A black woman’s guide to understanding stress: the first step to stressing out stress.

There is always going to be stress in our lives. It is a part of who we are. However, excessive stress usually is the greatest threat to a healthy living. Understanding the actual meaning, causes and signs of stress is the first step to coping and stressing out the monster that threatens us.

What is stress?

Stress in the most simple term is a pressure exerted forcibly on a body/object  to produce a defirmation . It is a compulsion, an influence. In other words, stress is that which brings about a reaction on the normal body flow. By default, our body has a response mechanism of fight or flight designed to protect us from harm and get us ready to take to challenges.

During a stressful period, the body produces and releases chemicals (hormones- adrenaline) which trigger the alertness and readiness to respond. Excessive influx of these chemicals carry with it consequences that will affect the ability of the body to function effectively. It is this breakdown of functionality that makes excessive stress to be a poison to a well being.

Causes and effects of stress on the black woman.

There are different circumstances and situations that can cause excessive stress for the woman. It is usually those things that could result to or make you to be; frustrated, angry, unhappy, tensed, or make you feel worthless.

Black women for  centuries have been subjected to so much stressful conditions that leave them appearing less worthy compared to women from other races. Due to our cultural believes, poverty, racism, family situations plus several other situations that we have come to live with.

Cultural believes: Culturally, there are so much expectations heaved on the shoulders of the woman. From caring for the family- children, husband, parents, parents in law and other members of the family. Often with so much to do, the woman have less and less time to think and care for herself. Unfortunately, women have left these to continue for ages, handing down so believes further to their sons and daughters. Thereby continually creating the environment where it is okay for a man to use and abuse the woman without remorse.

Poverty/Neglect: Often, when poverty hits the family, it is the woman who bears the brunt of it all. Given the believe system that we have just discussed, the woman’s needs of course is never a priority, leaving her neglected and unkempt. She develops an attitude of a super woman., caring for everyone and neglecting the goose that lay the golden eyes. In effect, we see a sudden crash in her health resulting in chronic arthritis, hypertension, depression and even death.

Racism/discrimination: This has remained the most challenging source of stress for the black globally. Discrimination and let down which black women receive directly and indirectly from employers, carers, the media and the society in general has kept the black woman defensive, angry and frustrated leaving them with attitudes and lifestyles that are unhelpful both to their health and self development.

Family: Child bearing adds stress to the lives of every woman not just the black woman. But with support and help from the family the woman copes better. With situations such as those discussed above, it is extremely challenging and stressful for the black woman to cope.

Other sources of stress: So many other sources include; job stress, sudden death, illness, bad relationships, domestic violence, just to name a few.

Black women of Academics.

Toni Morris

Toni Morrison:

A literary icon. A woman filled with knowledge and zeal that we are proud to copy. A pearl woman setting the pace for the next generation of writers.

In what seemed like an informal gathering with friends of writers and poets, Toni’s first novel – The bluest eyes was born. She had told the group a short story of a black girl who longed to have blue eyes. Given the positive reactions that she received, she decided to develop the story into a novel, which became a success. Having had a huge success with the bluest of eyes, Toni went on to release her second novel Sula which was to rocket her into the limelight. Sula was nominated for The National Book Award. Although the novel did not make it, she was not going to give in or give up. Morrison went on to release yet another novel Song of Solomon. As soon as Song of Solomon hit the racks, it was literally the BOMB! Song of Solomon won The National Book Critics Circle Award. Making it the second novel by a black writer to be so awarded.

Toni’s 4^th novel Beloved won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and The American Book Award. However failed to win the National Book Award sparking a huge protest from other writers. But later in 1998, Beloved was streamed into a film starring Oprah. 2006 saw Beloved named by The New York Times as the best American Novel published in the last twenty-five years.

Aside her many accolade, Morrison lectured English at the State University of New York. She was later appointed to the Albert Schweitzer chair at the University of Albany, and until retirement, she held the Robert Goheen chair in the humanities at Princeton University(where the first Lady Michelle Obama graduated from) .
She founded the Princeton Atelier to help emerging literary and arts students to collaborate with world class artists. Which has been spectacularly phenomenon.

                        The Facts:

Toni’s Novels and years released:

The bluest of eyes……….1970.

