Blog

Commerce & charity? Annansi asks Russell Simmons

While catching up on my culture and business news, I came across the June 2007 Inc Magazine feature with a brief (1 question, 1 answer) Q&A between myself and entrepreneur/mogul/author Russell Simmons. The Q&A focuses on one of my favorite topics : mixing charity and commerce in business. As I’ve mentioned here before, I admire…
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Plugging in again

As hard as it was for a workaholic like myself, I unplugged myself for a week. Now I’m back refreshed, and refocused. Sometimes you need to do this to put everything into perspective. I find that this is truest when you’re living in the New York City area where every day is a hustle and…
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Taking a break

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…
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Agree on the problem first

In the past few weeks, I’ve been reminded of an important business lesson: always make sure everyone agrees on the problem before you set out to define a solution. When neglected, that simple step can derail a good effort; and if that effort involves other parties who are unfamiliar with your inner workings, you stand…
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Vogue, Keira Knightley donate food & Louis Vuitton to African elephant’s rehab

The concept for the June 2007 Vogue magazine cover story is a diary of British actress Keira Knightley’s “vacation in Africa” – more specifically Kenya. While the idea was probably someone’s eureka moment for an interesting feature, the resulting shoot and story is another re-hashing of Out of Africa. The fashion blogosphere has taken issue…
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Ghana 50 Fashion Show: V&A Museum, London

Here’s an exciting special event for all my London folks. Ghanaian designer Tina Atiemo is bringing her Avante Garde fashions to a show at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington – London on the 1st of June 2007. The Ghana 50 Fashion Show is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s event series…
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Age, authority and why Africans wear suits

Respect is deeply rooted in African cultures. We’re taught to refer to anyone who is older than us as “auntie” or ‘uncle”, regardless of whether they are even related to you. In the past it was understood that your “uncle” or “auntie” had years of experience and knowledge over you; that translated into respect and…
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Dior puts a little soul in it’s Marrakech Express

On Monday evening, designer John Galliano showed his Christian Dior Cruise 2008 collection in New York City. Going into the event I expected the normal couture runway spectacle, including the absence of anything or anyone African (or black). I was delighted to see though that Galliano did his part to at least acknowledge the diversity…
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David S. Fick interview on Beninmwangi.com

Benin has posted another great interview on beninmwangi.com. This time the subject is David S. Fick, author of Entrepreneurship in Africa: A Study of Successes. The second part of the interview will be posted on African Path.

Inspiring the journey

The main reason I began this blog was to provide inspiration for those people who see the success of Africa as a success for us all. I for one find inspiration in hearing about Africans who are making an impact in the world we live in. Here are two people who are doing what others…
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