Afrosphere | African Digital Art

For those who know me,  I am passionate about African culture and arts.
One of the most talented ladies I have met in the last two years  is Jepchumba, a Kenyan digital artist living in Chicago, Illinois.

Her site African Digital Art highlights a lot of the most innovative and cutting edge artistry coming out of the continent. The site features artists from all across the continent with special features, interviews and more recently this year a community section.

Links through to other social media like Facebook, Flickr and featured videos on YouTube position this as one of the best sites if not the leading one on african digital art. Check it out. Subscribe. Immerse yourself.

Drugs | The Nutty Professor vs The Govt.

So let’s consider the facts. Dude, aka Professor Nutt (yes the universe has a sense of irony), thinks that the government are not being as honest as they should be on drugs policy. In steps Alan Johnson the Home Secretary who sacks Nutty Professor (sorry couldn’t help it) for stepping over the line when he more or less stated that science should not be ignored when defining policy.  To be fair he did make some crass comparison between deaths from ecstasy compared to horse riding.

My Opinion
I think before I take this further I should state my claim. I am concerned about the legalisation of drugs like cocaine, heroin or marijuana. I am also concerned about the harm done by any kinds of drugs to people. However

Culture | Black vs White Intelligence. Again!

Source: Telegraph

One of the most popular posts on my blog has been about the race and IQ. Since as early as I can remember there have been some very interesting debates around this issue and it still raises as much passion as ever.

Channel 4 are going to starting a series discussing issues around race. The leading programme is  Race: Science’s Last Taboo and is being chaired by Omar Rageh where he challenges the concept of race and intelligence.

Youth | Just Give Teenagers Some Space

This weekend sees a technology conference for youth, designed by youth being run in London. Tomorrow’s Web Conference looks like a great event and I wish them all the best for it. Channel 4 has been quite forthright in both promoting youth projects and shows, and a host of other organisations such as Prince’s Trust, etc. are very keen to show that many of your teens are doing great things.

Work | Are You Afraid of Rejection?

Yesterday I met with two people I am most accountable to professionally and personally. We spent the day brainstorming the next steps of our professional lives and in turn how they effect us personally too. As part of this process I revisited a fear that I have found in many of the clients that I coach and one that, if I am a honest, is one that I have supressed from my conscious mind. The fear of rejection.

As a speaker and coach my business model revolves much around my own credibility and being able to deliver. So whether I am speaking at a conference or coaching an entrepreneur into stepping out into a whole new world of possibility I know my success depends on being trusted.

Stuff | Beautiful Wedding Video

Culture | Police, Professors and Picket Fences

Prominent US black professor Prof Gates is arrested for causing a disturbance. Arresting officer Police Sgt. James Crowley refuses to apologise. Media jumps on to what is potentially a race row. Oh and Obama makes a comment too something to do with stupidity.

OK now I would love to be controversial on this and lean to the side of the policeman. According to this article the arresting officer is a lecturer on racial profiling, was hand picked by former Police Commissioner, a black man, and was previously most famous for trying to resucitate dying NBA star Reggie Lewis.

Education | Tory but Troubled?

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a Tory politician to talk about education in the country. A conversation which frankly went one direction when I realised that his view of remedying the system of some of our low performing schools was quite myopic.  I decided to follow this up some more by viewing Michael Gove the Shadow Secretary for Children , Schools and Families giving a speech at the RSA. Much of his speech reflected what we heard in this meeting. The Conservatives are going to revolutionise the whole way schooing, nay education, is done in this country!!

Youth | You’re Worth It!

Last week a delivered a couple speeches for year 10 students in London and Hertfordshire.  The motivational speeches entitled “You’re Worth It” was loosely based on the slogan for L’Oreal products and a reminder to the teenagers listening that although sometimes life sucks they are worth it.

I am humbled when after an hour of speaking I still see young people sitting on the edge of their seats, eyes focused forward and often crying with laughter when they listen to some of the silly stories from my own personal journey peppered with slang and idioms that that age group understand.

Stuff | Cheb Mami & Sting – Desert Rose

One of my fave videos/songs. Ever.