Our world is morphing from a collection of countries to global citizenship. The best proof of that is a close look at industry. Business is stretching itself to reach customers and clients all over the planet. People no longer can be isolationists when they are driving cars made in Sweden, eating seafood harvested in China and drinking beverages bottled in the United States of America. A banking boggle in the UK affects the Tokyo stock market. It is the old “ripple theory” applied to commerce.
This globalization of population and industry brings demands for improved communications systems, cultural marketing knowledge and other considerations, some of which did not exist fifteen years ago. Fifteen is the magic number because data just emerged from Menlo Park detailing questions posed to business leaders about where they saw industry in fifteen years. One thousand business leaders and office workers were surveyed. They answered, almost in unison, that the future of industry lies not in general business professionals, but in specialization. That means because the issues are new, new jobs must be created to meet the challenges.
One of the new positions mentioned in the survey is “Resource Coordinator.” This person would operate like an HR manager, but would have to assemble talent with an understanding of culture and climate to address the needs of corporate offices on a world-wide scale. Another position created to handle remote offices is the “Workforce Controller” who would assess and anticipate needs of remote offices and make sure they had the resources and support they needed. “Knowledge Managers” would assure that all arms of the company operated with the same principles and policies. Perhaps the most noted new position is that of “Telecommunications Manager.” That professional would be charged with building a business information network that is both efficient for the needs of the corporation and secure.
The development of these jobs within the business field depends upon diversified education. Business needs to upgrade the educations of current corporate professionals and produce new graduates with these special skills. Degrees like the online MBA offered at Washington State University allow working professionals to complete a master’s degree on their own schedules. Programs must offer diverse and current information. Modeling after examples like the WSU degree, they must give graduates business fundamentals and special skill sets that will carry them into the future, fifteen years from now and beyond.
Global Citizenship & Resource Coordination In A Globalised World
Tiwa Savage Performance With CEO Dancers At BET Awards 2014
Tiwa Savage and CEO Dancers gave an exhilarating performance at the BET Experience which held last night in Los Angeles. The C.E.O. Dancers opened the floor for Tiwa Savage by first dancing to a soundtrack from the hit movie “Coming to America“ starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, before the Nigerian musician and MAVIN Records first lady came on stage and performed “Eminado” with CEO Dancers, dancing energetically on stage.
See the video below.
7 Plus Size Bloggers Redefining Fashion For Plus Size Women
These plus size bloggers are redefining fashion for plus size women. They say “dynamite comes in small packages”. They also say “the bigger the better!” According to the Huffington Post, IMG models have just recently taken on 5 new models and they are all plus size and drop-dead gorgeous!
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, the managing Director of IMG, Ivan Bart talked about “an ageless, ‘raceless’, weightless agency.” He added further, “With this new way of thinking, I can tell women who work so hard to get into the sample size, ‘Eat! Be yourself, just be the best you can be — exactly how you are!’ For us, as long as the talent is at a healthy weight that he or she and his or her doctor believe is right for them, and they’re exercising, since that’s a healthy way of life, then the industry should reflect that.” With that positive statement in mind, below are 7 beautiful, black women that are fighting for this cause and they do it through words and image. By practising what they preach, the are redefining fashion for the curvy woman in style and confidence.
1. Gabi Fresh
Gabi is a vibrant 25-year-old, plus size blogger that is very passionate about fashion for the fuller figure. Her posts are mostly images of herself and other curvy women wearing some amazing colour coordinated outfits and accessories that flatter and accentuate the body in all the right places. Her two college majors were International Relations and African American studies.
This fine sister exudes self-confidence and a zest for life with each transformation achieved by each outfit. This plus size blogger posts and shares tips and spots to get the same look. Her blogger profile describes her as “a Fashion, health & beauty-loving curvy girl whose obsessions include nail polish, top knots, horizontal stripes, green juice, and challenging the status quo.” We are fascinated by Gabi because she does not talk about diets or criticize other peoples’ bodies. Her philosophy is “Remember that cultivating your inner beauty is so much more important than anything you can buy at a store or any number on a scale.” gabifresh.com
SEE ALSO: 55 Ankara African Print Styles For Plus Size Women 2016.
