Innehållsförteckning för Issue 8 från KOL Social

For much of human history, many have made great sacrifices for our liberty. Regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or economic status, we value our freedom. It’s innate. It is what every child wants from his or her parents, why Martin Luther King, Jr, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela inspired people from all over the world and why almost every war is fought. It’s why activist Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus in 1960s segregated America and Muhammed Ali refused to go into military service citing his religious beliefs. Reggae sensation Chronixx embodies this freedom of expression but also the freedom to work, itself. He talks about how he and his contemporaries have tapped into Jamaica’s rich musical past that not only brings us…

That past year has shown that pandemics are not colourblind. Much has been made of the racial inequalities inherent in public health systems, with communities of colour experiencing particularly high rates of morbidity and mortality relative to the general population. But only now are we beginning to see the pandemic’s long-term side-effects in terms of employment and economic opportunities, especially for the young. The Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis reports that, pre-pandemic, Black Americans were nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as a white person and that that remains the case a year later. The situation is worse for young Black men. Although about a third of all young people found themselves unemployed in April 2020, a year later nearly one in five economically active young Black males…

Have you heard George’s podcast? George the Poet, aka George Mpanga, delivers a fresh take on inner-city life through a mix of storytelling, music and fiction. London-born and of Ugandan heritage, his musical poetry has won him critical acclaim as a social commentator. Topics include how Black creativity shapes trends and the role of trauma in Black art. Dissect Learn more about the albums you love with host Cole Cuchna and guests. Analysing one album per season, one song per episode, the podcast dives deep into albums such as Kanye West’s Yeezus, Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN., Frank Ocean’s Blonde and Childish Gambino’s Because the Internet. Pepp Talk Podcast “YouTube’s Big Sis” Breeny Lee gives you the exact pep talk you need for situations you…

Peter Murimi is a multi award-winning Kenyan documentary director who focuses on hard-hitting social issues, from extra-judicial killings to female genital mutilation. Here he talks to Katrina Hinrichsen about his new feature, I Am Samuel, an intimate portrayal of being gay in his country. This film took you five years to make. You must have been really committed from the start? Yeah! Very committed. The subject matter and the location, in Kenya, are difficult. You cannot film openly. It has to be very intimate, and you have to plan when to have your camera in or out. It’s not only the security factor, but it’s also to get the subjects to really trust you and know that you’re not there to cause more harm than good. So it took me…

KATRINA HINRICHSEN LOOKS AT HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HAS UPDATED AND TRANSFORMED THE ART WORLD Digital art is everywhere. Almost overnight the genre has become a crucial tool to help spread activist campaigns across social platforms while it has hit new heights on the back of a craze for new digital tokens tied to artwork pieces that are making millions for artists and celebrities alike. Perhaps the first wellknown digital artist was Korean-American Nam June Paik, who is widely credited with being the father of contemporary video art. As early as the 1960s Paik, who died in 2006, was developing an experimental art practice that aimed to humanise the technological experience. But it is only really in the past decade that the medium has attracted mainstream attention. Digital art is an…

The issues that victims of crime face in the UK and the overall flaws of the British criminal justice system have rarely been more in the public eye. Simmering, age-old tensions between Black communities and the police, particularly after last year’s Black Lives Matter protests, people’s outrage over women’s safety in the aftermath of Sarah Everard’s murder in Clapham and a rise in reported hate crimes amid the Covid-19 pandemic have all sharpened a collective focus on how victims of crimes are treated. Last year’s annual report by the Victims’ Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC, found that a third of victims were dissatisfied by their experience of the criminal justice system and that only 14 per cent of rape victims thought that they would get justice by reporting the crime…

MONOCHROME Harken back to the 70s in two-tone or twinkle brightly, day or night. DISCO INSPIRED STRIPES BIG TROUSERS Vertical, horizontal and even diagonal lines make their moves whilst more leg room gets a whole new meaning. CORSET Underwear becomes outerwear BRALETTE…

