PURPLE OLIFANT

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AN OLIFANT NEVER FORGETS | A Rare Glimpse Into The Life Of Rosa Parks

Portrait of Rosa Parks, 1956 (Rosa Park Papers/Library of Congress)

The story of Rosa Parks’ heroism during The Civil Rights Movement is a well known one. Rosa’s refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, sparked laws to be lifted years later, enabling black people to sit where they chose.

The Library Of Congress is currently displaying a collection of rare, never-before-seen photos, letters and documents belonging to Parks, entitled Rosa Park Papers.

Here is a tiny taste of what you’ll find in the collection.

Rosa Parks at a party honoring Sallye Davis, Angela Davis’ mother, 1970 (Rosa Park Papers/Library Of Congress)

Rosa Parks standing next to tropical plants, 1970 (Rosa Parks Papers/Library Of Congress)

Rosa, Carolyn James, & Sandra at Eric’s wedding, Gulfport Mississippi, 1994 (Rosa Parks Papers/Library Of Congress)

Rosa Parks & U.S. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. picketing in front of General Motors Corporate Headquarters, Detroit Michigan, 1986 (Rosa Parks Papers/Library Of Congress)

Rosa Parks at a hair salon in Miami, 1986 (Rosa Parks Papers/ Library Of Congress)

Rosa Parks with her mother, Leona McCauley, 1972 (Rosa Parks Papers/Library Of Congress)

Rosa Parks with niece Susan McCauley and baby, 1970s (Rosa Parks Papers/Library Of Congress)

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(CAN•DICE)

EAR JAM | Introduction to GoldLink

DMV rapper GoldLink is on everyone’s radar, and if he isn’t on yours then promptly wake up.

The rapper has been on the underground scene for a while now and has announced that he will be performing at this year’s Coachella Festival in April.

Not excited yet? It’s fine. CAN•DICE has put together an Introduction playlist so that you can get more familiar with GoldLink’s work. It’s so necessary.

Need Coachella information? Look no further. https://www.coachella.com

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IN THE TRUNK | Our March On Washington

On January 21, 2017 Donald Trump’s inauguration brought with it an uproar from all corners of the country. Trump’s campaign was without a doubt a vicious  attack on all minorities; especially women and women’s rights. As history has proven to us over and over again, women of color have fought on behalf of inclusion and intersectionality in western society. 

Feminists of all ages, colors, religions and sexes marched in opposition to Donald Trump’s agenda. Over 2 million people worldwide took to their communities to make their voices heard; an estimated 500,000 in Washington D.C. alone. 

Black women marched not only to voice their concerns about today’s political climate, but to also bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement, discrimination against POC, equal opportunity, cultural appropriation and many other problems that plague the black community.

The goal was to open a dialogue about how feminism has had a bad habit of excluding black women from the conversation. Feminism isn’t exclusively about the white woman’s problems, but everyone’s problems. It’s about equality. It’s about showing up for each other. It’s about speaking up for one another. The Women’s March was definitely a step in the right direction. Let’s keep our minds open and the conversation fluid so we can all do good work.

*Photo (1) by Megan Schaller, Photos (2,4,5,6) by Patrick Melon, Photo (3) by Rudy Espinoza

To get involved visit www.womensmarch.com 

- CG

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Britain’s Biggest Secret - The Black Victorians

Pictured above is the Higdon family. This photograph was taken in the year 1898 in Britain. That is all we know about them.

Who were the Black Victorians? Mainstream history has virtually erased them from our minds and history books. We have been filled with images of slavery in America and across the world, but why is it that this chapter in black history was skipped? Why isn’t it equally common knowledge that in the midst of all of that darkness there was light, also.

Never before seen photos were uncovered, giving us over 200 images of glances into our past. Many of the photos did not include names or any details whatsoever, cloaking these people in mystery for all of time.

At one point in history, people of color were included in high society and walked the cobbled streets of Britain. The women wore intricate, voluminous gowns and wore their hair in curls and chignons. The men in suits and fair business. This may not have been the case for all black people in Britain, but for some it was. 

