Category Archives: Feature

Oct 21 0 comments
Feature, dance/theater, museum, music, new media/tech, style, visual art, youth/other

Sankofa 2.5 (Part 1)


Sankofa 2.5, Learnings and Thoughts from the iHeritage Guide Development

Since the beginning of this blog, we have mostly embeded or reposted the insight, media and products that reflect the very wide world of global African culture. For the last 7 months and counting though, Beta Bahil has also run parallel an in-house development of our new iPhone application called the iHeritage Guide(www.iheritageguide.com). Where our other in-house project, Grio.tv, is a HUGE endeavor likely to need a great amount of resources, iHeritage Guide was the perfect size to design, develop, and launch for this boot-strapping firm. Ok, it did take some arm-twisting and pleading for seed funds but, none-the-less, all involved have agreed on the usefulness and potential of the product which in essence, brings physical history into the palm of your hands. With our geotagged engine and app, one can locate the nearest African-American historic or culture site.

Why is this important? The short answer is Sankofa. Sankofa(with a nod to both the movie and cafe) meaning that we move forward taking the lessons from the past. The longer answer is that the app aids in the answer of where, or where is our past?

If you have an iPhone, definitely try it out. If you don’t, but are interested in the app, leave a comment and we’ll keep you posted. Museums and other cultural/heritage institutions who can actually build traffic using the iHeritage Guide, can also contact us at the following link.
Here are some brief observations from our current listing:
-There are tons of African American cultural institutions through-out the United States. Every major city east of the Mississippi River has some museum and/or center. West of the Mississippi, there is also good representation of institutions in states like California, Washington, and Texas.
-National marked heritage sites are also plentiful and can be found in the smallest of towns.

Sankofa 2.5 = Sankofa * Technology
Interestingly, the journey of development has also illuminated tons of learning and questions around finding relevant content for the iHeritage Guide and the presence of African heritage data in the digital world. For the iHeritage Guide, the key was to combine all elements of data related to African American heritage onto one platform(i.e. physical interaction, general data, updated data, and other media such as video). Developing straight for the smartphone presented us that opportunity and allowed us to translate the world of heritage information onto a converged technological tool such as the iPhone.

But let’s back up a bit and go over what converged or convergence means. The video below gives you a general outlook on what convergence is and its implications to how one obtains and interacts with media and information. To summarize the clip, the day when you can obtain news and video “anyplace, anytime, anywhere” has arrived in the form of smartphones like the iPhone, Palm Pre, or Blackberry and their PC-like features and internet accessibility.

So, in this rapidly evolving technology ecosystem, a few questions came to mind related to heritage/cultural institutions:
1. Are heritage/cultural Institutions and their content leveraging new ways for people to obtain information? First generation websites were made primarily for marketing. Second generation or Web 2.0/Social Media platforms are used for conversations with an institution’s members or audience using a Facebook Fan Page or Twitter account. (Side note: This also brought to mind what input an institution has on Wikipedia, “the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit,” and the subject pertinent to the institution’s area of expertise or scholarship?)

2. How can convergence and a rich mobile presence facilitate the mission of a heritage institution and also, in broader terms, historical information? For example, for those that can’t visit The King Center in Atlanta, what ways can exhibitions, programs, and media be accessible by someone across the country or across the world digitally. The website was one manner, but now the arrival of web-enabled mobile devices has brought forward an opportunity to reach a broader audience in new ways.

Robin Caldwell of BlackWeb20.com, in a recent article on the Huffington Post, wrote about the lack of diversity in technology circles. At the end of article that provided a list of emerging tech thought leaders of color like BlackDigerati.org and Jon Gosier of Appfrica Labs, she states:

“Technology is viewed as an incubator for innovation, but if the same people are always included in that incubator then they are recreating more of the same and reproducing themselves.

Until there is diversity represented in technology, there will be no true innovation in a space that is colorblind to only one thing — money.”

I believe the same goes for museums and cultural/heritage institutions in relation to the world of new media and convergence based content. There currently exists a new and different set of tools to engage visitors(virtual or actual) and use this digital experience to educate, create awareness, and even gain new revenue sources in the way of admission and product sales. Until institutions of culture and heritage use these new tools, innovative opportunities will be missed to aid in our collective journey to learn from the past.

Aug 12 0 comments
Feature, dance/theater, film/television, museum, music, new media/tech, visual art, youth/other

B.L.A.C.K.- An Aboriginal Song of Hip-hop

Different perspective on being B.L.A.C.K. and the positive global influence of Hip-Hop culture.

Feb 11 0 comments
Feature, film/television, migration, youth/other

Life And Drama In The DC Metro

Zanta Media releases “Habesha Life,” a web based episodic series that explores the lives of young East Africans coming of age in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The series will be available free for viewing at the website www.habeshalife.com beginning February 15, 2009.

When the series’ creator, writer and director Ambessa Jir Berhe came to Washington D.C. to study film at Howard University, little did he know that his camera would be pointed inwards at the life he and others lived in a house on Harvard St. Northwest, D.C. The house, and its various inhabitants over the course of three years, inspired the director to create a film that looked at human issues faced by young adults who happen to be of Eritrean and Ethiopian heritage (otherwise known as Habesha or Abesha in broad terms).

The series explores these young adults “dreams, existence, freedom, womanhood, manhood, love, relationships, human relations and interactions, family, the Self, experimenting, living together…” Shot mainly in the summer and fall of 2008, the drama enlists many first time actors as well as area artists such as Kilenm, Eden Tecle Agustino, Robel Kasa, Yeneneh Ketema, Lula Gebersilassie, Binahkaye Joy, Behailu Zerihun, and Juliane Maxim. The film also uses popular DC backdrops like the U Street corridor and Georgia Avenue.

The series will be presented in 8 to 13 minutes shorts released direct to web, with multilingual captions, and space for viewer comments.

A special screening and launch party will be held at Jin Lounge(2017 14th Street NW Washington DC, Phone: 202-332-2104) on Thursday, February 12, 2009, starting at 6:30p.m.

Zanta Media is a film company based in Washington, D.C.

If you’d like more information about the web series, or to schedule an interview with Ambessa Jir Berhe, please contact Rahel Getachew at 703/894-8945 or email Habesha Life at habeshalife@gmail.com.

Jan 28 0 comments
Feature, film/television, music, new media/tech, style, youth/other

Russell Simmons and Creative Entrepreneurship

Check out the embed above of last year’s press conference launching Race to BE, hosted by Kauffman Foundation’s president Carl Schramm and Hip Hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons.

Though the press conference/Q&A was for an initiative that occurred during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008, the speakers had some interesting points regarding Creative Entrepreneurship. The video is almost a half-hour long, so below is a summary of key points and where they can be found on the video. Drag the cursor until the time listed on the bottom left of the player roughly matches the one below.

Points of Interest:
03:30 – Importance of creative expression and finding opportunities in neglected markets.

05:40 – Simmons discusses discovering a business through passion and using faith, hard work, dedication and resilience in building the business.

08:50 – Question and response from Simmons of the announcement of several television channels to be launched targeting African-Americans. Simmons discusses the uniqueness and market need of culturally relevant content and products.

12:04 – Question to Simmons on advice for ambitious entrepreneurs on how to start moving on their idea.

14:00 – Question and response about benefits of young people participating in Entrepreneurship programs. Simmons connects creative expression with the courage to be an entrepreneur.

19:30 – Ideas Versus Acting on Ideas

21:30 - Importance of team building in executing on an idea(in music, fashion, etc..).

Jan 27 0 comments
Feature, film/television, migration, youth/other

Life After Death in NOTORIOUS

The opening scene to the movie NOTORIOUS starts out with the fatal gunshots that took the life of the Notorious B.I.G.(Christopher Wallace aka Biggie). Following this, Christopher begins the narration of his childhood in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, New York.

