28 Sept 2024

Q&A with John Olaoluwa Modupe

 1. Please introduce yourself and tell us where you were born & currently live.

My name is John Olaoluwa Modupe.

I'm a Nigerian/Italian stand-up comedian, podcaster and actor.

I was born in Italy, and I currently live in the city of Parma.


2. What languages can you read, write and speak?

I speak Italian and English fluently.

I understand a little of Yoruba and still planning to improve that.


3. What inspired you to become a comedian?
The satire lingo is, I think, the major language I naturally spoke growing up. 

My Dad is one of funniest people I know, that definitely put me in that trajectory, and becoming a comedian seemed a natural transition of my self-expression.


4. How would you describe your comedy style?
I really don't know in all honesty; I love creating stories out of nothing and I love finding a connection between worlds that seem so far apart.


5. How did your show “The Glory & the Bush", a manual for bush people, originally come about?
I have no idea to be honest, I had a whole monologue written down a week to the show, but as soon as I landed I knew from within I had to scrap everything and write what my spirit asked me to, and so I did, let's see what comes out. 

But a key word of this show is Identity.




6. How does that make you feel performing in Europe for the first time? Are you excited, anxious a bit of both?

I'm a bit nervous but I've learnt to cope with it and appreciate it.

I've been lodging in a studio apartment in a terrifying area of London, so that really helped in redirecting any form of anxiety.


7. What goes through your mind just before you go on-stage?

I pray and thank God for another opportunity to give expression to the gift he has given me. 



8. What’s the most memorable show you’ve ever performed?

The first show, I was an opener to a big-time comedian in Italy.

It was the most memorable because that's when I realized I was born to do this.


9. Please tell us a joke

My life seems already a joke, please, next question!



10. If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Nigeria; the reasons are innumerable, one of them is that I haven't gone back since I was 2 years.



Zita Obakponovwe & Yaourou Konaté Lehrmann attending the show at the Chelsea Theatre

Stay in touch with John





Vanity Afro, 28/09/2024

14 May 2024

Meet Fashionista Zita Obakponovwe, an inspiring single mum and founder of the luxury fashion company Zita Milano

 

Founded in 2016 by visionary Designer Zita Obakponovwe, Zita Milano has taken the fashion industry by storm with its unique approach to promoting mental well-being through high-end fashion.



Zita, a Nigerian born, Italian & British citizen, single parent to two children, prove that impossible is possible by building a world-renowned Brand Zita Milano through her own hard work, charismatic personality & strong drive.




Zita Milano is a luxury fashion brand pioneering label that seamlessly merges the world of fashion with the importance of mental health awareness.


Inspired by the belief that fashion has the power to empower and uplift individuals, Zita Milano seeks to break the stigma surrounding mental health by creating luxurious and stylish clothing that promotes self-expression and self-care. Each collection is thoughtfully designed to not only make a fashion statement but also to spread messages of positivism, resilience, and self-acceptance.



Zita Milano Brand has gained international recognition showing her collections in London Fashion Week and on the African continent in Gambia International Fashion Week.



Zita Milano haute couture garment worn by Miss Gambia.



In conclusion, Zita Milano is not just a Luxury Fashion Brand; it is a also celebration of strength, self-love and mental health advocacy.




Contact Zita Obakponovwe

https://zitamilano.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/designzbyzita

https://www.instagram.com/zitamilano_designz

https://www.tiktok.com/@zitamilano

https://www.youtube.com/@Zitamilano007

 

Vanity Afro, 14/05/2024


11 Feb 2024

What is it like to have an African name outside Africa and a European name as an African

 


Yaourou I was born and raised in France and when I was younger, I wanted to have both a French first name and a traditional African first name. I thought it would have been sensible to have 2 first names, one from the country of my birth and one from the country of my heritage. Yaourou mean "spiritual healer".

Although growing up in France our household were run as a traditional Malian family, I did not care much for it, I was rebellious and insecure at the same time.
I grew up in Paris and in the suburbs but the majority of my friends were white so I was often self-conscious of saying my first name at first, because of bad jokes like being called yaourt au chocolat (chocolate yogurt in English) or mild bullying. My dad also gave me a nickname, YouYou. 

In the UK, London where I currently live, many are simply not able to pronounce Yaourou predominantly the "r" as it is not a soft r, it is a hard r. Most people called me YouYou, I love it, but any variation such as yoyo, loulou, annoys me, as it shouldn't be a huge challenge to say You twice. I equally love Yaourou as it's a unique traditional name that I associate with tales from griots and memories.


Salma Shama Ali is North Sudanese with African and Middle Eastern heritage.          Salma loves her first and middle name but would love if people could pronounce her first name properly. She grew up in Kent, England, in a predominantly white area and while in school no one could pronounce her first name Salma. 

Teachers would say to her “I’m going to call you by your middle name Shama as it’s easier to pronounce. Salma respect her middle name a lot as it was her great grandmother’s name who was from Syria but the now London based, would have preferred to be asked: "Would you prefer to be referred to as your first or middle name?”. So often when you are young and don't know how to express yourself about this, you just accept and move on, so Salma did, even though her feelings were hurt. 

First names can connect families just as much as last names can sometimes even more. They are often passed down through generation after generation. Other times, they are used to ensure a mother's maiden name lives on in some way.


    


Esmeralda comes from Equatorial Guinea, which was colonised by Spain at the time of colonisation. Her country is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, hence the origin of her name Esmeralda.
Her grandparents really liked precious stones and Esmeralda, Spanish for Emerald, was one of their favourite stone so they loved it as a name. 

Esmeralda, now London based, have always wanted to have an African name, she is learning to be more in connection with her culture and who she is.

She spoke about a memory when she was little and her father always called her "Bola" which means daughter in the Bubi dialect, the tribe where she comes from. Esmeralda likes Bola because it makes her feel alive and proud of her tribe.


Hervé was born in Mali of Malian parents descent but was adopted at birth by an unconventional white couple who traveled all over the world. His Malian birth mother was a fervent and active member of the Catholic Church, it was therefore important for her that Hervé had a catholic name.                       

Hervé is a French masculine given name of Breton origin, from the name of the 6th-century Breton Saint Hervé. Apparently, it means "eager for battle or strong and worthy “.

Now, London based Hervé also have an African name, Sékou. In the Malian language Sékou means, “He who has left.” Hervé was called Sékou until he was five. At five, Hervé and his white parents left Africa for France. It is then that Sékou decided to be called Hervé instead. The reason behind Hervé's choice was that he was scared that his new French classmates would mock his African name. He kept the name of Hervé since.


Lidiaana comes from Eritrea where it's common for people to have both a first name and a middle name. She goes by the name of Segen Lidia. Segen represents the graceful ostrich, symbolizing beauty, while Lidia is a biblical name that means 'Beautiful one' in Greek. 

Lidiaana lives in Germany and her name has been consistently mispronounced, she feels that it's often disrespectful.
She adores her name, but back in 2008, she made the decision to switch it up to Lidiaana. The reason behind this change was that her beloved grandmother passed away that year, and her name was Ana, which means 'Grace'.   
So, she thought it would be a beautiful tribute to combine their names and create Lidia Ana, which eventually transformed into Lidiaana. 

Lidiaana initially wanted a name that was more common to avoid any mispronunciations. Looking back, she now realises that she should have corrected people whenever they mispronounced her name.


      


Fabrice Essomba "My parents gave me a European first name because of the influence that France had over Cameroon" said Fabrice based in London.

Cameroon was a German colony until it falls to the French and British during World War I. 

“I’ve never felt like I needed an African name, I've never thought of that, maybe it is because I have an African surname" added Fabrice. Essomba means impressive personality.
Surnames are an important part of Cameroonian identity, representing one's family, community, and profession or social status.




Cheick Soumaré Cheick mean "Chief".
Soumaré is a surname of West African origin related to the Mandinka ethnic group. It is present in Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, Gambia.   
        
The Soumaré ancestors were noble warriors and brave people. They present themselves as the first occupants of the Guidimakha region. The Guidimakha region is located in the South of Mauritania at the crossroads of Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal.

In the Western world Cheick, based in Caen, in Normandy, said that often people ask him the origin and the meaning of his name and how to pronounce it. His experience as a whole has been positive and he feels like people like his name.



Duc Doe "When you are born in our Togolese culture, automatically you have a first name linking you directly to the day of the week of your birth" said Duc, based in the county of Northamptonshire.

He was born on a Monday so his culture automatically gave him the first name Kodzo.
His Dad also gave him the name Duc as a middle name because of his fascination of the English royalty. He loved the Duke of Wellington, and his first name Duc is the French equivalent of Duke.

"I think my names are cool and elegant. I can relate to any male born on Monday in my homeland Togo. Also, Duc harmoniously and majestically sound lovely when accompanied by my surname Doe. 
I am Duc Doe in the foreign land. Kodzo Duc Doe in the land of my birth." said Duc.

What about you, how do you feel about your name?


                   Vanity Afro 11/02/2024

17 Nov 2023

Staying motivated during the cold and dark winter

Let’s beat the winter blues! 

Today, Nutritionist Kaysha Thomas and Personal Trainer Halicia Loren (Hallie) are inspiring us for mood boosting and wellbeing.


 Kaysha Thomas


What are some nutritious foods to keep you warm in cold weather?

Soups are a versatile option to keep warm in the winter months. By using a variety of vegetables, you get many different vitamins and minerals. By adding protein such as chicken, meat, fish, or lentils you also get a good source of protein. Soups are also great for hydration especially for those who struggle with their daily water intake. You can’t beat a nourishing bowl of soup to provide warmth and comfort in the winter months. 


Which three items are always in your fridge?

Three items I always have in my fridge are milk, a stir fry mix and eggs. I don’t always have a lot of time to cook and so having ingredients that allow me to make quick meals like porridge, prawn stir fry with rice or noodles or even eggs on toast means that I never get caught out. 

 

Please share one healthy protein smoothie’s recipe.

My favourite fruit smoothie recipe is blending plain yogurt, berries, a banana with a scoop of vanilla protein powder cinnamon and a tablespoon of oats. You’ll need to experiment with the measurements to suit your liking. My favourite green smoothie is celery, ginger, lime juice, cucumber and kale blended with water. Sounds so basic but the flavours are my favourite. 

 

Do you believe culturally appropriate nutrition care is essential for the Black community?

Culturally appropriate nutritional care is very important for the black community. Unfortunately, many have lost their connection to their cultural foods. Often because they have been told our foods are unhealthy. Rather than seeing foods as “healthy” and “unhealthy” it’s better to learn how to nourish yourself in a self-caring way. This includes eating a variety of foods that you enjoy including those yummy meals you grew up with. Many of our cultural foods offer a variety of different nutrients. Beyond that, food is also another way we connect to our culture and loved ones. Those who have medical conditions that require specialised diets, can still do this whilst eating your cultural foods. 

 

Is there a supplement every black person should be taking? Why?

A supplement that many black people are likely to need is vitamin D (ask your GP for a blood test to check first). Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, supporting the immune system, and playing a role in various other physiological processes. Whilst the melanin found in darker skin provides some protection against UV radiation, it also reduces the skin's ability to produce vitamin D in response to sunlight. Individuals with darker skin in regions with less sunlight or during limited sun exposure seasons may face a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due to reduced synthesis.


 

WWW : https://www.kayshathomas.com

IG: https://https://www.instagram.com/kayshathomas/

                YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4jBXh5lHAva-tFNmnsZeg



 Halicia Loren


1. What is your winter wellness practice? 

My Winter Wellness practice is to Rest, have Slow Movement and Connect. During the winter months, I like to rest more than ever making sure that I'm sleeping 7-8 hours a night. And if not, then incorporate a 1 hr nap midday whenever my schedule will allow. Naturally, I like to align with the natural seasons: Summer, Spring, Fall, and Winter. All the other seasons, I'm moving fast, and my lifestyle is pretty chaotic, so in the winter, I like to incorporate more opportunities to rest. In the past, I used to only rest as a "reward" for working hard, but now, in the winter months, I rest simply to show love to my body because it needs it to stay healthy naturally. 



I practice more "slow movements" in my exercises and do more low-impact workouts during this season to take time to strengthen my muscles, and core and focus more on my flexibility when stretching. And lastly, as a winter wellness practice, I make sure to "connect" with family and friends more during this time. I naturally put myself first to maintain and achieve my mental health balance. However, during the winter months, I like to make more weekly calls to family and friends to pour love and thankfulness back into them to show them I appreciate them. 

