Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 6 i KOL Social

WINTER ISSUE This year’s traumatic events have reminded us how important it is to be part of a community. As the coronavirus spread across the world, Black and ethnic minorities were found to be disproportionately affected. In addition to underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high blood pressure that already affect minorities the most, the pandemic magnified systemic inequalities because many of us work in essential, frontline services. The May 2020 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked a global resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement at a time when Britain was still reeling from the initial impact of the virus crisis. The BLM demonstrations quickly spread from America across the world as other marginalised communities took inspiration from the BLM cause to launch their own protests,…

Larry Achiampong is always formulating something big. Like shaking up the serenity of London’s neo-classical Somerset House building with his futuristic Pan African flag design. Or interrupting London Transport’s iconic red, white and blue roundel for Westminster station with Ghanaian-infused figurations of red, black, green and yellow at the end of last year. Both works are part of Achiampong’s multi-site Relic Traveller project, which is firmly rooted in the post-colonial politics of this celebrated London-born Ghanaian. It’s a perspective that colours every aspect of his art, which covers performance, painting, photography, audio, sculpture and film and which encourages the audience to engage with notions of identity, belonging and responsibility during such divisive times. “AS LONG AS THERE’S BREATH IN MY LUNGS I WANT THE WORK TO GALVANISE LONG AFTER I’M…

Clothes are being bought at an ever-faster rate. Improved production methods have led to lower prices, so shoppers these days can afford to buy more. An EU report last year said that clothes-making causes 2-10 per cent of the environmental impact of total EU consumption. This environmental hit affects developing countries hardest, since the production of raw materials that typically involves spinning fibres, weaving fabrics and dyeing, requires large amounts of water and chemicals. Pesticides for growing raw materials such as cotton are also a key factor. Lastly, consumers themselves also leave a large environmental footprint owing to the water, energy and chemicals they use when laundering their clothes. Fortunately, several independent clothing brands are emerging that are striving to create fashion in a way that benefits the consumer, the…

Good cosmetics concealers can help to mask your skin’s imperfections. Similar to foundation, but thicker in consistency, concealers diminish the ppearance of blemishes, dark circles under the eyes, age spots, birthmarks, large pores and tattoos by masking different pigments and blending the imperfections into the surrounding skin tone. Choosing the right concealer involves more than just matching a shade to a skin tone. Use the wrong product or apply a concealer incorrectly and you can end up drawing more attention to problem areas. Choose a concealer based on skin type. Use liquid concealers for oily skin and cream concealers on drier skin. A matte concealer offers the best camouflage for a skin blemish. Select a colour that is slightly lighter than the foundation shade. Heavy coverage may make things worse,…

CANDLES Queen Idia Candle, £32 (30cl) Made from a clean-burning sustainable coconut wax blend. The base notes are geranium and frankincense and top notes of lavender and hibiscus invoking the fragrance of soft African moss. Cotton wicks are recyclable, and the container is reusable. The burn time is approximately 60-65 hours. yardandparish.com Holistic Neroli + Chaomile Candle, £20 (180ml) Vegan scented soy wax Candle with pure essential oils only designed to help you relax and sleep. It carries a beautiful combination of powerful essential oils with calming properties: a top crisp neroli accord for a fresh kick in, which blends into a smooth chamomile heart to then, melt into a lovely mix of woody base notes. Burn time: up to 40hs. thisisholisticlondon.com Ava May Aromas Double Wick Candle, £25 (410g)…

GAFA A boutique skills transferal consultancy providing world class emotional intelligence training, coaching, business development, marketing, communication & management consulting skills to entrepreneurs and leaders through an emotional maths five-step programme. They are committed to supporting black people. gafaonline.com Suzanne Alleyne A cultural thinker, Suzanne translates her thinking about society’s challenges into collaborative projects and programmes that contribute to solutions to those challenges. Her current project is “Neurology of Power”, a title she coined to describe her work around the links between power, culture and the brain. suzannealleyne.com…

