Annansi Chronicles

As you all might remember I recently co-authored a dynamic book called The Age of Conversation. Based on the concept of how new communication tools facilitate conversations and shape communities, the book features multiple authors’ insights. I’ve gotten word that the book will be available for purchase a week from today with a special cover design by David Armano. Here are the particulars with more info to come real soon:

Launch date: Monday, July 16th

Formats/Prices:
Hardbacks $29.99
Paperbacks $16.95
E-book $9.99

Background

Authors:

Gavin Heaton, Drew McLellan, CK, Valeria Maltoni, Emily Reed, Katie Chatfield, Greg Verdino, Mack Collier, Lewis Green, Sacrum, Ann Handley, Mike Sansone, Paul McEnany, Roger von Oech, Anna Farmery, David Armano, Bob Glaza, Mark Goren, Matt Dickman, Scott Monty, Richard Huntington, Cam Beck, David Reich, Luc Debaisieux, Sean Howard, Tim Jackson, Patrick Schaber, Roberta Rosenberg, Uwe Hook, Tony D. Clark, Todd Andrlik, Toby Bloomberg, Steve Woodruff, Steve Bannister, Steve Roesler, Stanley Johnson, Spike Jones, Nathan Snell, Simon Payn, Ryan Rasmussen, Ron Shevlin, Roger Anderson, Robert Hruzek, Rishi Desai, Phil Gerbyshak, Peter Corbett, Pete Deutschman, Nick Rice, Nick Wright, Michael Morton, Mark Earls, Mark Blair, Mario Vellandi, Lori Magno, Kristin Gorski, Kris Hoet, G.Kofi Annan, Kimberly Dawn Wells, Karl Long, Julie Fleischer, Jordan Behan, John La Grou, Joe Raasch, Jim Kukral, Jessica Hagy, Janet Green, Jamey Shiels, Dr. Graham Hill, Gia Facchini, Geert Desager, Gaurav Mishra, Gary Schoeniger, Gareth Kay, Faris Yakob, Emily Clasper, Ed Cotton, Dustin Jacobsen, Tom Clifford, David Polinchock, David Koopmans, David Brazeal, David Berkowitz, Carolyn Manning, Craig Wilson, Cord Silverstein, Connie Reece, Colin McKay, Chris Newlan, Chris Corrigan, Cedric Giorgi, Brian Reich, Becky Carroll, Arun Rajagopal, Andy Nulman, Amy Jussel, AJ James, Kim Klaver, Sandy Renshaw, Susan Bird, Ryan Barrett, Troy Worman, S. Neil Vineberg

One of the points many of us Africans raise when arguing about the need for a re-branding of Africa is the inaccuracy of the image which represent us. While I can go on and on about the problems with the image the global community has tagged the continent and it’s people with, I often choose to spend my energy emphasizing an alternative definition of Africa(ns). My question though is, I know many of us agree on the need to change the image of Africa, but what would describe that image as? Certainly I’m not talking about how we go about promoting the successes of Africa’s business and people, but rather what we would describe those alternative images as. It can be regional, national, or continental. I know it’s a loaded question, but I’m putting together a post on the African demographic (if you could call it that) and would like some input. I’m sure everyone has their opinions about whether we should classify all Africans, but what I am looking to pinpoint is the similarities AND differences between the various regions and cultures. Call it an impromptu survey if you will. You can comment below, use my contact form, or email me at blog(at)annansi.com. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

I’m taking a much needed vacation this week. I’ll be returning to posting on Annansi Chronicles next week. In the meantime check out these excellent African blogs:
BeninMwangi.com (African Entrepreneurship & international media)
Africaincorp (Following the Money Trailing the Afri-urban Movement )
Bankelele (Banking analysis and the financial sector in Kenya)
African Path (View of Africans in the Diaspora)
Deoluakinyemi.com (Daily Motivations & Development for people and organizations)
Tech Mambo (Profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies)
Odegele Nyang Investments (Business and investment news in Kenya and East Africa)
Kenya Startup (Start Ups in Kenya)
WhiteAfrican (Where Africa and Tech Collide)
Afriville (Community Portal)
Grandiose Parlor (Thoughts on Issues)
Yemma (nspiring Excellence)
Alt Nigeria (Nigerian Business)
Upnaira (Consumer Investments)
Rafiq Phillips (South Africa Technology and Web Addicts)
Ryan Shen-Hoover (Investing in Africa)
Leonard Nelson (Web 2.0 with a Zambian Twist)
Whythawk (Sustainable Business and Economic Development)
My Global Hustle

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since I started this blog. Initially Annansi Chronicles was an outlet for the ideas which I didn’t feel fit into the bi-monthly newsletters I send to my Annansi Clothing Co. customers, but as with any project it has taken on a personality of it’s own. I must admit it was hard to keep up with at first - adapting to a new platform, figuring out what to share and what to keep to myself, and juggling writing with all my other obligations - but I found that the less I tried to create a blog which fit in a pretty little package, the easier it became to develop Annansi Chronicles’ content. Though I’ve kept numerous personal journals over the years, it was hard putting my ideas out there for people who I haven’t met to critique and disagree with. But so far you guys have been very kind. I have to say thank you to all those reading this for choosing to listen to me rant and rave. I especially would like to thank all those who have taken the time to reach out to me either by leaving a comment or emailing me, for letting me know that my ideas are not so crazy after all. I hope we can all continue to share ideas and build a community that we are all proud of in one way of another.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming….