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 30^th 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

Artist spotlight.12 paintings and the stories behind them

Art is life.

Art is provocative.

Art is food for the soul.

Art make you dreams.

Art stir your emotions.

Art can make you see a different vision of the world, a world with more honesty.

What you looking for in art? Beauty? Harmony? The message the art is trying to convey?

Art is wonderful and can be expressed in different forms: architecture, cinema, literature, music, painting, performing, sculpture.

In this artist spotlight, I have asked artists to choose their favourite painting and tell us the story behind it.

Sidi Diabaté

https://www.instagram.com/sidi_diabate_peintre

The message of this painting is "Stop covid".
In my work I tend to paint the image of strength and unity and portray children. 

I find children’s gaze, innocence, and love very inspiring.

To live with children is to live in a paradise on earth.

Boubacar Baba Tandina

https://twitter.com/tunisart

This painting is about initiation,

Why initiation? We live in digital generation where the youth nowadays are too attached to entertainment, smart etc ... until the point that they forget that they are the future of their nation ... hence I was inspired to create this painting “The reader” ... !!!
Young people are no longer interested in reading, and this is my way to sensitize them

 

Fhatuwani Mukheli

https://twitter.com/fhatuwaniMukhel

The 1st artwork, where you see a child giving water to drink to another child from a jelly can, is inspired by a proverb. 

The idea that children from the same father share everything. 

For instance, they will split a grasshopper head and share it, like food.

The 2nd artwork features a child almost covering his face with his hand, making time for self-reflection.
It is about the misconception we tend to have, about others. We tend to think that others are leading a better life than us, others seem to excel at everything; while actually under the surface everything is far from perfect, and everybody have their own struggle. 

Just like the sun shine on all of us!
They say the grass is greener on the other side until you go on the other side and realise that the grass is greener only where you water it.

Kamz Art

https://www.instagram.com/kamz_art

This is my favourite piece because I wanted to portray a story behind my drawing by having a more abstract approach. 

I captioned it ‘Brave face’ as it conveys the struggles one can face but may hide it from those around them.
This is almost a way to make more people aware of hidden depression in an individual.

D’Yauna Wells

https://twitter.com/bamaintrovert

This painting is a favorite of mine because I became a big fan of the show “Pose” after initially not wanting to watch it. 

After seeing followers on my Twitter timeline talking about it I decided to watch & was hooked within 5 mins of the 1st episodes. I instantly fell in love with character Blanca. 

The show really gave me an insight of what Trans ppl have had to endure & overcome. So, this is a tribute to the actress Michaela Jae Rodriguez that portrays her. It didn’t come out looking exactly like her because I just recently in the past 2 years made the decision to try doing more realistic type paintings. I did enjoy the process & the outcome regardless.

Mofarabale

Www.twitter.com/mofarabale

This painting celebrates the beauty of women, the face or body (nakedness) of a woman doesn't determine her beauty.

Nico Phooko

https://www.artmajeur.com/phooko

The title: Isandlwana.
Mixed media on wood.
It is inspired by the battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879. The first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. The deep colourful earthy geometrics around the picture plain represents the genuineness, diversity, and strength of the Zulu nation with the collaged cow shield in the centre signifying protection against the state-of-the-art armed British troops. The clash was an awesome triumph for the Zulus and caused the defeat of the first British invasion of Zululand. The resistance of western standards and influence will be forever registered in the history of this battle.

Lelo Dassie

https://twitter.com/lelo_artist

I chose the attached charcoal drawing. 

The artwork aims to celebrate the lives of the two gentlemen named Bob Mabena and Eddie Zondi who both passed away. I thought it will be fitting to commemorate what they stood for. The drawing is depicting them in a radio station where they used to work and give us great music to listen to. The artwork challenged me as an artist in terms of the tonality. The work makes use of lighter to darker tones to bring the charcoal drawing to life. My aim as an artist is to bring joy and Happiness into people's lives. I always strive to create work that evoke emotions and hoping that my personal thoughts are communicated as well.

