Open Book | Berry Dakara

We've turned to a new chapter of our #OpenBook series, and this time we visit a blogger I have followed for years! Berry Dakara has captured my heart and my attention for a long time, primarily due to her transparency and great storytelling. 

What I didn't know prior to embarking on this project, is that Berry's name is actually Anita (we'll learn where the blog name came from later.) Berry will be 37 this May. She tells me she 'can’t believe she's this close to 40'. 

Berry is Nigerian but has lived in the US since she was a teenager, bar a five-year stint back in her country of birth in her early thirties. She has a daughter, who she calls Cocoa. 'She's my absolute joy', Berry tells me.

It's time to find out more about Berry Dakara!

Open Book | Beaton

I don't know about you, but I'm absoloutey  loving the #OpenBook series so far. Today, we have the first man ever to be interviewed on the blog! Meet 35 year old Beaton, who also goes by 'B'.  Beaton is a digital storyteller; freelance content creator and social media manager; when not writing, he reads and when he's not doing neither of those, he's helping to grow and build African bloggers, because 'blogging means community'.


Read on to learn more about what Beaton thinks about blogging as a way to preserve the art of African storytelling, and how much can be achieved, if you were to 'just write'. 

Open Book | Olliviette

#OpenBook is back! In case you've missed it so far, this is my series of honest conversations with fellow bloggers from the over 30 and fab crowd. In each instalment, the featured blogger opens up to me about the highs and lows of their journey so far, and the lessons they've learned on the way. If you need to, catch up quickly on the series so far here. We'll wait.

Today, we're having a candid chat with Olli who will be turning 34, and boy is she excited! Olli is a digital marketing queen, which basically means she works hard to make people shine online.  She's also an artist and a beautiful dreamer. Her hobbies are staying weird and being loud with a dash of enjoying anime and mimosas.

Read on to find what Olli had to say about the danger of comparison, learning about a new city, and never being in love!

Meet Raimah, author of 'From Anna Wintour to Zadie Smith'.

Meet Raimah Amevor, author of From Anna Wintour to Zadie Smith

From Anna Wintour to Zadie Smith is an ABC book of inspiring women around the world. This creative children’s book features inspiring quotes and beautiful illustration of powerhouse women like Zadie Smith, Princess Di, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama and Serena Williams and many more.

In our last post, we spoke about the importance of diversity in children's literature, and how books such as this one, written by Raimah Amevor is helping bolster the range of different images young kids are exposed to. 

Raimah the author of From Anna Wintour to Zadie Smith is also the founder of Mindfully Kids, a brand which seeks to empower children around the world to be mindful and

independent thinkers that look beyond stereotypes and limiting beliefs. She's a proud black British intersectional feminist who is on a mission to challenge stereotypes which are formed as early as 4 years old.

Find out what she had to say when we caught up with her. 

We Need to Talk About Diversity in Children's Books

What was your favourite, or most remarkable book as a child? What made it stand out for you? I am not speaking of the much-loved rhymes or picture books that were read to you as a baby to help you to formulate speech, but the books you were able to read for yourself, understand, and carry everywhere.

Mine was Afro-Bets a book about a teacher, Mr. Amegashie, and his inquisitive students, who he takes on a journey through Africa whilst they learn about the different countries.  At the age of five or six, I could probably only tell you that I loved the colourful illustrations and the funny banter between the young characters. But at age thirty-something, I can't help but wonder whether it was because I was seeing a representation of myself in Glo and Stef and the other Afro-Bet kids?

Book Review | In Dependence

In Dependence is written by Sarah Ladipo Manyika. I discovered this book through Cassava Republic who is its publisher.  Firstly let's say that In Dependence exceeded my expectations for so many reasons. However, there are a few loose ends I felt the author could have tidied up. 

Synopsis

The story begins in the early 60s, in Ibadan Nigeria. Tayo Ajayi has won a scholarship to study at Oxford University  in the UK. After a brief relationship with Christine,  a fellow Nigerian also studying at the University,  Tayo meets and falls in love with Vanessa Richardson.

The problem is she's white and the daughter of a former colonial officer.

Madeline's Top Netflix Picks

Aside from reading books by women, one of my other pastimes is to enjoy an enthralling show on everyone's favourite streaming service. With the sun playing tag these days, my preference would be to snuggle under a blanket, armed with a hot drink and a bowl of snacks whilst watching Netflix on a screen such as the 4k led tv Panasonic. 

But with such a busy schedule,  indulging in some visual entertainment during my commute to work seems like a good plan for now. If you read through some of the archives, you will see a growing collection of film reviews already on the blog. Today, I would like to discuss with you some of my hottest Netflix picks.