A global revolution in the medical use of cannabis is under way. Drug-legalisation and de-stigmatisation drives worldwide have thrust cannabis-oil products into the mainstream. Innovative pioneers are championing a multitude of benefits of CBD (cannabidiol, one of the chemical compounds found in marijuana) and they are staking their claim in the wellness and beauty arenas on the back of the apparent calming, healing and anti-inflammatory properties that CBD contains. Inflammation is the root cause of most skinrelated irritations, and CBD extracts and hemp-derived oils work to ease ailments, soothe stress and prolong the skin’s health. The global CBD oil market is expected to soar to a value of £1.2bn by the end of this year, claims Simon Manthorpe, the chief executive of EOS Scientific, Britain’s leading CBD oil testing service.…

PUBLISHING Asia Undercovered For readers who value quality local journalism to know what is happening in Asia. The group publicises the events, trends and people changing the continent, focusing on news that does not get mainstream media’s attention. Subscribe for original media analysis, breaking news backgrounders, critiques, special issues and more. asiaundercovered.substack.com The KOL SocialGroup 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 20 years’ experience, The KOL Social Group, publisher of KOL Social magazine, helps brands connect with their niche audience. thekolsocial.com/publishing VIDEO PRODUCTION Amoveo A London-based collective that produces compelling content through visual design, motion graphics and social video, Amoveo helps individuals, brands and companies get noticed. With over five years’ experience, the…

It is okay to have multiple identities. The identities we hold for ourselves can be the source of what makes us feel happy and keep us sane as we navigate through life, whether that be as a member of a migrant family or as a bicultural child adopting two different cultures. People can find the freedom to explore who they want to be without fear of being judged by outdated value systems, particularly in more liberal-thinking societies. Inherited identities tied to traditions can offer a sense of belonging, with rituals and old values providing stability in a fast-moving world in which it is easy to lose oneself. Sometimes balancing between the many things we do and the many facets of who we are can be a cause of stress and…

The KOL Social magazine publishes The Social Directory (pages 93-96) 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 people of colour? Whatever industry you work in, sign up now and be featured 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 JULY 2021 FOR A GUARANTEED LISTING IN THE NEXT ISSUE…

Just as I Am: A Memoir By Cicely Tyson. An intimate and intensely moving memoir by the much-loved Emmy and Tony awardwinning American actress, who passed away in January. The book charts her extraordinary career, which started as a ground-breaking fashion model, and also her personal life as a mother, sister and as a fearless dreamer. (HarperCollins, £14.99, hardback) Out Now Far Afield: Rare Food Encounters from Around the World By journalist Shane Mitchell and photographer James Fisher. A vividly photographed culinary travel book featuring profiles of the stewards of the world’s traditional foodways – farming, hunting, foraging and fishing – along with 40 recipes. From taro farmers in Hawaii who have never left the islands to fisherman on the Swahili coast. (Ten Speed Press, £14.99, hardback) Out Now The…

Epic Iran The first UK exhibition in 90 years to present an overarching narrative spanning 5,000 years of Iranian art, design and culture. Rarely seen objects drawn from the V&A collection, alongside national and international loans, shine a light on Iran’s great historic civilisation and its journey into the 21st century, showcasing works by leading contemporary artists based in Iran and overseas. Until 12 September. vam.ac.uk Claudia Andujar: The Yanomami Struggle Following years of research into Claudia Andujar’s extensive archive, the exhibition explores her extraordinary contribution to the art of photography and her major role as a human rights activist defending the Yanomami indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest near Brazil’s border with Venezuela. The work features more than 250 photographs, an audio-visual installation, films and a series of drawings…