The Victorian Era was ruled under Queen Victoria, an era that is described as an opulent culture, although there were underlying bouts of poverty and child labor. History would like you to believe that black people didn’t arrive in Britain until 1948 during “The Empire Windrush”, when many Jamaican descendants entered the country, but that is not so. There has been proof to suggest otherwise. There is documentation that proves that it wasn’t uncommon to see black faces at a Shakespeare show. We’ve been there all along, humming softly in the background.

These images prove that you can’t take mainstream history at face value. Take the time to look behind the curtain and uncover OUR history. It’s as if our ancestors are just waiting for us to seek them out.

Who were the Black Victorians?

To see more of these images check out this video reel. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mwrYUzPqI

Happy Black History Month.

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Remembering The Time

On February 2, 1992 Michael Jackson gave us the gift of the Remember The Time music video. The single catapulted off of the singer’s 4th solo studio album Dangerous and into our television sets via BET, MTV and FOX simultaneously. The video also inspired documentaries showing us all of the behind-the-scenes glory. Instantly, we all were hooked.

The 9-minute production was directed by John Singleton and choreographed by Fatima Robinson. Michael takes you on a fast paced journey through ancient Egypt with lots of magic and cameos to spare. You’ll see plenty of familiar faces such as Eddie Murphy, Iman, and The Pharcyde to name a few. Plus, the wardrobe had every kid dressed as a Pharaoh for Halloween. 

It was a game changer. Remember The Time is also one of the few huge productions that portrayed Egyptians as they should be...black. Hollywood has had a habit of white-washing cultures that never belonged to them and here Michael set the record straight. 

And more than anything it’s the jam. Enjoy.

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Gordon Parks: Segregation Story

Gordon Parks: Segregation Story is a collection of 40 very rare photographs from Gordon Parks’ Life magazine article. Parks documented an extended African-American family living in segregated Mobile, Alabama during the Jim Crow era.

The photographs are a beautiful and somewhat nostalgic experience, in a sense that they remind us of our own family members, but also are a reminder of our painful history in this country. 

February has always been a month where we take a glimpse into our past to better understand and appreciate where we are today. This collection of photographs do just that. 

Pieces of the collection are currently on display at the Rhona Hoffman Gallery in Chicago, Illinois through February 20th, 2016. To see the digital archive online visit The Gordon Parks Foundation site at 

http://www.gordonparksfoundation.org/archive/segregation-story-1956

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Tracee Ellis Ross Honors Miss Ross (Tha Boss) With “Work That Body” Video

After teasing all of us with a “secret project”, Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross dropped this beautiful visual. In the video Tracee pays homage to her superstar mother Diana Ross.

Tracee moves and grooves along to Diana Ross’s 1981 single “Work That Body” and we can’t help but wonder if some of those body suits are from Diana’s personal stash. 

Tracee shared the video via her blog http://traceeellisross.com along with the following message. 

“I was watching and thinking: why does watching this woman dancing around in barely any clothes with her tush to the camera make me feel joyful and empowered when the same kind of image in most music videos today doesn’t give me that feeling? I know this is my mom… so obviously I’m projecting a connection and I know it was a different time, it was the 80’s. But still, it didn’t feel like she was dancing as a presentation of herself or like she was offering up her bits, which I feel like most videos are these days. Often in today’s images (moving and still), we are being objectified or we objectifying ourselves. I think it is meant to be an empowered act, a reclaiming of our bodies. But that is not always what it feels like to me. I am not intending to judge, just exploring with curiosity.”

“And then it hit me: My mom felt whole and connected …and in her body in this video. I have spoken before about encouraging women to shift our gaze from how we are seen to how we are seeing and, more important, feeling. And I saw a woman feeling joyful in herself as a whole being; she didn’t seem to be presenting her ass or saying look at all the ways I can make myself look appealing to YOU. She seems to be saying, “this is ME feeling good and I am strong and sexy and joyful in ME”!”

