2013 Editorial Calendar Review

It’s 2013, and there’s so much in store in the coming year that’s got me very excited. This year will mark Afrikan Goddess Magazine’s 5^th year in publication, and we’re going to be celebrating in style throughout the year with special features, lots of exciting giveaways, and more. Below, I share a few of the upcoming highlights of the coming year with you.

Among the many features we will be continuing from last year, we will pick up where we left off covering Africa’s first ladies in our weekly series “Who AreAfrica’s First Ladies?” We will also feature a special series in March called “African Stilettos” which will feature professional and business-minded African women making waves in their various professions. “AfricanStilettos,” which will be a sequence to a feature we once started called “African Women on the Rise,” will be a 4-week series. Our February “Love and Heritage” issue promises to be a love inspired feature to rival all features. This issue, of course, will feature pieces centered on the themes of love and Black History Month. There will be a special Valentine’s Day giveaway and a special feature you don’t want to miss.

In March, we will also celebrate women involved in humanitarian efforts on the African continent, and elsewhere, who are not of African descent in an issue called Women for African Women. I look forward to interviewing and featuring some very inspiring and dedicated humanitarians with hearts of gold, including the goddess for that month who has dedicated her life to the cause of women everywhere.

For the first time in the history of Afrikan Goddess Magazine, we will feature a man as our main feature as part of an exciting Father’s Day issue in June, among other exciting columns and features.  He is a man who has opened his heart to children in a very special way and I can’t wait to interview and profile him when the time comes. In July and August, we will cover a two month series as part of our African Diasporan Woman I and II Series. In these two issues, we will feature the top 10 African women trending in the United States and Canada and the top 10 African women trending in Europe. And not to forget women in Africa, we plan on featuring a power list of African women trending in Africa in a future 2014 issue. I’m also especially excited about our Education and Literacy issue to be released in September. As the names suggests, this will be an issue dedicated to education and literacy projects and the people who make them happen. We will feature some interesting interviews and features that delve into the issue of Africa’s literacy and its impact on development. We will also be hosting a book drive that will be donated to an organization of our choice. Details will be shared in a future monthly letter. Our November issue will be dedicated to our youth.

In October, the festivities will come to a head as Afrikan Goddess Magazine officially celebrates its 5th year anniversary. There will be so much to celebrate given how far we’ve come. Some events being planned throughout the year include documentary viewings/networking events, a cocktail party/networking party, a book drive, numerous giveaways to our readers and subscribers, and a breast cancer walk-a-thon in collaboration with the African Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Association.

To end, I’ll leave you with my favorite quote of the New Year:

“You have done what you could—some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.“ Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Let’s remember to forget the past and forge ahead because that’s what’s most important!

Empower Your Mind and Become a Better Version of You!

The New Year is here! We have raised and clinked our glasses whilst wishing each other great and wonderful things in the coming year. And, if you’re Ghanaian, like me, you've probably said something like, “afehyia pa, afi sesei…” (Happy New Year, next year by this time) followed by some grand and ambitious dreams and desires. And your intentions are well-meaning. You indeed intend to get that promotion at work this year. You intend to get that man to propose marriage to you, and by God, you intend to finally pay off that debt so you can take that dream vacation to the Islands or Europe, or wherever.  

But, are you ready to put in the work it takes to get your dream life? Will you say “afehyia pa, afi sesei” this time next year having achieved all you wanted to achieve, and looking forward to more?

In order to live the life you deserve, you must first believe that you deserve that life. And it begins with changing the way you think about your life, your circumstances and your ability to achieve something bigger and different. When you look around you, you probably realize that you’re not where you’re supposed to be – that you’re so much bigger than this; and yet, you remain there year after year.

Well, here’s an idea that is sure to help you get where you want to go – change your thinking! Change the way you view the world and your place in it. The way you think determines your attitude, and your attitude determines your actions.  And unless you take positive action fueled by positive thinking, you’ll find yourself stuck in the same place come 2014, with a bad attitude; and we both know that’s not what you want. You really want to get out there and make a difference. So do it!

Yes, just go out there and do it! Trust that God will give you the strength to do it. Believe that you’re worth it. Persevere until you get it. Be patient when things seem slow. But, by all means, believe that you’re capable and worth it and then go out there and get it! 

I certainly hope that the stories you tell at the end of this year will be great, inspiring and wonderfully delicious because, finally, you just got bold in your mind, went out there and did it! Good luck, and Happy New Year!!! 

Happy Holidays from the AG Team

Thank You for a Successful Year 2012

Let me begin by saying a BIG THANK YOU for your continued investment of time and interest in Afrikan Goddess Media and all its brands. Because of your continued support, we continue to achieve remarkable feats, and are able to provide you with excellence in the form of quality articles and services.

