Radiant No.11, The Survivor Issue by Radiant Health Magazine

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T H E

A J A Y I

S U R V I V O R

№ 11

I S S U E

Radiant Health Magazine is published by Radiant Rose Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor at EDITOR@RADIANTHEALTHMAG.COM

Opinions expressed in Radiant Health Magazine are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Radiant Health Magazine is published biannually.

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press on.

photography by Ahmad Barber — makeup by Ebonee J

strength. NOUN

the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult.

In the words of C. JoyBell C., “The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes.”

Wiahdee Hearst, kidney donor.

And just as the Phoenix Rose from the ashes, She too will rise. Returning from the flames, Clothed in nothing but her strength More beautiful than ever before. — Shannen Heartz

MASTHEAD

Nnenna Kalu Makanjuola FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Ahmad Barber ART DIRECTION

Nguyen Thao My Carmen Kipp DESIGN

Nikki Igbo FEATURES EDITOR

Cordialis Msora, R.D. NUTRITION EDITOR

LeeAnn Nielsen COPY EDITOR

Queendolly “Queenie” Verhoeven OPERATIONS MANAGER

Ken Nuarin WEB DESIGN & SUPPORT

Dominica Reid SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Chinyere Amobi, Lauren Breedlove, Patrick Dale, Ngozi Ekeledo, AdeOla Fadumiye, Deyo Famuboni, MD, Gabriela Iancu, Tyshia Ingram, Katie Schenk, Yvonne Ibifuro Ator, MD, MPH CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brian Ezeike, Aaron Faulkner VIDEO

Akinloye Julius Makanjuola, MD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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CONTENTS

28– 53

healthy eating

fitness

DRINK TO THIS

WINE 101

INTERVIEW NTSIKI BIYELA

LOCAL CHAMP: MORINGA

MORINGA MADNESS

78 – 117 features

WOMAN INTERRUPTED

MATTERS OF THE HEART

108

SPOTLIGHT KIDNEY SOLUTIONS

116

style

INTERVIEW DOMINICA REID

WORKOUT LEGS & GLUTES

I DID IT WIAHDEE HEARST

120– 127

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

122

INTERVIEW DR.JOY

124

144– 155

beauty

THE NEW GUARD OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DESIGNERS

134

INTERVIEW LISA FOLAWIYO

1 40

156– 167

CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIKER

health & wellness

COVER STORY LUVVIE AJAYI

132 – 143

54– 77

culture

GREEN BEAUTY

146

INTERVIEW ABENA BOAMAH

152

168– 177

body & mind

INTERVIEW KECHI OKWUCHI

158

CULTURE ON THE GO

162

INTERVIEW DAGMAR van WEEGHEL 164

WHO CARES FOR THE CAREGIVER 170 INTERVIEW AISHA BADRU

176

EDITOR'S NOTE

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. MAYA ANGELOU

When we hear stories about survivors, there is a certain happilyever-after ending that we want to attach to them. But in reality, survival is more than just a feel-good story; it is often messy and can’t always be summed up easily. In honor of the resiliency of the human spirit in its fight to survive and thrive, we chose to make this issue of Radiant the Survivor Issue. It is a theme that is particularly near and dear to my heart because it was a survivor story that inspired the very creation of Radiant—the story of my father, who this year marks the 20th anniversary of his heart transplant (see page 108). It’s still hard to fathom the idea of living with the beating heart of another person, as my father has for the past two decades. His heart once belonged to a teenage boy whose life was tragically cut short, and as we celebrate the 20 years that heart has given my dad, another family is marking and mourning 20 years without a son. (As I said, survival is often messy and can’t always be tied up neatly with a bow.) But out of the ashes of my father’s long health struggles, both before his transplant and after, rose the inspiration for Radiant. My family knew of no other Africans before us who had gone through what we experienced; for all we know, my father may very well have been the first African man ever to receive a heart transplant. I created Radiant to answer the need for a health and wellness platform that represents our stories and reflects our experiences so that those who come after will have a guide on their journey to good health. This 11th issue of Radiant is bursting with inspiring stories of survival. You’ll meet Wiahdee, who went from donating a kidney to her aunt to becoming a competitive bodybuilder; Saio, who against all odds survived the civil war in Sierra Leone; Kechi, an airplane crash survivor who was able to find her true voice; Omotola, who came to terms with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in her 30s; and many other women whose stories of loss, of miscarriage, of chronic illness will fill you with renewed strength and the inspiration to thrive.

Of course, the story of my own father’s survival cannot be told without including my mother, his caregiver. She represents the all-too-often overlooked and unsung heroine in every survivor story. This issue strives to be an ode both to the survivors and those who care for them. “But Who Cares for the Caregiver?” on page 170 is a must-read for every caregiver out there. Our cover girl, Luvvie Ajayi, is a self-proclaimed “professional troublemaker,” best-selling author, and activist. In an age of what seems to be a resurgence of attacks on people of color, Luvvie is one of the leading voices calling out injustice, and her digital space offers a sanctuary where we can congregate and let it all out. In our interview, we get a glimpse of how she got to where she is now and how she maintains her sanity. Black Panther movie gave us yet another much-needed moment of unity, and we rose to the occasion, unabashedly sporting our best interpretation of African fashion. (I know I did!) It got me thinking about the fashion designers who are bringing Africa to the world, so we interviewed them. I’m especially thrilled about our chat with Lisa Folawiyo, best known for “incorporating traditional West African textiles into modern tailoring techniques with an emphasis on beading and sequined trim.” Her interview will make you so proud and eager to don Wakanda-inspired fashion. You’ll find many other features in this issue to nourish your mind, body, and spirit, including our chat with Dr. Joy of Therapy for Black Girls, tips on exploring nature for fitness, how to adopt a green beauty regimen, and so much more. When we talk about survivors, we are often blind to the miracle of our own survival. There’s a popular quote by author Wendy Mass: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” It’s so true. We are all fighting a battle that affects our well-being and how we show up in the world. Living to see the light of each new dawn makes us all survivors of some sort. It is my deepest hope that this issue will tap in to your survivor spirit and renew you like a long, restorative exhale. To your health,

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @NNENNAKALUM

ON RADIANTHEALTHMAG.COM

Take a Look Behind the Shoot! With every issue, we give you a glimpse into the cover shoot to bring you closer to the story. Catch our exclusive, behind-the-scenes video with this issue’s cover girl and self-described “professional troublemaker,” Luvvie Ajayi. WWW.RADIANTHEALTHMAG.COM/LUVVIEBTS

Bouncing Boobs = Saggy Boobs Did you know that your breasts can jiggle as much as 14 centimeters when you work out? Even so, 44 percent of women who exercise regularly skip the sports bra, despite the fact that doing so can lead to saggy breasts later on. (And we’re all trying to avoid that, right?) Every Friday, Radiant Health delivers healthy living news that you can actually use (like how to justify splurging on that new sports bra and why it’s worth every penny). Get a taste of our news digest and inform yourself about sagging boobs now at WWW.RADIANTHEALTHMAG.COM/SAGGINGBOOBS

The Glowing Crib That’s Saving Lives « On Luvvie: Cinq a Sept serra blazer & Alyssum tuxedo trouser, Saks Fifth Avenue.

