AFRIFRANT: THE BLACK PANTHER

This video is pretty much a rant about the actors who have either been rumored to be in talks to play, or actors whom I have heard others say they want to play the lead of Black Panther on the big screen. 

LIVE BELOW THE LINE

Starting today I will be living below the poverty line, in support of the Live Below the Line campaign. This initiative aims to "challenge the way people in the US think about poverty" and bring awareness for global poverty. The challenge is to feed yourself on 1.50 a day for five days. Poverty lines vary in different countries, so those in Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand can find their daily dollar amount here.  

FASHION FRIDAY: SPRING PICKS

YOURS TRULY. YOU CAN SEE THE DETAILS OF MY LOOK HERE.

Warm weather. Birds singing. Flowers blooming. Yes my friends, Spring is in full effect. One of the great things about this season is that it's a breath of fresh air from the layered, structured, and confined feel of Winter. Though not as relaxed as Summer, Spring fashion is still carefree and fun.

Usually floral prints are incorporated into wardrobes during this season; don't get me wrong, I love a floral print as much as the next gal, I rock a floral print head wrap all the time, but I think there are so many more bold, interesting and different options out there. Fortunately, many designers agree with me, and have incorporated bright, bold, fun colors and prints into their Spring collections. As I looked through each collection more closely, I realized there's definitely strong African influences,whether intentional or not. That being said, I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces that, for me, were a nod to my Motherland, and a  great alternative to floral.

SPORTS: NBA PLAYOFFS 2013

The playoffs are officially underway. Even though we're rooting for our LA teams, (Go Lakeshow! Clippernation!), we proudly rep and support all of the Africans that are in the playoffs. 

WEST

Steve Nash 
Los Angeles Lakers
South Africa 

Festus Ezeli
Golden State Warriors
Nigeria 

Hasheem Thabeet
Oklahoma City Thunder
Tanzania

Serge Ibaka
Oklahoma City Thunder
Congo

Thabo Sefolosha
Oklahoma City Thunder
South Africa 

Boris Diaw
San Antonio Spurs
Senegal 

Andre Iguodala
Denver Nuggets
Nigeria

THROWBACK THURSDAY:FALL OUT BOY

We are HUGE Fall Out Boy fans! Anytime one of their songs comes on the radio, we all sing at the top of our lungs and have a full on dance party. Here's proof. After listening to their latest amazing album, Save Rock and Roll, it got me thinking about one of their greatest albums, Infinity on High. The entire album is flawless and full of gems. 

Check out one of those gems here, which just happened to be filmed in Uganda. Oh, F.O.B how I love thee. Enjoy!

-ASHA

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER

So today, my fellow foodies, I bring you a popular dish from Benin: Beninese Peanut Sauce. This is a traditional Beninese dish flavored with onions, chillies, tomatoes and, of course, peanut butter. Yum! 

INDIANA JONES EXHIBIT

I went to the Indiana Jones exhibit this past weekend, and man was it awesome! I got to do a mini puzzle game that involved looking for clues, and at the end I even got to get my name up on a board. Going to the exhibit made me realize just how much I loved "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

MUSIC MONDAY: SINKANE

I pride myself on being a music know-it-all; if you name any band or singer, more often than not, I've listened to their music, watched a video, or seen them in a magazine, or something. I'm the one that introduces people to new amazing music, it even says so in my about me section. So, imagine my surprise when Spotify recommended a band to me, and my first thought was "Who in the hell is Sinkane?". At that moment, I had to take my own advice and get familiar. 

FASHION FRIDAY: VICTORIA'S SECRET ANGELS

As well as being an actress, one of my life-long dreams was to be a Victoria's Secret Angel. Blame it on the angel wings. While I wait for the call that I'll be walking down the runway in this year's show, I thought I'd share with you guys some of the fab, fellow African chicas who've shimmied down the glittery runway:


Ajuma Nasenyana-KENYA

Alek Wek- SUDAN

Aminata Niaria-SENEGAL

Anais Mali-CHAD

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

For those of you who don't know, Absolutely Fabulous, is one of the most popular British comedies that's also hugely popular stateside. In series five, what we would call season five in the States, Saffy becomes pregnant by John, an African  man she met while working in Uganda, much to the delight of her mother, Edina  who is excited to be having a mixed-race grandchild: "A mixed-race baby is the finest accessory anyone in my position could ever have. It's the Chanel of babies!"