Read Tracee’s full statement on her site and be sure to share this awesome video with the women in your life! 

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Jasiel Ace

Meet my new favorite artist.

Anyone who knows me is well aware of my obsession with good music. While music on the radio today is good for a quick turn-up session, I find myself missing music that actually SAYS something and makes me feel like a better person afterwards.

Enter Jasiel Ace. I stumbled upon the Mississippi native by accident scrolling through Instagram aimlessly. I clicked his Soundcloud link and immediately asked him for an interview. I’m so happy he obliged. Check it out below.

PO: What’s your backstory?

Jasiel: I was born and raised in the small southern city of Moss Point, MS. My parents were and still are a huge part of my life and a great support system along with my brothers and sisters. From a very young age I was exposed to and attracted to music. I grew up on gospel music, sung in the church choir and later played the drums. My family is very musically inclined so in a sense it ran in the family. Basketball, Marching and Concert Band became a huge part of my life in 7th grade. I was always involved in music but I was attracted to the star power of basketball. Moss Point has had a wealth of athletic as well as musical talent and growing up in that culture influenced me a lot. Even though I was influenced by my hometown culture I always felt and was many times the odd ball. I thought differently and struggled with masking it until college. College helped me to come out of my shell and really explore my talent. New Orleans and Newberg, Oregon, where I attended Dillard University and George Fox University, respectively, helped me to embrace my differences which resulted in my current sound, way of thinking, musical and personal goals.

PO: When did you realize that you wanted to do music?

Jasiel: When I was younger I loved Michael Jackson so as young as 5 years old I knew I wanted to be an entertainer. However, I realized I wanted to do music during my Junior year of college. That was when I began to take music production and lyricism more seriously. I was at a turning point where I knew that basketball wasn’t going to turn into a career for me, realistically. So I accessed my life and wanted to follow my gift as well as first love. Music.

PO: How would you describe your sound?

Jasiel: My sound is positive and dope. My musical tastes are eclectic so I try to put as much feeling into my music as possible. My sound mainly stems from whatever I’m feeling and the path that I want to blaze. My goal is to make people jam and think simultaneously.

PO: Your project The ID Tape has a real retro sound. It doesn’t sound like anything that’s currently on the radio. Its really refreshing. Who would you say are your music influences?

Jasiel: My musical influences are all over the place. I grew up on gospel music and as I grew up I began to enjoy Neo-Soul and finally found a place with Hip-Hop. I’ve been called an Old Soul my entire life and I cosign that. So some of my musical influences are Michael Jackson, Outkast mainly Andre 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Musiq Soulchild, Lauryn Hill, Kirk Franklin, Montrell Darrett, LeCrae, Big K.R.I.T., Chance the Rapper, Kanye West, Tonex and many many more. In all honesty I enjoy great music and lyrics. To me past music had more feeling than a lot of today’s music and I want to rekindle that lost sound.

PO: What is your opinion on Hip-Hop today? What are you trying to bring to the table?

Jasiel: Hip-Hop today is in a great place because we’re more open to diversity. I do believe that more Hip-Hop could have more substance but there’s something for everybody. love the fact that there are so many different artists doing what they love regardless if I click with it or not. Personally I want to bring my point of view to the table. There are some topics that are rarely discussed in Hip-Hop music that I would like to expand on. Also I want to bridge the gaps with Hip-Hop enthusiasts and people that wouldn’t normally give it a chance.

PO:  What do you like to do in your spare time?

Jasiel: In my spare time I like to relax, think about life, play basketball and hang with family and friends. I’m pretty laid back and enjoy those types of settings.

PO:  The ID Tape is a great introductory project. It’s full of positive vibes. Are you working on any new projects?

Jasiel: I’m currently working on an untitled project that I hope to release in June. My hope for this new project is to embed my musical fingerprint in Hip-Hop.

PO: Where do you see yourself musically in 5 years?

