A few weeks ago I was delighted to finally meet Noella Coursaris, a model who I had heard so much about. Noella really impressed me with the combination of her background (she was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a Congolese mother and Cypriot father and went to business school in Switzerland), her young age, and her work in launching the Georges Malaika Foundation, a foundation through which she will assist African girls in attending primary and secondary school. I have interacted with many models – and model wannabes – in the past but talking to Noella was a breath of fresh air. One thing that struck me about Noella was her determination and focus. While many models say they want to do more with their career, very few are able to organize themselves and make things happen. Though she was recently signed to the popular ID Model Management in NY, from looking at her body of work (Agent Provocateur, Chris Rock’s “I love My Wife”, Vibe Vixen, Cosmopolitan, Essence, GQ, and most recently the cover of Jambo and Harlem World magazines), you can tell that Noella is not one to sit around and wait for opportunities to fall in her lap. Speaking to Noella and Frederic about life, fashion and Africa, I got the same feeling I get when I speak to former model turned business woman extraordinaire Audrey Smaltz, another trailblazer in the fashion industry. Like Audrey, Noella seems to possess the ability to evaluate a situation, come up with a plan, and use her business acumen to make things happen; and it doesn’t hurt that Noella has a warm personality also. The September 2006 Model Inc. issue of Black Enterprise magazine profiled models like Tyra Banks, Iman, and Audrey Smaltz, who have used their focus, determination, talent, and keen business sense to turn the opportunities of an otherwise short career in a superficial industry into a successful business. And speaking to Noella you get the sense that she is taking a page out of their playbook to success. 
What makes it hard to succeed in the modeling industry is that ultimately you are being hired for your looks and unfortunately with that comes the assumption that all a model has to offer is her/his beauty. But if we look at the trait many of the most memorable models have, it’s being able to understand what each designer’s theme is and use your personality to sell that ideal to the world. And that takes a self-confidence and ability to empathize, that many models lack. I can see that Noella has what it takes to continue to have a long successful career. And by distinguishing herself as an African, though she does not have fashion’s stereotypical ultra dark skin, and extreme features, she, like Liya Kebede, introduces another image of an Africa to the fashion world. About her background Noella says “I am proud to be African, and proud to know where I come from. Africans have so much culture and values !!!”. Iman needs to get this girl on her “I Am African” campaign.
(photo courtesy: Luis Fernandez)
Maasai herdsman/model talks Gisele Bundchen, American Express, and maintaining maasai culture
<img id=”image289″ src=”http://annansi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/amex_red_ad.jpg” alt=”Amex RED ad” align=center”/>
In the news this week were features on the previously unknown Maasai herdsman who appeared with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen in this ad for American Express’ new card for the much-criticized RED campaign. Having seen the ad quite a few times in fashion magazines such as Vogue, I often wondered what the effect on the Maasai man had been. Here now, the Maasai herdsman is making news in multiple media outlets telling his story about his experience. What makes the story worth noting is that the herdsman, though having been paid $5000 for his efforts – an amount five times the annual wages in Kenya – has chosen to return to his life in his Maasai village. “To be honest all I was thinking about when I was with this woman was my cattle and goats,” Keseme Ole Parsapaet told The Associated Press, confessing to sleepless nights worrying about who was looking after his herd. Now that’s love for life and culture. How many of us would have taken the money and abandoned our simple lives.
“It is a good experience to work and make some money, but I believe people should be proud of their country… one should always return,”
– Keseme Ole Parsapaet
This week in African Style 3/1 – 3/16/07
• BBC launches new Africa Beyond website.
• CNN, Niger Delta and Western Media Portrayals of Africa Part III.
• Ghana: Independence? Try ‘aid-dependence’.
• Chinese Minister: African people will never welcome colonialists to plunder their resources.
• Africa and Europe set for tunnel link.
• MySpace and The New York Times sends readers on African reporting trip.
• Fighting the elusive beast: corruption in Africa.
• Will a Tough Government Save or Sink Rwanda?.
• West Africa Emerges as Drug Conduit to Europe.
• Oprah opens second S. African School through Angel Network.
Minding my business
I know, I know I haven’t posted anything since Friday and surely there are new developments in the world of African fashion, entertainment, business, politics. But I’ve been running around trying to organize things for the re-launch of my clothing line, Annansi Clothing. Even-though I haven’t gotten the chance to express my views on Oprah’s problems with her new school and Anglina Jolie’s tears for Africa here as yet, I’ve been keeping up with the developments as best I can. I’m feeling organizational these days and the 65-degree weather in NY is getting me focused on getting my business ready. In the last few days I attended an apparel convention in Atlantic City, consulted with my friend, mentor, and fellow designer Arlinda (Sofistafunk Skirt Co.), and tried to track down my company’s features in The Source Magazine, T-World Journal, and my interview on WorldSpace’s Flava hip-hop show. I tell you, running your own clothing company is not as easy as it seems, and doing it all myself is definitely not the best way to proceed, that’s why I’ve resolved to get a team of interns. Over the years I’ve seen many designers get eaten up by the grind of running a clothing label by themselves, and I certainly don’t want to be a statistic. I think more than creating designs, and connecting with the many people who “get” the direction I’m trying to go in, many creative people neglect the business aspect. We are usually drawn to the fashion industry because of the “lights, camera, action” image of it, but the industry is highly complex and it takes a lot more than talent to grow in it. So while I love reading and writing about the goings on in the progressive African community, I think it is equally important to play an active role, and to do so my business must be intact. I never want to be that person who complains and criticizes others’ decisions without going through the process myself. And nothing shapes your perception more than walking in someone’s shoe’s to understand the reason they make certain decisions. Of course this speaks directly to outsiders’ criticism of Africans and African business as well. On that note take a look my new website and check out the March 2007 issue of The Source Magazine on newsstands for some information about my clothing line. Your comments, good or bad, will be greatly appreciated.
Akon, Vibe and the new urban standard
With two singles in the #2 and #3 spots (Akon “Don’t Matter” and Gwen Stefani Featuring Akon “The Sweet Escape”), a new album, Konvicted, holding the #3 spot on the Billboard charts, and a starring role in a new Verizon commercial, Akon is hot right now. Now Senegal’s son graces the cover of the new Vibe Magazine which just hit my neighborhood newsstand. I’m not sure if this is the first time an African has made the cover of Vibe, but Akon’s cover is particularly significant to me because as an artist he continues to have appeal beyond genres and walk the fine line that Vibe has been so successful walking. Akon’s continued rise further convinces me of the growth of a new urban culture without the restrictions of race and origin. Not to say that the genre is color blind but where urban culture was primarily associated only with Black American culture before, the new urban culture seems to fall more in a gray area where race and origin aren’t the only determinant. A few weeks ago John Pasmore wrote on his Fast Company blog about the origins of the urban. The way things are going these days soon there might be a new definition of urban with new originators as reference points. Whether this new genre is a good or bad thing for black/African culture depends on your perspective, but one thing’s for sure, Akon and Vibe are attempting to shape that new definition right now.
African billionaires on Forbes’ 2006 list
Forbes Magazine has released their annual ranking of the world’s richest people. The listings include rank, name, home country or state, age where known, wealth in billions of dollars and source of the money. The research that went into compiling the rankings began in early 2006 and ended on Feb. 9, 2007. The list shows how the U.S. is slipping, the Russians are rising, and keeping business within the family is great way to maintain wealth. I’ve listed the rank, name, country of citizenship, age, net worth ($bil), and industry of the Africans who made the list below. If anyone has anyone of these people in their Rolodex hook me up. I hope to see some of you on the list in the future.