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The first part of the movie showcases his transformation from a boy, born to Jamaican immigrants, in a single parent household to a drug dealer in the streets of Brooklyn. After time in jail, he comes out to begin his career as one of Hip-Hop’s most celebrated artists.

The movie also depicts the up and down relationship between Biggie and Tupac Shakur, with the later death of both happening within a year of each other.

The movie is interesting for its biographical nature, exhibiting the various facets of Biggie’s life. The audience is able to learn a bit about his home and love life, as well as a peek at the lives of others like Sean “Puffy” Combs, Junior Mafia, and Faith Evans, all interesting characters for possible future movies.

Save the critique of the movie, this should definitely be in the library of anyone interested in Hip-Hop culture, as it depicts a time and place of the culture and one of it’s greatest stars.

Biggie’s story shows how an art form started in the Bronx, New York, by a Jamaican immigrant named Clive Campbell (aka Kool Herc), grew to affect the lives of so many who used it to express themselves and their world.

Enjoy the following clips, a trailer and a video of his first major release:

Jan 20 0 comments
Feature, migration, youth/other

Black Iraqis on CNN

Interesting piece on CNN about Iraqis of African descent and their response to President Obama.

Jan 20 0 comments
Feature, music, youth/other

Sights and Vibes of the Inauguration


From Inauguration

Washington D.C is buzzing. The excitement is in the air and it is a historic time to be in this city. Out on the historic U St. corridor, selling Obama Kangas from Tanzania, we met so many people in town who came to watch the inauguration of America’s first African-American President.

The occasion happening a day after the country celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is not lost on the press or participants.

From Inauguration


From Inauguration

In these activities, African-Americans from all walks of life are the center of attention. There have been televised roundtables to discuss the future of Black America, shows celebrating the past struggles and triumphs, as well as reporters chatting with people standing in the lines of Ben’s Chilli Bowl, a D.C. landmark.


From Inauguration


From Inauguration

Nevertheless, one cannot accurately describe, the tangible and real sense of joy that is in the air. Especially in a time when people have more than enough to keep them worried (i.e. bad economy, wars), these last few months have provided a refreshing dose of positive vibration for all Americans, but is even more special for the African-American community.

In terms of celebrities, the A list has been out and about town. Most of the urban music stations have been promoting parties hosted by the likes of Sean “Puffy” Combs, Ludacris, and other big name artists. The festive mood and presence of these artists is reminiscent of other big ticket weekends like Howard’s Homecoming, and speaks to the relationship between the Hip-Hop community and the Obama campaign. The ability to reach and mobilize the youth was an asset that did not go unnoticed by President Obama.

Some hope this influence can be reciprocated, with Hip-Hop artists taking a page from the “up your game” manual written by the new President.

Obama supporters from the African Diaspora for Change also held a ball with entertainment by Les Nubians and Angelique Kidjo. Hopefully, pictures will be published showing the ball that Mama Sarah Obama attended.


From Inauguration

Below are some other photos taken around town during the last weekend. Look out for upcoming entries on another icon, the late Christopher Wallace, the Bio-Pic “N.O.T.O.R.I.O.U.S.” and other Afro-cross-cultural findings.

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From Inauguration



From Inauguration

Jan 12 0 comments
Feature, film/television, migration, youth/other

Nigerian International School of Houston(maybe)

photo by Michale, on Flickr

Michale, on Flickr

From time to time Beta Bahil hopes to cover the many grassroots organizations working through-out the world to empower youth through the arts and education. During the build up to the BB launch, we came across many programs located from London, to Oakland, to Nairobi that used Hip Hop culture to reach marginalized youth. We will connect with those on future entries and interviews, but now focus on an innovative school located in the heart of America.

A recent article in The New York Times covers culturally sensitive charter schools located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In particular, they focus on the Twin Cities International Elementary School which serves the local Kenyan, Somali, Ethiopian, and Sudanese community. The main benefit to parents is having their children in a school with equal academic standards as other schools, but with social norms closer to their own culture. Female students “freely wear head scarves without being teased,[and] the lunchroom serves food that meets the dietary requirements of Muslims.”