The good stuff doesn’t have to stop when you close your copy of Radiant. On RadiantHealthMag.com you’ll find more inspiration, including feature stories, fitness tips, healthy recipes, behind-the-scenes videos & breaking news you won’t want to miss. 14

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is remarkably common, affecting as many as 14.1 million babies annually, or 10.5 percent of live births. The condition can cause brain damage, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, slow development, and death, yet it’s estimated that there are 6 million children without immediate access to the preferred treatment for NNJ: phototherapy. Virtue Oboro found out firsthand just how scarce the resources are when her newborn son was diagnosed with NNJ and became part of the statistics. After the dust settled and her baby recovered, Virtue set about the work of ensuring that phototherapy treatment is available for every child who needs it. Find out more about Virtue Oboro’s Tiny Hearts Technology and her Crib A’glow solarpowered phototherapy units, which are already saving lives. You’ll definitely be inspired by her story. WWW.RADIANTHEALTHMAG.COM/GLOWCRIB

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NEWS & VIEWS

N EWS

VI EWS STAY IN THE KNOW

In a time when the #MeToo movement has garnered worldwide attention and we’re finally beginning to see some punitive measures taken against body-shamers, you might be tempted to think that women are at last gaining some control over their bodies and their health. But despite a number of positive initiatives, women’s healthcare is on the rocks in both developed and developing countries—and that makes these news stories some of the most important of our time. 18

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

01.

ilustrations by Carmen Kipp & Nguyen Thao My

When a Country Appoints a Minister of Loneliness …

02.

Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Your Cancer Risk LONELINESS IS A REAL AFFLICTION, and it has

some potentially deadly consequences. According to the Chief Officer at Age UK, a charity working with older people, loneliness can be worse for your health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness increases stress hormone levels, blood pressure, and the risk of substance abuse and suicide. To counter this problem, the UK has appointed a Minister of Loneliness, Tracey Crouch. Though the announcement of the position did cause some snickering, it isn’t a laughing matter. Crouch’s job isn’t to keep people company; rather, she’s there to bring together governmental, nonprofit, and business groups to develop an anti-loneliness strategy and increase opportunities for people to engage. While the UK is the first country to tackle this issue by creating such a high-level post, they’re not the only country battling loneliness. Between urbanization and the increasing substitution of tech for talk, many countries in the world are experiencing an uptick in loneliness. You already probably know someone who is lonely. Why not take five minutes for a conversation with your solitary neighbors? It may be the first real engagement they’ve had in months.

WE ALL KNOW that what we eat makes a big

difference in our overall health. In fact, obesity falls just behind smoking in the risk factors for cancer. And though we’ve known for years that we should be eating more fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains, we haven’t necessarily recognized just how detrimental processed and ultraprocessed foods can be.

A new study published in the British Medical Journal has shown that a 10 percent increase of ultra-processed foods in a person’s diet raises that person’s cancer risk by 12 percent. While it’s difficult to untangle the direct and indirect risk factors (for example, processed foods contribute to obesity, which is also a risk factor), it’s just another reminder to avoid ultraprocessed foods as much as possible. This means steering clear of instant noodles, prepackaged snacks and sweets, mass-produced bread, and chicken nuggets. Keep in mind, though, that increased risk doesn’t make these foods carcinogenic. If you need the odd treat, it’s not a death sentence—as long as you’re making healthy choices most of the time.

2018—volume 1

NEWS & VIEWS

03.

Black American Mothers Are Dying … and This Is Why

THE ECONOMIC SITUATION and overwhelming healthcare concerns in most African countries, it’s almost unsurprising to encounter high maternal and infant mortality rates. It’s a little more shocking to discover that the United States has the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the developed world. GIVEN

According to 2015 data from the World Bank, the U.S. ranked just above Iraq, Cambodia, the Gambia, and Venezuela, with a mortality rate of 26.4 deaths per every 100,000 live births. In Canada the rate was 7.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for the same year. And the mortality rate in the U.S. continues to rise.

Just consider the experience of Serena Williams. Despite having a prior history of blood clots, after the birth of her first child, Serena Williams practically had to beg hospital staff to run tests for a pulmonary embolism, even when clotting in her lungs caused coughing strong enough to rip open the stitches of her caesarean. Medical staff assumed she was delirious, despite her welldocumented history of the condition. Though she was lucky enough to pull through her ordeal, it is telling that for all her fame, talent, and money, even Serena Williams faced such a situation. It’s downright frightening when you consider the resources of the average woman of any race or country, but especially black women in the U.S.

What these broad statistics don’t reveal is the extreme disparity between races when it comes to maternal mortality in the U.S. There is an unbelievable difference between the maternal mortality rate of white women versus black women in the U.S. In fact, black women are 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes than white women.

Between 2013 and 2015, 54 black women— compared to 15 white women—died per every 100,000 live births in New York State alone. This is also where Black Lives Matter activist Erica Garner passed away after giving birth to her son.

For years, the prevailing theory for this disparity was thought to be the higher poverty rates and lower education levels within black communities. But as it turns out, black women with higher incomes and college education still fare worse than white women without a high school diploma.

Somewhere between the extremes of the grassroots activist and the world-famous tennis star, you’ll also find the story of Shalon Irving, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who had previously been a lieutenant commander in the Commissioned

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

BLACK AMERICAN MOTHERS ARE DYING

BETWEEN 2013 AND 2015, 54 BLACK WOMEN—COMPARED TO 15 WHITE WOMEN—DIED PER EVERY 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN NEW YORK STATE ALONE.

Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. She too knew something was wrong, but doctors did not respond to even the most obvious symptoms, and she died three weeks after delivering her daughter despite repeated visits to the hospital with extremely high blood pressure—so high, in fact, that aggressive action should have been taken even if she’d had no other symptoms. But why are black women so much more likely to develop these health issues in the first place? At first it was easy simply to point the finger at race, but research has uncovered something far more sinister—racism. In most cases, the issue doesn’t stem from genetics, but rather a societal norm of veiled, if not blatant, racism.

do not experience the same risks, though their American-born children do. You don’t need to sit on the sidelines, though. Every Mother Counts is fighting back, and they have plenty of ideas on how you can get involved. You can spread awareness, donate, participate in a charity race, or even shop from retailers making donations to support the cause at EveryMotherCounts.org. And don’t forget to care for yourself while you are caring for others— because every woman counts.

And it’s not just a matter of experiences in the hospital either; it’s the strain, or “weathering,” that continued discrimination puts on a person over a lifetime. It wears on the immune system, and when combined with the normal stress of pregnancy, it’s a recipe for increased pregnancyrelated and post-partum complications. After studying the individual cases of maternal death and infant mortality, many researchers have concluded that a lifetime of experienced racism lies at the root of these terrifying numbers. Oddly, first-generation adult African immigrants

2018—volume 1

NEWS & VIEWS

04.

Stroke Is Africa’s Silent Killer

TO the World Health Organization (WHO), stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disabilities worldwide. Africa is no exception, and the problem is growing.

ACCORDING

Over the past 40 years, the incidence of stroke in low- and middle-income countries has more than doubled, even as levels in high-income countries have declined by 42 percent. As it stands, 70 percent of all strokes occur in low- and middle-income countries; sadly, the same group claims 87 percent of stroke-related deaths and disabilities. To put this in real figures, there are 316 strokes per every 100,000 people each year. Africa has a population of 1.2 billion, which means the continent should expect nearly 3.8 million strokes annually. Despite this sobering figure, most Africans are not aware of the risk factors for stroke, nor are diagnostic tests routinely run to identify persons at high risk of stroke. Until recently, one of the leading indicators of stroke risk—cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure—were rare.

Today, however, Africa has some of the highest hypertension rates in the world. Nearly 50 percent of the adult population lives with high blood pressure, though up to 70 percent of those who have the condition aren’t aware of it. And to make matters worse, it turns out that the type of stroke often suffered in Africa is more lethal than others. In high-income countries such as the U.S., up to 90 percent of strokes are ischemic, or caused by a clot or blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. The survival rate for ischemic strokes is 80 percent. But a recent large-scale study revealed that as many as one-third of strokes in Africa are hemorrhagic, or caused by a burst of a blood vessel in the brain resulting from excessive pressure. The odds of surviving a hemorrhagic stroke fall to 50 percent. The study also revealed that hypertension is the cause of 90 percent of the hemorrhagic strokes in Africa. It should be quite worrying that the WHO predicts the number of Africans with high blood pressure to rise, yet little attention is drawn in this direction

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

as more headline-grabbing communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and TB continue to claim lives across the continent. In the absence of a coordinated approach to reducing the incidence of stroke across Africa, what can you do to protect yourself from suffering a stroke? The most important thing is to reduce your risk of hypertension. While the results can’t be guaranteed, you can certainly cut your risk by remaining physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, lowering alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, reducing salt intake, avoiding processed foods, and alleviating stress. And it’s definitely time to have your blood pressure checked. Depending on the results, your healthcare provider can tell you when you’ll need to return for a follow-up or will prescribe a treatment plan that may include medication. If that’s the case, stick to it—you don’t want to be another victim of this silent killer.

05.

Is Activated Charcoal as Good as It Seems?

06.

Pills Can’t Lighten Your Baby’s Skin

super-glistening teeth as he smiles wide for the camera — they’re as hard to miss as he is. And he claims the secret is activated charcoal. It’s one of the trendiest natural remedies out there at the moment, and teeth whitening isn’t the only reason people are using it.

YOU’VE SEEN DRAKE’S

Activated charcoal is excellent at soaking up toxins and poisons; it’s used medicinally in emergency rooms and substance abuse clinics to trap drugs and other chemicals in the body in the treatment of drug overdose or poisoning. And it’s this property that got people thinking about the positive effects it could have when used as a preventative measure rather than just as a treatment after the fact. You may want to exercise some caution before jumping on the bandwagon, though; activated charcoal doesn’t take in only toxins—it can also absorb vital nutrients that your body needs. Also, there haven’t been widescale studies to determine just how effective it is as a preventative treatment, and no one knows what a safe dosage might be. It’s best to educate yourself first, and you can start by reading Activated Charcoal: Friend or Foe on page 122.

UP TO 70 PERCENT OF African women use skin-

lightening products, despite repeated warnings about the serious health risks they pose. The World Health Organization has banned the use of hydroquinone and mercury in unregulated products, as they can cause liver and kidney failure and lead to various cancers. Cote d’Ivoire has even taken the step of banning skin-lightening products and processes. But given the high price of regulated products, many banned products still enter the market illegally in many countries. Some expectant mothers in Ghana have taken their desire for lighter skin to new levels, despite the Ghanaian FDA’s ban on products containing hydroquinone. These women are now taking pills that claim to lighten their baby’s skin even before they are born.

No drug agency has approved a single drug that can achieve this; in fact, the illegal drugs circulating for this purpose can cause both physical and mental birth defects, including damage to internal organs. In the quest for lighter skin, which is itself a terrible holdover from colonization, mothers are actually jeopardizing the life and health of their children—not to mention their own. We can’t stress enough that black is beautiful, and the only safe skin-lightening products are those prescribed by licensed medical professionals.

2018—volume 1

NEWS & VIEWS

07.

Cell Phones, Cancer, and the Case for Switching Off

IN DECEMBER 2017, the California Department of Public Health issued a warning about cell phone radiation, as well as a handful of recommendations for people concerned about the negative consequences of using cell phones.

To reduce the risk of radiation, they suggested the following steps: »» Keep your phone away from your body. »» Reduce cell phone use when the signal is weak (as signal searching emits more energy). »» Reduce cell phone use for streaming audio or video, as well as for downloading or uploading large files. »» Keep the phone away from your bed at night. »» Remove headsets when not on a call. »» Avoid products claiming to block radio frequency energy, because such items may actually increase your exposure.

If you, like many people on the planet, are somewhat attached to your phone, it’s easy to become alarmed by these guidelines. The main concern people have about cell phone hazards (and yes, that includes smartphones) is exposure to radio-frequency (RF) energy. Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have classified RF energy and the radiation from cell phones as “possibly carcinogenic.” But you probably don’t need to panic. For starters, almost everything under the sun falls under the category of “possibly carcinogenic,” whereas very few of these candidates ever move into the “known,” “probable,” or “not likely” categories. Even coffee, which is known to have certain health benefits, is classified as a possible carcinogen. In addition, while California may have felt the need to release a warning, neither the American Cancer Society nor the National Cancer

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

SWITCH OFF YOUR CELL PHONE

According to a 2014 Pew Research Center survey, a massive majority of mobile phone owners, approximately 89%, say that they have used their phones during their most recent social gathering.

Institute (also an American organization) has felt the need to add their voice to the alerts. Indeed, both groups point to inconsistent and inconclusive studies, the largest of which actually found no correlation between cell phone use and an increase in the incidence or severity of cancer. There are, however, some other compelling reasons to put your phone away and switch off. Research does show that our sleep suffers when we have instant access to our phones. In addition, the constant pinging and ringing can stand in the way of productivity, and it’s hard not to notice the tradeoff people seem to be making between their phones and actual human relationships. In fact, some of the most prominent Silicon Valley executives seem unfazed by the possible effects of RF energy, yet are gravely concerned about the social implications, with some going so far as to limit the use of tech in their homes— if they permit it at all.

Bill Gates, the principal founder of Microsoft, imposed an age restriction on cell phones for his three children. And over at Apple, founder Steve Jobs wouldn’t even allow his kids access to the iPad when it was released. Beyond the personal and household limits set by these tech giants, former employees of Google, Facebook, and similar tech and communication companies have founded the Center for Humane Technology, which addresses the possible mental and physical risks of cell phone use—and it’s worth noting that cancer from RF energy is not high on their list of concerns. So while you probably don’t need to be overly concerned about RF and California’s warning, it’s still not a bad idea to distance yourself from your phone. It could just improve your health in other ways.

2018—volume 1

NEWS & VIEWS

08.

Is U.S. Neocolonialism Harming African Women?

SINCE THE 1980S, Republican presidents in the U.S. have enacted

legislation known as the Global Gag Rule, touted as preventing American taxpayer money from paying for abortions overseas by restricting aid to organizations that facilitate such treatments. (In reality, the Helms Amendment has already prohibited this practice since 1973 and remains unchanged even when political power shifts.) But President Trump is taking the gag rule to a whole new level; now it no longer just affects restrictions on abortions, but a wide variety of services—simply because the same clinics that offer malaria treatment, HIV screening, vaccinations, prenatal treatment, and emergency services also offer family planning counseling. These clinics now must either refuse U.S. aid or refuse to assist the women in their communities with reproductive health services— either way, the result is the same. Marie Stopes International, one of the largest primary care providers on the African continent, estimates that by 2020, Trump’s extended gag rule will result in over 2.1 million unsafe abortions and more than 21,700 maternal deaths in affected countries, in addition to destroying rural access to primary care. While individuals alone can’t provide the high levels of financing needed, you can still take action by advocating for the political accountability of African leaders when it comes to the issue of maternal care, as well as by supporting organizations that continue to provide the care that is so desperately needed.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

10.

Want to Lose Weight? It’s the Quality of the Diet that Counts

09.

When the World Runs Out of Water

ACROSS AFRICA, it’s estimated that one-third of

that weight loss involves burning more calories than you consume. But as the sheer number of diets grows, it’s hard to say that one is better than the others. In addition, some researchers now suspect that genetics predisposes people to respond more to one particular type of eating plan than another.

But Cape Town, South Africa, might just become the world’s first major city to run out of fresh water. Continued drought, excessive use, and governmental mismanagement have led to an extreme shortage and an impending Day Zero, when residents will have their taps turned off. Though this date has been pushed back due to extreme conservation measures—residents are currently limited to 50 liters of water a day—the health effects of a city without potable water are beginning to show.

But a recent study involving over 600 people has shown that the best diet probably has nothing to do with DNA at all. Participants were broken into two groups: a healthy low-carb group and a healthy low-fat group. Both groups were trained to make healthier food choices rather than count calories. On average, both sets of dieters lost over eleven pounds (five kilos) during the research period. More important, they developed healthier relationships with food, improved their waistlines and body fat measurements, and cut calories from their diets—without even noticing it. The study proves that the quality of your diet matters more than the numbers behind the foods you choose.

the population lacks indoor plumbing and have to walk to collect water from its source. However, water service is expected in cities, where it’s used for everything from cooking to maintaining the sewage systems that do a lot of the work of preventing illnesses in densely populated areas.

Outbreaks of hepatitis, diphtheria, typhoid, impetigo, and scabies are expected alongside the existing rash of listeria cases. And once an outbreak hits a major city, it can easily be spread by travelers to the rest of the world—and that’s before water mismanagement, climate change, and rising population levels bring similar issues to more cities around the globe.

EVERYONE KNOWS

If you’re struggling, why not start by making one healthy meal choice this week?

2018—volume 1

SECTION

healthy eating

page 30.

DRINK TO THIS A toast to vino for health!

page 32.

WINE 101 Into the secret life of wine

page 36.

INTERVIEW NTSIKI BIYELA South Africa’s first black female winemaker

page 40.

LOCAL CHAMP MORINGA An ancient tree for modern-day maladies

page 44.

MORINGA MADNESS A green infusion to every recipe

HEALTHY EATING

Drink to This IS RED WINE THE NEXT SUPERFOOD?

IN THE 1980S, epidemiologists

worldwide became perplexed by the French, who despite consuming a diet high in arteryclogging saturated fats from favorites such as Brie, full-fat yogurt, butter, croissants, and crème brûlée appeared to be in better heart health than many of their Western counterparts. In light of what was deemed the “French Paradox,” scientists offered various hypotheses for the inexplicable results, and some credited the glass of wine that the French traditionally enjoy with their meals as the reason behind their superior health. This theory led to a plethora of studies suggesting that wine, and especially red wine, may improve health.

words by Cordialis Msora, R.D.

According to Ginger Hultin, RDN, CSO, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, there is evidence that moderate red wine consumption improves heart health by increasing “phenolic (antioxidant) concentrations in the blood while decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in healthy people.” She also notes that in addition to decreasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, “some of the potential benefits of wine, when consumed in the appropriate recommended amounts, include decreased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment.”

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

DRINK TO THIS

No Simple Answers But is it really the red wine that has kept the French in good health, as numerous studies suggest? Not everyone is in agreement. Some scientists point out that red wine is filled with antioxidants, which fight disease-causing free radicals. Some argue that it may be the actual alcohol that plays a role. And still others contend that, in addition to often enjoying higher incomes that enable them to seek regular medical attention, wine drinkers may be in better health because their lifestyles include attributes that foster health, such as consuming well-balanced diets and being physically active most days of the week. A Reversal on Resveratrol For almost four decades, resveratrol, the disease-fighting antioxidant that gives grapes their red to purple color, has been dubbed one of the strongest health components of wine. However, a 2014 study published in the highly respected Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) discovered that people whose diets were naturally high in resveratrol from foods such as grapes, blueberries, peanuts, and cocoa did not have high amounts of the compound in their urine. This suggests that the body does not absorb enough of the antioxidant from food to benefit from the purported protection against heart disease, cancer, and other health conditions. Furthermore, most studies touting the benefits of resveratrol were conducted on mice that were fed extremely high amounts of the compound. According to scientists at Harvard University, an individual would have to drink more than 100 glasses of wine per day to experience the same benefits published in the

research on lab mice—an impossible challenge even for the most enthusiastic of wine drinkers. Raise a Glass … in Moderation What is emerging from current research is that low to moderate amounts of not only red wine but also other forms of alcohol such as beer and liquor may, among other health benefits, help a person to live longer and reduce the risk of heart disease. Moderate drinking is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as up to two drinks per day with no more than 10 grams of pure ethanol per drink; in other words, the rough equivalent of two standard drinks per day. Keep in mind that what constitutes a “standard drink” varies greatly by country. In the UK, one standard drink contains 8 grams of ethanol, whereas in Austria it contains 20 grams! The WHO also recommends at least two nondrinking days per week. There is a firm consensus on one point, however: if you don’t drink, don’t start. The dangers of excessive alcohol intake outweigh the benefits and include an increased risk of certain types of cancer; a higher potential for heart disease, including high blood pressure and stroke; and impaired cognitive function. It is far safer to engage in other behaviors that promote health, such as eating a well-balanced diet loaded with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein, paired with plenty of physical activity. I’ll raise a glass to that!

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HEALTHY EATING

INTO THE SECRET LIFE OF WINE

words by Katie Schenk

WHEN CHOOSING A BOTTLE OF WINE to share with friends, you

might not think of Africa first. But the continent actually has a surprisingly long winemaking history.

Wine played a prominent role in ancient Egypt, and the Phoenicians turned it into a booming business along the Mediterranean in what would later become Tunisia. However, as Islam grew and spread along the trade routes of northern Africa, winemaking in the region began to fall away, and it’s simply no longer a primary industry for most African countries. That is, with the exception of South Africa. South Africa has a roaring wine industry; it’s the world’s seventh or eighth largest producer depending on the year, and the single largest agricultural employer in the country. Yet South Africa isn’t a country of wine drinkers; 10 times more beer is consumed in the country than wine, and roughly 50 percent of the wine it produces is destined for export. It’s a little ironic given that colonizers planted grapes in Cape Town in 1655 to ensure they had plenty of wine available (and to combat scurvy). Conversely, Equatorial Guinea accounts for the largest per capita wine consumption on the continent, followed by Ghana and then Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is the only real producer, however, and its wine industry remains in its infancy.

Other newcomers to the African wine stage include Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Namibia also has a fledgling wine industry, though it exports more table grapes than it produces wine. Madagascar also has three wine regions, though almost none of the wine produced there is exported. In northern Africa, the wine industries in Morocco and Tunisia faltered after independence but have since gone through a redevelopment. Both countries mainly produce for domestic consumption, exporting just a fraction of their yields. To understand just how small the wine industry is across the continent, consider that Tunisia is still one of the largest producers, but its vineyards cover little more than 37,000 acres of land. In South Africa, there are more than 42,500 acres dedicated to the production of one type of wine, Chenin Blanc. Overall, there are some 270,000 wine acres in South Africa, compared to nearly two million acres in France. Still, the South African wine industry is large enough, both in terms of area and production, to have several regions that are broken into districts and wards. It also employs a Wine of Origin system that can be compared to the American Viticultural Area (AVA) or the French Appellation d'Origin Protégée (AOP) systems. And these classification systems are a budding wine enthusiast’s best friend.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

WINE 101

WHAT MAKES A CABERNET SAUVIGNON, A CHENIN BLANC, OR A PINOTAGE?

A bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that says Wine of Origin Stellenbosch offers plenty of clues as to what’s inside. Each grape will have come from the Stellenbosch District within the Coastal Region of the Western Cape Area. The bottle will contain at least 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and it will have undergone taste testing.

»» FULL-BODIED WHITE Oaked Chardonnay and Sémillon fall within this small group of super flavorful white wines, which undergo similar processing and treatment as red wines. As the Chardonnay’s name suggests, these wines are aged in oak barrels, and they are excellent with lobster, creamy pasta, soft cheeses, and light chicken dishes.

When you’re searching for the perfect bottle, this kind of information is a big help, and so is a little understanding of varieties and varietals.

»» LIGHT-BODIED DRY WHITE This group includes many popular flavors, such as unoaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. These wines are best within a year or two of their vintage (harvest) year and are usually dry, crisp, and refreshing. As you might guess, they are perfect with seafood, sushi, chicken, and fried foods.

If you've ever perused the aisles of a wine store you’ll know there are a lot of different types of wines; it’s hardly as simple as just red or white. Indeed, there are nine different styles of wine, and you should be able to place just about every wine you come across into one of these categories: »» FULL-BODIED RED This group includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Sirah. All of these wines contain high tannin and alcohol levels to match their dark, rich pigments. If you love big flavors you’ll be pleased with these wines, which go well with equally bold foods, including smoked and barbecued meats, steaks, Mexican food, and strong mushroom flavors. »» MEDIUM-BODIED RED Merlot, Grenache, Barbera, and Zinfandel fall into this group of food-friendly wines. As some of the most common wines, grown across a variety of regions, you can expect a range of tannin and alcohol levels. You’ll need to play around to find which ones pair best with pizzas, pastas, hamburgers, and roasted vegetables, as well as with deep, spicy flavors. »» LIGHT-BODIED RED Pinot Noir, Gamay, and South Africa’s own Pinotage wines have a lower alcohol and tannin content than fuller reds, but they still offer plenty of aroma. These are the reds you’ll want to pair with complex chicken or mushroom dishes (think risotto or coq au vin). »» ROSÉ It’s not hard to guess which wines fall into this category, because most rosés are labeled as such (as if the pink hues wouldn’t give them away). Most rosés are closer to white wines than to red, with some dryness. They are often served chilled, making them the perfect accompaniment for heavily spiced foods such as Greek, Turkish, and Mexican dishes, or richly roasted pork or chicken.

»» SWEET AROMATIC WHITE Because these wines are usually naturally acidic, they almost demand a little extra sugar for balance. The amount of sugar will determine whether the Chenin Blancs, Rieslings, and Gewürztraminers found in this grouping are categorized as sweet or dry. These wines complement super spicy cuisines such as Thai and Indian, as well as strong cheeses. And if you’re looking for a wine to go with cake or ice cream, this is a good place to start. »» DESSERT AND FORTIFIED Port, Sherry, and Madeira are prime examples of wines whose fermentation process has been cut short in order to preserve the natural sugars. They also have extra spirits added to increase the alcohol content and are meant to be drunk in tiny glasses. These are obviously perfect for pungent cheeses, cakes, chocolates, and fruit pies. »» SPARKLING Champagne, Sekt, Prosecco, and South Africa’s Cap Classique all fall under this category. Though many people refer to every wine in this group as Champagne, only wine produced in a specific region of France can carry this title; everything else is considered sparkling wine. The bubbles are produced by a variety of methods, some through a special mixture of sugar and yeast, and others through pressure in a tank. Base wines can range from red to white, so it’s really a matter of preference. While you may be tempted to reserve sparkling wines for celebrations, they’re also surprisingly good with salty and spicy foods. »» BLENDS On top of all of these varietals (types of wine), there are plenty of blends to explore as well. These come from combining different varieties (types of grape) somewhere along the grapesto-glass process.

