Changing Perception of Africa
December 14, 2011 Africa Underground / African culture / changing perception of Africa / cross-cultural communications and relations / linkages amongst Africans / National Press Club / New Media Africa / partnership building / perception of African people / Smithsonian / Sub-Saharan Africans
With Afrolehar’s permission, we have decided to republish this blog on Abrabrand as the topic remains relevant. This blog was written and published by Afrolehar LLC.
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Media Check Africa event at the National Press Club, where interesting questions and statements were made about changing the perception of African people and of the continent, and the urgency to engage new media to attain such goals. It seemed to have a good balance of Sub-Sahara Africans in the room with the common love for Africa, though organized in an informal manner; the topic was relevant and important.
Strangely enough the most remarkable moment was for an Artist expressively overflowing with love for Africa and yearning for linkages amongst Africans as one African Country, and a young suited aristocrat who rebutted her statement of a unified Africa.
The second event was at the Smithsonian, Africa Underground. An experience that shall not be forgotten, and if you hear about it, purchase your ticket because it sells out like Michael Jackson’s tickets.
This event is to introduce the African culture and bring a sense of unity amongst the Diaspora.
It brings me back to my conversation that I had about two months ago at Sidamo, a coffee shop in the upcoming area of Washington DC- H Street, where there is a strip of nice and cozy restaurants and cafes, with the electric car underway, and the area is considered to be a hot spot. Although I had stopped by previously for coffee ( my regular mocha), this time I sat with a friend and joined by a successful and sharp business man; we continued the afternoon discussing about Ethiopia and the untapped potential, including the great things that has yet to come from the country and its people. He turns and asks, “so what are you doing now? “. I rush to my purse and took out my small black business card holder from Wells and Fargo [given to me by the Food and Beverage manager at one of the events I had managed] to stretch out my business card and hand it to him with a smile and said, “I am working on changing perception of Africa and its people on the continent and abroad… you know branding Africa, its products, works, land and its people!”
His immediate response was “You and so many others!”
And the discussion continued as I explained why Afrolehar.