Spoken word artist and award-winning podcaster, George the Poet has declined to become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) based on the “colonial trauma inflicted on the children of Africa”.
Kylie Kiunguyu
Africans rising Winnie Byanyima appointed Executive Director of UNAIDS
Ugandan diplomat and humanitarian, Winnie Byanyima has been appointed as the new Executive Director of UNAIDS by the United Nations Secretary-General. She brings to the role more than 30 years of experience in political leadership and is set to advance a people-centered development agenda
Arts, Culture and Sport The Open Society Foundations pledges $15m towards recovery of looted African heritage
The Open Society Foundations founded by billionaire and philanthropist George Soros has pledged $15 million over four years to initiatives aimed at repatriating looted cultural objects to African countries.
Africans rising Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative awards $1 Million to African entrepreneurs
The Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) is a flagship initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation that aims to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs. In its first year the initiative awarded $1 million in prize money to 10 entrepreneurs from across Africa.
Lifestyle The world’s first Vagina Museum opens in London
The world’s first physical vagina museum has been opened in London to educate and inform people about gynaecological anatomy while providing a space in which to hear about and discuss the taboo subjects surrounding female bodies.
Politics and Society Why The Gambia is suing Myanmar for genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority
The Gambia successfully filed a case at the International Court of Justice on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that accuses Myanmar of a genocide campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
Africans rising Ivorian photographer Joana Choumali becomes first African to win the Prix Pictet
Ivorian photographer Joana Choumali is the first African and second woman to win the Prix Pictet. Her series Ça va aller (It will be OK) is made up of ornate patterns embroidered on to photographs that depict Grand Bassam after a group of devastating terror attacks in March 2016.
Africans rising Meet two young Somali-American women who won city council seats in Maine and Minnesota
Despite ugly smear campaigns to discredit them, violent threats and racist comments 23-year-olds Safiya Khalid and Nadia Mohamed who are both former refugees still managed to secure historic victories by becoming the first Somali-Americans elected to the city council of Lewiston, Maine and St Louis Park, Minnesota respectively.
Africans rising Senegalese Major Seynabou Diouf awarded 2019 UN Female Police Officer of the Year
Major Seynabou Diouf, has been commended for her “exemplary service, which has a direct and positive impact on the community and the Congolese national police.” The Major currently leads a task force that helps to prevent and end sexual exploitation and abuse with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC.