PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release From America to Africa, warm welcoming melodies ring true in a new 3-track EP released by Atlanta based Afrofolk/Afrosoul Nigerian Singer-Songwriter, TOSINGER. The new EP titled ‘Ode to Accra’ was birthed and recorded in Accra during a 3 day sojourn. It was inspired by the vibe and love for the city and her people.
The intro on the EP pays homage to Mama Africa, the Motherland, reflecting the sounds of Accra, rightly tagged “City Vibrations”. Track 2 – “Find Your Way Back Home ft Bubunaé” is a folksy acoustic number, a gentle plea to all to connect back “home” and on Track 3 “Se Daadaa Le Wa?” produced by Kunle Kuti which he laced with highlife guitar riffs, Tosinger’s vocals pierces through diasporic time and space as she checks on her audience in her native tongue of Yoruba .. singing “Se Daadaa Le Wa?” which means “Are you doing alright?”.
Ghanaian music artist, Bubunaé who co-wrote and featured on vocals on Track 2 also executively produced the project with Decorusbeats as the music producer. ‘Ode to Accra’ was officially released on June 21st, 2021 and is currently available on all digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Bandcamp, Amazon, Tidal etc.
ABOUT TOSINGER Atlanta based Afrosoul/Afrofolk Indie Singer-Songwriter TOSINGER, has been singing for more than two decades in Nigeria, the UK and now in the US. With a couple of published works to her name, her music displays a heartfelt conveyance of originality and inspirational lyrics. Tosinger expresses an afrocentric sublime musical flow that is soulful and folksy, sometimes jazzy, with subliminal messages incorporating her Yoruba language and cultural sounds which sits her comfortably in the world music space. An eclectic artist in her own right, Tosinger is also an actress and an event curator. For more info, please visit http://www.tosinger.com Twitter and Instagram @Tosinger
I wish you a year more fulfilling and in every way better than 2016. Stay focused, stay vigilant, stay positive.
Here’s a musical offering from me to you to set you on the right inspirational note for the year. It’s titled“Heaven Knows” , chorus inspired by Osibisa’s“We are going”1971 track. I heard the voice of Mr Brown, themale vocals you will hear on the song as a feature on Casey Ed’s song “Hear Me Now”, both of these talented young men are doing great things musically in Nigeria.
As soon as I heard Brown’s voice, I knew I had to get him on a track. We were able to work it out virtually within a few days despite a few challenges. So here I leave with you “Heaven Knows”, keep pushing, keep working hard, keep praying, God’s got your back, Heaven knows you will get there.
Stay blessed in 2017 and beyond! Download here and please do share. Merci Beaucoup!
Stream on SoundCloud
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New Music Release – Heaven Knows by ✿ TOSINGER ✿ ft Mr Brown
Atlanta based Singer/Songwriter & the Queen of afrosoulful nostalgia, Tosinger releases “Heaven Knows” ft the very soulful voice of Nigerian Producer/Singer/Songwriter ~ Mr Brown. A new song to usher in the new year for the goal setters, the dreamers and the world changers, ‘Heaven Knows’ is a song of faith and destiny. It features a sampled chorus of Ghana’s Osibisa’s Woyaa yaa (We are going) released in 1971. Tosinger is known for her inclination for afro~folklore and classics while incorporating lyrics with Yoruba proverbs and sayings on a contemporary musical platform. The song aims to set the tone right for 2017 on a positive, inspirational note, that all things are possible and freedom (in all sense of the word) is inevitable at the end, only if you believe. Connect with @Tosinger on all social media (Instagram, Twitter) and www.tosinger.com. Mr Brown can be found at @BrownSoul1 On InstagramDownload mp3 here
People always ask about the designer of some of the dresses I wore on my brand material and at a few performances, well they were designed by no other than the sweet spirited Ms Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi. Studio D’Maxsi is the notable fashion house owned by Ghanaian Fashion Designer Afua Sam based in Washington DC . Celebrated as an innovative, sophisticated and edgy women’s wear line for the modern woman, STUDIO D’MAXSI makes unique designs for the classy, funky, chic and confident woman.
Studio D’Maxsi’s success journey so far includes having her designs grace Hollywood’s Red Carpet, the BET Honors event, the Grammys, celebrity music videos, TV and documentary appearances, styling various beauty queens, features at national & International fashion shows, multiple awards won, collaborations and much more. Full of gratitude for how far she has come, Afua Sam reflects on how she took a leap of faith traveling from Ghana to America knowing no one on arrival and despite struggles and rejections, her talent and love for fashion withstood the odds and built the strong fashion brand we know as Studio D’Maxsi today.
Afua Sam also founded ‘Operation Prom’, a ‘win a PROM dress’ competition open to deserving academically excellent high school female students.
Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi
As a single mother of two, Afua Sam has successfully pulled through balancing motherhood, health, personal struggles while pursuing her passion of fashion. Motivated by her personal story, Afua has over the years embraced social responsibility as a major part of her brand, significantly contributing her talent to support various charity events and causes. Studio D’Maxsi has contributed immensely in developing businesses, personality brands and charity organizations by supporting fundraisers and donating her designs for charities like ‘Fashion For A Cause’, ‘Pink for Africa’, ‘Tigerlily Foundation’, American Breast Cancer Foundation’ and ‘Steps For The Cure’ ; to name a few. Afua Sam herself modeled on the runway for ‘Runway Moms for A Cause’. Giving back remains an important of the vision of the brand.
Tosinger in Studio D’Maxsi original
In the month of June, to celebrate the ten year anniversary, there will be a giveaway to the general public of specially designed fashion items by Studio D’Maxsi with the hashtag #studiodmaxsi10years. More details on social media @dmaxsi. The new and improved website will still be hosted at www.studiodmaxsi.com and it will feature an e-commerce shopping platform for the general public and fashion lovers to shop exclusive non-couture Studio D’Maxsi designs and accessories that are for the everyday woman. Afua Sam is thankful for family, a great team of Photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, models, fashion show producers, nonprofit organizations, the media, fans, PR clients and everyone who believed in the brand over the years.
Tosinger in Studio D’Maxsi original
STUDIO D’MAXSI’s brand of elegant yet edgy collections has gained her a diverse clientele that also includes artists Jamie Foster Brown, Grammy nominated artist Carolyn Malachi, Miss Ghana Universe, Miss China America First Runner Up, Miss Maryland, Miss Black USA DC among others. STUDIO D’MAXSI specializes in Red carpet looks, party dresses, casual chic (men & women), wedding dresses, prom dresses, suits (men & women) and accessories-for all events.
Tosinger and her manager Jumoke, Tosinger in Studio D’Maxsi original
Tosinger and Afua Sam
Operation Prom’s Vision
Operation Prom seeks to make the prom night of one very special high school senior a special night to remember. It is the “giving back” vision of Ms. Afua Sam of Studio D’Maxsi. She designs a prom dress for three lucky 12th graders selected for ‘Academic Excellence’ by their one-page essays.
This is a collaborative effort with Ms. Charlene Brown, a Celebrity Hair Stylist, who has been part of the “Glam Team” since Afua started Operation Prom six years ago. Ms. Brown and the Glam Team, also provide hair and makeup for the girls during a scheduled photo shoot before the prom!
Congrats to the winners of 2016’s Operation Prom
BREONNA
YOCELIN CRUZ
Favor Ogu
NAMES OF STUDENT WINNERS
FAVOR OGU
YOCELIN CRUZ
BREONNA
PHOTOGRAPHER// Marcus Bennet
HAIR // Charlene Brown
DESIGNER// Afua Sam of STUDIO D’MAXSI
Excerpt from thr winning essay by FAVOR OGU
My name is Favor Ogechi Ogu and I am a senior at Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus in Washington D.C. I am originally from Nigeria, but was born and raised in the DC metropolitan area. I have two younger sisters who look up to me as a role model and a caring mother who is my biggest support. My mother and my father are separated; I live with my mother. Growing up in a household with just a single mother and two sisters took a mental, physical and financial toll on me. I feel as though I was not exposed to nor had the same doors opened for opportunities compared to those students who have the advantage of living in a two-parent household. Yet, that did not discourage me; I took this as a way to prove myself more, as another obstacles I had to overcome…..
