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TOMI ADEYEMI, WINNIE KARANJA, TUNJI ADENIYI-JONES, OTHERS LISTED IN FORBES 30 UNDER 30 LIST FOR 2020

In its 2019 edition, the list featured 600 trailblazers from 20 industries with an average age of 26.8. According to the magazine, the 30 were chosen from among thousands through a three-layer process that relies on the knowledge and authority of its community and experts.

Among the featured individuals are eight outstanding Africans, Tomi Adeyemi, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Winnie Karanja, Ivy Awino, Wemimo Abbey, Obi Omile Jr., Nohemie Mawaka and Joy Buolamwini.

The Forbes “30 Under 30” list Class of 2020 is made up of 30 honorees for each of the 20 categories which vary from work in art and style to energy, finance, tech, law and more. The list is a diverse one, with 48 percent of the featured individuals identifying as either an immigrant or first generation.

Meet the Africans that were featured in the prestigious list below:

Tomi Adeyemi, 26

Tomi Adeyemi is the author of Children of Blood and Bone (Holt Books, 2018), the first novel in a young adult fantasy series, which reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. The book remains on the list nearly two years later and is being developed as a movie by Lucasfilm.

Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, 27

Adeniyi-Jones is a 27-year-old who finds inspiration for his figurative paintings in West African history and mythology and in his own Yoruban heritage. Artforum magazine has compared him to Matisse. The son of Nigerian immigrants, he was born and raised in London and earned an MFA from Yale. The Dallas Museum of Art owns one of his paintings and he has had solo shows in New York, London, and Los Angeles.

Wemimo Abbey, 27

Esusu helps users save money, access capital and build credit. In 2018, the fintech company debuted its peer-to-peer savings app on iOS and Android. The following year Abbey and Goel launched a reporting platform to give renters credit for making monthly payments, a benefit historically reserved for homeowners. Esusu has served over 30,000 people, saving them over $20 million in interest rates.

 

Joy Buolamwini, 29

Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and digital activist based at the MIT Media Lab. As founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, she identifies bias in artificial intelligence and develops practices for accountability. Buolamwini’s TED Talk on algorithmic bias has been viewed over one million times.

Winnie Karanja, 28

Winnie Karanja is the founder and executive director of Maydm Women and people of color are underrepresented in STEM jobs. Maydm, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit, is fighting to close that gap by training girls and youth of color on the skills needed to work in the technology sector.

Ivy Awino, 29: Performing as DJ Poison Ivy, Awino is the second-ever female NBA team DJ and, in 2018, became the first woman to DJ the NBA All-Star Game. The former Mavs ball girl curates and programs the team’s in-arena audio as well as music used in digital programming. Her performances have amassed 10 million views on social media, and in 2019 she launched an initiative in Senegal for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.

Nohemie Mawaka, 28

In 2017 Nohemie Mawaka founded Stats Congo to help the mothers and newborns in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who face one of the highest mortality rates in the world. Stats Congo aims to help Congolese hospitals go digital and to collect data to monitor medical indicators linked to that high mortality rate.

Obi Omile Jr., 26

Founded by two high school best friends, Obi Omile Jr. and Kush Patel, theCut is a barbershop technology platform that allows users and barbers to schedule and manage appointments. A graduate of the TechStars program, TheCut has successfully booked 2 million appointments by over 350,000 clients who visited 22,000 barbers across the country. Previously, both founders worked in engineering with Omile at Wells Fargo and Accenture, while Patel was working at Microsoft and Yahoo.

Check out the complete list of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2020.

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija

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HAIR DYES AND STRAIGHTENERS LINKED TO HIGHER CANCER RISK, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK WOMEN

According to npr, new research has raised concern about the safety of permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners, especially among African American women. The study was published Wednesday in the International Journal of Cancer.

Previous research in animals has found links between certain chemicals in hair dye and straighteners and cancer. But findings from other human studies on the association between hair dyes and straighteners and cancer have been inconsistent. This large, prospective study provides firmer evidence of a link.