2. Curvy Fashionista by Marie Denee
Marie is a gorgeous, voluptuous style expert that has lived in Japan, England, and Hawaii and is now based in the Los Angeles Bay area. She holds a prestigious MBA in Marketing and has been in the retail industry for about 15 years. She is another plus-size blogger whose style and image are a true reflection of her background as she really knows how to combine colours and styles that many women would be afraid to put together due to the effect they can create.
She describes herself as “…someone who is keenly aware of and in touch with the plus-size community and the fabulous world of plus size fashion”. This smart fashionista has her own blog and has contributed to several glossies such as Vogue Curvy, Seventeen, and In Style, just to name a few. One interesting fact about Marie is that she can speak Japanese…..wow! the curvyfashionista.com
3. Musings of a Fatshionista by Christina Lewis
This 24-year-old freelance graphic designer hails from Takoma, Maryland. She started blogging after being exposed to other blogs and about fashion and ended up being inspired to launch her own. In her own words, Christina says, “I want to have
In her own words, Christina says, “I want to have a space where size isn’t an issue. Where people can come to meet and be inspired by other fashionable people. I want to let people know that you can be just as fashionable as the next person. I love to pair hard with soft, structured, with whimsical, vintage with a trashy edge, etc. I think those combinations make for an interesting visual.” She confesses about her passion for fashion and how she is a shopaholic, mostly because she is always curious to see what else she can buy to combine with something already in her wardrobe. An endearing trait in this plus size blogger is the way she enjoys her readers’ comments and is surprised that she has never received hate mail but looks forward to the day she does!
SEE ALSO: 16 Super Sexy Ankara Gowns For Plus Size Ladies.
4. Je ne sais quoi by Jeniese Williams
Jeniese Williams is in her thirties and lives in Alabama. Her blog is directed at women that have no regrets and do not apologise for what or how they look. According to Jeniese, “I created my blog as a way to express my love for fashion and beautiful things. I also started as a challenge to myself to continue to pursue my fashion which is my true passion”. To her, the whole experience is a journey and it gives her a lot of pleasure to have readers that want to enjoy it with her. This plus size blogger shows you how you can change one look for different occasions by mixing and matching. Jeniese also likes “food, football and having fun”. Je ne sais quoi
5. Chastity from San Francisco
This curvy bombshell is thirty-something and is based in California. She started off blogging as a means to facilitate her image consulting business. But it took over and became a full-time job. Her blog, Garner style has featured on Oprah.com, New York Times, and Elle magazine. Chastity loves leopard print and red shoes as well as being able to depict how a plus-size woman can look good in style. Plus size blogger, Chastity is fond of monochrome outfits and flaunts her figure by mixing pastels with prints and stripes. She is redefining fashion because she is not afraid to try new things and encourages her readers to be fearless. Garner Style
SEE ALSO: 5 Elegant & Chic Evening Dresses For Plus Size Women.
6. Bella Styles
Bella Styles is a fashion show coordinator/stylist and blogger, as well as the executive fashion editor for Skorch magazine. She uses her blog to keep her readers updated on the latest trends as well as whatever is going on in entertainment, beauty, and travel. Her work has been published in different media, namely Ebony magazine and a TV show. The admirable quality in this plus size blogger is the fact she took advantage of her plus size to model as well as host shows and workshops to promote the concept of beauty – not having anything to do with size. bellastyles.com
7. Fatshopaholic by Tiffany Tucker
At 22 years of age and studying English as a major, Tiffany is already a media household name. This plus-size blogger has written for Plus Model Magazine, Time Out Chicago magazine and her quote has been used in The New York Times. Her writing style is candid, to the point, and she just talks about things like she is writing a personal diary or talking to a friend. For example, in describing herself she says, “Hello everybody, I’m Tiffany. I love music, books, and fashion. I
‘m a bit awkward at first, but get to know me and soon you’ll be wondering why you didn’t get to know me sooner! :-)” . What is so inspiring to see in her posts is how she radiates happiness and confidence as well as that youthful enthusiasm. FATSHOPAHOLIC
We love all these plus size bloggers because they all love themselves and teach others to do the same, regardless of shape or size.