Jasiel: In 5 years I see myself making a cultural impact on Hip-Hop and music in general. My goal is to be featured on the BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, Collaborating with some of my favorite artists and great upcoming artists, touring internationally and staying true to myself while gaining Underground as well as Mainstream respect.

PO: Describe your outlook on life in one sentence.

Jasiel: Amazing and our comfort zones have nothing in common.

It’s safe to say that Jasiel Ace is just what Hip-Hop is needing. Listen to The I.D. Tape on Jasiel’s SoundCloud here : https://soundcloud.com/jasielace 

You can also find him on Twitter/Instagram/Snapchat at @Jasiel_Ace

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JasielAce

Support good artists.

***This interview was conducted by Candice Gunn on behalf of Purple Olifant. Find her on Instagram (@PurpleOlifant) and be sure to follow Purple Olifant on Facebook

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Aneesah Mohammad-Coley

May we introduce you to talented author Aneesah Mohammad-Coley.

Aneesah is a new voice in the world of writing. This rising literary star has graciously given us a glimpse into her life as an up and coming author. Check out her interview!

PO: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Aneesah: I am a 23 year old writer from and residing in the historic city of Philadelphia. I am proud to represent and call “home” such a place that, despite its evident troubles and tarnished rep, manages to be so culturally rich and beautiful…The soft pretzels are a bonus. Here in the city, I attended Temple University and earned my BA in English in 2014. Many late nights and early mornings went into successfully completing that chapter of my life and I am now focused on using my degree in ways that benefit my dreams and purpose.

PO: When did you first discover your love for writing?

Aneesah: Writing has been my love ever since the days of my youth, as far back as my elementary/middle school years. Creative storytelling and also songwriting have been and continue to be precious outlets, irreplaceable parts of me. Whenever I find and revisit things I have written many years past I am always overcome with such a heartwarming sensation that insists that this is what I am supposed to be doing. My passion for the art, as it remains embedded within me, is steady growing…evolving. This is my path, my very own yellow brick road.

PO: Tell us about your book Body of Word. How did it come to be? What message would you like it to convey to others?

Aneesah: Body of Word: A Collection of Poetic Limbs is my first “baby” as I like to call it. It is the birth of my creative career. It is also the result of me continually cherishing the beauty and importance of authorship.

So many ideas filled my head as I began composing Body of Word during my very last semester of undergrad at Temple. I enjoyed the writing process, which for me was about 6 months. Once the compilation was organized to my absolute liking, I self-published just a few short months following graduation.

Body of Word, a play on the phrase “body of work,” is a reflective, truth-telling and encouraging composition of poetic pieces written with the intentions to provoke thought and feelings of familiarity within readers. The ultimate meaning behind its title comes from an idea I express in the Introduction: “Words permeate my entire body. They make me up and flourish from the inside out.” I am essentially a walking “body of word,” a woman full of stories and musings (limbs) longing to share her naked thoughts with the world all in an attempt to inspire and uplift.

After having read Body of Word, I would like people to walk away with the thought, the belief, that: I. They are indeed significant. II. They are not alone in this human/emotional experience. III. Love is power. Love is key. Love is a necessity.

PO: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to publish a book?

Aneesah: Go. For. It. Take control of the situation. In today’s society, I feel that a lot of opportunities are self-created and “the entrepreneur/the self-starter” is a rising role. Independent publishing is a way for writers in particular to take our lives and passions into our own hands. We are able to make things happen as opposed to waiting and waiting and waiting around for some large publishing house to care about us and finally take notice of our labors of love. With independent publishing, creative freedom is ours. This route also teaches you, encourages you to learn how to market aka believe in your work as well as yourself so much so that others start to believe in you and your work too.

PO: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?

Aneesah: I cannot go a day without singing and listening to music that makes me feel good. I love going to/watching movies; My DVD collection is insane and I find a reason to quote Eve’s Bayou (my favorite movie of all time) at least once a week. I am addicted to YouTube because it has everything, especially entertaining web series produced by Black & Sexy TV and Issa Rae. I am still fascinated by libraries, bookstores, and the feel of a real book in my hands. Doing arts and crafts and going to see live theatre are also some of my favorite things.