Researchers analyzed data from an ongoing study called the Sister Study, looking at medical records and lifestyle surveys from 46,709 women between the ages of 35 and 74. Women answered questions about their use of hair dyes and straighteners. While earlier studies on hair dye and cancer risk included mostly white women, the new study includes 9% African American women.

Researchers found that women who used permanent hair dye or chemical straighteners were at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

“The association was notably higher among black women,” says epidemiologist Alexandra White, study author and an investigator with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, who studies environmental risk factors for breast cancer.

After eight years of follow-up, White found permanent hair dye use was associated with about a 7% higher risk of developing breast cancer among white women, “whereas in black women that risk was about 45 percent.”

That risk was even higher among black women who dyed their hair frequently, every one or two months.

Researchers don’t know which ingredients in the products might be of concern. The study did not look at the specific ingredients in the products women were using, only at whether they had used the product and whether they developed breast cancer.

All women in the Sister Study were already at high risk for breast cancer since they had a sister who had breast cancer. This family history put them at increased risk but that does not influence the findings of this analysis since all the women in the study had this same family history, but only some of them used hair dye and straighteners.

Researchers note that in the United States, breast cancer incidence remains high for all women and appears to be increasing for non-Hispanic black women, who also are more likely to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms of the disease and more likely to die from it.

Hair products contain more than 5,000 chemicals, according to researchers, including those with mutagenic and endocrine-disrupting properties such as aromatic amines, which can raise cancer risk, according to White.

When it came to chemical straighteners, risk didn’t vary by race. Both black and white women who used hair straighteners were about 30% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who didn’t use the products. However, black women are more likely to use them, with about 75% of black women in the study reporting they straighten their hair.

“For the chemical straighteners one of the big concerns there is formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen,” says White. She notes that in the early 2000s just before the study began, Brazilian keratin treatments came on the market. This new treatment, commonly called a Brazilian blowout, contains formaldehyde, while earlier hair straightening treatments did not.

The study findings should be understood in context, says Dr. Otis Brawley, a medical oncologist with Johns Hopkins University. The actual risk found for use of these hair treatments is quite low, he adds, especially compared with other known carcinogens like tobacco or radiation. “This is a very weak signal that these things might be causing cancer in the population,” he says.

Much more research is needed, he says, to know for sure how risky these products are. For example, long-term clinical trials with a control group and placebo would be more definitive, but this type of study “would be difficult if not impossible to do.”

 

Continue reading here https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/12/04/784838430/hair-dye-and-straightener-use-linked-to-higher-cancer-risk-especially-for-black-?utm_campaign=npr&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews&utm_source=facebook.com

 

 

Culled from npr.org

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GABRIELLE UNION REPORTEDLY FIRED FROM ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST RACISM, SEXISM AND MORE

American actress, Gabrielle Union-Wade has reportedly been fired from ‘America’s Got Talent.’

According to reports from LoveBScott, the 47-year-old actress who used to be a judge on the show was fired for speaking up about ‘problematic’ situations, including racism, sexism, and many more.

NBC sources told lovebscott.com that “[Gabrielle’s] contract was not renewed after being the #1 talent on the show, NBC and network TV. She set the record for her Golden Buzzer. They only replace the women and blacks at Simon’s whim. She wouldn’t walk away from $12 million because she’s ‘busy.’ Based on weekly interactions on social media, by the time AGT finale aired Gabrielle was the #1 talent on network TV for 2019. Why not pick up someone’s option in extreme success?”

The report also claimed that Gabrielle Union was fired from the program alongside her fellow Judge Julianne Hough.

The NBC sources continued:

“Social media engagement is the new measuring stick for talent and Simon isn’t on social media. Juliane and Gabrielle were both way higher ranked/engaged than Howie. The idea the network wants to ‘switch things up’ only applies to women and Black folks.

The NBC insiders added that Gabrielle’s firing is merely a continuation of their problematic tendencies.

“Let’s just say they didn’t start the racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia etc. in season 14. They were quite comfortable with it all by the time Gabrielle got there. Remember Nick said ‘NBC stands for N*gga Be Careful.’”