2018—volume 1

»» Sunset over a vineyard with Table Mountain in the background. Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands in Western Cape, South Africa.

"Wine played a prominent role in ancient Egypt, and the Phoenicians turned it into a booming business along the Mediterranean."

HEALTHY EATING

words by Katie Schenk

The Wine and Winding Roads of South Africa’s First Black Female Winemaker A WINE VIRTUOSO LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Ntsiki Biyela has been a darling of the South African wine industry for over a decade. Based in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, Ntsiki has won many awards for her work. We recently caught up with her to learn more about her journey and the woman behind the wine.

NTSIKI BIYELA IS A HARD WORKER, and that’s

probably what you would expect from South Africa’s first black female winemaker. What you might not expect is just how much she enjoys a little hard work, and always has. Growing up in a rural village in what is now the province of KwaZulu-Natal meant there were always chores to do. Ntsiki didn’t mind—in fact, she found them exciting. Fetching wood wasn’t a task as much as an opportunity to walk with friends, laughing to the point where everyone found the sounds of their deep belly laughs even more hilarious than the jokes themselves. Throughout her studies at Stellenbosch University, in the heart of South Africa’s wine region, Ntsiki found the material simultaneously challenging and enjoyable. But classes were hardly the only thing on her plate at the time. She also worked at Delheim winery, learning every aspect of the business, including how to savor the taste of wine. When interviewing for the Delheim position, she was asked whether she’d ever tasted wine before. “Nope,” she answered honestly. “But I’ll learn to enjoy it.”

Ntsiki had been awarded a scholarship to study winemaking and viticulture, the study of grape cultivation, without any prior exposure to or appreciation for wine. And, the bottle of 1998 Cabernet she was given to sample as she accepted the position sat on the shelf until she knew she could savor it, pick out the deeper flavours, and give it the respect it deserved. It took time for Ntsiki to cultivate the strong appreciation for wine that she has today. In addition to her own dedication and determination, she knew that her grandmother, Aslina, would insist on the importance of both respect and time. Ungaphangi umdaka, Aslina would say in isiZulu, “Do not rush things,” words that continue to resonate with Ntsiki today. When she launched her own wine brand in 2016, Ntsiki named it for her grandmother Aslina, who was the picture of love, faith, and dedication. Uncomplaining, she always found a way to stretch her money, her food, her time, her faith, and her love. And while she always pushed Ntsiki toward achievement and seizing the opportunities that opened up with the end of the Apartheid

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

» Ntsiki Biyela won a gold medal in South Africa’s prestigious Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards for the Cape Cross 2004 released in 2006.

NTSIKI BIYELA

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HEALTHY EATING

struggle, Aslina still expected her to remain humble and respectful.

to experience a harvest, she had weekly calls from the Stellekaya owners.

As she reminiscences, allowing memories of her grandmother to flood into our conversation, it’s easy to see where Ntsiki’s inner strength comes from. It’s easier still to understand why she believes that the purpose for doing something should be bigger than oneself, for that’s what will push a person through when things get tough.

“Perhaps they thought I would get lost,” she laughs. Of course, she is joking; in an industry that chose her rather than the other way around, Ntsiki isn’t one to stumble off the path once she finds it. Stellekaya’s owners were probably more afraid that they would lose her, but Ntsiki is far too humble to allow herself to fully believe that.

And the wine industry is tough. Double that if you’re a woman. Finding Her True Calling After graduating, Ntsiki applied for a position as a viticulturist, whose job it is to manage the cultivation and harvesting of the grapes, only to be told that they were “looking for a guy” to fill the post. Gender discrimination in the workplace is illegal in South Africa, but they hadn’t put it in writing and Ntsiki didn’t want to rock the boat while actively searching for a position. So instead of laying a complaint, she reset her course and applied for a junior winemaker position with Stellekaya. This family-owned winery was the perfect fit, giving Ntsiki a chance to do a bit of everything before she took over the position of winemaker in 2005. By that time, she was part of the family. When she headed off to France for two months

Nor would you have been able to convince her that she would win South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the Year Award in 2009. She was certain someone else was going to stand to accept the award, and she even knew who it would be. Still, she asked her friends to join her at the ceremony where, to her surprise, Ntsiki Bileya was the name they called. Enjoying the Journey It’s incredible to think that only a decade earlier, Ntsiki was off to Stellenbosch for the first time, marveling at the lush, green surroundings and the funny little trees, which turned out to be grapevines. She had expected it to look more like Johannesburg—rather brown and flat but with gold trimmings that seem to go with the wine and wealth Stellenbosch is known for. Less than a decade later, Ntsiki had her own brand and four “soulful, authentic, and lighthearted” wines bearing the name of her grandmother.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

NTSIKI BIYELA

From her first sip of wine, which she found unpalatable, Ntsiki now loves a beautifully blended glass of red. “Blends are where wine‑ makers express themselves,” she explains.

Ntsiki recalled all the hard work that had gone into it as she held one of the first labeled bottles, and her first thought was, “Finally.” Her next thought was about the long road ahead. But she is enjoying the journey just as Aslina would have wanted. From her first sip of wine, which she found unpalatable, Ntsiki now loves a beautifully blended glass of red. “Blends are where winemakers express themselves,” she explains. This is the kind of knowledge and understanding that Ntsiki hopes to pass on to a new generation of winemakers through her work with the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, an organization providing both the technical skills and the personal development necessary to work in the wine industry. Ntsiki, who sits on the board of directors for the Academy, is quick to point out that she is only where she is today because someone believed in her and took a chance on her.

Believing in Ntsiki and the incredible talent hiding behind her smile isn’t difficult to do—throughout her journey, people have been quick to recognize it and slow to let go. Just the other day, she received an email from her mentor, who was the first female winemaker in the U.S. Written near the end of the message were the words, “You are a perennial—remember, life is long.” Ntsiki explains that what she meant was ungaphangi umdaka—take your time, enjoy the journey. And that’s just what Ntsiki’s always done, even when the road is long, and regardless of whether she’s carrying wood or wine.

You don’t have to be in South Africa to enjoy Ntsiki Biyela’s wines. Visit ASLINAWINES.CO.ZA to find out where you can get Aslina wines in the U.S., Ghana, Germany, Taiwan, and beyond.

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HEALTHY EATING

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

LOCAL CHAMP: MORINGA

Local Champ: Moringa by Cordialis Msora, R.D.

OUR LOCAL CHAMP SERIES CELEBRATES THE DIVERSITY OF THE AFRICAN KITCHEN BY HIGHLIGHTING A DIFFERENT TRADITIONAL, INDIGENOUS FOOD IN EACH ISSUE.

AN ANCIENT TREE FOR MODERN-DAY MALADIES

At the beginning of 2018, Moringa oleifera made headlines in the media as health enthusiasts touted it as one of the best things to include in our diet. Now Moringa is replacing kale in smoothies, rivaling matcha in bowls, and shining as the vegetable accompaniment to our favorite entrees. Also known as the drumstick tree because of the drumstickshaped fruit it produces, the drought-resistant Moringa tree has provided nutrition and served as a powerful source of healing across Africa for centuries. Today it has found its way into beauty products, teas, nutrition bars, and powders, and is giving local farmers an added source of revenue with which to feed and clothe their families while sending the young ones to school. Let’s take a look at the many reasons to celebrate this local champ.

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Moringa Is a Nutritional Powerhouse From bone-building calcium, to eye-sharpening vitamin A, to blood-pressure-regulating potassium, moringa is filled with nutrients known to strengthen the body while improving overall health. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, one cup of moringa leaves (21 grams) provides more than 8 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, and iron. It also provides almost 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6, vital to cell and hormone production. Moringa is also an excellent addition to vegetarian diets because it is one of only a few plant-based foods to contain all nine essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of the proteins our bodies are made from. Moringa Fights Illness In its indigenous areas, moringa is used as a healing agent. From abdominal discomfort, arthritis, and headaches to snake bites, wounds, and dandruff, traditional healers have long relied on moringa to improve health. Today, all parts of the plant are being extensively studied as scientists search for cures for a wide variety of illnesses. While most of the studies have been conducted on animals, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that moringa may also play a role in human health. A small study of 30 people, published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, concluded that adding moringa to the diet could reduce fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5 percent—a promising result as diabetes rates soar worldwide.

There is also evidence suggesting that powdered dried moringa seeds may improve asthma-related wheezing and coughing, and that fresh moringa leaves may relieve hot flashes and improve sleep quality in menopausal women. At present, there are several studies seeking to determine whether moringa can help prevent cancer or enhance heart health by lowering cholesterol. Moringa Nourishes Mother and Child As a rich source of iron, moringa may help prevent or treat anemia, a nutritional disorder sometimes referred to as “weak blood” because it leaves a person always tired. Left untreated, iron deficiency slows learning in children, lowers immunity, and increases the risk of death, especially among infants, young children, and women of childbearing age. There is some evidence suggesting that nursing mothers who add moringa leaf supplements to their diet within three days after childbirth produce more milk than their nonsupplementing friends. And moringa’s benefits for baby extend into the growing years. A study of children in India showed that mildly to moderately undernourished children experienced significant weight improvement after supplementation with dried moringa leaf. Moringa Purifies Water The fiber that remains after moringa oil has been extracted from its seeds can act as a natural water purifier. Moringa contains a special protein that forces water pollutants to clump together and sink, making contaminated water potentially safer to drink.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

LOCAL CHAMP: MORINGA

Today, all parts of the plant are being extensively studied as scientists search for cures for a wide variety of illnesses.

Moringa is not always effective in this role, however, as the protein level of the tree’s seeds and leaves varies by season. Researchers are currently working to determine the optimal seasons for water purification purposes. Moringa Enhances Beauty Beyond its dietary uses, moringa oil, which is harvested from the seed of the fruit, is loaded with numerous antioxidants and essential oils, making it a popular ingredient in antiaging and hair-strengthening beauty products. How to Enjoy Moringa Diets rich in plant-based foods such as moringa have been shown to decrease rates of chronic illness and assist in weight management. With the exception of the root, which may contain toxins if not prepared correctly, most parts of the moringa tree can be safely consumed without risk, so there is no excuse not to enjoy them on a regular basis. »» Sauté, steam, or stew the leaves and pods as part of your main meal. »» Roast the seeds and enjoy them as a snack. »» Add dried moringa to your cereal, smoothies, beverages, and other foods. »» Steep the leaves and drink as a tea. We’ve gathered some delicious and healthy moringa recipes to get you started on page 44. Be adventurous and experiment with moringa just as you would with the other plant-based foods in your diet. After all, there should never be only one way to enjoy something that is good for you. HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH!

Pictured top to bottom: Vegetarian curry of moringa leaf with coconut and spices; moringa oleifera leaves, seed, flowers; and moringa oleifera tea. To make moringa tea, add moringa leaf powder to your coffee filter and brew as you would coffee.

2018—volume 1

Moringa

Madness recipes & photography by Gabriela Iancu

Steamed Vegan Bean Cake Infused with Moringa

HEALTHY EATING

RECIPE

Moringa Latte Serves 1 — If you’re on the hunt for a recipe that delivers a delicious and healthy boost of vitamins and minerals, you’ve found a great one! This creamy and nourishing moringa latte is more than just a sweet treat, and will leave you feeling healthy and indulged.

NUTRITION FACTS

INGREDIENTS

servings: 1

1/2 teaspoon moringa powder

PER SERVING CALORIES

298

total fat

% DAILY VALUE

1 teaspoon honey 1/2 cup (125 ml) coconut milk

28.6g

37%

saturated fat

25.4g

127%

trans fat

cholesterol

0mg

sodium

19mg

total carb

12.7g

dietary fiber

2.7g

10%

sugars

9.8g

protein

2.8g

vitamin d

0mcg

calcium

25mg

iron

3mg

14%

potassium

319mg

Daily percentage value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Data analyzed from verywell.com

PREPARATION

Combine moringa powder and honey in a cup and stir until the mixture becomes a smooth, lump-free dark green paste. Warm the coconut milk in a small saucepan, then stir in the moringa-honey mixture. Whisk briskly in an up and down motion until the liquid becomes smooth, frothy, and light green. Serve warm with a sprinkling of moringa powder on top.

