to engage in scholarship on the past, present and future of the black population in Britain ..."

People of African ancestry have a long history and tradition in the United Kingdom. This history has been hallmarked by a number of struggles for recognition and against discrimination. In the present context of global uncertainty, and the reshaping of the British welfare state, as well as the UK’s attempts to reposition itself in relation to Europe, it is essential that we examine the place of the Black population and the challenges that lie ahead in the future.



More information on the Newman University website.

When:

Thursday 12th September 09:30am to 5:00pm

Where:

Newman University, Birmingham
Bartley Green
Birmingham B32 3NT

Admission Cost:

FREE

Contact Info:

Facebook: Black British Academics
Twitter: @BLACKBAcademics

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