If Chronixx was ever on a mission to revive reggae, consider it a case of job done. Though he may reject the role, many observers view the 28-year-old singing sensation, whose real name is Jamar McNaughton, as a driving force behind a new generation of Jamaican artists credited with breathing fresh energy into reggae, continuing the legacy of roots legends such as Bob Marley and challenging the dominance of the dancehall genre popularised by artists like Vybz Kartel. You’re often seen as being part of a reggae revival. How has the genre been reviving and adapting for the millennial market, post-Bob Marley? I would say reggae revival is probably the biggest thing that has happened in our music culture for a very long time. People tend to describe it as…

BEAUTY Azuaya Rejuvenating Hydra Serum, £45 (30ml) Fast absorbing oil-based serum created using the Amazon rainforest’s most potent, anti-ageing plants such as guaraná and buriti, as well as Andiroba oil and other organic ingredients. azuaya.com SOS Serum SPF50 Sun Cream, £15 (50ml) Mineral-based sun cream uses ultra-sheer zinc oxide for protection from UVA/UVB and blue light. It also contains antioxidant vitamin E to help fight free-radical skin damage. sosserum.co.uk SoapNskin’s Radiance Ritual, £70 Award-winning Argan and Orange Blossom Elixir (50ml) and Skin Cashmere (100g) face and body mask. Customise together to create a bespoke ritual. blommabeauty.com James Jake City Recovery Anti-Pollution Mineral Mask, £22 (70ml) Developed for men, it is packed with natural antioxidants to combat the causes of ageing as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid to replenish and repair…

Botswana is wellknown for the rich diamond deposits it boasts deep underground, but what lies above the surface sparkles just as brightly. A traveller’s memories of this southern African nation’s unparalleled wildlife will stay with them forever. Few other countries can claim to have more unique and pristine wilderness areas than Botswana. Vast populations of animal species have migrated here, and now move through the country’s varied environments with the ebb and flow of the seasons. This rich natural tapestry makes Botswana the ultimate African safari destination. Nowhere is this more true than in the Okavango Delta, an enthralling inland waterway in the north of the country that expands and contracts during the year, covering almost 20,000 square kilometres at its peak. Long after the rains have ended here, flood…

AFROSURF The first art book to celebrate Africa’s surfing and related street cultures, compiled by surf company Mami Wata. The book features African photographers, thinkers, writers and surfers who explore the unique culture of 18 coastal countries. Worth £45, we have one book to give away. mamiwatasurf.com Sens8ate Skincare Botanicals Skincare Set Premium, vegan-friendly products, blended with botanical ingredients and superfood oils to nourish, hydrate and revive the skin. Get your hands on one of two sets, which includes Flawless CBD Miracle Facial Oil and Evening Elixir CBD Rejuvenating Night Cream. Worth £150. sens8ate.com Millennium TV Extra subscription We are giving away 20 annual memberships for the global independent streaming channel, worth £26 each. Get full access to exclusive curated content each month including short films, world cinema, inspiring films,…

Minority Beauty An innovative one-stop online boutique that provides a wide range of makeup brands for people of colour enabling customers to find products that are suitable for their skin tone. Established in 2016, the company sources and promotes both independent and well-known brands to provide a variety of products to suit different budgets. The high-quality cosmetics are richly pigmented. minoritybeauty.com Taideux Founded with a mission to empower and promote bodypositivity 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 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…

Sara Darling Sara is an ex-Fashion Editor but gave it up to follow her gypsy soul. She now writes about far flung destinations, wellness and sustainability and when she’s not clutching her passport, dolly trolley or glass of fizz, she’ll probably be chatting on her podcast Talking Travels and Other Stuff. Read about Africa’s growing surfing community on page 32. Matthew Sherwood Host and co-producer of Factual America, a podcast that examines the US through the lens of documentary filmmaking. Originally from Texas, he has over 20 years’ experience writing about the economic and political trends that shape our lives. Matthew, who currently works for The Economist, considers the future for workers in a post-Covid economy on page 10. Renuka Ramanujam A writer, printmaking artist and bio-based textile developer, Renuka…