PO: What inspires you? In both your work and personal life.

Aneesah: First and foremost, my Mother inspires me. She is a phenom and my greatest supporter. To speak of my Mother and to quote Eve’s Bayou (see film), “I was named for her”… and that in itself means so much to me. Every work that I create will always be dedicated to her, rightfully so.

I also find inspiration in my surroundings. I am an observer by nature. I watch and I listen, not to pry but to learn. I am always learning as one should. I analyze the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly within people, nature and society in general.  My arsenal of knowledge is what helps me to write and to survive.

Lastly, all the time I am inspired by the world’s greatest feeling: love.

PO: What’s the most recent book that you’ve read? What’s your favorite book of all time, and why?

Aneesah: The book I’ve read most recently is entitled Moon Marked & Touched by Sun: Plays by African-American Women. The anthology is edited by Sydné Mahone and is important to me as a writer of color and a woman of color. The literary/creative arts world, and the world in general is so often dominated by white men and for someone like me to make a name for herself against all odds is/will certainly be a great feat.

Besides Body of Word of course, my favorite book would have to be Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist for its genuine encouragement, creative storytelling and overall influence. The book literally puts life and dream-chasing into perspective. It makes me evaluate and strive to follow more intently the voice of my own heart. It causes me to ponder my own “Personal Legend” as Coelho puts it. It really is a book for the ages, one everyone should read.

PO: Where do you hope your writing takes you? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Aneesah: I hope my writing helps me to reach some of my greatest heights. With it I seek to explore new and fascinating places, reach the hearts and minds of many, and to make an overall artistic statement.

I love writing in various creative forms so in 10 years I see myself being a successful author, screenwriter/filmmaker, playwright, etc. I just want to share as many stories as I can, entertaining and uplifting folks along the way. I know that my voice and what I have to offer is valuable and it’s that belief in self that will take me as far as I want to go.

I seek no fame, only contentment in what I do.

PO:  Describe your own outlook on life in one sentence.

Aneesah: Despite all internal and external interference or opposition, one should absolutely strive to and then actually live a life worth dying for.

We couldn’t agree more with that last sentence. She’s a true gem.

You can purchase Aneesah’s book, Body Of Word here on Amazon! 

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Word-Collection-Poetic-Limbs/dp/1494852233/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427147960&sr=1-1&keywords=aneesah+mohammad

You can also find her on Twitter/Instagram - @MsMahogAnee

Also, if you would like to contact Aneesah you can reach her by email at  [email protected]

-And lastly at her website - http://aneesahmohammadcoley.com

***This interview was conducted by Candice Me’Shelle on behalf of Purple Olifant. Find her on Instagram (@ImCandice) and be sure to follow Purple Olifant on Instagram (PurpleOlifant) and on Facebook at Purple Olifant.

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The Simple Glamazon

Meet the lovely Courtney Hawkins of The Simple Glamazon.

Courtney is a fresh face in the ever-growing world of fashion bloggers. What sets Courtney apart from the rest is her fearlessness and pleasant attitude towards body image. She blogs for the tall, curvy women of the world and she does it exceptionally well. Read our EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Courtney below to learn more about her powerful movement.

PO: Tell us a bit about your background.

Courtney: I grew up in San Diego, CA and I currently live in Los Angeles. I went to college in San Francisco, so I like to think of myself as a true California girl!  I absolutely love this state! Growing up in southern California has made me a bit spoiled with the weather, because San Diego is usually about 70 degrees 364 days a year. ☺

PO: When did you first discover your love for fashion?

Courtney: I have always had a love for fashion and style, but I was afraid to take chances for so long. Growing up I was always taller and heavier than the girls in my circle, so I was incredibly self-conscious about my looks. At one point as a teenager, I started to come into my own and I realized that as long as I knew what looked good on my body then I could wear what I wanted. 