SEE ALSO: The Most Beautiful People Have Curves And The Male Attention Is Much Better – Fritha Lambert.
This article was written by Fashionista Musa and showcases the 7 plus size bloggers that have been redefining fashion for plus size women. These women love their curves and are proud to showcase them. They do this by using themselves and other plus size women as their muse to showcase the many ways a curvy woman can dress and look good at all times. While these women are all black and plus-size bloggers, they have their individuals styles and have inspired a lot of curvy women to become more fashionable and dress to fit their curvy bodies.
What do you think of these plus size bloggers redefining the way women on the big size dress and appreciate the way they look, by learning to love their body and dressing to accentuate it?
Now that you are here, take a few seconds to click on these links and follow Afrocosmopolitan on Instagram and like the AfroCosmopolitan Facebook page. If you have some time, also check us out on Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest. We can’t wait to connect with you and start interacting with you on another level. In the meantime, take care and keep on slaying like the true fashionista that you are.
Hero Ricky Osagie Receives Standing Ovation As He Is Laid To Rest
A standing ovation lasting several minutes filled a Dublin church at the removal service of hero schoolboy Ricky Osagie.
The entire congregation at St Patrick’s Church in Corduff rose to their feet and applauded loudly when parish priest Fr Liam McClarey invited them to salute “a true hero”.
Ricky (13) drowned in a courageous bid to save the lives of two teenage girls who got into difficulties while swimming in an artificial lake near the Waterville Hall residential complex in Blanchardstown yesterday week.
Paramedics tended to the two girls at the scene and also sought to resuscitate Ricky, who had been submerged for several minutes following his desperate rescue attempt.
The girls later recovered but Ricky died in hospital last Saturday.
Ricky was a star footballer for Corduff Football Club in the North Dublin Schoolboy League. The packed church was a sea of red jerseys as players and supporters of the Corduff club paid tribute to their young star. A guard of honour of club players flanked his coffin as it was brought into the church.
Fr McClarey, a Pallotine priest, welcomed members of the Nigerian community, teachers from the nearby St Patrick’s primary school and St Declan’s secondary school in Cabra, and people of other faiths to the church.
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The congregation filled all standing areas in St Patrick’s and overflowed into the car park.
Ricky’s loved ones, friends, classmates, teammates and the entire community were “broken-hearted” at the loss of the gallant schoolboy who had given his life in the rescue attempt, said the priest. “A flag outside the church has the word ‘hero’ written on it. The word ‘hero’ will always remain with Ricky’s memory,” he said.
“We will all carry Ricky in our hearts.”
Fr Cleary said that his teammates on the Under 13 team “will have to try harder and give that little bit extra for him”.
He described Ricky as “friendly, bright, bubbly and charming”.
He said the entire Corduff community were united by a single word – ‘respect’ – over the last few sad days.
He brought Ricky’s parents Kelly and Lydia and sisters Temma and Omonigho on to the altar to stand and look at the huge size of the congregation who had turned out in honour of Ricky.
The parents received a lengthy round of applause as the priest said Ricky had obviously received his praiseworthy qualities from his mother and father.
ALSO SEE:
Article culled from Independent Ireland.
New Debit Card Aimed At UK’s African Caribbean Communities Is Launched
CaribDirect and credEcardplus are pleased to announce the launch of an innovative product set to revolutionise how UK’s African Caribbean Community, not only support families in the Caribbean but do business in the Region.
‘CredEcardplus is a personal pre-paid Visa Debit card, which is available FREE for a limited period’ – using the code CARIB01 (Zero1)*.
According to research carried out by the MIF (Multilateral Investment Fund), remittances from Caribbeans in the Diaspora back home accounts for in excess of billions of pounds to the Regions economy in 2012.