Sula……………………   1973.

Song of Solomon ……….1977.

Beloved …………………1987.

Tan Baby………………  1981.

A Mercy………………….2008

Awards and Honours:

Honourable Doctor of Letters Degree – Rutgers University. ………………………………...                                                                    May, 2011.

Doctor of Letters Degree                    Oxford University……………………………………..                                            .June,2005.

National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished

Contributions to America’s Letters…………………………………………………………………                                       1996.

Nobel Prize in literature……………………………………                                                                       1993.

Pulitzer Prize for fiction………………………………………………                                                              1987.

American Book Award………………………………………………                                                              1987.

Visiting professorship --  Bard college ………………………………………………                                                                          1987.

Barnard Medal of distinction  --  Barnard College………………………………………………..                                                          1979.

National Book Critics Circle Award  ……………………………………………….                                                                          1977.

Pearlwoman!

Prof. Anionwu

Prof. Elizabeth Nneka, Anionwu.

         (RN, PhD, CBE, FRCN).

Prof. Elizabeth is a pearl woman. A nursing educator. An academic promoting a multi-ethnic perspective in nursing and midwifery recruitment, education, research and practice. In 1998, when the centre for the promotion of the above mentioned was established, Elizabeth named it after MarySeacole for her unsung contributions to nursing soldiers in the Crimean war.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Birmingham by her Nigerian parents. Her father; Mr L.O.V Anionwu was a barrister and ambassador to the UK.

She went on to study Nursing and is a Professor and Head of the Mary Seacole centre for nursing practises at Thames Valley University. She is also an Honorary Professor at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

In 1979, Anionwu was appointed the first ever Sickle cell and Thalasseamia counsellor in Britain. She became the head of the Brent Sickle Cell and Thalasseamia centre in 1990. From then on, she lectured at the institute of Child Health, University College London, as the senior lecturer in community and genetic counselling.

Elizabeth’s time in nursing have seen her publish several books in this area, including but not only The politics of Sickle Cell and Thalaseamia, CO written with Dr Karl Atkin and published in 2001 by Open University Press. Also in 2005, she was commissioned to write a short history of Mary Seacole by the Royal College of Nursing.

As we speak, Elizabeth is a member of The King’s Fund Management Committee, The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalaseamia Screening Programme Implementation Group. She is also, the vice chair person  to the Department of Health’s Refugee Health Professional’s Task Force. She is again the patron of the Sickle Cell and Thalaseamia Association of Counsellors. She remains also the treasurer to the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal. The Queen also has awarded Elizabeth CBE for her services to Nursing.

©Fauntee writes.2012-03-27

10 secrets to looking beautifully younger.

Kay

Growing old is some thing inevitable and each day that passes we grow to become older than we have been.Therefore it is about time for  women  to embrace age as something that goes on with time. Celebrate your age as you  get older gracefully. Below are few tips on how to up your game.

1.Fall in love with yourself:  The greatest love of all is love for self. Love your body and be passionate with it. This will help you to stay grounded and be motivated to stay away from whatever is not good for you. You are the only one who is you and are a unique entity. Enjoy it now!

2. Eat healthy: Fruits and vegetables have remained the healthiest food to enjoy without the weight bug. Be sure of what you put in your mouth and the consequences. Stay away from too much alcohol, sugar and pastries.  Drink enough  water and other fluids. Stay away from in-between meals and late night eating. Make friends with the antioxidants.

3. Exercise:  Enjoy a session of exercise at least once a day.Make it a part of your daily routine.  You do not have to break the bank. And if you are the very busy type, there are yet very easy no time consuming exercises that you can do. E.g., while on the computer, you could practise pelvic muscle exercises. (Squeeze the back muscle and release.) Do this as often as you can. No one is going to find out. You could dance to your favourite tone right at the comfort of your bedroom.

4. Stay away from stressful conditions: Simple. If it gets stressful get out and unwind. Excessive stress has never been anyones friend and should not  have a  place in the life of a pearl woman. It’s a good idea to find some relaxing place to cool off maybe the beach, or just have a chat with some one that will make you laugh. Just have a laugh and go easy with life. Pay attention to what is important and please do prioritise.

5. Smile: Smile has the power to get you recharged and energised. It relaxes the facial muscles and keeps the heart softened. It brightens up the eyes and the mind. When you smile the world smiles back at you.

6. Be happy: Happiness comes from within. It goes way beyond what’s going on around you. You can make a personal decision to be happy come what may. One of the secrets is to stay away from any thing that ways you down.

7. Keep makeups light and toned to your hue: Excessive makeup adds age to the wearer. The less the better. Make sure the colours on your face are not over powering your natural beauty. Have your face moisturised and pampered. Remember to wash off all makeup before bed. Just water is the most recommended for the purpose. The idea is to keep the pores open and allow free flow of oxygen

8. Go for styles that flatter you: Know your body shape and go for the clothes and styles that really suit you. Do not compromise with your comfort and confidence. When you are confident and happy you naturally feel and appear younger. Take an honest friend with you when shopping and ask for their opinion.

9. Never bother yourself about your age: Age is only a number. How old you feel and think you are that’s what it is. Worrying will only make things worse. Be free minded and explore new things. That will keep you off the hook.

10.Get a very good night sleep: A good night sleep helps to relax the mind, the body and the soul. It renews the entire being and leaves you fresh for new heights. The benefits of a good night sleep can never be over emphasised. The experts recommend you get at least 6 to 8 hours of good night sleep every day.

Black women who fought the fight: Harriet Tubman!

 "And then we saw the lightning

and that was the guns.

 And then we heard the thunder

and that was the big guns.

 And then we heard the rain falling

and that was the drops of blood falling.

 And when we came to get the crops

it was dead men that we reaped."

Harriet's description of the war.

Harriet Tubman: A humanitarian activist, an abolitionist, an armed spy of the union Army.(1820 to 1913).

Tubman was born into slavery by her slave parents. She later escaped from the plantation where she served as a slave. She began on a mission rescuing more than 70 slaves using the antislavery network.
In 1849, she escaped to Philadelphia. She later returned to Maryland to rescue her family and relatives one after another. Tubman eventually led dozens other slaves to freedom. When the fugitive slave law was passed by the southern dominated congress in 1850, ordering law officials to help recapture slaves, Tubman, led the run away slaves further into Canada where slavery had been prohibited.

During the American civil war, Harriet Tubman employed by Edward Brodess worked  as a cook and nurse, then as an armed Scout and spy for the Union Army. Making her the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. During this time, Tubman helped in an operation that led to the liberation of more than 700 more slaves in South Carolina.

Harriet also known as Moses, was actively involved in The women's suffrage movement in New York. She travelled severally to Boston and places to speak out  for the voting rights of women. She sited her efforts and services, with sacrifices of other women during and after the war as an evidence of women's equality with men.

At her retirement, she headed home to Auburn New York to care for her aged parents.  Until 1899, Tubman did not receive any pensions for her services keeping her in a state of poverty, coupled with her not receiving a regular salary during her service time. Due to her unofficial status, it became extremely difficult to have her services documented and the US government was no better.They were slow in recognising their debts to her. At some point, she had to sell a cow to buy ticket for her travel to an event organised in her honour in recognition of her services to the nation.

Towards the end of her life, she lived in a home for the African- American women which she was a co-founder. She later died on the 10th of March,1913 at the age of 93. Cause of her death was said to be pneumonia. PEARLWOMAN!


For more on Tubman: http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/bradford/menu.html,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_at_Chapel_Hill,
http://www.tubmanmuseum.com/

The sojouners' Dialogue. by fauntee

The sojouners' Dialogue. by fauntee

My Mother; a perfect poem for you Mum.



Who is she that carried me
For nine good months in her womb
To make sure I survive this earthly life
My mother!

All rights reserved (c) Faustina Anyanwu.

Who we are: Is in our hands!

There has been eye winking even from very close friends ever since I started this blog in recognition of the achievements and contributions of black women to the world. They don't understand why it is necessary to talk about these things.What's the big deal some ask.

The big deal I would say is, that it is the time for us to be the ones to define who we are. The era of sitting back and watching and moaning is gone and gone forever. A people who do not recognise the efforts of their own people have themselves to blame. We have moaned and blamed "them" for ages for not recognising black achievers. But my question is who are they? My grand mother would say, "if a person does not say here I am, how will anyone know where she is."