It has been an amazing and eventful year for us here at Afrikan Goddess Media and I personally feel like I've been successful in the year 2012. Below, I have highlighted some of our major accomplishments in 2012:

• On May 19, we hosted a well-attended screening of the documentary, Tapestries of Hope. The event which was very well organized and attended, exceeded my expectations. It brought together people with common interests and made for a delightful and eye-opening evening.
• On June 9, we successfully held our first Goddess of the Year Awards. The ceremony was in honor of Ms. Betty Makoni of the Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe and was a very memorable night.  
• 8 African goddesses from 8 different African countries were showcased on our front page. Through these features, we were able to inform and inspire others about their work and beautiful spirits, and encourage others to also reach out into their communities and do the same.
• We officially reached 10,000+ monthly visitors in July - a trend that demonstrates how much we've grown, and continue to grow. 
• Over 200 new subscribers were added to our mailing list this year, the highest in any single year since our existence.
• Revenue was up by 50%. If you have patience and passion for what you do, eventually it will pay off. And even if it doesn't, nothing is lost because you’ll still find joy in doing what you love and that in itself is its own reward.
• On the business side of things, there was significant business growth, especially towards the second half of the year. With more book reviews in a single year than all four years combined and rising requests for editing and web copy related services from the most unexpected places, there's no telling what's yet to come.

As we come to the end of another successful year, and look forward to an even more eventful New Year, let me take a moment again to say thank you! This is our success, not mine. And while my work here is never done, I can move forward confidently knowing that Afrikan Goddess continues to be valued and supported by a wonderful group of women and men.

I hope you take a moment to reflect with us on just how far we have come and on the exciting road that lies ahead.

Thank you again for being part of the Afrikan Goddess Family.

 Sincerely,

N. Amma Twum-Baah

Publisher/Editor

Afrikan Goddess Media, LLC

Afrikan Goddess Honors Betty Makoni with the First Goddess of the Year Award

N. Amma Twum-Baah, founder and organizer delivering
the welcome address

June 19, 2012– Silver Spring, MD –  Afrikan Goddess honored its first Goddess of the Year award recipient, Ms. Betty Makoni on Saturday, June 9, 2012  at Trinity University in Washington, DC.  The night which brought together people from diverse backgrounds was a fitting celebration of a woman who has given back so much to a greater cause. The award night themed “Women of Africa, Raise Your Voices!” highlighted Betty’s work and was hailed as a success by many who attended. The award honors Africa’s humanitarian women and advocates who are educating underprivileged children, housing abused women and children, and fighting against harmful traditional practices.

The evening started with a VIP Reception held in the beautiful Rose Parlor, and continued with the award ceremony in the O’Connor Auditorium. Ms. N. Amma Twum-Baah, founder and organizer of the event welcomed guests in her welcome speech. She spoke of her passion for honoring Africa’s charitable women and giving them the recognition they deserve. She also explained why she founded Afrikan Goddess and chose to focus on humanitarian causes and women.

The ceremony was hosted by Nunu Wako of EBSTV’s Nunu Wako Show and featured an inspirational speech from guest speaker Angela Peabody of Global Woman Magazine. Ms. Peabody extolled the work of Ms. Makoni and challenged every woman in the room to speak up for other women, especially those with muted voices. She shared her own experiences and reminded women about the grace and strength they possess which must be used to show compassion and concern for other women all over the world.

There were memorable performances by renowned Kenyan poet Anna Mwalagho and sultry Nigerian singer Tolumide. Both performances were inspiring, entertaining and had the guest roaring with laughter and up on their feet. Anna’s rendition of her poem “Don’t Try to Change me” was hilarious, but also inspired audiences to appreciate and embrace their unique cultural differences. She also recited a special poem she wrote to honor Betty Makoni. The poem “Soldier in the Battle” extolled the spirit and bravery of Betty Makoni and her fight for the girl child in Africa and around the world. Tolumide brought the audience to their feet with her performance of “Olagbara”. She wowed the gathering with her powerful voice and beautiful stage presence.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of the “Goddess of the Year” award to Ms. Makoni by Esther Saidi a former Girl Child Network Zimbabwe residence, who is currently studying Economics and Political Science at American University in Washington, D.C. In her acceptance speech, Betty Makoni explained what led her to fight the cause of girls and women in Zimbabwe. She also touched on the factors leading to the growth of the Girl Child Network and called on women to continue to fight against unjust traditional practices. She was thrilled to be honored as the first Goddess of the Year.

The night’s success was greatly in part due to the contributions of individual donors, sponsors and volunteers. Afrikan Goddess was very grateful for their contributions to the success of this year’s event.

The next Afrikan Goddess Awards will be held in March 2014. Nominations will begin in August 2013 and nominees will be pooled from women featured in Afrikan Goddess Magazine from September 2011 to August 2013. Keep your eyes on Afrikangoddessmag.com for updates.

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