ALSO SEE: Local London Youth Led Businesses Boosted By EN Start-Up Loans.
CaribDirect’s CEO David F. Roberts said: “It’s a very good day for the Caribbean community that has historically experienced financial difficulties, not least due to charges levied by banks and also the cost of transfer fees incurred when sending money home to the Caribbean. The CredEcard will provide peace of mind and convenience with supporting relations back in the Caribbean and Guyana. I’m very pleased that CaribDirect is able to provide yet another useful facility for the benefit of the Caribbean community.”
credEcardplus personal account and Visa Debit card is now available to all, regardless of financial history, and can be used for shopping online or on the high street, undertake money transfers and pay bills. Given the sometimes exorbitant charges levied by banks and other money transfer companies, some of the key benefits to credEcardplus include: no unexpected overdraft or admin fees for account holders, cards can be used to transfer money to relatives and associates overseas, low ethical fees and FX rates and more.
Geoff Leech, credEcard Managing Director added, “we are pleased to be providing the community with a cost effective payment solution that is available to all regardless of financial status. We wish CaribDirect every success with this initiative”.
ALSO SEE: Young Entrepreneurs Esther Longe And Natalia Launch “We Love Hair”
From Genocide to African Catwalks – How Rwandan Women are Building their Lives and the Fashion Industry
Before Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, Salaam Uwamariya’s husband, a professor, was the family breadwinner, providing for her and their eight children. Uwamariya sold vegetables at a nearby market to supplement their income.
But like many in this Central African nation, her life changed in just the 100 days starting in April 1994 when close to a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. Among the dead were her husband and her two eldest children.
But Uwamariya has been able to slowly rebuild her life by making clothes that are sold locally and overseas and which have also even been shown on African catwalks.
“I lost my family, a lot of materials, my house, everything,” she tells IPS in the local Kinyarwanda language.
She also lost her parents, aunts and uncles in the genocide.
“I was affected greatly… I can’t express it…”
Avega is made up of 150 houses and has a population of 750. With financial support from Canadian charity Ubuntu Edmonton, the centre runs training sessions for residents whose lives have been scarred by genocide. Classes here include courses in mechanics and silk screening. There is also a school sponsorship programme and daycare centre and a sewing shop where Uwamariya works. Over 85 people are said to pass through the doors of Centre César and benefit from their services every week.
“[Sewing] has improved my life a lot because I get some revenue from it. It improves my life and the lives of my children,” says Uwamariya, who says she earns up to 3,000 Rwandan Francs (4.44 dollars) for making one dress, which she says takes no more than two days. All sewers are paid a fair trade wage, with the money going directly to the women.
Using industrial machines, members of the centre have been taught to sew by Edison Hategekimana, one of the centre’s two master tailors and the only man here. He taught Uwamariya over a year, but she says it “wasn’t challenging”.
On any given day up to 20 women, including Uwamariya, 58, are packed into a room working laboriously on dresses, jackets, pants, bags, aprons and pyjamas bags and jewellery in bold African prints.
Many of the items they tirelessly piece together are the creations of upcoming Rwandan fashion designer Colombe Ndutiye Ituze.
Strangely enough it was an international counterpart, Canadian Johanne St. Louis, who pointed out the local talent available to help Ituze.
The pair met at the Rwanda Fashion Festival 2010. St. Louis is the CEO of St. Louis Fashion and Dreamyz Loungewear. Ituze launched her INCO Icyusa label, one of Rwanda’s first fashion houses, in 2011.
“I really loved her clothes and I asked her where do you get things done and she told me they were made by these women [at Centre César],” Ituze tells IPS.
“I came here [to Centre César] in 2011. From 2012 all my production was done here. I’ve worked with the tailors in town, but here they are very talented. For large orders they’re the best people to come to.”
When Ituze discovered the centre, she said many of its members possessed basic sewing skills. St. Louis had trained some, and those she trained taught others.