As women, Pearl women for that matter, it is right now in our own hands to make it happen.We got our future and that of our house hold in our hands. No doubt the black race has gone through it all. But today our focus is on "moving on and keeping it up." We have to let our children know who we are, where we are coming from and where we are headed to. There is no other person to do that. So many women at the peak of racism and slavery stood up and firm on their feet to make way for the freedom fighters. How much more now that everything has been laid bare to us.

Having said that, it is necessary that we begin to support sisters who are working night and day to make a difference. It is important for us to have records of these achievements just as it is for us to celebrate these achievements too. This can never be over emphasised because it is the stepping stone for the generation to come. A people without history are a people without future, and there is no history if there is no records.

Have you asked yourself, why does it seem as if the black race have got nothing to offer except poverty? If you don't know I will tell you that it's because for ages, we have handed down a legacy of low profile on those of people who are achieving. So that they are soon forgotten leaving no traces of them and their work. If these efforts are not recognised and honoured, how then do we motivate those behind us?
For me, knowing that there are whole lot of Black women out there doing their best to make the world a better place has a very huge impact on my pride and self esteem.

I was watching the NBA on Saturday(4th march) and there were Chinese all over the stadium and i wondered what's going on? Before I realised there was Jeremy Lin the first Asian-American player in the pitch. Goodness, the support was enormous. Who could possibly ignore this guys presence give this huge support that out numbered that of the whole other players. Impressive! Now I ask you again, how often do you give your support when a sister or brother is doing it? How often do you buy tickets to go watch match, movie, film, sports etc, when a Black is starring? Come on! This is business, who wants to buy a guy who no one is interested to buy his shirts?

Now that you know can we please celebrate our efforts, show some interest in who we are and what our fellows are doing before asking that others recognise us? Be Black, be proud, work hard and yes we can!

Black women of History:Mary Grant Seacole.

A portrait painting of Mary Seacole
 by Albert challen 1869.

Mary Seacole also known as Mother Seacole,is a Jamaican nurse born 1805; whose bravery and service in the Crimean war has made famous and significant to British history.
During the Crimean war, there were urgent need for nurses to serve in the  nursing of wounded British soldiers. On hearing this, Mary Seacole who has acquired so much knowledge of medicine and nursing care from her mother; a then alternative healer, volunteered to be a part of the service. She travelled to London, to join in. Elisabeth Herbert who was the wife of the then secretary of war refused even to see her.Mary again was denied the opportunity.Seacole did not stop at that, she made her own arrangement and went to the Balaclava anyway. When she got there, she put herself forward again to serve in the Florence Nightingale team, but yet was refused. Despite the mistreatment and refusal by these Victorian British women, Mary Seacole(Mary Grant at that time),never gave up on her mission. She funded her self to establish a recuperation home: "British Hotel". There she practised herbal medicine and gave medical consultations to the military officers.
Solely funding the operation without resorting to public fund, Mary could not afford to give her services without charge. So she provided care for those officers who could afford to pay. She was brave enough to have her establishment near the front line and would sometimes, go to the battlefield to nurse the wounded soldiers.She  became well known to most of the soldiers at the Crimean war so  that on her return, she recieved a grand welcome from the military officers.
Not able to contend with the attention Mary received, the Victorian British women again started a rumour of Mary's immorality alleging that she used her "British Hotel" for a brothel and accused her of having a child outside wedlock a thing that wasn't acceptable at the time. Though these claims were never confirmed as this child was never mentioned in her autobiography.

Mary Seacole, picture by Maull and company
London,1873.

At the end of the Crimean war, Mary Seacole came back to London to find how much debt she had incurred, she then became bankrupt. However, her friends helped to raise funds for her, hence a Seacole fund grand military festival was held at the Royal surrey Gardens in her honour in 1857. Though at the end, the funds raised  hardly got to her.

Seacole, then decided to try another strategy. She went on to write and publish her own autobiography- The Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands. A medium she used to narrate all that she went through and her contributions in nursing and caring for the British soldiers in the Crimean war. She also talked about her other experiences and travels. This made her the first Black woman in Britain to have her autobiography published.She later died in London of stroke in 1881.