Malia

https://www.instagram.com/artisself

I love the texture and the differences of the colors in the color palette. It was my first time successfully using plaster on a big piece, a 22 x 24. When I started, I was very intimidated by the size of the piece, and I was unfamiliar with using plaster. I was using it without measuring the combination between water, plaster, and paint. I hated it at first. I was like this is so ugly and I don’t know how this is going to come out. I continued and one day it all came to an end, I loved it! At the time I worked at an art studio, I was in my last year of high school and it was the summer before I went to art school. I was remote and that was my first time working alone. I tended to always bug my mentors for their approval and opinions for guidance. This was important to me because I had to learn to trust myself. That taught me to follow my intuition and to believe in myself. I finally dropped it off at the studio and people loved it. That was a pivotal point in my art career because I was finally stepping into myself. I finally started to see myself as an artist and believe that I was an artist.

Eli Waduba

https://www.eliwadubagallery.com

It is a piece in a series titled fragile. 

I come from a place where women are being considered as sex tools and objects that can easily be replaced but in reality, women are more than sex tool and they are fragile so they should be handle with optimum care.

Teodora Dumitrache

https://www.instagram.com/teodorapauladumitrache

I am inspired by the harmonious complexity of the woman because somewhere between the idea and the pencil, among the thoughts and experiences, there is another world. 

I propose a thrust of pure shades, a decryption of the message behind the more exclusive’s experiences.

Tae Ham

https://www.taeham.com

I started creating “The Future Is Ancient” during the Black Lives Matter protest of 2020. 

It was a very tense time for our nation.

 I wanted to create a piece that not only inspired black people to continue fighting for justice but that would inspire future generations to continue to strive for black liberation.

 

Attachments area

For more information about one of artist's work please click on the link located just underneath the artist’s name. 

Vanity Afro 25/06/2021

How do I take care of my wellbeing?

Personally, this is how I take care of my mind, body and soul. 

I now have a self-care morning routine. 

I do 30 min exercises.

I write on a gratitude journal things I am grateful for.

I listen to positive affirmation.

I do a 10 minutes foot exercises. I decided to give a name to this foot exercises and I call it "Pieds Beauté". I thought giving a name  to it, would make it official. My "Pieds Beauté" include pointing my toes up, spraying my toes, stretching by grabbing one toe at the time with my hand, separating each toe for a few minutes while opening my legs very wide, and I end up in a strange position. I used to dislike my feet because I have one overlapping toe but "Pieds Beauté" helps me to love my feet because of the giggling & feeling silly pose I have by doing this exercise. 

By connecting and playing with a part of my body I do not like, I grow to love them. 

This self-care morning routine as well as the occasional crying is keeping me good.

I have asked expert in their fields. 

Dr Charlie Easmon MBBS MRCP MSc Public Health DTM&H DOccMed

Medical Director of Your Excellent Health Service

President of The International Association of Physicians for the Overseas Services (IAPOS) www.iapos.co.uk

Co-founder of Global Health Action Strategies & Solutions (GHASS) www.ghass.co.uk

How to recognise mental health?

We can all understand physical pain but unless you have suffered, it is harder to understand mental pain. We can imagine the agony of breaking a leg in a fall from a horse but what is like to feel constant unease and constant dissatisfaction with yourself? Sleep and concentration are huge clues. The restless mind finds it hard to sleep as it is like a scab constantly picking at itself. The restless mind focuses on external things because it constantly wants to and cannot help but pick at itself.

Understanding mental deterioration is hard and the following may help you better understand it.  Since I was a kid, I have brushed my teeth twice a day, morning and evening. However, one decadent weekend as an adult I overindulged in sugary sweets and booze and then crashed out without cleaning my teeth. On the Monday I was in agony with toothache and an emergency visit to the dentist confirmed dental infection/caries that required the tooth to be removed. For a while I was puzzled as to how one forgetful weekend could do that. It seemed such a short time.Then one day writing a chapter on oral hygiene it hit me that time is relative and for what for me had been less than 24 hours for the infecting bugs in my mouth that 24 hours had been like millennia of my time as they ‘happily’ multiplied exponentially and took over from the good and protective bugs that had peacefully co-existed prior to my feast of sugar and booze. I use this story to illustrate how rapidly mental health can deteriorate to the point of someone wanting to take their own life. So many times, at funerals parents, relatives and friends are shaking their heads along the lines that ‘he or she seemed so happy'.  How could this have happened? When I saw them the evening before they seemed more than okay.”  The mind plays tricks, and these tricks can magnify with malevolence in minutes. 

Rone Stephens

Nutritionist and Personal Trainer

www.nutrifitnessuk.com

What type of exercise can help mental health and wellbeing?

Exercise and physical activity are most associated with weight loss, bigger muscles and working up a sweat! But did you know that exercise also serves another important function in the body, which affects our brains!