 


2. As a personal trainer, how do you keep your clients motivated for outdoor personal training sessions in the freezing weather? 

To keep my clients motivated for outdoor sessions, I like to remind them that NOTHING beats fresh air. Working out with fresh air will always make you feel better for any workout. And even if the cold makes you feel a bit comfortable, I like to remind them that these are great ways to practice mentally how they choose to respond to situations that they can't control and make them feel uncomfortable. If you can conquer an outside workout in the cold, then maybe those annoying work emails will feel like easier battles to take on. Getting used to not always complaining but pushing through and getting it done will always be a better mindset to have, especially when it comes to your mental health. 

 


3. Should women and men train differently or are they the same exercises? 

I think they can train the same as long as they are not expecting the same exact results. Women naturally have more body fat than men, and men can burn more calories doing cardio than women. I get couples all the time complaining that their husband/wife is getting better results than them even though they are doing the same workouts. So as long as you don't compare your results, you'll be happy. 




 4. Please give us a fun 20-minute winter exercise?

 


5. Do you have a mantra to live by that have helped you achieve better wellbeing, that you’d like to share?

 A mantra/motto that I tend to live by that has helped me achieve better well-being would probably be, " Life is not a race to be won; it's a journey to be experienced. And the journey isn't just about the process, but who you become within the process”. 

I think this mindset continues to remind me that I don't have to "Get ABS in days".. I don't have to "Get a Summer Bikini Body"...but instead, I can do what works well for my body and not pressure it to win or lose at something. Rather, that trying something out, such as a new workout or exercise, is something I get to have fun with and experience, whether it gives me a "perfect body" or not. Working out has allowed me to become someone who appreciates what my body can do, and as a fitness trainer, I have a passion to encourage and help others to love their bodies even more, no matter where they are in the journey of life. Our bodies weren't meant to be punished in workouts but instead embraced, challenged and loved. 





 

Vanity Afro 17/11/2023

29 Apr 2022

My personal favourite uplifting affirmations

 

1. Calm is a superpower

This is my favourite affirmation! Reminding me this affirmation all the time make it easier for me to deal with people who constantly has a goal to push your buttons. Some people think arguing and having the last word at any cost mean you smarter; in fact it just shows that they are still at a level where they have to feed their ego and that they have not self-control. I am human with emotions so of course sometime; I might still react angrily to situations but when I do that, I am not happy. When I do not react, I am happy and satisfied, I feel strong. 

Not giving toxic people the attention they craving, it's an art.


2. I am not a stereotype

The world love to paint black women to be angry, disruptive and savage all because of a skin colour. So, when you do not fit this stereotype, they'll try their best to only promote "the angry ones" to keep the stereotype alive. I am black, I am French, I am Malian by heritage, have dual French and British citizenship, speak 6 languages. I am Model, Translator, Consultant and currently working on my Brand. I have an impeccable hygiene and smell nice, still trying to put me in a box? Good luck with that! Sometime when people who do not know me, neither ever met me and yet feel "threaten" by me, it is surely jealousy, right? or  unconscious bias they have. I wish these people healing.



3. Be YouYOU

YouYou is my nickname, so I used it as a play on word to always be myself. Be You, YouYou! Honesty is an especially important value to me. I am making clear to everyone I know, that if you interested in comfortable lies rather than the truth, we will never be friends. Most people do not like the truth, they lie because they ashamed of who they are or what they done. No judgment but move on with your life and forget about me. 

Some people are uncomfortable with the truth, and I am uncomfortable with liars.



4. Beautiful start with me

I like this affirmation, powerful and especially helpful when I am having a difficult day. I'll stop whatever I am doing, look at myself in the mirror and start saying several times "beautiful start with me" with a big smile, and my mood & energy become amazing. If anyone want to be confident and love themselves, saying certain things whilst looking at yourself in front of the mirror do help, even if you feel silly while doing it. I am someone who do not ever feel intimidating by beautiful women, I can genuinely appreciate other women beauties, without feeling competitive or envious. 