“The first time I came here they were good, but not as good as they are now. They’re improving all the time,” says Ituze.
Today the clothes that Uwamariya and her colleagues stitch together are sold in Ituze’s store in Nziza, Kigali. St Louis sells pieces in her clothing store in her house in Cannington, about 110 km outside Toronto.
“It’s exciting making clothes for people in Canada because we’re getting some income,” says Uwamariya. “The challenges are now to get a niche business, to get more orders, more clothes to sew.”
“I want to partner with other people, with other fashion designers.”
This may happen sooner rather than later, with Ituze and St.Louis talking to more international stores about stocking their designs.
Together they opened DODA Fashion House last September. Doda means, “to sew” in Kinyarwanda.
They have a workshop in Kimironko, Kigali, which will eventually employ four fulltime staff and the plan to hire an additional 14 women to begin training and creating products.
In the next five years their workshop will hopefully offer training courses in commercial sewing, design, sewing machine mechanics and marketing. It’s a huge step for the industry in tiny Rwanda, which doesn’t have a fashion school.
Meanwhile, back at Centre César, its supervisor Alain Rushayidi tells IPS he will only be truly satisfied when the charity is able to transfer its ownership to the people of Avega.
“This centre has to become their centre. In 10 or 15 years this will belong to the members, all of them,” he says.
Rushayidi says a structure to help the centre become sustainable and financially independent is currently being implemented.
“I can’t explain the challenges before we started [the centre],” Rushayidi says.
“We used to have a food bank in the village. We have people infected with HIV.”
Ten years later, he says “of course things aren’t 100 percent better, but lives have improved.”
This article was culled from IPS News.
Gearing Up For Winter Weather With Warm Footwear
Why wearing a pair of warm footwear is essential for the winter weather.
Being prepared for cold winter weather does not mean people must sacrifice their personal fashion styles. When they want to keep their feet warm without wearing clunky and unsightly boots, people can instead choose footwear that is fashionable and practical at the same time. Women, in particular, may want to remain fashionable even when the weather has turned cold. They can look their best when they choose fashionable and warm footwears like Women’s UGG Boots for their winter wardrobes.
Sometimes finding the right style of this kind of boots can be challenging, however. Many stores sell out quickly, leaving women to choose off-brand styles or boots that look similar, yet are not the real thing. When they shop online, however, they can find a healthy variety of these fashions without having to step out of their homes. They can go online and select the size of boot that is right for them without having to compete with other shoppers.
ALSO SEE: 5 Things You Should Have In Your Winter Wardrobe This Year.
Finding the right size can also be a hassle in some stores. Many women must go to several stores to find shoes the right size. They end up spending too much time, money, and energy looking for the right pair of shoes in their size. However, online shopping gives them the convenience of filtering their search by their shoe size and then discovering what colours and styles are available for them to choose from before buying. They do not have to beat the next shopper to the pair but rather can take their time to browse and make sure that pair is right for them.
Along with choosing warm footwear for themselves, some women also want to shop for their family members while they are logged onto the Internet. Children also like to wear boots like these, particularly teenage girls who like to be fashionable. However, kids of all ages can stamp in the snow and play outdoors when they have these shoes to keep their feet warm. Similarly, men also need new shoes for the winter as they shovel the driveway, hunt, or spend time in the elements. Shoppers can browse for kids and men online by using the search filter options. They can find styles that suit their kids and husbands or boyfriends without having to convince these family members to leave the house and go to the mall or discount store. Online shopping lets people buy for everyone at their convenience. Warm footwear like winter boots for women as well as for men can be purchased online.
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Revealed: Lupita Nyong’o’s First Campaign For Lancôme
Lupita Nyongo’s first ad for French cosmetic giant, Lancôme has been revealed. The current most beautiful woman in the world according to People Magazine was looking stunning and flawless as she promotes Lancôme’s Tient Idole Ultra 24H foundation.