PO: We applaud you for being unapologetically yourself and loving the skin you’re in. What advice would you give to young girls who may be feeling insecure? 

Courtney: BE YOURSELF. No matter what anyone thinks. We are always evolving and we always re-create ourselves. As long and you love yourself, everyone else will! Confidence is the best accessory!

PO: What is the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever been given?

Courtney: Just because it’s in your size doesn’t mean it’s for you. And if it’s in a bigger size than normal, WHO CARES!!! No one says, “That’s cute! What size is it!?”

PO: What inspired you to start blogging?

Courtney: I was at a point in my life where all my friends where getting married, getting engaged, and having babies. My career was going great, so I wanted something that was my own baby. Something I could nurture and build on my own that was a direct reflection of what I loved. Fashion, style, and staying within my budget!

PO: What is style to you?

Courtney: To me style is anything that makes you smile! When I get dressed and I look in the mirror, I want to always feel confident in what I have on. No matter if I have a on a pair of jeans and no make-up, or a full face of make-up, my highest heels and my favorite body-con dress!

PO: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Courtney: I usually sleep! I travel a lot for my job so weekends are used to catch up on sleep and missed TV! However, any chance I get to catch up with my girls, or go shopping with my aunt, I take! Spending time with the people who are close to me is very important.

PO: Where do you hope fashion will take you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Courtney: I hope The Simple Glamazon becomes a place for women and girls to go and look for new style ideas on a regular basis. I want all women to love themselves and know that no matter size the tag is, that is not a reflection of who they are.

PO: Describe your outlook on life in one sentence.

Courtney: Know your strengths and lead with what you know to be true.

Isn’t she lovely! misscourtness

Be sure to check out Courtney’s fashion blog: http://thesimpleglamazon.com

You can also find her at the following : 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simpleglamazon

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesimpleglamazon/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simpleglamazon/

BlogLovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/simple-glamazon-11674121/?claim=n2997cj8fhp

tumblr: http://misscourtness.tumblr.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSimpleGlamazon

***This interview was conducted by Candice Me’Shelle on behalf of Purple Olifant. Find her on Instagram (@ImCandice) and be sure to follow Purple Olifant on Instagram (PurpleOlifant) and on Facebook at Purple Olifant.

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Voyageuse Africaine

May we introduce you to the beautiful and talented Norkor of Voyageuse Africaine.

Norkor is a beautiful soul who has a knack for blogging and creating eye-catching one of a kind pieces. Her use of vibrant color and beautiful fabrics set her apart from the rest. The 17 year-old West African beauty agreed to do an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Purple Olifant (our first!) to help give us an idea of her journey as a young entrepreneur so far. 

PO: Tell us a bit about yourself. Who is Norkor?

Norkor: Hi Purple Olifant readers! My name is Norkor, I’m 17 years old and I’m from Ghana in West Africa. Any good you see in me is because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross! I’ve been moving around the world since the age of 6 and have lived in 5 different countries. This also means that I speak quite a few languages which include English, French, Russian and a bit of Spanish.

PO: What inspired you to start blogging?

Norkor: To be honest, I’m not sure WHY I started blogging! I love to write (I actually discovered my love for journalism in the 11th grade), and I always loved the idea of blogging! So I took this mandatory class in high school called Technology Applications and we did a few weeks of blog- related stuff and I was hooked from then!

PO: When did you first discover your love for creating?

Norkor: You know, I always thought I wasn’t creative. But I’ve actually been playing musical instruments from a young age. I guess I didn’t realize that counted as being “creative”. But I’m currently taking a gap year after high school and one day I was looking through this blog and this teenage girl was MAKING stuff! She had her online store and her products were cute and I thought ‘YO I could TOTALLY do this!”. So I asked my mom to buy me some sewing supplies and I handstitched this really nice purse. Then another thought occurred to me, “I could totally turn this into a business!”.

PO: What is the significance of the name Voyageuse Africaine? How did you come up with it?