Whether you swim, walk, run, or lift heavy weights, exercise raises the heart rate, increasing oxygen levels in the body and brain! This triggers the release of the neurotransmitter’s serotonin and dopamine! These are sometimes referred to as the ‘Happy Hormones’ as they can help to reduce stress, pain and anxiety.

Studies show that doing regular, moderate to vigorous exercise, for approximately 3-5 times per week, can be more effective in reducing depression and anxiety than taking antidepressants, especially when compared to those who do very little or no physical activity.

Fabrice Lephysique

Personal Trainer

Website: Munsterfit.com

Instagram: @fabricelephysique

Running (even for just 15/20mins ) because it releases endorphins which help cope with stress . They are called feel-good chemicals.

Yoga: it helps with flexibility and alleviate tension on the body which can contribute to a tensed and stress nervous system.

And any sport!

Playing sport with others create a social bond which is extremely effective when trying to keep mental health in check.

Ola Ipaye

Nutrition Coach

https://fitnessfoodrecipes.co.uk/about

While I imagine you find the best approach that work for your client physiology, certain food and drinks add to stress, right? So, how to practice mindful eating?

Yes, certain foods can contribute to stress depending on the person’s goal. An overweight person that continues to eat in excess will gain weight and their stress levels will increase.

Sugary drinks, excess coffee, lack of water, alcohol can also contribute to stress.

Mindful eating in my opinion is a result of eating in moderation, eating and chew you food slowly, being aware of your environment, drink water with your meals, eat a nutritious food that you enjoy, knowing what to eat and cooking your meals instead of panicking and relying on takeaway foods.

Also, when you are eating just focus on the food and stop eating when you feel full instead of overeating.

All contributes to what I consider mindful eating.

Conclusion

This year has been challenging! 

Having an intimate relationship with my body, keeping physically fit, and trying to have an healthy diet is how I improve my wellbeing. 

What about you? 

Feel free to share your story in the comment section below or contact the professionals!

Many thanks again to the contributors of this article: 

Dr Charlie Easmon

Rone Stephens

Fabrice Lephysique

Ola Ipaye

Vanity Afro 19/05/2021

How do black people feel about mixed relations? Here’s what 16 public figures have to say

I was born and raised in France and I grew up with people from others nationalities; French, African, Arabs, Italians, Spanish, Portuguese. I am open-minded as well as well traveled. My belief, very simply put, is to listen to your heart and soul and choose someone you connect with. Am I naive for thinking that way? Should everyone stick to their own kind? Could dating others be a good way to learn and understand others cultures? What do you think about interracial relationships?

I’ve asked 16 Public Figures from all parts of the world and here what they have to say:

                            Derry Luca, Barcelona

I think it’s great, I also believe there will be more chance of racism cancelling itself out with more interracial relationships. It’s beautiful thing.

                                 Lydia, Berlin

I think interracial dating is a beautiful thing. It’s symbolic to building bridges, learning from one another and growing in consciousness. I believe deep down we all share the same essence, that’s why it never bothered me to date man with different backgrounds. Love is beyond race.

                        Léon Showman, Toulouse

Être avec une personne d'une autre culture c'est un enrichissement comme cela peut être perte de repère pour sa famille. Mais la chose la plus importante quand l'amour s'en mêle et que les êtres se découvrent... on oublie les couleurs, les yeux ne regardent plus que l'âme et avant même que nous le décidions, nos âmes dansaient autour du feu.Je comprends ceux qui ont besoin de vouloir se retrouver entre-soi, se protéger des anciens malheurs, d'apprendre à chanter les chansons de nos ancêtres à l'unisson. Et qu'importe le chemin que nous prenons c'est toujours l'amour qui aura le dernier mot.

Being with someone from another culture can be an enrichment or a possibility to lose the sense of belonging to a family. But the most important thing when love comes into it and people find themselves... We do not see colour, the eyes are the gateway to the soul and even before we decided, our souls danced around fires. I understand those who feel the need to stay among themselves, protect themselves from the woes of the past and learn to sing in harmony the songs of our ancestor. And no matter the path we take, love always have the last word.

                                  Noah, Reims

                                                        

Je pense qu'on vit aujourd'hui dans un monde ouvert et se mélanger pour moi est une bonne chose. Se mélanger permet aussi de s'ouvrir aux autres et d'apprendre d'eux. Ca peut rendre la communauté plus forte si on prend le positif des autres communauté et l'utiliser pour être plus fort.Je pense qu'il est important d'être fier de sa couleur de peau et de sa culture même si on se mélange.

