kwanzaa-collective

Munya’s paintings featured in Animal Planet exhibition in Halifax.

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:12:41 GMT

Nature Inspires Zimbabwean Artist's Wildlife Masterpiece s

Zimbabwe born, Staffordshire based artists Munya’s work was shortlisted and accepted into the Open Gallery Animal Planet exhibition in Halifax and we want to shout about it.

Munyaradzi Napoleon Nhananga was born in Zimbabwe in 1989 and grew up in Victoria Falls. In 2008, after some time running a business, he started specializing in art and has been selling his works ever since.

Munya did not study art at school, instead he taught himself how to draw and paint by spending a lot of time visiting local artists to see their approaches in art and observing how hard they worked to capture the detail of their subjects. Munya’s passion for art has matured as he grew up and so did his techniques.

He said:

‘Nature has always been my source of inspiration. I draw and paint anything, mostly wildlife and portraits, using oil paints, acrylics, oil pastels and graphite pencils. I’ve been an artist since 2008, I can’t see myself doing anything else’

Since meeting Munya as part of our Africa 54, Tribes exhibition in Newcastle-under-Lyme, he has been an asset to Kwanzaa Collective UK – Facilitating workshops with young people, helping to judge work as part of the annual Three Counties Exhibition, attending conferences and sharing his talent with business owners, MPs and councillors at the Black Business award ceremony. Congratulations Munya, we can’t wait to see what you do next.

See the artwork into the Animal Planet exhibition in Halifax,

https://opengallery.info/Animal-Planet

More of Munya’s work can be found here.

https://www.facebook.com/munyaradzinapoleon

https://www.instagram.com/munyaradzinapoleon/

David Olusoga OBE in Newcastle-under-Lyme!

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:03:43 GMT

David Olusoga's Sold-Out Black History Month Talk Ignites Dialogue on Inclusive Historical Narratives

Renowned historian and BAFTA-winning filmmaker David Olusoga OBE accepted the invitation to join us at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme for a captivating special event to celebrate Black History Month. In his talk, David examined why black history matters plus the causes of the ‘history wars’ and asked where they might lead us.

David Olusoga OBE, presenter of BBC2’s A House Through Time has through his TV work and writing sought to make history inclusive, expansive and diverse by shedding a light on how history is viewed through the media. He is determined to increase the appeal of history as a subject to young people from similar backgrounds to his own.

Filmmaker Anderson West said:

‘It was truly a fantastic event. Very thought provoking and I found myself inspired to get back into the History books. Thank you for championing events like this! ‘

No Black celebration is complete without food, so as part of the event audience members tucked into delicious homemade Caribbean and South American-inspired cuisine provided by Tunstall’s Brickhouse @brickhousevents , who also provided an impressive menu at the Jumprov event we hosted as part of Black History Month last year.

Audience member Gwendoline posted,

‘The food was tasty. There was a brilliant response to the occasion. I know that many people were disappointed that they were unable to get tickets as it was a sellout. It was interesting how many people had questions and would have loved more time for questions as there were lots of people with burning questions. The snaking queue for the books and book signing was impressive.’

Gabriella Gay, trustee of the New Vic Theatre and Creative Director of Kwanzaa Collective UK introduced David Olusoga in a skirt that achieved a level of celebrity that rivalled that of David when the rhinestones were lit by stage lights, creating their own mini-illuminations.

She said:

‘ I’m so inspired. Like David Olusoga, that's the kind of thinker, academic and storyteller I want to be! And humble too. Even with all his great achievements he was so humble. Thank you to the over 370 people who came to the theatre for our special Black History Month event. It was a resounding success. It sold out so quickly we could have sold double the amount of tickets’

We are pleased that people in Staffordshire and Cheshire were given a fantastic opportunity to hear from a leading voice in modern history and storytelling, in an evening that examined what history reveals about contemporary society and left us moved by the stories that connect us all.

As David stated on the night,

" Britain is a nation capable of confronting all aspects of its past and becoming a better nation for doing so...

Six Towns Reloaded Carnival nominated for two awards!

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:31:15 GMT

Local Carnival Celebration Earns Double Recognition at Prestigious Community Awards

Kwanzaa Collective UK were delighted to be part of the Six Towns Reloaded team shortlisted in the Totally Stoked Awards. A team from Kwanzaa Collective UK attended the ceremony, meal and award presentations held at Stoke City FC stadium in January 2024.