Norkor: Voyageuse Africaine basically means African Traveler or Voyager. It relates directly to the fact that I’ve been traveling around the world from a young age, but home is Africa! When I was looking to change urls, I knew I wanted to incorporate travel and Africa because I thought that would be what I would write about. Things have changed, but my url has stayed the same mostly. 

PO: What kind of items can we find online at your boutique? What type of items are you planning to release in the future?

Norkor: Ah! Okay so you can find laptop & iPad sleeves, Bible sleeves and pencil cases as well as multi-purpose clutches for everyday essentials! I’m so hoping to add a few pieces of clothing as well as Ghanaian glass-bead jewelry!

PO: Tell us about The Kente & Khanga Network. What inspired you to come up with the concept?

Norkor: The Kente & Khanga Network is a space for African creatives / bloggers to hang out, learn more about blogging, encourage each other and grow in Christ! I realized that a lot of my blog traffic comes from the United States. I wanted to grow my African blog audience and thought hey, maybe other people were looking to do this as well. I also wanted to create a space where we would genuinely fellowship, share stories, music and encourage one another with Scripture! Let me tell you that it’s really hard because I’m not used to being a leader but God is working on me for sure!

PO: Where do you hope to see Voyageuse Africain and The Kente & Khanga Network in 5 years?

Norkor: OH MAN. Okay this is a really hard question because I’m definitely NOT a person who likes to look at the future. I’m more of a “lets cherish today and deal with tomorrow, tomorrow!”  I’ve honestly never thought about what these two projects of mine will look like in 5 years, but I want to still be glorifying God with them! That’s all that I’ve thought of for now!

PO: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?

Norkor: Well I play a few musical instruments, so that used to be a hobby. It’s not anymore because I don’t own any musical instruments at the moment. Another hobby would be hand-lettering! I love hand-lettering Scripture and using watercolor paint! I also enjoy reading, both blogs and books. Photography as also become a hobby for me.

PO: What inspires you? Where do you pull from for strength and encouragement in both your work and personal life?

Norkor: Wow that’s great question. I’m not sure sometimes! I’m inspired by my faith, other artists and creatives. In terms of strength and encouragement, when I feel overwhelmed by all the tasks I have to get done, I ask God to give me the strength to get things done because on my own I have none! 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast your burdens unto Jesus, for He cares for you”. So I just hand all that stress and emotions to Jesus real quick!

PO: Okay, last question - Describe you own outlook on life in one sentence.

Norkor: I need my life to glorify and reflect God’s goodness back to Himself.

We told you she was a beautiful soul. 

Feel free to check out Norkor’s journey on her blog!... http://voyageuseafricaine.blogspot.com

- And don’t forget to shop her awesome designs at voyageuseafricaine.tictail.com 

Also you can find Norkor on Instagram (@VoyageuseAfricaine/@xoNorkor) and on Facebook at Voyageuse Africaine. 

- and if you would like to contact her feel free to email her at [email protected]

***This interview was conducted by Candice Me’Shelle on behalf of Purple Olifant. Find her on Instagram (@ImCandice) and be sure to follow Purple Olifant on Instagram (PurpleOlifant) and on Facebook at Purple Olifant.

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Our favorite carefree soul Solange Knowles recently did an interview with Lawrence Parker. The interview was a solid look into the star’s mindset on many black issues of today.

Here are some of our favorite moments.

LP: Who are you really? Describe yourself without using your name.

SOLANGE: Bones, Blood, Melanin. Julez’s Mom, Wife, Sister, Friend. That girl in 6th grade who wore striped stockings with mitch-match shoes... knew all the words to Mystikal’s verse in Make Me Say Ugh...thought I’d marry Brandon Boyd from Incubus... got suspended for refusing to take my Nas poster down... could quote bible scriptures and called the lumber yard myself to build a tree house I designed. Still that girl.

LP: Why are you proud to be black? 

SOLANGE: Watch us walk. Watch us move. Watch us overcome. Listen to our voices, the sway. The resilience. The innovation. The raw, unfiltered and untouched soul we have can not be touched.