5. Believe in you

The day I start believing in myself is the day my life profoundly changes for the best. It is really difficult for anyone to drag you down when you believe in yourself. Most people are negative minded, miserable and hate seeing others happy. Many are honestly so eager to kill your joy that "they" are now trying to make people believe that positivity is toxic. 😂 If people do not believe in you, don't worry, believe in yourself, and keep focus on your goal. You'll be pleasantly surprised what happen...



6. Enjoy yourself

The way I see it, life is not only about work. Living my life only to work would never be an option for me. I know three people who were under thirty, are now dead. They were saving all their money and never spend a penny. People think they will live forever, they don't realise that they don't decide when the time comes. A good balance of work, travel, making memories with family & friends is a happy life.


7. Excited to be alive

Most of us simply need to be remind everyday of how grateful we should be of being alive. We all have issues whether you short, tall, black, white, brown, poor, rich, unattractive or beautiful. All of us have issues. I come from a working-class background, I could have easily thought, I don't know anyone I don't have money boohoo! Instead, I choose to be positive and think I never want to use my beginnings as an excuse to define my ending! Life is exciting. I have said that sentence a lot "I am excited to be alive" and it is as if I send a message to my brain because I feel excited and happy with great energy often. I have to work extremely hard first until I can just focus on my Brand. 



8. Grow from your past

We all have a past we are not proud of because we did not handle a situation the right way or did things we regret. All experiences were meant for a reason to help you become a better person. I sometime think about things I've done because I can laugh at it now, thinking how naive I was, why didn't I compute this or how did I not see that or why did I react like that or why did I trust that person. Well, it's all helpful for the healing process.



9. No success without struggle

I tried to post positive things on social media because that mentally help me and if that can inspire others, bonus. I personally would not follow anyone writing all the time about their life misery on social media. If it is someone I know and consider as a friend, they should already know they can reach out to me privately and I'll be a good listener, help whenever I can. It does not mean that I don't struggle myself, I just find it more helpful if I have a problem to talk with close ones face to face. I understand why some people might like to see others suffering online so they can feel good and think I am not alone. But for me it goes without saying that everybody struggles at some level and anyone saying otherwise is lying. I prefer to see positive success story, I find it motivating. Many will say good news doesn't sell, bad news and gossip sell. OK, but not to me.

 


10. Embrace change

I am adventurous at heart, like to travel and embrace challenge. At the beginning when I arrived in London from France, I was constantly having to change accommodation because of short term tenancy agreements or flatmates moving out, it was actually quite stressful. 2 months here, 6 months there, 1 year here! But now that I think about it, it was a good experience because I met so many people and also this experience helps me to be able to adapt to situations, grow as a person and I don't fear uncertainty. Whatever challenge is put in front of me I deal with it and see it as an opportunity to progress or to learn new things. I see change as a positive thing; I embrace it.


11. Go after your dreams

I have a passion, dreams and this is what I am focus on. When you go after your dream you surround yourself with like minded positive people, you support each other and there is not time for pettiness, jealousy, gossip. Choose wisely. I have encountered people in a higher position than myself who asks me to collaborate, then what has been happening is that not only they will not credit you, instead they take credit for the work you done, and you might get a thank you if you lucky or they will just ignore you. These fraudsters are not going to win for long, they will get caught because it is not actually their story they are feeding to their audience, they will not know what is next. So now I work in silence and for collaboration everything will have to be agreed in writing, before phone calls.🧿 

Also there is a big difference between being inspired by someone and copying someone, if you are inspired by a person, you'll credit that person.

                                            


12. I am winner

I come from a long way despite all the obstacles that some are putting in front of me, constantly.

I am so grateful to how far I come, so far.

I do not compare myself to my friends because we did not have the same beginning and privileges.

There is a lot of days I fail but I am winner because I don't give up.

The more I fall the quicker I stand up and tried again. Trampoline effect....





                                                              https://www.yaourou.com

                                                      http://modelsplus.com/model/youyou


Vanity Afro 29/04/2021

                                           

29 Jul 2021

Q&A with Producer and Entrepreneur Natalie Edward-Yesufu

Natalie Edward-Yesufu is a multi-award winning creative entrepreneur and actor who has recently won Woman of the Year at the prestigious City of Birmingham Business Awards for her endeavors with her film and event production company Transition Stage Company, alongside her writing initiatives and galas “Enter.Stage.Write” and “Amplified”. 