SABLE and Six Towns Reloaded event director Sarah Chevolleau said,

‘ We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted in the nominations for not one but TWO Totally Stoked Awards! The Breakthrough Award and Best Collaborative Project. We are so thankful to everyone who took the time to nominate us.’

The Totally Stoked Awards ceremony is a celebration of the local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Together with local partners and sponsors, VAST will be presented awards to a number of charities, voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises—across nine categories—in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the people in local communities.

From the COVID-19 pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis, the voluntary sector has been a lifeline, especially for vulnerable or isolated people living in the area. Through these awards, VAST, sector leaders, and awards sponsors can recognise and celebrate the huge contribution voluntary organisations like Kwanzaa Collective UK make to local communities.

There were nine awards presented to organisations in the following categories:

Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project Award
Best Collaborative Project Award
Breakthrough Award: Organisation
Breakthrough Award: Project
Steps to Sustainability Award
InVOLve Award
Community Champion Award
Biggest Giver Award
Biggest Impact Award

“The voluntary sector and those working and volunteering in our communities have never been more needed, and we want to recognise that,” said Natalie Hawkins, Support and Volunteering Projects Manager at VAST.

‘The work these groups do to in our communities to improve lives and provide essential support to vulnerable people has been invaluable. They do it because it’s their passion and they care about the people they serve, so it’s about time we celebrated that and reward them for their commitment.

Kwanzaa Collective UK, Urban Wilderness and SABLE were given certificates to celebrate their remarkable achievement, as Six Towns Carnival Reloaded continues to attract thousands of people to Hanley Park.

Isla Telford said:

‘It's a privilege to work on Six Towns Reloaded, one of Stoke on Trent's longest-running cultural events that celebrates Caribbean culture in Hanley Park every summer. Late nights, some tears, and lots of laughter, joy, friendship, & celebration. I'm so so so proud that our team has been shortlisted for two awards! All the shortlisted projects are incredible. We are celebrating our successes together’

101 UK-Based Black-Owned Businesses to Support

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:57:51 GMT

Supporting Racial Justice Through Black-Owned Businesses

There are numerous ways to stand in solidarity against police brutality and support the fight for racial justice. You can donate to grassroots organizations, reach out to your MP to demand government action, or participate in protests if you feel it’s safe to do so. Educating yourself about systemic racism and engaging in conversations about racial injustice with those who may not experience it firsthand is another impactful approach. However, one of the most tangible and sustainable ways to empower the Black community is by supporting Black-owned businesses. This is especially important as many of these businesses have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

In recent days, we have dived deeper into identifying more UK-based, Black-owned businesses to spotlight. This list is compiled from a variety of trusted sources, including recommendations collected through our writers' and editors' ongoing work. Some businesses come from **It’s Black Owned**, a platform that showcases Black entrepreneurs, while others are personal favorites our team loves to shop at. A wealth of suggestions also came from the social media community, including Instagram posts and comments by calligrapher and designer Ofe from **Studio Oudizo**, journalist and co-host of the *Black Gals Livin’* podcast **Vic Sanusi**, blogger Kristabel Plummer from *I Want You to Know*, and platforms like **Jamii** (a discount card service promoting Black British brands) and **Black Women’s Directory**, a directory launching this July.

Below, you’ll find a directory of 101 Black-owned businesses spanning several categories, including beauty, fashion, food and drink, home décor, boutiques, and more. This list is by no means exhaustive and does lean toward London-based businesses (given the location of our team), but we’re actively working to expand and include more national and regional businesses. We encourage you to take a look and support these incredible brands. To explore specific categories, simply follow the links below.

Home Décor

Avila.Diana

The greeting card and stationery industry often lacks diverse representation, but Avila Chidume, a Black law student, set out to change that in 2018. Through her brand, she creates beautifully designed greeting cards and stationery that highlight underrepresented communities. The brand also offers personalized cards and mugs featuring bold, inclusive graphics.

Aysha Bell Wellness

Aysha Bell combines her expertise in yoga, meditation, sound healing, and Reiki to provide holistic wellness sessions that incorporate breathwork, harmonic resonance, and sound. Additionally, her meditation gift boxes include candles, healing stones, sage sticks, and downloadable guided meditations. Individual candles, available in lavender or a cedarwood-geranium blend, can also be purchased separately.