This comes two years after Nick Cannon took to Facebook to announce that he was ‘threatened with termination by executives’ after he made a racial joke about NBC on his Showtime stand-up special. He later quit his job as host of ‘America’s Got talent,’ saying

“My soul won’t allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices.”

 

 

Credit: LIB

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WITH 26 AWARDS, TAYLOR SWIFT BECOMES THW ARTISTE WITH THE MOST AMA WINS OF ALL TIME, BEATING MICHAEL JACKSON’S RECORD

At the 2019 American Music Awards, Taylor Swift made history by becoming the artist with the most wins of all time…beating for record holder, Michael Jackson with 24 AMAs.

The singer performed a medley of her greatest hits in honor of being awarded Artist of the Decade and she kicked it off with “The Man” off her latest album, “Lover.” “I’m so sick of running/As fast as I can/Wondering if I’d get there quicker/If I was a man/I’d be the man,” Swift sang.

Swift won six awards total. She capped the night by winning artist of the year and made history as the performer with the most AMA career wins of all time with 26.

“The last year of my life has had some of the most amazing times and also some of the hardest things I’ve gone through. I wanted to thank you so much for being the thing that has been a constant in my life” Swift said in the final speech of the night.

 

 

Credit: LIB

Photo credit: Getty Images

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MEET SIMI DREY, THE 2019 FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA (TFAA) WINNER FOR BEST OAP

Simi Adejumo popularly known as Simi Drey is a Nigerian OAP, actress, model and TV presenter.

She took home the prize for Best OAP (TV/Radio) at The Future Africa Awards 2019.

The annual event seeks to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity, and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18-31.

Here are some facts you should know about her.

1. Simi Drey is from Ibadan, Oyo State but was raised in London.

2. She graduated with a First Class degree in Broadcasting, Journalism and media communications from the University of Wales.

3. She first made the decision to move back to Nigeria after she had her internship at HITV in Lagos during summer vacation.

4. She finally decided to move back home in November 2015.

5. Her first paid presenting job was at CoolTV although her first media job was at a radio station in Wales called Calon FM.

6. She currently works as an OAP at Beat Fm. She is also a Presenter at 53 Extra.

7. She has acted in Tinsel, ‘The Governor’ ‘Happy Father’s Day’ and the sequel ‘Another Father’s Day’.

8. She won the Trek African Woman of the Year Award in 2015 and was nominated as Best Actor in a TV Series by the Maya Awards Africa in 2017.

9. At 21, she is the youngest recipient yet of the Future  Africa Awards.

 

 

 

 

Credit: fabwoman.ng

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MICHELLE OBAMA VISITS AWARD WINNING NIGERIAN ARTIST, NJIDEKA AKUNYILI-CROSBY AT HER STUDIO

Ex-First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama paid a visit to Njideka Akunyili Crosby at her studio.

US-based, Njideka, one of the daughters of the late NAFDAC boss, Dora Akunyili made headlines when her 2017 botanical painting, titled “Bush Babies”, sold for $3.4 million USD.

Her sister, Chidiogo shared the photo with the caption: So this just happened! Casual Saturday in the Akunyili Crosby family. When Michelle Obama pays a visit to your studio! 🌞 Me to my sister, “if it could come up, make sure to tell her about the book.” 🙈


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NINA DOBREV NAMED THE NEWEST BRAND PARTNER FOR DIOR BEAUTY

Nina Dobrev has been named the newest Brand Partner for Dior Beauty.

The 30-year-old actress chatted with Harper’s Bazaar about the partnership and dished on her favorite items in the brand.

“I always looked up to Dior. It felt so timeless and classy and elegant in every way,”

Nina says. “I think the Miss Dior scent is what I always associated with that grace and timelessness. That was probably the first product I recognized, purchased, and aspired to as a little girl.”

Some of her favorite items include the “999” Rouge Dior Ultra Care Lipstick, and Forever Foundation.

Nina also revealed what she’s looking forward to in the coming year.

“2019 was a whirlwind it had a lot of great moments and some tough moments and that’s all part of being a human,” she says. “I am looking forward to a fresh start and fresh slate, new year. I set some new intentions and start this partnership that I am super excited about with Dior and see what the future has in store.”

