Watch The Throne: This Womyn Has Taken Oprah's Spot As Richest Black Womyn In The World!

Well folks, Queen Oprah has officially been de-throned as the richest black womyn in the world. Oprah has held this spot for quite a few years now but it has just been announced that the new leading lady is Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria.

This 61 year old’s $3.2 billion empire is comprised of being owner of oil company, FAMFA OIL Limited as well as the head of successful fashion label Supreme Stitches. I love that she is an artist! She founded the company after studying fashion design in England and went on to make custom creations for Nigeria and West Africa’s elite.

I love Ms Lady O and the media empire that she has created, but it is really great to see another face on top. I'm happy to see successful black womyn’s faces in diverse industries being recognized for their accomplishments. Especially to see a womyn who is not from North America. We too often see the same people in the spotlight all the time which can sometimes send the message that these people are an exception. When we start seeing new people get recognized, it tells us that we too can accomplish big things and defy the norm.

Talk about the sky is the limit! Beautiful to see this womyn achieve her billionaire artist dream.

What do you think of the new richest black womyn, are you happy to see a new face of success?

Africa for Norway: Africans fundraising for dying children in Norway

I came across this interesting video yesterday and wanted to share it with all of you to get your reactions. It’s a video by Radi-Aid to encourage Africans to send their radiators to help people who are freezing to death in Norway. It’s a parody of “Do They Know it’s Christmas” by Band-Aid, a video made in 1984 by a collaboration of artists including Bono, Boy George, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, George Michael, Kool and the Gang and Sting. Even if you haven’t seen the video or didn’t know the history behind it, you’ve probably heard this song; it was the highest selling single in UK chart history until 1997!

At first, I thought the parody “Africa for Norway” was a bit mean spirited. After all, the purpose of the Band-Aid video was to raise money for famine relief during the 1984-85 famine in Ethiopia; it raised millions of dollars for famine relief and inspired another song (We are the World written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie) which raised even more. So why would someone want to make fun of a song that was written with great intentions?

Well, after listening to the original and checking out a few comments online it became obvious that there are a few issues that people have with the Band-Aid song. The lyrics are very divisive (us versus them) with one controversial line that says “We'll, tonight, thank God, it's them instead of you.” And then there is the extremely inaccurate, yet commonly portrayed image of Africa that the song gives (“Where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow”).

Africa for Norway calls out the stereotypes portrayed by the Band-Aid song and it does so in a funny and inoffensive way.

Here are both the original Do They Know it’s Christmas video and the Africa for Norway video. Check out both videos and let me know what you think.

(Reposted due to trouble with links)

Nelson Mandela Inspired Clothing Line

Nelson Mandela's clothing line to hit store this year.  The anti-apartheid activist has inspired a collection of sportswear called "46664 Fashion," which is named after his prison number while he was jailed on Robben Island for 27 years in 1962.

Until now, this line has been available in Africa until a Dallas based company, Company B, took interest in the line.  They now have an exclusive sub-licence and the 46664 line of women's, men's and children lines will be available in North America very soon.

“The designers are very much in tune to the vibrant nature of South Africa whether it’s bright colors or a shweshwe print,” says Aaron Patton, chief executive officer of Company B.

The bold colors and prints are certainly a huge trend this season and this collection is full of them. The collection will launch at 46664fashion.com on July 18, Mandela’s 94th birthday. And you can expect retail stores to start carrying by the holiday season.


Check out some shots of the 46664 collection.