LP: Who or what do you believe to be the greatest enemy of black people? 

SOLANGE: The years and years and years of systematic oppression, and consequently all of the many layers surrounding us because of that.

LP:What is true black culture to you? 

SOLANGE: We are so incredibly nuanced as people, I don't think it's possible to dial in to one "truth." Right now, black culture is having a bit of a pop culture moment which has been very interesting to experience. Seeing our style, our music, and our moves that typically evoke judgment and classify our people in a certain tone of stereotypes.... become a mainstream disposable trend, has been extremely painful and frustrating at times. 

LP: What was the last thing that you’ve done that is really worth remembering? 

SOLANGE: Absolutely getting married to the love of my life. That was a memory engrained so deep within every part of me. I was on such a high I broke out in hives. My body didn't even know what to do with that kind of high! 

**She’s our dream girl for a reason.

Lawrence Parker is a talented New Orleans author. Read the rest of his interview with Solange here. 

 http://www.lawrenceparkeriii.com/solange-knowles

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In the mood to curl up with a good book?

Reach for Alex Elle’s Love In My Language.

Alex Elle is a self-published author from Maryland who has a beautiful way with words. 

Love In My Language is a a story filled with many topics that are very relatable to women today. It goes to the dark places such as early motherhood and absentee father issues, but it brings you through it. There is love, light and purpose in everything.

The book is full of prose and poetry entries that can easily be consumed in one reading, and it is also perfect for those random occasions you just need a little encouragement to get you through the day. 

It is the perfect afternoon read.

Visit Alex Elle’s site - http://alexelle.info

Find her on Instagram - @ALEX_ELLE

***You can purchase Love In My Language on Amazon here - 

http://www.amazon.com/Love-my-Language-Alexandra-Elle/dp/1494961202

Get comfortable and indulge. 

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This is Andrea Lewis.

The Toronto native has been steadily making a name for herself for some time now. You may recognize her from some of her previous work such as the popular teen series Degrassi. 

More recently, Andrea has been busy carving a lane that is all her own. Although Lewis is a very talented actress, she found that Hollywood’s biased view of black women stunted her effort in taking her career to the next level. This is where her genius shows -

BLACK ACTRESS. 

Black Actress is a web series about Kori Bailey, a vibrant young woman pursuing her dream of becoming a successful actress - and all that comes with it. The series is written and created by Andrea Lewis and oh - she stars in it too. She also is responsible for all of the music that you hear in each episode. Andrea is a superwoman. The cast includes many refreshing new faces who are FULL of talent, and each episode is preluded with commentary from many familiar faces in Hollywood such as Amber Riley, Tatyana Ali and Essence Atkins.

The show is very entertaining. It’ll have you laughing, eye rolling, and wishing you were in the scene with the cast. The series is currently on its 2nd season. Please watch. Let’s support our art. 

Season 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TedSIDr_n-0

Season 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfCtc07a_vo

Andrea’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/andrealewischannel

Andrea’s website - http://missandrealewis.com

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KWEZI

Kwezi is a South African superhero comic book. You read that correctly. The comic book series is published by 27 year old Loyiso Mkize, a South African visual artist. 

The multi-talented Mkize is also founder of his own visual arts & communication company called LOYISO MKIZE ART, which works as the umbrella company for his publishing. In addition to Kwezi, he is also an illustrator and a talented painter. 

Check out some of his work here - http://loyisomkize.carbonmade.com

You're welcome. 

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Well, aren't you the luckiest girl in the world? Today is #InternationalWomensDay! Throughout the day we will be celebrating some of our favorite women who inspire us to be our best selves. We hope that they inspire you too. Be sure to tell all of the women in your life how much they are truly appreciated.

Meet February James. Her name is just as unique and badass as her artwork.

"Oh, I hope I'm never found, that's the only way to endure the journey." - FJ (via Saint Heron)

Check out her personal website www.februaryjames.com

Artwork - (1) Agatha, (2) Dita, (3) Dylan