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In the spirit of BIFA’s celebration of the under-acknowledged, the award honours the unsung heroes of the film industry, such as those who have left an indelible mark on the British film industry but who have not necessarily received the recognition they deserve. Guyanese-born Givanni is a pioneering film curator and archivist who has worked in film and broadcasting for more than 30 years. She is regarded as a matchless resource for African and African diaspora cinema, having founded the June Givanni Pan African Cinema Archive that is based on her personal collections from years of working in the field of cinema that includes films, ephemera, manuscripts, publications, audio, photography and posters that document pan-African cinema. Through the archive, Givanni has created an invaluable resource that will stand the test…

‘VIOLIN QUEEN’ MAPY TELLS KATRINA HINRICHSEN ABOUT HER CINDERELLA STORY AND DESTROYING STEREOTYPES MY INSPIRATION SIMPLY COMES FROM LISTENING TO REGGAE, HIP-HOP AND AFROBEAT Mapy is not your stereotypical violinist. Born on Réunion, an island near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, she grew up in the Paris suburbs. At six years old, her mother, a single housekeeper with four other daughters to raise, found Mapy an escape: music lessons at the prestigious Paris Conservatory. Mapy discovered that she was blessed with the rare gift of perfect pitch and she soon started infusing soca, afrobeat and hip-hop to traditional classical music. Fast-forward and she has relocated to New York, appeared with Pharrell on the Ellen DeGeneres show, founded a music academy during the pandemic, performed at the Grammys 2021 alongside rapper…

Despite regulations and the current climate of political correctness, lightening agents continue to dominate the cosmetic industry and for many Black and Asian people, skin bleaching plays a starring role in their skincare routine. In fact, in desperation to achieve a lighter complexion some resort to using household detergents which have led to burns and irreversible damage. Most go for the safer, but still controversial option of lightening creams, soaps or pills which also contain a certain amount of risk. In more extreme cases, there are those who undergo professional treatments like chemical peels and laser therapy. So why do people go to such dangerous lengths to make their skin lighter? According to the report on The dark side of skin lightening (March 2021) by the International Journal of Women’s…

KOL Cosmetics An independent online makeup brand that offers both mineral powders andluxury 3D silk eyelashes. Made from the finest natural ingredients, choose from 20 shades of powders that are paraben-free and suitable for all lifestyles and religions, including vegan and Halal. The nine styles of natural-looking false eyelash strips are handmade and 100% silk. All products are animal-cruelty free. kolcosmetics.com LU Skincare Skincare products are 100% vegan with carefully sourced ingredients combining essential oils and oat silk. From light day creams to nourishing night creams, they are beautifully scented and provide the best quality skincare for all skin types. Made in England. laurenceandumehltd.com RA, Chelsea Clinic Dr Divya Veluvolu specialises in anti-ageing and aesthetic medicine. Services include skin analysis and treatment, cosmetic treatments with dermal fillers, fat transfer, gut…

Join Voice4Change England’s membership and get a 50% discount for a listing in the KOL Social magazine directory. The advocacy for all UK Black, Asian and ethnic minority charities and non-profit groups offers the discounted annual subscriptions for registered and qualifying organisations. Go to voice4change-england.com/membership to find out more or contact the KOL Social advertising team via email at: advertise@thekolsocial.com Black South West Network A Bristol-based, Black-led racial justice charity that supports the development of dynamic, independent and strong Black and minority ethnic communities, businesses and organisations by helping them to flourish while also challenging systemic barriers. They believe that by working collectively they can significantly address racial inequality. blacksouthwestnetwork.org Black Thrive A partnership between communities, statutory organisations and the voluntary and private sectors. They work together to reduce the…

The Goddess Within Gina Atsu is an intuitive life coach who uses alchemy to help women connect to “the Goddess within” themselves by empowering them in their sexuality, life, work, motherhood and relationships, thereby balancing their divine feminine. thegoddesswithin.org.uk 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. qbag.com…