Lupita was announced as Lancôme’s brand Ambassadress in April, making her the first black African woman to represent the brand. The company said ads featuring the Kenyan actress and multi-award winner will start running in September. However, Lancôme couldn’t wait till then before revealing these beautiful ads of Lupita.
Tickets On Sale For Africa Fashion Week London
Africa Fashion Week London 2014 entry tickets are now on sale for this year’s event, which will be held from Friday 8 to Saturday 9 August at the Olympia Kensington. Brush shoulders with the world’s fashion elite and find out how ethical and affordable African fashion is taking Europe by storm.
With a hall of exhibitors and the new AFWL Market Place, you can see the very best that African fashion has to offer, as well as taking the opportunity to buy some unique pieces of your own. The Gold Standard ticket package includes entry to the AFWL Exhibition, a catwalk show of your choice and an AFWL 2014 Event Magazine. This is an unmissable opportunity to get a glimpse of fashion future by attending shows by some of the world’s most exciting and innovative designers.
ALSO SEE: What A Day! Africa Fashion Week London 2014.
However, why not treat yourself to some extras with the Platinum VIP package? Not only will you have all the perks of the Gold Standard ticket but, after a champagne reception, you will be fast-tracked into your chosen catwalk show, where you will enjoy a coveted front row seat! You will also receive a complimentary goody bag and access to the exclusive VIP Lounge.
Tickets to AFWL are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to attend! Whether you are someone who loves African style or you are interested in where international fashion is headed, these tickets are the fashion accessory of the summer that you won’t want to be without!
Why Budgeting Is Essential In The Diaspora Community
Responsibilities are a crucial factor of any individual belonging to the Diaspora anywhere in the world.
Responsibilities, really…such a huge word with a huge dynamic!
Budgeting with various responsibilities at the back of the mind is very daunting. The type of daunting that makes an individual not to pick up calls from ‘Back Home’.
Yes, that!
-What do they want?
Life is hard abroad, yes, but it can be organised very systematically. How? Remember all those board games, you played when you were younger. Any games, you played using pebbles or seeds and had to put one at a time in pots or holes till you had as many pebbles or seeds collected and this had to be done consistently to win. Well, budgeting is quite like that!
As individuals living and working in the diaspora, we tend to be bogged down by the bills we pay. Taking an indebt look at how we utilise our finances and reduce the expenses we incur is the first step to maintaining budgeting success. Balancing our finances with our expenses as well as reducing the amount we spend helps in constantly addressing situations as they arise, like ‘Back home commitments’.
ALSO SEE: Pay Less And Dress More In 5 Easy Steps.
Due to the various responsibilities, as a Community in Diaspora, it is necessary to add more categories to the regular essentials like (Food, shelter and electricity bills). These secondary categories will include religious obligations, Back Home responsibilities (depending on the individual responsibilities), Ajoh, Susu etc (African saving scheme) and of course the weekend social commitments.
Identifying income streams, expenses and saving plans for your various commitments, enables us to plan long term, be assertive with our commitment plans and reducing our overly debt commitments.
Changing little things, energy efficient light bulbs in the home can save Euros in electricity bills. Changing cable operators or watching your bank charges, all these help in reducing overly bills in a little way.
ALSO SEE: 5 Things You Should Have In Your Winter Wardrobe This Year.
Buying a home or car we can afford is another major bill in our household commitments. Living in the diaspora does not mean we need to lose sight of our goals and invest in a building or car, we cannot afford. Maintaining mortgage debt for 25 to 30 odd years and mortgage approvals of 250 thousand Euros are not the same thing!
Committing to an affordable goal requires consistent dedication, of putting money aside. It is essential that this is done on a regular basis as pre-emptive measures to off-set any bills that can be brought about from that dreaded call.
This article was written by Tokie L Brown. She’s a German-Nigerian author who wrote the book “10 Steps to Managing your household budget.” Tokie’s book provides its readers with useful financial management tools to assess how their household expenditure is utilised. The author is based in Ireland. You can reach her @tokieLbrown and order her book at – http://www.amazon.com/Tokie-Laotan-Brown/e/B00EOBNWHO