Aso A lifestyle brand produces sweat-shop free quality contemporary African-inspired clothing, accessories, jewellery, and more for men and women. Based in London, UK. aso-global.com Della George A couture designer and tailor who specialises in bridal and eveningwear. Her meticulous, customer-focused service attracts high profile individuals and celebrities. With over 30 years’ experience, including royalty, Della understands the importance of a perfect fit, to exact specifications, exhibited down to every last detail. dellageorge.com Taideux Founded with a mission to empower and promote body-positivity among fuller-busted women, UK size DD+ and up, the clothing brand designs for a big bust without sacrificing style. For every item sold, the company donates to the charity Sanitary Aid for Nigerian Girls. taideux.com…

Asia Undercovered For readers who value quality local journalism and want to know what is happening in Asia - they provide news, events, trends and people changing the continent, but not getting enough attention in global media. Subscribe for original media analysis, breaking news backgrounders, critiques, special issues and more. asiaundercovered.substack.com KOL Social Media A London-based team of talented, experienced and professional experts who create affordable, stunning, effective and results-driven publications, from bulletins to magazines. With over 10 years’ experience, KOL Social Media, publisher of KOL Social magazine, helps brands connect with their niche audience. thekolsocial.com/publishing…

Located in western India, Rajasthan is the country’s largest state, at 342,239 sq km and with a population of 44m people. It was formed in 1949 by merging 22 royal kingdoms and principalities. The literal meaning of the word “Rajasthan” is The Land of Kings, where “Raj” refers to kings and “sthan” stands for the place. It is often known as the most colour-coordinated state. Its principal cities are each devoted to a colour; Jaipur is pink, Jodhpur is blue, Udaipur is white and Jhalawar is purple. Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is known as the Pink City because its ancient houses are made from a type of sandstone that is pinkish. Rajasthan shares its borders with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Sindh and with the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana,…

The KOL Social magazine publishes The Social Directory (pages 79-83) to connect businesses directly to their target audience. Do you have a fashion or beauty brand, an accountancy firm, or a non-profit organisation? Do you have a small business that provides a good service and you want to reach a wider audience? Or perhaps you provide products aimed specifically at black and brown ethnic groups? Whatever industry you work in, sign up now and feature in our quarterly magazine that’s available in both digital and print format. Visit thekolsocial.com/advertise or email us at advertise@thekolsocial.com SIGN UP BEFORE 30 JANUARY 2021 FOR A GUARANTEED LISTING IN THE NEXT ISSUE…

“Woke” is not a new concept. Erykah Badu is credited for introducing the word to popular culture through her track Master Teacher, which appears on her 2008 New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) album. A little over a decade later the slang term has taken on a more political meaning and now refers to staying awake to social and racial injustices. The discussion surrounding race in the UK is often received by the wider community as something of a blame game, as an attack on the character of white people that results in many claiming “victim” status. The focus on the racism that’s been brought to light instead then becomes shifted, thereby reducing the importance of the original issue raised and diluting the power of the word. The discourse…

Fresh from starring in the well-received series The Sister, a spooky four-part thriller on ITV2 that was penned by Luther creator Neil Cross, Nina Toussaint-White is reflecting on an eventful year. For more than a decade the Londoner has been notching up a string of roles across a range of British TV staples that includes Holby City, Dr Who, Death in Paradise, Emmerdale and Midsomer Murders. She has also landed recurring parts in East-Enders and The Feed. Nina explains how two of this year’s major global events, the Covid pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, have impacted on her. Have you faced any work-related challenges during restrictions imposed due to Covid-19? I haven’t actually been employed for filming or theatre work, but I had to do some voiceover work…

Over the past few years governments in many Asian countries have become increasingly repressive, which has hit freedom of expression, democracy and civil rights across the region. The ruthless persecution of people who are deemed to be a threat to national security silences opponents, imprisons protesters and curbs the media. Those speaking out often risk serious repercussions, and in many cases, death. However, repressive regimes have been met with increasing dissent and resistance as people, particularly students, stand up to decades of oppression and authoritarianism. Coronavirus lockdowns have to an extent quelled resistance, but yawning inequality gaps, governments’ poor responses to the pandemic and even the Black Lives Matter movement, which many in Asia draw inspiration from, are adding fuel to the fire of many regional movements. While some issues…

