INTERNATIONAL BLACK HERITAGE MONTH™
(formerly: International Black Heritage + History Month)
UNITING VOICES +
CURIOUS MINDS
JUNE 2022
Education. Celebration. Unity.
Why June each year? Juneteenth (06/19) + Windrush Day (06/22)
:2022 FOCUS:
Calls to Action: Share the Knowledge + Share the Site.
Supporting:International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) + Decade of Action
” Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet Tubman
1.WORLD SHAPERS:
The Greeks, Romans, and other European nations are widely acknowledged and celebrated for their contributions to ancient ideas and science. However, their discoveries came to life thousands of years after ideas, sciences, and techniques from the continent of Africa were created and introduced to the world, such as:
Mathematics first developed in Africa more than 35,000 years ago. Metallurgy and tool-making 1,500 and 2,000 years ago. Architecture and engineering (The Pyramid of Djoser) c.2630 BC.
WATCH
Top 5 Ancient African Inventions that first originated in Africa
Duration: 4:06
40 GREAT AFRICAN INVENTIONS OF ALL TIMES FOR ENTIRE WORLD
Duration: 16:00
15 Untold Black History Inventors Wasn't Taught At School
Duration: 10:48
Robert Bullard 2020 Champion of the Earth - Lifetime Achievement
Duration: 1:52
Ancient Africa - Untold History of World Trade + Business
Duration: 49:35
The Black Pharaohs: The Kingdoms of Kush - The Great Civilizations of the Past
Duration: 7:43
Who Were The Black Pharaohs Of Kush? | Mystery Of The African Pharaohs
Duration: 49:53
Africa's looted art | DW Documentary
Duration: 42:26
Greatest African Dynasties | Top 10 Countdown
Duration: 17:14
African Kingdoms: 5 Powerful Kingdoms to know
Duration: 3:43
Why we’re overdue to know the brilliance of Africa’s civilizations
Duration: 6:10
Great Kings and Queens of Africa
Duration: 10:53
Meteorology & Climate Pioneer, Dr. Warren Washington
Duration: 2:36
Ashoka Fellow Angelou Ezeilo
Duration: 3:12
LISTEN
READ
2.AFROFUTURISM:
Afrofuturism (noun)
A cultural movement that uses the frame of science fiction and fantasy to reimagine the history of the African diaspora and to invoke a vision of a technically advanced and generally hopeful future in which Black people thrive: this movement is expressed through art, cinema, literature, music, fashion, etc. (Source: dictionary.com/browse/afrofuturism)
AFROFUTURISM IN ACTION
WATCH
Afrofuturism Explaineded: Not Just Black Sci-Fi | Inverse
Afrofuturism: Carnegie Hall Meet the Curatorial Council
Afrofuturism mixes sci-fi and social justice. Here’s how it works.
BLACK IS KING, a film by Beyoncé
Afrofuturistic Art - TVJ Smile Jamaica
LISTEN
Janelle Monáe - Q.U.E.E.N. feat. Erykah Badu [Official Video]
AfroCosmicMelatopia Featuring Mwenso and the Shakes
Dinner Party - Sleepless Nights (feat. Phoelix)
READ
3.CULTURAL BRIDGE BUILDERS:
Definition: People and/or activities that create tools and outlets which cut across lines of ignorance or conflict to help educate, understand and value different cultures, and improve communication, relationships, and appreciation. (IBHM)
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, and its impacts on the environment are monumental.
Fashion Impact Facts:
It can take up to 200 tons of fresh water per ton of dyed fabric.
Every time a synthetic garment is washed (polyester, nylon, etc.), about 700.000 individual microfibers are released into the water.
Synthetic fibers, like polyester, are plastic fibers and are non-biodegradable. They can take up to 200 years to decompose.
Synthetic fibers are used in 72% of our clothing.
Chemicals in cotton farming can cause diseases and premature death among cotton farmers.
Chemicals in cotton farming can cause freshwater and ocean water pollution and soil degradation.
The fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions.
The equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second.
These brands from across the Afro Diaspora are tapping into their heritage and bringing positive solutions to a damaging situation that affects the world and future generations.
Stated as Africa’s first E-Commerce B2B wholesale platform, they also aim to empower sustainable African designer brands. Folklore group is on a mission to create a more sustainable society while amplifying African and diasporic creativity and innovation
Designed and produced in Dakar, Senegal, ‘Tongoro’ source materials on the continent of Africa and work with local tailors for production. The high fashion brand was launched in 2016 by Sarah Diouf, and designs have been gaining international recognition from Beyonce, Iman, Naomi Campbell, and many more.
Designed and produced in Dakar, Senegal, ‘Tongoro’ source materials on the continent of Africa and work with local tailors for production. The high fashion brand was launched in 2016 by Sarah Diouf, and designs have been gaining international recognition from Beyonce, Iman, Naomi Campbell, and many more.
Winners of the coveted CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability, Studio One Eight Nine produce contemporary fashion designs which are African-inspired and use traditional techniques, including natural plant-based dye indigo, kente weaving, and hand-batik. Co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiahthe, who are committed to elevating local artisanal and supporting community-led projects in Africa and the USA.
Suave Kenya specialize in upcycling. Their source and inspiration is Gikomba, the largest open-air flea market in East Africa, where clothes are brought to be transformed to avoid ending up in a landfill. The label combines elements from the designer’s dual Indian-Nigerian heritage.
Brazilian fashion brand Oriba which offers quality timeless basics, was created to challenge the status quo and modern-day capitalism, “we believe that capitalism, as it exists today, needs to change…we want to show people in practice that it is feasible to create a company following a sustainable purpose, not only related to the environment, but to society as a whole. And still, make a profit.”
A Berlin-based clothing label founded by Buki Akomolafe of German/Nigerian heritage.
The brand uses only eco-organic materials; certified cotton, organic Hemp-Silk, and individual African waxprints. Designs are carefully balanced between classic European tailoring and techniques of West-Africa
José Hendo is a Ugandan-born British eco-sustainable designer challenging the throwaway fashion culture. Designing stylish, comfortable clothing made from organic eco fabrics, including barkcloth. Using the foundation of R3 (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle), the label aims to take a sustainable approach to achieve zero-waste throughout all designs and production processes.
“We believe that Fashion is a vehicle for change” are the words of Lynne Kayenne Studio, a social enterprise to change lives in the community in Malawi. Pieces are hand-made in the local workshop in Lilongwe, creating jobs to empower women and youth. The brand also plants trees as part of its sustainable mission, and they do not hold stock.
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu founded SoleRebels as a way to blend her Ethiopian roots with footwear. Using local talent, creative community artisans creative the traditional ‘barabasso’ (Ethiopian recycled tire) shoe. A Unique design, the original footwear brand is driven by the ethos of ethical production, sustainable materials, and maximum comfort for the wearer.
Based in Los Angeles and inspired by the LA vibe, Streetwear brand ‘Come Back as a Flower’ uses 100% recycled cotton and hand-dye products. In addition to being sustainable, they are committed to ethical production.
Focusing on casual loungewear, ‘With Intent’ products are made using 100% certified organic cotton and printing inks free from toxins, including PVC, Phthalates, Petroleum, and VOCs. Inks are vegan and not animal tested, and printing is done made to order to limit waste, and a tree is planted with every product order.