In almost any major African city, one could find an International School that serves the financially endowed of the country, both from the local and expatriate community. The interesting element here is that, as the school is a charter school, they are publicly financed but privately run.

Criticism is that:

“these kinds of charter schools are contributing to a growing re-segregation of public education, and that they run counter to the long-held idea of public schools as the primary institution of the so-called “melting pot,” the engine that forges a common American identity among immigrants from many countries.”

The end of The New York Times piece quoted from a debate being held by two students about, what was then, the upcoming presidential election. Given the importance of elders in the African tradition, the writer noted how the McCain supporter won the exchange by noting;

“John McCain is old,..It is better to be old.”

It is interesting what possibilities this poses for other areas of the United States with large African/Caribbean/Latino communities. In the years to come we may find an Ethiopian International School of Northern Virginia, a Nigerian International School of Houston, or a Jamaican International School of New York. Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs) like Howard University have already shown us that institutions can exist that provide academic excellence while maintaining a supportive and enriching environment for people of color.

What would be more interesting is if, as is occurring with the increase in non-minority students at HBCU’s, schools such as Twin Cities International Elementary School saw enrollment from the broader community of people of African, or even non-African, descent. These students would then follow in the cultural norms set by the charter school, developing their world understanding with a piece of East Africa inside the USA.

Jan 07 0 comments
Feature, film/television, music, new media/tech, visual art

The Black College Football Experience

It has been a busy beginning to 2009. For one reason or another, Beta Bahil has found some jewels of new media and products in the Web 2.0 sphere, that have that great combination of identity, technology, and commerce. Aside from great music videos, there seems to be a good number of African entertainment and culture sites that are catering to the Diaspora audience, keeping people up to date with the latest in contemporary African showbiz news. Keep tune to Beta Bahil, as we find ways to link up and connect with the new and major content producers to continue to, as are motto states, “help you represent your motha’s land.”

This blog post covers the release of “The Black College Football Experience,” a video game created by Nerjyzed Entertainment Inc., a firm based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. I had actually heard about the company in an article in Black Enterprise some time back, but came across this interview today between the CEO and Fox Business.

From the looks of the trailer(shown bottom), sports fans or Xbox gamers should definitely pick up a copy of this game. The company leveraged a gap in the market left by the dominant Madden Football franchise, which had not acquired the rights of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their football teams. Nerjyzed saw this as an opportunity and got to work.

For a bit deeper analysis on the video game and little more history about Black College Football, take a second to listen to this commentary by Mr. John Marine.

“The Black College Football Experience” Trailer

Dec 31 1 comments
Feature, film/television, migration, music, youth/other

Where My People At? Mano River.Berlin//Mohamed Bah

Background

The experience of producing this webisode was an informing one indeed. After having spent a couple of days in what is probably one of the best cities in Europe, Berlin, I ventured out to learn more about the local African community.

Luckily there was an Afrika Fest taking place that weekend and amongst the booths at the Festival, I encountered one for the publication ‘Lo Nam’. Speaking with the representative, I obtained their contact and was told that the director would be of help for the series. So in the next days, I made my way to their office and was able to chat with the editor. Within minutes I was introduced to Mohamed Bah of Mano River.

Speaking with Mr. Bah, I definitely felt the weight of his dedication as well as his hopes for the future of his work and the betterment of the African continent. Please enjoy his story and keep in touch with us make sure to connect with BB at Youtube, Twitter or Facebook.

About “Where My People At?”

‘Where My People At?’ is a web series that provides persons of African descent a platform to share their stories, background, current and future projects. This has been just one story of one person in one city.

The title is borrowed terminology from Hip Hop culture, signifying an opportunity to identify and represent yourself and surroundings.

Further Information on:
Mano River - Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea

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Berlin, Germany

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Where My People At? - Paris
Berlin
Fulani
Mano River Multicultural Band
Mano River Union
South Africa 2010