African’s who made the list:
#62, Naguib Sawiris, Egypt, 52, $10.0, Egypt, Communications (Telecom)
#158 Onsi Sawiris, Egypt, 77, $5.0, Construction
#158 Nicky Oppenheimer & family, South Africa, 61, $5.0, Mining/Lumber (DeBeers)
#194 Johann Rupert & family, South Africa, 56, $4.3, Retailing (Luxury goods)
#226 Nassef Sawiris, Egypt, NA, $3.9, Engineering/Construction
#432 Donald Gordon, South Africa, 76, $2.2, Insurance
#664 Samih Sawiris, Egypt, 50 , $1.5, Service (Hotels)
Top 100 list
1. William Gates III, Washington, 51, $56, Microsoft
2. Warren Buffett, Nebraska, 76, $52, Berkshire Hathaway
3. Carlos Slim Helu, Mexico, 67, $49, telecom
4. Ingvar Kamprad and family, Sweden, 80, $33, Ikea
5. Lakshmi Mittal, India, 56, $32, steel
6. Sheldon Adelson, Nevada, 73, $26.5, casinos, hotels
7. Bernard Arnault, France, 58, $26, LVMH
8. Amancio Ortega, Spain, 71, $24, Zara
9. Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong, 78, $23, diversified
10. David Thomson and family, Canada, 49, $22, inheritance
11. Lawrence Ellison, California, 62, $21.5, Oracle
12. Liliane Bettencourt, France, 84, $20.7, L’Oreal
13. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, Saudi Arabia, 50, $20.3, investments
14. Mukesh Ambani, India, 49, $20.1, petrochemicals
15. Karl Albrecht, Germany, 87, $20, Aldi
16. Roman Abramovich, Russia, 40, $18.7, oil
17. Stefan Persson, Sweden, 59, $18.4, Hennes & Mauritz
18. Anil Ambani, India, 47, $18.2, diversified
19. Paul Allen, Washington, 54, $18, Microsoft, investments
20. Theo Albrecht, Germany, 84, $17.5, Aldi, Trader Joe’s
21. Azim Premji, India, 61, $17.1, software
22. Lee Shau Kee, Hong Kong, 79, $17, real estate
23. Jim Walton, Arkansas, 59, $16.8, Wal-Mart
24. Christy Walton and family, Wyoming, 52, $16.7, Wal-Mart inheritance
24. S. Robson Walton, Arkansas, 63, $16.7, Wal-Mart
26. Sergey Brin, California, 33, $16.6, Google
26. Larry Page, California, 34, $16.6, Google
26. Alice Walton, Texas, 57, $16.6, Wal-Mart
29. Helen Walton, Arkansas, 87, $16.4, Wal-Mart
30. Michael Dell, Texas, 42, $15.8, Dell
31. Steven Ballmer, Washington, 51, $15, Microsoft
31. Kirk Kerkorian, California, 89, $15, investments, casinos
31. Raymond, Thomas and Walter Kwok, Hong Kong, ages unknown, $15, real estate
34. Francois Pinault, France, 70, $14.5, retail
35. Suleiman Kerimov, Russia, 41, $14.4, stocks
36. Vladimir Lisin, Russia, 50, $14.3, steel
37. Jack Taylor and family, Missouri, 84, $13.9, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
38. Vladimir Potanin, Russia, 46, $13.5, metals
38. Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia, 41, $13.5, metals
40. Oleg Deripaska, Russia, 39, $13.3, aluminum
40. Michael Otto and family, Germany, 63, $13.3, retail
42. Carl Icahn, New York, 71, $13, leveraged buyouts
42. Abigail Johnson, Massachusetts, 45, $13, Fidelity
44. Adolf Merckle, Germany, 72, $12.8, drugs
45. Barbara Cox Anthony, Hawaii, 83, $12.6, Cox Enterprises
45. Anne Cox Chambers, Georgia, 87, $12.6, Cox Enterprises
45. Mikhail Fridman, Russia, 42, $12.6, oil, banking
48. Vagit Alekperov, Russia, 56, $12.4, oil
49. Charles Koch, Kansas, 71, $12, oil, commodities
49. David Koch, New York, 66, $12, oil, commodities
51. Silvio Berlusconi and family, Italy, 70, $11.8, media
52. Nasser Al-Kharafi and family, Kuwait, 63, $11.5, construction
52. Leonardo Del Vecchio, Italy, 71, $11.5, eyewear
54. Alexei Mordashov, Russia, 41, $11.2, steel
55. Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor and family, Britain, 55, $11, real estate
55. Spiro Latsis and family, Greece, 60, $11, banking
55. Birgit Rausing and family, Sweden, 83, $11, packaging
58. Forrest Mars Jr., Virginia, 75, $10.5, candy
58. Jacqueline Mars, New Jersey, 67, $10.5, candy
58. John Mars, Virginia, 70, $10.5, candy
61. Viktor Vekselberg, Russia, 49, $10.4, oil, metals
62. Serge Dassault and family, France, 81, $10, aviation
62. Charles Ergen, Colorado, 54, $10, EchoStar
62. Michele Ferrero and family, Italy, 80, $10, chocolates
62. Naguib Sawiris, Egypt, 52, $10, telecom
62. Kushal Pal Singh, India, 75, $10, real estate
62. Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, France, ages unknown, $10, Chanel
68. Susanne Klatten, Germany, 44, $9.6, BMW, drugs
69. Philip Knight, Oregon, 69, $9.5, Nike
69. Sunil Mittal and family, India, 49, $9.5, telecom
71. John Kluge, Florida, 92, $9.1, Metromedia
71. Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Russia, 58, $9.1, telecom
73. Rupert Murdoch, New York, 76, $9, News Corp.
73. Hans Rausing, Sweden, 81, $9, packaging
73. Reinhold Wurth, Germany, 71, $9, manufacturing
76. Ernesto Bertarelli, Switzerland, 41, $8.8, biotech
76. Pierre Omidyar, Nevada, 39, $8.8, Ebay
78. Maria-Elisabeth and Georg Schaeffler, Germany, ages unknown, $8.7, ball bearings
79. Rafael del Pino and family, Spain, 86, $8.6, construction
80. Donald Bren, California, 74, $8.5, real estate
80. George Kaiser, Oklahoma, 64, $8.5, oil and gas, banking
80. George Soros, New York, 76, $8.5, hedge funds
83. Nikolai Tsvetkov, Russia, 46, $8.4, oil, banking
83. August von Finck, Germany, 77, $8.4, investments
85. Dan Duncan, Texas, 74, $8.2, energy
86. Mohammed Al Amoudi, Saudi Arabia, 61, $8, oil
86. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair and family, United Arab Emirates, 53, $8, banking
86. Kumar Birla, India, 39, $8, commodities
86. German Khan, Russia, 45, $8, oil, banking
86. Iskander Makhmudov, Russia, 43, $8, mining, metals
86. Sumner Redstone, California, 83, $8, Viacom
86. Shashi and Ravi Ruia, India, ages unknown, $8, diversified
93. Philip Anschutz, Colorado, 67, $7.9, investments
93. Galen Weston and family, Canada, 66, $7.9, retail
95. Enrique Banuelos, Spain, 41, $7.7, real estate
96. Stefan Quandt, Germany, 41, $7.6, BMW
97. Maan Al-Sanea, Saudi Arabia, 52, $7.5, construction, finance
97. Edward Johnson III, Massachusetts, 76, $7.5, Fidelity
99. Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Saudi Arabia, 87, $7.4, banking
100. Donald Newhouse, New Jersey, 77, $7.3, publishing
100. Samuel Newhouse Jr., New York, 79, $7.3, publishing
African woman in business at TED conference
Fellow blogger Benin has been doing a great job with his African Women in Business series. Reading his series has inspired me to keep an eye out for African women who are keeping pace with the men in changing the world we live in. While looking at the schedule for the TED conference, which started on Wednesday, I noticed that one African woman, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian Finance Minister, was scheduled to give a talk at the $4, 000 a head think-tank conference. Having already made an appearance at the World Economic Forum at Davos, she lead a session called “Open for Business” for the “artists and inventors who are plotting to save the world“. Ethan has been blogging from TED and gives us a run-down of Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s session. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is also the mother of Uzodinma Iweala, author of the critically acclaimed novel Beasts of No Nation and one of Paper Magazine’s Beautiful People of 2006. I guess genius runs in the family.
Bono: the busiest man in Africactivism
Bono is probably the busiest Africa lobbyist of the decade. Every time I look up, he’s involved in some Africa-related initiative. What separates him from the rest of the celebrity Africa-enthusiasts is his ability to develop initiatives which explore new avenues to address Africa’s issues. In the past few days alone, he’s been awarded an NAACP Image Award, proposed to take American Idol to Africa, and taken up post as editor of Vanity Fair’s July issue. In his words “Africa is sexy and people need to know that” Here, here.
Here’s video of his acceptance speech at the NAACP Image Awards.
Ghana: 50 years young
March 6th will mark the 50 year anniversary of Ghana’s independence. A lot can happen in 50 years, and a lot has happened in Ghana in the past 50 years. Besides the celebration of Ghana’s independence, I’ve been thinking about how many of us expect miracles when a country like Ghana has only had 50 years to catch up with the rest of the world. When you think about it, 50 years is not a long time especially if you are looking at the maturation of a nation. With that perspective in mind, I think we’re coming along. Here are some events and information sources to let you know what Ghana was, is, and could be:
• The official website of the Golden Jubilee
• Ghana at 50 Reflects on Dream of Nationhood – NPR’s recent broadcast on Ghana’s progression.
• Ghana: Celebrating 50 Years – AllAfrica.com story on celebrations
• Ghana’s Growth, Falling Poverty Rates, Could Raise Income Status in a Decade – The World Bank’s special section with research and data about Ghana’s progress
• The architect of Ghana’s independence – BBC’s profile of Kwame Nkrumah
• The Ghana Independence Day Calendar – Calendar by Ghanaian owned photo studio Stratford Studios in the UK. Procceds from the sale of the calendar will be donated to the Sickle Cell Society.
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• Back To My Roots – Photographer Stanley Lumax’s photo essay on his return to Ghana
• Ghana – A Portrait – Photographer Max Milligan’s coffee table book about his travels to Ghana
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Below are a list of events that are scheduled to take place in the New York area throughout the year. Updates will be available on www.myzongo.com
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March 6, 2007 (Independence Day):
• AfriPRO‘s Ghana celebration, Fusion215 located at 215 West 28th Street, NYC (btw. 7th & 8th Ave), NYC, from 6pm – until – African Professionals (AfriPRO) Network professional mixer and party as part of Ghana’s 50th Independence Day celebrations
• Press Conference and Cultural Display of Ghanaian artifacts and cultural symbols with their meanings
Venue: Ghana Mission, Second Floor or another location TBD
• A Night of Sweet independence @ Sweet Rhythm, 88 Seventh Avenue at Bleecker Street, NYC- New African Jazz vocalist Somi will appear at Sweet Rhythm and will dedicate the evening to independence and freedom. Reservations are recommended
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March 10, 2007:
• Awards Dinner Dance and Reception
Venue: Ghana Mission, Second Floor
Outstanding African Americans and Ghanaians will be recognized at this Awards Dinner for their economic and social contributions towards the development Ghana. There will be pomp and pageantry on Ghanaian styles and ethnic cuisine. Corporate sponsorship of this event will give your establishment the highest possible exposure in the community. A Special Commemorative Journal will be published with special messages from major sponsors. Sponsorship at the Premium Level will include pictures, images or articles the sponsors would like to include in the journal.