John helping Saffy, who is in labor

Edina's best friend, Patsy is not too thrilled about the new addition, she despises Saffy  and knows that this baby will only bring her friend and her daughter closer and take attention away from her. In the scene below, Edina and Saffy are discussing Christmas plans, and Patsy, trying to be a part of the conversation, and not wanting to be left out, inquires about John.

*FUN FACT Ab Fab has had a slew of celeb cameos over the years,and was one of Idris Elba's first television appearances. 

WACKY WEDNESDAY: PINKY & THE BRAIN

So, when I first learned of an elementary school in Nigeria named Pinky & the Brain, I thought it was some kind of joke. However, after getting over my initial shock, anger and overall dismay, I took a closer look at Pinky & the Brain Primary School and discovered why this may possibly be the school of the future.

A DAY WITHOUT SHOES!

We're big supporters of TOMS, (I wore my red pop cord shoes everyday until my toes would show), and everything that they stand for.Today is TOM's annual One Day Without Shoes challenge. Being barefoot today is helping bring global awareness to children's health and education. 

I normally walk around without shoes anyway, so I'm glad that today I won't be the only one. I hope you all will join in on this movement.

To learn more about why we're barefoot today click here. 

Here are some pics that people have posted so far. 

TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie and employees. 

MUSIC MONDAY: LIVE FROM THE REPUBLIC

Normally, I'm not one to push my ideals and beliefs on others, but Live From the Republic (LFTR) is a cause that I just had to share with you guys. The organization combines two of my favorite things: music and charity. In an effort to bring medical supplies to health care facilities in Africa, LFTR brings an American artist every year to Africa and donates portions of the profits from the musical events to various charities. 

FITNESS FRIDAY: YOGA FOR AFRICA

FARIDA, ASHA and myself, had the pleasure of attending the Beach Yoga for Africa event last weekend. The event was held by Indego Africa, and yoga was led by Brad Keimach.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: TOTO

TOTO. Africa. Enjoy!

SPOTLIGHT: MAHEN BONETTI'S AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL

Sick and tired of seeing how the world depicted Africa, Sierra Leonean Mahen Bonetti took matters into her own hands and created one of the most celebrated and influential film festivals to date.

GET FAMILIAR: PHIONA MUTESI

I've always wanted to learn how to play chess. The mental aspect of the game has always intrigued me. If I had played chess as a kid, I probably would have been an OK player, but probably nowhere near the level of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess player.

MUSIC MONDAY: D'BANJ DOCUMENTARY

I watched D'Banj's documentary, " The Tales of Oliver Twist- The Documentary" and it made me like him even more He's extremely charismatic, funny, and works very hard.For those who are not fans, I think this film may make you change your mind about him. 

FASHION FRIDAY: THE MAASAI PROJECT

The Maasai Project was founded from the partnership between Spanish footwear company Pikolinos and the non profit ADCAM. The project helps the women of the Maasai tribe, of Kenya, design sandals and bags, which are then finished in Spain. 

THROWBACK THURSDAY: AKON

This week's throwback is dedicated to Senegal. Today marks 53 years of independence for the country. Check out this song from a popular Senegalese artist, Akon. Akon's "Mama Africa"  is a love song to his beloved homeland. Enjoy! 

- TDB

DID YOU KNOW...

There's a place where African inventors share their work and discuss upcoming projects of theirs with fellow inventors; this magical world is otherwise known as the website, Kumatoo.

AFRICOMEDY: WHAT A PRANKSTER

Leon Schuster is a South African comedian who has a penchant for placing people in bizarre situations that end up with humorous results. Out of all the videos I've seen of his, the snake prank is my favorite; I am pretty sure I'd quit this job if this happened to me. Check out the video below and see for yourself.

-DJ

MUSIC MONDAY: MUSIC FOR PEACE IN THE CONGO

My team and I recently had the honor of sponsoring the Music for Peace in the Congo Fundraiser in Los Angeles. Being that the event benefited Congolese people, my team and I were so excited and humbled that Afrik Moto asked us to be involved. We worked closely with the group and  Fredy Tshibanda to help bring awareness and raise funds for people in Congo. All of the proceeds  went to the nonprofit Fredy works with, United for the Future.