 

 

Credit: justjared.com

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SUSPECTED PORT HARCOURT SERIAL KILLER CHANGES PLEA TO ‘NOT GUILTY’

Suspected Port Harcourt ‘serial killer’, Gracious David West has changed his plea to ‘not guilty’ after confessing to luring his victims to hotels in Port Harcourt, drugging and murdering them.

In spite of the video released by the police in which he was seen confessing to the crimes, David West reversed the admission.

“The defendant had earlier pleaded guilty to the 9 count charge of murder but has decided to change his plea today,” prosecutor Chidi Ekeh said.

The suspected serial killer’s laywer, Vincent Chukwu backed his client on ‘change of plea’ while dismissing his confessions earlier as having “no legal effect”.

“The basis of this matter is the evidence. Let them (the prosecution) put their evidence before the court”, he told AFP.

It was further gathered that the second suspect arrested in connection to the killings, Nimi Thankgod also pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

 

 

Credit: LIB

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QUEEN’S COLLEGE STUDENT WHO FIXED FAKE EYELASHES TO SCHOOL TO FACE PANEL

The Queen’s College student who was sent back home for wearing fake eyelashes and painting her nails on Tuesday November 19th, will be made to face a panel.

A source in the school who spoke with the Nation, said the school authorities would ensure the student faces a disciplinary panel for her inappropriate act. The student returned to school after their midterm break with painted nails and had fake lashes on which is against the school’s rule. She came to school accompanied by her mother.

A source in the school said;

“The girl was returning to school two weeks after the mid-term had ended. When the teachers saw her with eyelashes and painted nails, they asked her to kneel down. Her mother came in with her, sat down and listened but did not say anything. Someone heard her telling her daughter in Igbo that she should run away. But the girl refused. After the third time, the mother grabbed the girl’s bag and made to leave. The girl then called out, ‘Mummy where are you going?’

“When people realised that she was the girl’s mother, she quickly dragged the girl out. The security man did not did not know it was the girl’s mother dragging her out. In an attempt to ask why she was taking one of our students out, that was when she attacked the security man.

“The girl was even remorseful. She was asking the mother why she was disgracing her.

The woman came to drop the girl around 5am in the morning urging her to sneak into her class. But the girl did not sneak. She stood by the security gate till morning and presented herself to the school management. A man who claimed to be her father came to the school to apologise on her behalf but we found out that he is not her father.

She will face the disciplinary committee. Many people – including the state, are now interested in the case. So we are investigating”.

In a statement, the Caretaker Committee of the College’s PTA noted that the association was in support of the school management’s position on discipline.

The statement reads

“We condemn in totality the action of the parent. We stand by the management in enforcing discipline in the school. However, the Committee will invite both the parent and the student with a view to ameliorating the situation and preventing a repeat of similar occurrence. The lesson we need to take home on this is simply that Queen’s College will not tolerate violation of its well settled rules and regulations.”

 

 

Credit: LIB

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VICTORIA’S SECRET CANCELS ITS 2019 FASHION SHOW

The 2019 edition of Victoria’s Secret has been canceled for better branding and marketing strategies.

Victoria's Secret canceled its 2019 fashion show [Insider]

On Thursday, November 21, The parent company executives, L Brands decided not to go forward with the show.

The fashion show, which was launched in 1995 was once a major pop culture event, drawing millions of viewers each year. It had its lowest ratings ever last year, and also drew criticism on the gender focus, outdated style and its lack of diversity.

Victoria's Secret canceled its 2019 fashion show [CBS News]

The Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Burgdoerfer said in an interview,

“We think it’s important to evolve the marketing of Victoria’s Secret. It was a very important part of the brand-building of this business and was an important aspect of the brand and a remarkable marketing achievement.”

It was first speculated in May that Victoria’s Secret could be canceling its famous runway extravaganza.

In 2018, Victoria’s Secret made an effort to expand diversity on the runway by casting 19 models of color, including Winnie Harlow, the first model with vitiligo, to walk in the show.

 

 

Credit: pulse.ng

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