Until 1973, all about Mary was forgotten except for the Jamaican nurses association that named their building in her name. Her grave was rediscovered and reconsecrated. her autobiography later republished bringing her story back to life. Her story then was added to Britain's National Curriculum. In 2004, she was voted the greatest Black Briton and finally had her portrait in the National portrait gallery.Pearlwoman!


plaque commemorating
Mary Seacole at 14 Soho sq London W1.

Black women of history:Mary Grant Seacole by Fauntee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

African Shea Butter: The hidden treasure!

Raw unprocessed African Shea butter, a natural moisturising conditioner a product from the Shea Karita tree nut. A heavenly gift from the continent Africa.(found mostly in the west Africa; Nigeria and Ghana). It is a natures own gift to the unique skin and hair type of the African race.

It has been used for ages for both it's beauty and healing benefits:  soothing agent for bodily pain and  dry coughs, used to smooth scars from minor injuries and surgery, removes stretch marks, blemishes and more.

It's skin care benefits also includes,moisturising and softening the skin tissues bringing out the natural glow of the black skin, leaving it flawlessly healthy.


How to use your African Shea butter:

For the hair:  It acts as a moisturiser, softener and heat protector.
It brings moisture and conditions the dry and brittle hair and damage from heat  and chemicals used in processing and colouring of hair. It is also beneficial for dry itch scalp that causes flaking of the scalp- dandruff on Afro hairs.

Shea butter absorbs so well and fast into the scalp and the hair strands without clogging the pores. It's ability to penetrate the strands makes it possible for it to seal and protect the thick curly African hair tip to root from the heat and  environment. It's SPF properties exceptionally helps to protect the hair from the damaging UV rays of the sun. Shea butter softens the hair making it more manageable.

How to apply: Take a handful and massage into your palm, then rub into the hair and scalp. Wrap with a warm towel for about 25 to 30 minutes. Comb and style as usual. This can be done once or twice a week as the case may be. Watch your hair revitalises, grows and improves in texture and glows .

Another method: After washing with shampoo and rinsing, apply as above then blow dry and or style as desired.

Shea butter for your face: It is exceptionally good for preventing early appearance of wrinkles and also helps to minimise them. It clears dark spots from acne, scars and blemishes. Bumps from shaving. It also heals chapped lips.

How to apply: For best result, wash your face with soap and Lukewarm water, dry your face, then rub in some Shea butter into your face. Paying more attention around the fore heads, the eye and nose corners. Do this at night last thing before bed. This can be done two to three times in a week as the case may be. Wake up to feel the smooth healthy new face!

Shea butter for your body: Add some Shea butter to your usual body cream or lotion and apply as always. Then sit back and see your dry skin heals, rejuvenates and revitalises back to a beautiful smooth skin that you fall in love with.
Also apply a generous amount of just Shea butter all over your body before going into the swimming pool .

Shea butter as a relaxant: Add about 2 spoonfuls of Shea butter into a hot/warm bath. Soak in for the relaxing benefits. can also be massaged in directly and thoroughly into the muscle area for better pain relieving.

For soothing dry cough: Rub in some Shea butter on to the neck areas. As it absorbs, it releases moisture which brings the soothing effect to the irritated tracts.

For your pedicure: Bring a bowl of warm water, add a generous amount. Soak your feet into the water for about 20minutes then scrub with bath stones. Rinse and dry with towel . Then apply some Shea butter onto your heels and toes. This helps to clear and or minimise cracks.

NB: Shea butter melts so easily and fast as soon as it gets in contact with the body heat. Just rub into the palm of your hand, and watch it melt away. As soon as it melts, the absorption begins releasing it's many benefits. It does not clog the pores and not stick and heavy on the hair and body. it absorbs fast so does not leave shine on your face. So relax and enjoy your own natures gift!


Picture credits: 1, Shea butter by Africa. 2,Soap by Africa. 3, Spa by Stuart Miles








*Disclaimer: The blogger by no means recommend this as a replacement for any treatment. Readers discretion must be used. There are no scientific backup for the claims, all claims are based on personal experiences and testimonies of decades of use.Always check with your healthcare provider for advice and alternatives.

How a star was made! A sneak peek into the creative world of an alluring pearl woman. African pride:Liz Ogumbo.