Bespoke Binny

Inspired by the vibrant prints and colors of her Ghanaian heritage, London therapist Natalie Manima creates colorful, handmade homeware accessories. Bespoke Binny offers lampshades, pillows, and bedding, alongside virtual workshops where participants can learn to craft their own lampshades.

Chloe Ainsley Creative

Chloe Ainsley specializes in creating elegant stationery, wedding invitations, and art prints. Working from her studio in Kent, her designs are simple yet sophisticated, often incorporating details like wax seals, feathers, or string accents to add a unique and personalized touch.

Copper Dust

Vanessa Agyemang founded Copper Dust to fill the gap in the luxury home décor market with handmade African-inspired designs. Combining her Ghanaian roots, knowledge of interior architecture, and a keen eye for fashion, her creations include bespoke lampshades and concrete planters.

Dorcas Creates

Dorcas Magbadelo’s art draws inspiration from her Nigerian heritage, as well as her love of bold colors and patterns. Her intricate art prints are especially striking, while her playful, fast-selling enamel pins are perfect for accessorizing jackets or bags.

Freya Bramble Carter

Freya Bramble Carter crafts ceramics that are both beautiful and functional, ranging from vases to dishware. Each piece is inspired by nature and finished with unique artisan glazes. While her ready-made pieces often sell out, Freya accepts custom commissions.

Fundi Box

Comfort Badaru Smithson’s subscription craft box is ideal for those looking to dive into creative projects. Each monthly box includes materials and instructions for a new project, such as making a woven sunburst mirror. Proceeds support artisans in Africa who provide high-quality materials for the kits.

Kazvare Made It

Kazvare’s “illustration lab” creates quirky and bold art inspired by pop culture. Their products include prints, books, and home décor, often featuring witty illustrations of cultural icons. They’ve even collaborated with major brands like Adidas and Tate Modern.

Kitschnoir

Founded in 2017, Kitschnoir celebrates the beauty and joy of the Black British experience. Originally focused on greeting cards, the brand now offers notebooks, lunch bags, and more. Their handwriting service allows customers to personalize cards that are then sent directly to recipients.

Naked Clay Ceramics

Carla Sealey’s ceramics reflect the natural beauty of her environment with neutral tones and earthy textures. The collection includes mugs, plates, and vases, all handcrafted through a combination of slip-casting and hand-building techniques.

Nicola Lespeare

Motivated by the lack of representation in greeting cards, Nicola Lespeare created her own line featuring diverse characters and designs. Her adorable collection includes birthday cards, thank-you notes, and baby-related designs.

Our Lovely Goods

Based in Aberdeen, this family-run business specializes in artisan candles, natural skincare, and handmade workshops. Through partnerships with Nigerian craftsmen, they offer beautifully crafted products like botanical body butter and soothing candles, as well as interactive events to make your own skincare and candles.

Tribal Unicorn

Angelica “GeGe” Louise launched her candle and lifestyle brand Tribal Unicorn as a creative outlet. Made from organic soy wax, each candle is inspired by London life, including cultural touchpoints like Notting Hill Carnival. Her playful and artistic candle designs make for unique décor pieces.

We Are Lagom

Thabang “Thabi” Motsei’s home fragrance brand focuses on balance, inspired by the Swedish term “lagom,” meaning “just enough.” Based in East Sussex, the soy wax candles come in scents like amber and cedarwood or lavender and ylang-ylang. The reusable jars add an eco-friendly touch.

Detola and Geek

Detola and Geek offers eye-catching, African-inspired lampshades, totes, coasters, and more, all featuring bold geometric patterns. Many of the lampshades include alternative linings, like metallic gold. Founder Tola Laseinde also provides DIY workshops and kits to help people make their own designs.

Selfmade Candles

Founded by Ricki Lawal, Selfmade Candles offers handcrafted soy candles infused with scents like eucalyptus or sage and rosemary. Each purchase includes a plantable label containing seeds for growing herbs or flowers. The brand also supports social causes, with proceeds from their limited-edition Conscious candle being donated to anti-racism initiatives.

Aysha Bell Wellness

Black Owned Businesses in Staffordshire

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:57:51 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

The Lotus Eaters Production (2023)

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:57:51 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.