Cumbanchaartist Rocky Dawuni‘s latest album,Branches of the Same Treehas just been nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Reggae Album category. Dawuni, the only non-Jamaican artist in the running this year and the first Ghanaian to be nominated, is up against some of the heavyweights of modern reggae with his Billboard Top 10 album.
Reflecting on the prestigious nomination, Dawuni says that he feels, “truly honored and at the same time humbled. I’ve always focused on giving my best in my work and it’s a good feeling to know that it is being appreciated. I am grateful for the recognition. Branches of the Same Treeis about stressing the common roots that we all share in this human family. It inspires the listener to aspire to a place of hope. It’s about having faith in the power of compassion and oneness.”
The final ballots to determine the GRAMMY winners are due by January 15th, 2016. If you are a voting member, we encourage you to include Rocky Dawunion your ballot. The 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards will broadcast live on CBS on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
“I’m in a lorry with Aba. The rains are very heavy. We aren’t moving.”
Obodai grunted on the other end of the phone. Mercy could tell her husband was trying to be strong, but his voice quivered a bit when he said, “Just get home as soon as you can. I’ll meet you there.”
It had been 2 hours since the rain had started. A slight drizzle which then transformed into a persistent, steady deluge had brought the entire downtown area of Accra to a halt. The traffic jam had started from Circle. Mercy shifted in her seat and looked behind her. The never ending line of cars looked like a bloated octopus, growing a new limb with another car, truck and trotro materializing from the outside of the city, each filled with desperate people trying to get home. The only thing moving in this fetid…
Juju Girl is a Short Film/Music Video set in 1960s Ghana from the latest project titled D I A S P O R A D I C A L the EP by the eclectic Afrocentric hip hop artist, Blitz the Ambassador coming out this April. I have for a while now, admired Blitz’s brand and music and the way he so effortlessly fuses and delivers his talent in a musically idiosyncratic manner. You can tell he knows and cares not just about the chops but also the message. Lyrically and musically on point. Excellence. And his passion for the continent is infectious. Tops in my books. Here’s two of my favorites from him.
About Blitz
Blitz is the conveyor of the Afrotronic-hop. A hip hop ambassador of African culture in the diaspora.
Samuel Bazawule known by the stage name Blitz the Ambassador, is a Ghanaian-American hip-hop artist and visual artist based in Brooklyn, USA. Samuel Bazawule was born in Accra, Ghana in April 1982. He is the third of four children and attended the renowned Achimota School. While in school he amassed awards for his visual art, but later developed an obsession with hip hop music after hearing his older brother play the classic Public Enemy album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. Drawing on his love for history and social observation, he began to research and write historically-loaded rhymes for which he became famous in school.
Blitz (as he had come to be known) was first recognized by Ghanaian Ace producer Hammer of The Last Two. Blitz was asked to come to the studio the next day after delivering an impressive eight bars upon meeting Hammer, who wasted no time in putting him on wax. He recorded a verse on the song Deeba and – in the fashion of one of his idols, Nas, gained instant notoriety and received an award for best new artist at the 2000 Ghana Music Awards. Soon after, in 2001, he moved to the USA to study at Kent State University in Ohio. It was while studying for his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration that he developed his skills as a live artist, performing at several live shows and opening for iconic rappers such as Rakim as well as recording a self-released album, Soul Rebel (2004), under the moniker Blitz.
After graduation, Blitz moved to New York City to pursue his dream. In NYC, Blitz recorded another album, Double Consciousness (2005), discography after this includes 2009: StereoLive EP and in 2013: The Warm Up EP. Studio Albums: 2009: Stereotype, 2011: Native Sun, 2014: Afropolitan Dreams and more recently a 2015: Diasporadical EP. Drawing from his diverse musical background, he immersed himself in the project with explicit intent of changing Hip Hop forever. …via wiki
Blitz the Ambassador live in Switzerland (Full Show)
With a vision that embraces his personal West African past and a revolutionary future of Afropolitan cross-pollination, Blitz the Ambassador meshes African popular sounds, American vintage soul, and hard-hitting beats and lyrics with the help of an international cast of collaborators, including the elegant Angelique Kidjo and Afrobeat firebrand Seun Kuti.
But as always with Blitz, the album is about far more than the music. It’s about the Immigrants who made America, who shaped and molded it. Each person, each generation, each bearer of culture arriving on a boat or airplane has made an impression. Immigration is the chain that links the past to the present, the near to the seemingly far…Via his site for more info.
SXSW Interactive: March 13–17 • Film: March 13–21 • Music: March 17–22
South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference, the world’s leading music industry event, offers attendees the opportunity to explore the future of the music industry during the day at panels, talks, the Trade Show, Music Gear Expo and other conference activities at the Austin Convention Center. At night, the absolute best mix of musical performances from over 2,200 regional, national and international acts take place at the SXSW Music Festival. Altogether, SXSW presents unmatched networking opportunities, career-building conference programming and over 100 stages of music for showcasing bands and conference attendees. SXSW Music is now in its 29th year.
Here’s spotlighting a few of the African artists performing this year
Rocky Dawuni
Afro-Roots Star Rocky Dawuni Performing at SXSW!!
Cumbancha artist Rocky Dawuni, whose upcoming album Branches of the Same Tree releases worldwide on March 31st, is bringing his unique “Afro-Roots” sound to Austin at the following South By Southwest events:
Rocky Dawuni is an international music star and humanitarian activist who transcends the musical boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create an irresistible sound. His music unites generations and cultures with infectious grooves and uplifting messages. You may have already heard the album’s first single “African Thriller” and seen its electrifying music video. If not, watch the video here.
Filled with uplifting and irresistible songs, Rocky’s sixth album, and first on Cumbancha, blends inspirations from his diverse experiences while expanding on his identity as an artist, a proud son of Africa and as a true world citizen.
Laolu is about to head from New York City with his band, the Afromysterics to Austin, TX to South by Southwest, alongside fellow Afro Artists Ayo and Rafiya. Only a year old, this is the band’s first SXSW performance.
Laolu will be performing at Speakeasy Kabaret (412 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701) at 10:30 pm Thursday March 19, 2015. The showcase is presented by Digiwaxx and powered by OkayAfrica.Laolu & the Afromysterics / SXSW DATES
03/19 – Austin, TX @ Speakeasy Kabaret
xxx
Laolu & the Afromysterics is the brain child of Laolu Senbanjo, a self-taught musician, visual artist and a human rights lawyer. He’s the lead singer, composer, and the acoustic guitarist. Born and raised in Nigeria to Yoruba parents, he left his legal career behind to chase his dream of being a musician and artist full time in New York City. His band, the Afromysterics are made up of an eclectic group of musical geniuses from all over the globe. With influences from the likes of Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Sade, the music definitely has its roots in the typical Yoruba traditions, yet Laolu blends in reggae, afrosoul, and hip hop into the songs. You have to witness this band live to feel the African groove for yourself.
Contact informationPlease get in touch with Kate at afromysterics@gmail.com or 646.239.6170 for guest list or interviews
Photos (l-r): Nyla, Ice Prince, Victoria Kimani All photos courtesy of the artists via sxsw
Sounds from Africa and Sounds from the Caribbean will take over Palm Door on Sixth (508 E. 6th Street) for a crazy double-stage show at the 2015 SXSW Music Festival on Friday, March 20.With Afrobeat rapidly crossing over to U.S. audiences, a lot of attention is being paid to Africa’s vast and diverse cultures. As part of that, SXSW will be hosting the continent’s biggest artists at the first Sounds from Africa showcase, a cultural celebration of African music presented by Rickie Davies PR, Winnie K Management and Coyah Production. The lineup includes D’banj, Wiz Kid, Ice Prince, Samini, Sarkodie, Serge Beynaud, Victoria Kimani and R2Bees. Sounds from Africa will take place at the Palm Door on Sixth indoor stage.Meanwhile, SXSW music fans will also enjoy a one night explosion of the unique, diverse sounds from the Caribbean at the Palm Door on Sixth Patio. From Soca to Dancehall, Sounds from the Caribbean will celebrate music, culture and lifestyle enabling the audience to experience fun and energetic performances from such A-list artists as Morgan Heritage, Gyptian, Machel Montano, Laza Morgan and Nyla.Wishing all the artists all the best. For a full list of all the world music artists featuring – click here
Another upcoming event to note, coming up in New York. Click graphic below for more info
STUDIO D’MAXSI ANNOUNCES SPRING/SUMMER 2015 COLLECTION
DC based Fashion House STUDIO D’MAXSI launches SS15 line ‘The Royal Collection’
WASHINGTON, DC (February 2015) – STUDIO D’MAXSI announces the launch of her SS15 line the ‘Royal Collection’ which retails exclusively online at http://www.studiodmaxsi.com. The line is inspired by the essence and value of a strong woman. The color theme incorporates a bright golden yellow, beige and purple. A diverse range of fabrics are used including, lace, chiffon, silk and of course African print.
Fashion Designer – Afua Sam Owner of Studio D’Maxsi
Owner of STUDIO D’MAXSI, Afua Sam, award winning fashion designer says of the collection:
“The name of this collection came about last year when there was so many things happening personally that I felt like I won’t be able to design or do what I love anymore. I had the opportunity to have some alone time and one thing was consistent – how being a woman is important. I observed my mom’s strength and how she handles every obstacle or adversity that comes her way. It dawned on me how special women are, we are all ROYALS and that’s how the collection was inspired. I think as women, we need to be more aware of our strength, endurance and dignity”.
The ‘Royal Collection’ features fashion wear with a variety of looks and fabulous unique styling that STUDIO D’MAXSI is known for. They will be available in all sizes, at affordable prices on the website, made to order only.
Studio D’Maxsi was currently recognized and is up for votes for the ‘Fashion Designer of the Year’ by RepYoGrind Awards to give recognition to entrepreneurs who love what they do, have a strong brand and help the future generation achieve their dreams. You can vote for Studio D’Maxsi here . Voting ends March 10, 2015.
With the launch of this new Royal collection, STUDIO D’MAXSI will be working on a couple of new projects and collaborations to reveal her new direction. Clients and fashion industry insiders can check the website at http://www.studiodmaxsi.com for more information and updates.
ABOUT STUDIO D’MAXSI
Celebrated as an innovative, sophisticated and edgy women’s wear line for the modern woman; STUDIO D’MAXSI is a fashion design house owned by Afua Sam. STUDIO D’MAXSI is known for her unique, classy and chic couture designs. STUDIO D’MAXSI has featured in various fashion shows and in 2014 won two prestigious awards namely the ‘High Fashion Designer Award’ at Fashion Awards DMV and the ‘Design Challenge Winner’ at the American Breast Cancer Foundation MD. Runway show features include Maryland Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week, Crystal Couture, Runway Moms for a Cause and various charitable fashion events. STUDIO D’MAXSI was cast in the 2014 DC fashion documentary ‘The Politics of Fashion: DC Unboxed’. Afua Sam also founded ‘Operation Prom’, a ‘win a PROM dress’ competition open to deserving academically excellent, high school female students (coming up soon is Operation Prom 2015 in the DMV) STUDIO D’MAXSI’s diverse clientele include Jamie Foster Brown, Grammy nominated artist Carolyn Malachi, guests of BET Honors Awards event, Miss Ghana Universe, Miss China America First Runner Up, Miss Maryland, Miss Black USA DC among others.
Lydia Forson, African Movie Academy Award Winning Ghanaian Actress/Writer/Activist is set to release her latest project, a new movie production titled ‘A letter From Adam’starring : Lydia Forson, Wale Ojo, Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Fred Kanebi and introducing Jeff Kumordzie and Louie Lartey. It shows in Cinemas on September 19 2014 at the Silverbird (Accra Mall) and
20th September 2014 Silverbird (Weija). International screening dates yet to be released.
SYNOPSIS A Letter From Adam is a contemporary story about love, loss and hope that will draw audiences into a realistic cycle of life seen through the pain of loss, the journey of self discovery and the courage and strength to find hope in the face of adversity.