Wow!

My pearl sis Liz, a woman of many talents oozes with confidence as she goes for it. Check this out! A computer science graduate, a model, fashions designer, a singer and songwriter, a businesswoman. What can’t my black sister do? To sum it up an all rounder yet passionate with all she does.

As soon as Liz stepped into the world of modelling, she knew exactly how to get focused. A woman bold and confident with a very strong will. We just can’t stop loving her drive.

Although her great gran was a singer and made a great living out of it.  Her mum a seamstress too, though  something she did as a hobby. Liz never considered these as some thing she would embrace as a career. Though, she has always been in love with fashion and ever since she embraced fashion as a way to express her womanhood and style but never a career.

　　

　



















Q: You have a lot going on. Who is Liz?
  I am an African creative entity in love with life!
Q: How was it growing up and how did you get here?

I look at my passion for both music and fashion as a lifestyle other than a career as I know I was born into it. Music is what I grew up on and my mum and dad played a major active role in bringing music close to our hearts. We have used every opportunity as an excuse for singing; during prayers, whenever we had guests, as we work, even at the lost of a loved one. We have always sang in my family.

R.J Benjamin and Baba Buntu were producers of KenSoul my debut album which is laced with heavy weight collaborations from artists such as Zuba, Tumi, MXO, and R.J himself. KenSoul funded by MI-fone (the fastest growing mobile Device Company in Africa today) was recorded in just one month and holds a special place in my soul and as it goes on soothing souls and elevating minds across the globe.

At the same time, my passion for fashion keeps driving me as I continue to grow my clothing brand "LizOgumbo."
 
Q: What do you want to relay from your music?
My aim is to entertain, elevate and inform minds while soothing souls through my unique sounds.
　
Q: Where do you draw inspiration?
Am inspired by my day to day realities. KenSoul is playful, energetic and passionately expresses a soul journey whose musical roots are anchored in my Luo tradition and branches out to Swahili – Chakacha sounds.
I grew up listening to the likes of Bob Marley, Miriam Makeba, Yvonne ChakaChaka, Brenda Fassie, Fela Kuti, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys to name a few. I love music.
　

Q: How did you get into fashion business? Tell me about the challenges and your design concept

Growing up, my siblings and I were very well dressed. My mum used to do a "by the side" sowing. She paid such attention to details that the clothing came out very unique and tasteful.

Imani, my modeling agency later became by foundation and backbone in my fashion business. I began to run a skill – factory workshop as well with support from the British Council. The aim to help the younger girls through life journey within and without the modeling industry. Though that wasn’t the initial plan.

Fashion design was more or less a hobby, though finally my clothing brand "LizOgumbo" was later born in 2007.

In my design, I try to put together my believe and style into play. I believe less is more when you ooze with confidence, hence I have minimised fuss and accented the beauty of our individuality as beautiful women.

The challenges are there, production has been my biggest nightmare but my passion for fashion has kept me through it all.

Q: You are a published author, and you blog as well. What do you tell fellow women?

My book: The modeling industry, who is the ideal model? Is a way to express myself as a strong beautiful whole woman lacking nothing. After many years of struggling with challenges faced within the modeling world, I wanted to throw  light on the vicious part of modelling to young girls who are  not well equipped to face such challenges.

I use my blog as an avenue to reach out to people and share personal highs- fashion, inspirations and the kul people enabling kul things in the continent Africa!

Q: Which of all these are you most passionate with?

I am passionate with everything I love. These entirely sum up my creative side as they are all linked  through the power of art. Besides, I had to learn business, as that’s the only way my art can be converted into income for my livelihood.

Q: How about your profession; computer science. Have you abandoned that?
Knowledge is power and can never be abandoned. I am definitely not passionate with CS, however, there are things I am able to do because I acquired knowledge through studying.

Q: What is your greatest achievement?

Every day I wake up I am able to do something to enable someone. I win!

Q: What advice would you give other African women.

You are beautiful, whole and complete, lacking nothing! Shine!!

Q: Looking to the future, what’s the road map like?

I live my life one day at a time and I smell a beautiful future. I look forward to a beautiful family that will brighten my days while I continue to create beautiful music and fashion for each and every fragile mind to adore!!

