Greetings Reader– I hope you're feeling the love today. I came across this list just now and thought it was too special not to share. Substacker Ayomide Tayo and team published a list of Nigeria's 50 Greatest Love Songs for The Naija Way. Many of them have inevitably traveled around the world, becoming favorites for non-Nigerians in far nooks and crannies of the globe. It reminded me of the power of music as a tool of diplomacy, relational intimacy, cultural ambassadorship... My favorite made...
8 months ago • 1 min read
TONGORO leads in haute African couture–sourced and manufactured on the Continent. Read in Browser. Dakar: High Art Capital of the Black Globe Greetings Reader– If you've ever sit down with a Senegalese person, it's quite likely you've seen the glow radiating from their aura. There's something about the form, language and carriage of the Senegalese that just screams Black pride. It would seem that the dream of Senghor–Senegal's first post-independence president–has crystallized in the average...
8 months ago • 2 min read
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, captured by John Peter, Chukwu. Lagos: Cultural Capital of the Black Globe Greetings Reader– For the better part of the last millennium, Lagos has been the pulse of the Black Globe. In spite of the city's precarious infrastructure, no other city in the world offers the unique convergence of global Black genius, ambition and economic density found in Lagos. From the trade in human capital to the trade in creative intelligence, Lagos has long been central to the fates...
8 months ago • 2 min read
IShowSpeed, Darren Jason Watkins Jr., does Africa, receiving a Ghanaian name and passport during his visit. Read in Browser. WWIII is Forcing Africa to Rise Higher than Ever Greetings Reader– Could you be as obsessed with IShowSpeed as we are? While Moroccans put their shameful levels of anti-Blackness on display for the world to see, this 21-year-old single-handedly endeared the African continent to 50 million plus viewers. That’s more than the total reported number of Black Americans. More...
9 months ago • 1 min read
January 17, 1970 issue of The Black Panther: "The American Flag [is] the true symbol of fascism" Greetings Reader– I pray you are safe and hopeful. Let me keep it a stack with you. Black people globally are facing the biggest existential threat of our generation. We have to get serious about unifying and protecting ourselves if we’re going to come out on the other side. Bookmark this newsletter for easy access to the resources below. Before I get into it, I want to thank you for being part of...
9 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader– So I noticed today that people are googling for CREATIVE VALLEY WEEK tickets. Which I find fascinating because very few events were added aside from ours. The primary non-NOIR FEST events are the Arthur Thomas talk on financial wholeness and the Tsai CITY Venture Showcase. You can still add stuff to the calendar here. Text me at the number below or email team@noirlabs.org with questions. Now I could say a lot about Arthur Thomas, but I think you just need to be there. I wonder if...
11 months ago • 2 min read
Greetings Reader– Have you ever met someone who felt like instant family? Like you just hit it off and conversation flowed–to where you felt like you and them were from the same soul-tribe? That’s kind of how it happened for me with Warrington Hudlin. Even though he’s been in Hollywood for over 40 years, even though he could probably call up just about any big name you can think of in the industry, working with him to make NOIR FEST happen has been a testament to his humility, kindness and...
11 months ago • 2 min read
Hey beloved Reader– By now you've heard, right? Not only is the empire invested in invading Nigeria, but we have a whole cadre of Nigerians begging them to come. The irony. This conundrum reminded me of my Black Genius interview with Nigerian multimillionaire Iyinoluwa Aboyeji in which he recounted the story of recruiting for Andela with an online aptitude test. The host of the test told him that Nigerian brains were "melting" their servers because the IQs were off the charts. The smartest...
12 months ago • 1 min read
Girls (1964) - Al Fennar On the Path to Liberation Dear Reader– Welcome to this week’s edition of noirpress. Each week, we explore ideas, stories, and voices that illuminate the path toward Black freedom and cultural empowerment. In this issue, we’re introducing The Tenets of Black Liberation—foundational principles that every melanated person should know. These tenets continue to guide our movements, shape our communities, and inspire new generations of leaders. Below, you’ll find the first...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Daughters of the Dust (1991) A Moment of Pause Dear Reader– As we near the turn of fall, the shifting season calls us to pause, breathe, and take stock. Just as the leaves prepare to change, we too are reminded of the cycles of renewal and resilience that shape our lives across the diaspora. This week, noirpress invites you to slow down and reflect — on the victories we’ve earned, the challenges we continue to face, and the possibilities ahead. May these stories ground you in truth and lift...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