She is on a mission to create uplifting stories from regional cities and amplify diverse voices while bringing people together from all backgrounds to celebrate the intrinsic value of all forms of visual arts. 

 


1. Hey Natalie, how are you? Amplified is an excellent idea because it is time to change the narrative for Black, Asian, and Minority writers!

Throughout 2020, with the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, if I wanted to see myself represented on screen all I would see is 'Black Trauma'. It was not pleasant. All stories of adversity need and deserve to be told - but where is the comedy? Where is the light? Why do all diverse stories have to have “trauma” as a minority at the center of the story?  I thought black and brown British comedy needed a reboot; so, I pulled my sleeves up and decided to do something about it. That’s how Amplified was born.

 

2. How will winning the competition help the writer with their career?

Writers who submit scripts to Amplified get feedback on all their work and have it placed into a database. That way, even if they do not win or get to the finals, they have an opportunity to have their writing passed onto producers or production companies. The writer always owns the rights to their I.P. Furthermore, the finalists get to meet and greet with Sara Asante, commissioning editor of UKTV, alongside various other industry people from the world of T.V. and stage. There is a £1000 prize, sponsored by Final Draft software, for the Grand Champion who is chosen by our panel of industry professional judges. Additionally, the Grand Champion and Audience award winners are given mentorship from Transition Stage Company, and we also aid them in their press and social media marketing for two months.

 


3. Can writers enter more than one script in the competition?

The Writers can submit as many scripts as they like as long as they follow the rules. It is extremely important you read the terms and conditions and the marking scheme on the Transition Stage Company website. So many writers freely send their writing I.P. without researching the rules and/or reading the contract.

 

4. Will writers get feedback about their entry?

All writers get feedback on their script, although not in-depth; however, there is an option to upgrade and pay for a session with our in-house script editor and coach.


5. What does it take to write humorously?

Speaking from the role of a producer and not a writer, I can say that you're either funny or not. Some people are just naturally funny, and the best comedians are the ones who can write well and translate this through different characters, story structure and most importantly good conversational dialogue. There is a massive demand for comedy. So, to all comedians, we would strongly advise you to learn how to write for the stage and screen.



6. What type of stories excite you?

I like dark humour and I especially love scripts that tackle sensitive topics through comedy. I am not a fan of movies or TV series that explore and focus on black trauma, however, Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ tackled liberal racism superbly and tactfully. I even watched it three times in the cinema! It was a masterpiece. I also love 'Dreaming Whilst Black', a BBC TV show written by Adjani Salmon, and Michela Coel's 'Chewing Gum'. With Amplified, we are trying to unearth these black and brown comedic voices in Britain.


7. Name a comedy stage that has inspired you, and why?

Oh, it's been a while since I watched a comedy play! But I started in Moira Buffini’s “Silence”. I love her style of writing - dark comedy covering layers of witty themes.



8. Who really makes you laugh?

Do you know who makes me actually cry with laughter? Mo Mulligan, specifically when he does that football hooligan skit and tells Julie to get her tits out and shouts **oodclot. It is so relatable because we have all encountered a chap like that growing in the U.K in the 90s. 

Also, Dave Chapelle - he is a genius. No introduction or explanation is needed as to why he consistently tops the list of who makes you 'really laugh'!

 

9. What are your favourite holiday destinations?

I cannot choose, I love too many places! I travel a lot and have lived in many countries, so it's never felt like I have holidays. I love Paris and New York, but my favourite holiday destination at the moment is Greece.

 

10. What are your favourite books?

I am a personal development geek! I read 1-2 books a week. But my favourite book at the moment is “Routine Machine” by John Lamerton. His motto is: “Ordinary people + everyday habits = extraordinary results”.  Lamerton’s view on habits perfectly fits with my thesis on success; keep moving forward.

I am currently reading 'The Ride of a Lifetime' by Robert Iger, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company.



The closing date for ‘Amplified’ is 30th July 2021. 

Scripts can be submitted

https://transitionstagecompany.com/?page_id=1807

For further information visit

 www.transitionstagecompany.com 

For other enquiries about Transition Stage Company please contact Natalie  

Natalie@Transitionstagecompany.com  


 Vanity Afro 29/07/2021