Spectra Speaks
I recently joined the founding team of Africans in the Diaspora (AiD), a new organization that seeks to correct the imbalance of power in African development. But this post isn’t really about that organization. I’d like to tell you a story about Lindiwe, an elderly African philanthropist I met on my travels. Her story is one I will carry with me, always. So, I think you should hear it,, too.
Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in the West African Civil Society Institute (WACSI)‘s Social Media Experts conference in Accra, Ghana. The conference brought together African social media experts, enthusiasts, and activists from across the continent, which got me thinking about ways we can strengthen “digital activism” across the continent.
I prepared this short presentation as part of the “Feminist Cyborgs: Actvism, Online Fundraising, and Security” webinar, hosted by African Feminist Forum and Association for Progressive Communications. My 10-minute presentation includes a brief introduction to crowdfunding and some popular crowdfunding tools. Using my Africans for African new media project as a case study, I share 5 quick tips for running a successful fundraising campaign.
I recently published a personal reflection of my accidental, non-linear career trajectory as a writer and a media activist. In addition to my philosophy about using media for change, I wanted to share a few tangible new media tips, tricks, and strategies that have been helpful to me as well. So here are 10 tips, in no particular order, and a quote from Spiderman that summarizes it all.
My career path in media hasn’t been linear or conventional by any means. I went to MIT to study Mathematics, before realizing that I was really an artist. My parents are still in recovery. But everything will work out. It always does. Don’t drive your career with someone else’s rear view mirror. Don’t tailgate an externally constructed ambition or let someone else’s version of success distract you the most important driver on the road… you.
A Black lesbian organic herbalist and entrepreneur, who specializes in women’s wellness, just started a social venture mass manufacturing her signature organic elixir, HONEY & GOLD, described as a “pleasure and beauty tonic.” Pleasure and beauty tonic? Please sign me up immediately.
Based on how often marginalized people talk about the power of “community”, especially within the realm of grassroots activism, one would imagine the non-profit industry would have evolved into a flourishing ecosystem of recyclable free-flowing skills, services, and progressive ideas by now. Yeah, that’s not happening. Welcome to the first part of my “Finding Common Ground” series, which aims to explore and map out strategies for effective collaboration.
I recently visited the Ibhabhathane Community Centre, the only pre-school available in Rieebeck East, a small farm village with a population of about 700 people. Needless to say, providing good quality education (much less early childhood development) is a challenge. But a small group of dedicated women are making a difference.
Are you affiliated with a college, university, or high school who’s seeking speakers for the upcoming academic year? Are you a conference in search of an inspirational keynote speaker? A loyal reader of my blog? :) Check out my latest talk, “The Power of Storytelling: LGBT Rights, the Media, and the African/Black Diaspora” and help bring my love revolution to as many spaces as possible!
I have witnessed the daily grind of empowerment of black South African lesbians, watched them sink and wade through the cultural stigma that surrounds them like a mist, clouding the world’s perception of their lives as ordinarily human. Thus, I have come to re-affirm my belief that we must also celebrate our proud perseverance, our steady survival, just as fervently as we do our big, bold acts of bravery.
About Me
Meet Spectra: Queer Nigerian Afrofeminist Writer and Media Activist. Social Entrepreneur Nurturing Principled Diaspora and Women's Philanthropy in Media and Tech. Self-Care and Self-Love Evangelist. Idealist Warrior Woman. Big Dreamer. Big Thinker. Big Doer, Too.
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