Black British people from the UK’s Caribbean colonies who were invited to help rebuild the motherland after the ravages of the second world war were wronged by successive UK governments. In 2018 it was revealed that hundreds of people from this “Windrush generation” of arrivals, named after the Empire Windrush ship that in 1948 had transported one of the first sets of about a thousand Caribbean immigrants to Britain, had been either detained, threatened with deportation or had their legal rights denied. Many had their access to essential and everyday services such as housing, healthcare, bank accounts and even driving licenses restricted or denied. Others were prevented from travelling abroad or deported to Caribbean countries that they had seen since leaving them as small children 50 or so years ago.…

VOLUME Dramatic over-statements all the way with either bold matrix-style outerwear or added volume literally anywhere about the body from structured shoulder pads to over-the-top dresses. MATRIX SHAG CAPES Cuddle up in cozy shearling from shaggy coats to super soft accessories. The regal cape offers both warmth and ultimate style, with or without hoods. GLOVES Classic opera gloves will bring pomp and ceremony to any outfit or occasion whilst chains are no longer confined to the wrist or neck but also embellishes everything from handbags to shoes. CHAINS…

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BOOKING PLATFORM FroHub A hair and beauty online platform where service, time and quality are taken seriously. Find and book afro hairstylists and beauticians by browsing through photographs and videos posted by professionals, and filter by location and reviews. Includes Q&As, tutorials and local events. frohub.com PRODUCTS Luxju Natural Hair Products Everyone will love the organic hair-care range, designed for all curly hair types: wavy, coily, kinky and curly. Formulated with natural ingredients, CGM friendly and free from mineral oils and parabens, the nourishing hair products moisturise, hydrate and condition while controlling dry, frizzy hair. luxjunaturalhairproducts.com SALONS & FREELANCE STYLISTS First Glance Hair Salon The unisex hair salon offers a wide range of services and treatments to suit every hair type from afro and asian to european. Whether you are…

James Fisher Photography A London and Singapore-based Australian portrait photographer and film director whose impressive client list includes Vanity Fair, L’Uomo Vogue, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. He also works with refugees in Europe, and with homeless communities in Asia, which forms part of his global portraiture work that investigates displaced and marginalised populations. jamesfisher.photo Raúl Barrero Photography: Graduated in Fine Arts, the Spanish photographer is the winner of the Best Photographic Collection Award 2016 at the Torrentjove National Photography Competition in Spain with his series of photographs of mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Uganda. His client list includes Vogue, The Times and Lonely Planet. raulbarrero.com…

METHOD Step 1 Cut a lengthwise slit in each pepper and carefully remove the seeds and ribs. Leave the stems on. Step 2 To make the filling, blend together the filling ingredients in a bowl. Then stuff each pepper with a generous amount. Step 3 To make the batter, mix the chickpea flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Slowly add the cold water and blend until a smooth batter forms. Step 4 Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Holding each pepper by its stem, dip it in the batter until thoroughly coated, and then carefully slide into the hot oil and fry, turning once if needed, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels or a cake rack. Serve immediately. INGREDIENTS…

An unfair advantage is what we tend to think of as a head start. It is having an upper hand because a level playing field does not exist. It is a condition, asset or circumstance that gives a favourable business position. Some advantages are unique to each individual and cannot be controlled by oneself or copied by others. Being born into money, having wellconnected parents or being afforded a private education are simple, clear advantages. The interesting thing about this is that it can be a double-edged sword; what might seem like a disadvantage can, with the right mindset, be advantageous. For example, you need money when you start a business, invest in a start-up or embark on any business project. Having only a little money can make a person…

SUZANNE ALLEYNE Acultural thinker, Suzanne translates her thinking about society’s challenges into collaborative projects and programmes that contribute to solutions to those challenges. Her current project is “Neurology of Power”, a title she coined to describe her work around the links between power, culture and the brain. Her research is inspired by her lived experiences of being a 54-year-old black British woman. She explains her theory in Power and Gatekeeping on page 10. DIVYA VELUVOLU After completing her Fellowship Diploma at Harley Street Institute, Divya found her niche by combining medical science to treat skin disorders and by specialising in face and body contouring. Over the past year she has spent much of her time working in English NHS intensive care units during the Covid-19 crisis. On page 70 she…