I think today we live in an open world, and for me, mixing with others is a good thing. Mixing with people enable us to open up to others and learn from them. It can build a stronger community if you take the positive aspect of other communities and use it to become stronger. I think it’s important to be proud of your skin colour and your culture, even if you mix.

                             Zuby, Southampton

Interracial dating doesn't even truly exist because human beings are all the same race. Most of us have just been brainwashed over centuries to believe otherwise.

                              Vera, London

                                                     , 

Having lived in two different societies with different influencing factors my view on interracial dating would be mostly that two people from different ethnic backgrounds dating would mean they both can learn more about each other’s culture. Love shouldn’t be based on colour, character or shade of skin.
Dating shouldn’t be about colour or race it should be about love.
What matters the most in any relationship Is love, understanding and happiness.
If he or she makes you happy, no matter their race or skin colour  you should go for it. Love is blind, love sees no colour or race.

                                    Joel, London

It has been centuries that people/communities from a country go and settle to another totally different country or continent. It is well known that mixing blood makes it stronger. Mixing cultures always has been a thing. Interracial is another beautiful thing that life offer, and everyone should try. We would all learn from it.

                             Marlinstarz, London

                                                               

I acknowledged that there are multiple factors to what opinion I could possibly have on this: what my thoughts are on interracially dating when it applies to Me and secondly when it applies to others. When I consider others, I have to be a lot more sensitive because I think it’s important for me not to initiate that somebody *Should* do something or that they are better off doing so, as there are many circumstances including the other person’s experiences that I may not be aware of. Like what are their experiences whilst dating inside their race? Does this have trauma attached?

Myself personally, I love and admire dating within my race and will continue to do so, with the intention of marrying black. ‘Black love’ is great to see, but genuine love is equally beautiful to see. Don’t feel pressured to stay anywhere if you don’t have to; love and respect is mandatory no matter the race.

                               Latoya, London

I've never dated before but I am open to interracial dating. I believe any man of any race can make me happy and I am okay with keeping my options open to anyone who can show me the love I deserve.

                               Nyaetta, London 

I don't have an issue with dating outside of your race. It's always good to learn about other people culture especially the one you love. The problem isn't dating

about outside of the race or culture, the problem is that at time they do, they tend to attack their own race. I feel that everyone should be given the chance to try new things, there's nothing wrong with that and I am glad it's commonly accepted now in today's society. But always remember where you're coming from and respect your own people.

                                   Gigi, Florida

        My man treat me like a princesse doesn't cheat, won't settle for basis or bs that's where it's at.

                    Anjanette, Miami/Los Angeles

Things Are Not Always Black Or White, when it comes to mixed relationships... Society usually focuses on color...Black vs. White, Asian vs. Black, White vs. Indian, etc. But there’s that beautiful gray area when two souls start blending together...as we follow our mental state of mind, desires of life and our loving hearts...which tends to have no color in mind. That’s what I feel about my relationship when I’m with my love...we’re truly color blind! I’ve been in a loving relationship for over 4 years now.  Although we both come from different backgrounds...we’ve blended our cultures together beautifully.

                                Jordan, Memphis

              Interracial dating isn’t for me. That’s it. That’s all.

                       Anthony, North Carolina

Interracial relationships are not objectively wrong. It’s a union that is subjective to the persons involved. However, it is radically provocative to the cultures, customs and traditions of the societies/parties involved, especially that of the black race.

Love is beautiful and wholesome, but not the foundation of a relationship. And so, while those that intend to be in a union may love each other, is that really enough? The foundation of relationship is the choosing and commitment to another, and through honest and loving efforts, love will blossom. The good of interracial relationships is that they “attempt” to bridge racial and cultural gaps, and also, prove that love is blind. Or is the desire for it a fetish?

                               Damon, Dallas

I am for interracial dating but I also feel that each person needs to understand when you engage in an interracial relationship you need to be prepared to protect each other at all cost because the world won't see things the way you do.

                            Nduku, Johannesburg

Love has no colour. The fact that we are in 2021 and still answering such question is a sign that there is something amiss with the human race, and to an end to this, dating should not be based on race. Therefore I am for interracial dating.

Thanks for reading this article! Leave a comment below :)

                         

Vanity Afro 01/04/2021