Set in the busy yet simple city of Accra in Ghana, West Africa; A Letter From Adambrings to bare an often neglected truth about love — that love doesn’t always come in the form one often expects it to.
A Letter From Adam is a movie about Love, Loss and Hope
WRITTEN BY
Lydia Forson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Lydia Forson
PRODUCER
Lydia Forson
DIRECTOR
Sam Kessie
CAST
Lydia Forson, Wale Ojo, Naa Ashokor Mensah Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Albert Jackson, Fred Kanebi and introducing Jeff Kumordzie & Louie Lartey
View the official trailer
About Lydia Forson
Lydia Forson (born 1984) is an award winning Ghanaian actress, writer, and producer. In 2010 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Born in Mankessim, Ghana, Lydia Forson received her early life education at Wilmore Elementary school in Kentucky, US. She graduated from the University of Ghana where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Information Studies.Lydia Forson’s acting career started with a cameo role in Hotel St. James (2005), Run Baby Run (2006), Different Shades of Blue (2007) and a stint in the reality show The Next Movie Star in Nigeria (2007).
Shirley Frimpong Manso, CEO of Sparrow Productions, who had previously worked with her in the hit 2006 Ghanaian television series Different Shades of Blue brought Lydia Forson back to the screens through the movie Scorned. This starring role led to her first African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nomination as the Best Upcoming Female Actress.In 2009, Lydia Forson starred in the multiple awards winning The Perfect Picture. She has recently starred in hit movies such as A Sting in a Tale, Phone Swap and Masquerades. Culled – Wiki
In the coming days, I will be shinning the spotlight on two intelligent and beautiful contestants in African pageantry in the USA. First up is Miss Ghana USA – Whitney Osei who I met a few years ago. At our first meeting, I loved her personality, she has a very enthusiastic and warm energy. I was also intrigued by her passion for entrepreneurship and impressed by her intelligence. Over time, her wisdom and compassion shone through the projects she took on and she continues to be an inspiration as she selflessly supports others. So I was very excited to learn of her being a Miss Ghana USA 2014 finalist. I know she will represent well.
Whitney Appeanimaa Osei hails from the Akyim-Abuakwah capital Kibi located in the southern part of the eastern region of Ghana. Growing up, Whitney was always outspoken and ambitious, proving herself to be a leader at a very young age. After spending the first six years of her youth in Ghana, Whitney migrated to the United States where she lived in Maryland briefly before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia where she currently resides. As a young adult, Whitney faced many obstacles which only fueled her hunger to achieve success. She relied on her ambition and determination for inspiring creativity and innovation across the African diaspora to persevere through her toughest challenges.
In 2011, Whitney represented Ghana in the Miss West Africa USA scholastic beauty pageant and was crowned First Runner-Up. During her reign, Whitney developed Influence Africa: a social media platform that allows young Africans across the diaspora to shed light on current projects and innovative achievements as well as network and share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating the next generation of African leaders and decision-makers. Read more about her here
Whitney Osei hosting Afrodreamfest Atlanta 2013
Whitney is also a great hostess and radio personality. She was my undisputed choice to emcee my concert project last year at Afrodreamfest Atlanta
The Miss Ghana USA organization was founded on a very clear set of goals and aspirations.
Vision: To be recognized as a world class organization that consistently brings amazing women to the forefront and supports them as they work to achieve their individual goals in the context of their cultural roots.
Mission Statement:The Miss Ghana USA’s mission is to find and promote exceptional women with a strong interest in education, humanitarian issues and the Ghanaian culture. The 2014 pageant takes place on July 12th at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York. More info at www.missghanausa.org
Whitney Osei – Miss Ghana USA 2014 Finalist
Whiteny Osei tagged her platform as the “3 E’s” – EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
Whitney says:
“I’m 23 and I am the founder of a fashion start-up company Julie A. which I am using to create job opportunities for Ghanaians and one of my goals is to build a garment manufacturing company in Ghana to provide jobs. I will be developing programs to educate business owners and give them the tools to build strong businesses so that they can hire their fellow Ghanaians that are right out of college. This also comes with empowering women to become entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.”