                                                  Liz at a glance;

                                                 The story so far

2004: Founded a modelling agency - Imani( by faith in swahili)international Model Management in

          Los Angeles, USA and Incorporated in Nairobi, Kenya in 2006.

2005: Wrote a book denouncing the idea of a size zero models globally. Titled: "The modelling

           industry;

           who is the ideal model?"

2006:  Fashion Editor QZ, Magazine.

2007:  Launched as a fashion designer.

           Became the Ambassador, Oriflame Swedish cosmetics.

2008:  Pioneered a movement ; "Glam-up" at The British Council WAPI program.

           Liz through "Glam-up"  was able to raise the bar within the local fashion industry scene.

           Recieved a "young woman entreprenueur award from the US Embassy in Kenya.

           Represented the Kenyan fashion industry spokesperson at the 21st governing UN MDG

           Summit Kenya.

           Ran workshop and showcased at  British Council in Tanzania.

           Launched and showcased at FRESH at British Council in Dakar, Senegal.

2009: Liz Ogumbo showcased at the inaugural Africa fashion week in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2010: Launched the House of Imani: "Say it in Black" fashion collection at the Malindi Fashion

          Week, Kenya.

          Launched South East Soul - a collaboration music initiative blending musical inspiration

         from South Africa and East Africa under the musical direction of Bheki Khoza.

          April: AFROPICKS artist for Redbull Academy in Newtown, Johannesburg.

          June: In studio recording her debut album; KenSoul.

          Sep: KenSoul Launched @ Malva, Johannesburg.

          Oct: SA album tour.

          Nov:Launched her album KenSoul @ Pepper Club, Cape Town.

          Nov: Performed @ Big Brother Africa.

          Dec: New year's performance @ Moyo Stellenbosch.

2011:

          Feb:Liz Ogumbo presents Fashion meets Music performance @Design Indaba, Cape Town.

          March: Liz presents Fashion meets Music performance @ KICC, Nairobi.

          Music video: "Big ass in the blue Jeans"

          Apr: Music video: "Maro Pamore"

          May: Presents Fashion meets Music at Sanaa Festival, Johannesburg.

          Sep: Mentored the Miss Kenya finalists, Kenya.

          Oct: Launched showroom in Park Town North, Johannesburg.

          Dec: Showcased at Mozambique Fashion Week.

2012:

          March: Showcasing at South Africa Fashion Week.

                              Her Book: "The modeling industry!" "Who is the ideal model?"

                                      What Liz Ogumbo had to say.

"This book is the handbook that every beautiful woman/girl should hold on to for strength and hope."

"Media has always exposed the good and glamorous side of modeling industry, but not much is really covered on the bad and the ugly reality.

The book is definitely not your 'top ten tips on how to stay thin' handbook neither is it your guarantee to success within your hectic modeling career!

'Who is the ideal model?' brings out a general approach on how to believe in ourselves and trust that we are 'ideal' in whatever we set out to pursue. No one told me what to expect in this vicious industry about 15years ago when I just realized that I was slowly attracting the runways besides the boys. When all is said and done, I have been inspired to write this book hoping that it will inspire and help build self - esteem within many young girls in general along with everyone else who feel like they do not belong; those in pursuit of finding themselves.

I share some of my laughs and cries in the industry and how they affect me today, my spiritual approach to life, and the steps I take to be the change.My heart bleeds, when I see the wave getting bigger by the day, as the world continues to rotate on routine. The clock keeps ticking tick-tock as time declines to stop and wait on the 'anorexics' to recover. The time that has no second chance; not even for the crack-heads to make their way to rehab. The rain hits hard when it does, and when the dry season comes aroun, the green land dries up no matter what you did last summer!

This is my testament that you can be in the storm but you don't have to be affected by it!"

                                                                                                       

 Liz.

                                                                                                               

 

Check Liz out for her song download, fashion range and much more on:

www.lizogumbo.com ,

 www.lizogumbo.com/lookbook, (for her catalogue and ordering)

 Fb page: www.facebook.com/lizogumbokensoul,

Subscribe to her also on www.facebook.com/liz.ogumbo,

 www.twitter.com/lizogumbo

What do you think about my pearl woman? Leave us a word.!