Welcome to issue number one of Voice4Change England’s magazine. V4CE is a charitable advocate for Britain’s Black, Asian and minority ethnic voluntary and community sectors and we have launched this magazine because we recognised that there was an urgent need to tap into the relevant voluntary sector that exists beyond the congested world of online social media. Charities constantly have to question how they present themselves and rethink how they approach their aims and objectives. We at V4CE believe that it is crucial that our sector evaluates how it represents issues relating to minority communities and is correctly engaged with where their specific audiences are. We must not assume that we know what these communities want. Feedback suggests that younger people in particular do not respond well to conventional images…

SKINCARE 79 Lux Hand Cream, £28 (60ml) Intensely restorative hand cream that delivers deep hydration, cellular repair, microbial protection, reduced inflammation and encourages collagen production. 79Lux.com Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm, £20 (100ml) Full of natural Sweet Almond Oil and high in Vitamin E, the balm melts to oil to cleanse, nourish, and protect the skin. Liz Earle Hydrating Cream Mask, £24 (75ml) A luxuriously textured whipped cream mask enriched with reparative plant butters and oils formulated to give 72 hours skin moisture. uk.lizearle.com Embryolisse Hydra Mask, £22, (60ml) A cream mask enriched with hyaluronic acid to plump the skin and natural sesame and sweet almond plant oils to give a radiant complexion. lookfantastic.com Glitz Tech Sculpting Roller, £54.00 Lift your face up and get your cheekbones more pronounced with the…

Looking to buy your first wig? Fancy a new toupee? A good wig can be a great long-term investment but you may find that there’s more involved than just choosing a style and colour. Ensuring it stays in place, looks as natural as possible and knowing how best to maintain it are other factors that need careful consideration. Whether you’re after flowing locks or tight afro kinks, we take you on a ride around London’s best outlets. 1 1A WIG SHOPS: £100+ A-List Lace Hair £125 a-listlacehair.com Hair By Kele £145 hairbykele.co.uk Chrissy Bales £375 chrissybales.com *starting price of lace from wigs 1B WIG SHOPS: £100 & UNDER Luxeriva £80 luxeriva.com Gina Knight Wig £95 ginaknightwigdesign.co.uk Glamour Hair London £100 glamorhairlondon.co.uk 2 2A WIG INSTALL SALONS The Trap House Salon,…

Black Thrive A partnership between communities, statutory organisations, voluntary and private sector. They work together to reduce the inequality and injustices experienced by Black people in mental health services. blackthrive.org.uk The Lambeth Redress Scheme Pays compensation to people who were abused or lived in fear of being abused while in Lambeth’s care as children. The scheme is for those who lived in or visited a Lambeth children’s home (including those at Shirley Oaks) or attended Shirley Oaks Primary School. Run by Voice4Change England and Black Thrive, on behalf of Lambeth council. Full confidentiality. lambethredress.co.uk ROTA A membership organisation, their work is based on the principle that those with direct experience of inequality should be central to solutions to address it. Their work is actively informed by the lived experiences of…

Lisa Anderson Arts Advisory (LAAA) Provides expert insight and authentic access to exceptional fine art from the African Diaspora, with a focus on UK based artists, through tailored art collection consultancy, exhibition curation and unforgettable immersive experiences. Get in touch to enrich your home, business, life. lisaandersonartadvisory.com QBAG The company understands the importance of sharing good food and great times with loved ones again and again. This philosophy led them to create their premium range of environmentally friendly cooking bags made out of aluminum foil. They are easy to use in the oven or on the barbecue outside. qbag.com…

“Ma’am? Hold on, we are going around a bend now,” Kapil Singh, my driver, warned me. In Rajasthan, many professional drivers decorate their vehicles with “Horn Please” warnings, or with statues of Ganesh, the godly remover of obstacles, or with colourful tassels intended to repel raging demons. They have good reason. Years before, another driver had revealed the secret to successfully navigating the back roads of India to me: “You must have three things on your side,” he claimed. “Good horn, good brakes, good luck.” These words soon became my mantra. Wheat was ripening on the floodplains when I arrived in Godwar, a marginal province in India’s Rajasthan state somewhere between the ancient city rivals of Jodhpur and Udaipur. Women tossed sheaves into bullock carts that lumbered off to threshing…