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• Ghana Independence Dance @ Gauchos Gym, Bronx, New York – BDN (Boogie Down Nima) & NCOGA (National Council of Ghanaian Associtions) INDEPENDENCE DANCE! ARTISTS: Reggie Rockstone, Wanlov The Kubolor, Bright of Bukbak, Papa She’ee, Rascalimo & more… DEEJAYS: Roni Ron, E-Love, Sam Q, Nasei & more… MCS: Flip & Rab “The International”. DO NOT FORGET: $10 off if you dress traditional. Visit www.bdnvision.org for more info.
March 18, 2007 (unconfirmed):
• Interfaith Service
Venue: Armenia Archdiocese Banquet Hall, 630 Second Avenue, NYC
There will be an interfaith service representing the three major faith organizations in Ghana – Traditional, Islamic and Christian. There will also be cultural displays prior to the service. This event is expected to attract a large audience with the greatest exposure because of the venue and its historic significance in New York.
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April 7, 2007(unconfirmed):
• Discussion on “Ghana @ 50, Past, Present and Future”
Venue: African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan (if available)
This event will be a collaborative effort with the African Studies departments from some of the universities in the city. There will be a panel of experts and we hope to have a special guest from Ghana such as a Minister or some other VIPs.
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May 2007 (confirmed):
• Ghana Film Festival
Venues: To Be Determined
We will be collaborating with the African Film Festival in New York City. The African Film Festival will be in Lincoln Center and then on to Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Before the event moves to BAM, there is a ’dark period’ of one week, and we will use this period to show some films produced and or directed by Ghanaians around the city. The film festival itself has intentions of showing a couple of Ghanaian films, so this is really a high profile media event.
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June 16, 2007 or Sunday June 17, 2006 (Unconfirmed) :
• Grand Parade in Harlem
The First ever Ghana Parade in New York City featuring floats showcasing the diversity of Ghanaian culture. There will be music with a mini-concert at the Harlem State Building Plaza at the end of the parade.
Parade Route: Seventh Avenue from 145th to 125th Street.
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Saturday July 7, 2006 (unconfirmed):
• Ghana Children’s Day
This is will be in the form of a workshop focusing on the children in our community. There will be highlights of some interesting stories about some of these children. There will also be a mentoring session.
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Saturday August 4 or 11, 2006:
• Annual Picnic and Concert
Venue: Orange County Fair Grounds (tentative)
The biggest event within the Ghanaian community anywhere in the world and we hope with the success of last year’s event, next year’s will exceed expectations. The biggest challenge is getting a place closer to the City. Currently, the estimated crowd is over 10,000.
Djimon Housou to model Calvin Klein underwear
I usually don’t blog on weekends (gotta spend time with the family) but it’s Oscar weekend and I’d be remiss in my duties if I didn’t report this breaking news. In the lead up to tomorrow’s Academy Awards, Calvin Klein Inc. has announced that it will feature Oscar-nominated Djimon Hounsou in its Fall 2007 Calvin Klein Underwear advertising campaign. While modeling is not new territory for Hounsou, becoming the face of Calvin Klein underwear at this point in his stellar career is worth noting. Seen as a true American brand, Calvin Klein’s underwear campaigns have often been seen as risqué and trendsetting. As many of you will remember Hounsou was discovered by fashion designer/photographer Thierry Mugler and spent several years modeling before he burst onto the international scene in Janet Jackson’s video “Love Will Never Do (Without You)”. The Fall 2007 Calvin Klein Underwear campaign, which will be shot in late March or early April and will appear internationally in more than 20 countries in global print and outdoor advertising in the fall. The campaign involving Hounsou will coincide with the 25th anniversary of Calvin Klein Underwear and the launch of a new product Calvin Klein Steel. Whether or not Hounsou wins the Best Supporting Actor Oscar tomorrow night in his Ozwald Boateng suit, we’re guaranteed to be seeing a lot more of him this year.