MORINGA RECIPE

Start your mornings with a delicious cup of moringa latte »

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HEALTHY EATING

Moringa Soup Serves 2 — This creamy, vibrant yellow and green soup offers a bold flavor and restorative effect that easily reminds us of comfort and home. Rich and hearty, the moringa leaves give this soup an instant boost of flavor, as well as added nutritional benefits.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh moringa leaves 2 cups vegetable broth 1 red bell pepper 2 Roma tomatoes 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons smooth 100% peanut butter 2 tablespoons red palm oil 1 teaspoon salt

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

MORINGA RECIPE

NUTRITION FACTS

servings: 2

PER SERVING

% DAILY VALUE

CALORIES

353

total fat

25.4g

33%

8.5g

42%

cholesterol

saturated fat

0mg

sodium

1942mg

84%

total carb

23.1g

dietary fiber

5.6g

20%

sugars

10.1g

protein

12.6g

total mineral vitamin d

0mcg

calcium

107mg

iron

7mg

40%

potassium

834mg

18%

Daily percentage value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Data analyzed from verywell.com

PREPARATION

1.Using a food processor, blend together tomatoes, onions, garlic, and red bell pepper until smooth. Heat the palm oil in a large pot and sauté the blended paste until thick, rich, and sweet. 2. Mix the peanut butter with a few teaspoons of water to make a smooth paste. Add the peanut butter mixture and 2 cups of vegetable broth to the vegetable blend and stir well. Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes, then add the washed moringa leaves and cook, covered, for 5 minutes more. Simmer to the desired thickness; for a thinner soup, add vegetable broth or water as needed. Serve hot.

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HEALTHY EATING

NUTRITION FACTS

servings: 6

PER SERVING

% DAILY VALUE

CALORIES

148

total fat

5.2g

cholesterol

0mg

sodium

489mg

21%

total carb

saturated fat

19.3g

dietary fiber

18%

sugars

2.8g

protein

5.7g

total mineral vitamin d

0mcg

calcium

14mg

iron

2mg

13%

potassium

132mg

Daily percentage value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Data analyzed from verywell.com

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

MORINGA RECIPE

Steamed Vegan Bean Cake Infused with Moringa Serves 6 — Inspired by the traditional Nigerian steamed bean cake moin moin, this vegan melding of flavorful ingredients yields a soft, pudding-like cake with the subtle flavor of moringa and a pleasant greenish hue. This dressed-up version also pairs nicely with edible flowers.

PREPARATION

INGREDIENTS

1. Mix bean flour and warm water in a large bowl until lump-free.

1 cup (120 g) bean flour (from brown beans or black-eyed peas) 2 cups (500 ml) warm water 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 1 roasted red bell pepper 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1/2 cup (125 ml) vegetable broth 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons moringa powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons olive oil

2.Place the flour mixture in a food processor together with the chopped onion, roasted red pepper, tomato paste, vegetable broth, oil, moringa powder, and seasonings. Process until completely smooth. The mixture should resemble the texture of cake batter. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. 3. Spray six ramekins with oil and then pour in the mixture. Place the ramekins into a pot and then pour boiling water around the ramekins until the water level reaches halfway up their sides. Cover and steam on low heat for 40 to 50 minutes or until the surface springs back when touched or a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. If needed, steam for an additional 10 minutes. 4. Uncover the pot and carefully remove the ramekins from the water bath (they will be very hot). Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. To serve, run a palette knife around the inside edge of each ramekin and turn the bean cakes out onto a plate. Sprinkle the tops with moringa powder and garnish with edible flowers. The dish can be served warm on its own, or with oatmeal or pap (also known as akamu, ogi, or koko), a West African fermented porridge typically made from maize, sorghum, or millet.

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HEALTHY EATING

Pearl Sugar and Moringa Cakes Makes approximately 20 cookies — With pockets of slightly sweet, herbal moringa and a crunchy pearl sugar crust, these crisp and buttery cookies deliver a delightful burst of green in a delicious snack.

A perfect snack to satisfy your sweet cravings »

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

MORINGA RECIPE

NUTRITION FACTS

servings: 20

PER SERVING CALORIES

total fat

3.8g

2.3g

11%

cholesterol

20mg

sodium

26mg

total carb

saturated fat

INGREDIENTS

6 tablespoons (90 g) salted butter, softened 1/2 cup (90 g) demerara sugar 1 egg yolk at room temperature 1 cup (120 g) cake flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons moringa powder 2 tablespoons pearl sugar to decorate

% DAILY VALUE

8.8g

dietary fiber

0.2g

sugars

protein

0.8g

total mineral vitamin d

3mcg

17%

calcium

7mg

iron

0mg

potassium

14mg

Daily percentage value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Data analyzed from verywell.com

PREPARATION

1. Place the demerara sugar in a food processor. Pulse a few times until the sugar is a bit more fine (but don’t overdo it or the sugar will turn to powder). 2. Add the butter and process until pale and creamy. Add the egg and blend until combined. Add the moringa powder and flour and process until a dough forms. 3. Roll the dough between two sheets of nonstick baking paper (parchment paper) until it is between 1/3 to 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. 4. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Using a 2 inch (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out 20 rounds. Coat the edges of each round in pearl sugar. Place cookies on two large, lightly greased baking trays lined with nonstick baking paper and bake for 10 to 14 minutes. 5. Allow cookies to cool slightly on trays before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Once baked, the cookies will keep for up to four days in an airtight container. Sprinkle lightly with moringa powder before serving.

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SECTION

fitness page 56.

CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIKER A wannabe hiker's how-to-guide

PAGE 64.

INTERVIEW DOMINICA REID #BlackGirlsHike

PAGE 68.

STRENGTHEN YOUR LEGS & BUTT Legs and glutes workout guide

PAGE 72.

INTERVIEW CATHLEEN WIADHEE From kidney donor to weight lifting competitive body builder

FITNESS

Channel Your Inner Hiker: A Wannabe Hiker’s How‑To Guide SO YOU WANT TO GO ON A HIKE?

IF I’M BEING HONEST, I wasn’t always a hiker. My threshold for outdoorsy things was midrange toleration at best. I didn’t own proper hiking shoes until my late twenties. I wasn’t too keen on heights. Plopping myself in the wilderness with a bag strapped to my back and getting dirty seemed like a less-than-appealing way to spend my precious weekend hours.

I’ll be real, I wasn’t tackling 10 miles and high peaks straight out the gate. I started small, with some with short day hikes and fall foliage appreciation. Once I realized I could handle the shorter treks, I pushed on to longer jaunts. I loved feeling free and wild while proving to myself that I could do it.

Thing is, I hadn’t really tried hiking. Which was ironic, as I had grown up in an area of incredible mountain ranges, something I’d wildly underappreciated until moving to the big city and trading mountains for skyscrapers right after graduation.

What is Hiking?

Running had served as a decently effective method of exercise, but I became bored of my same old two-to-three-mile loop, and even worse if I was restricted to a treadmill due to unfavorable weather. Enter hiking. I’d escape north to my hometown for a weekend and find myself craving wide open spaces, green things, and fresh air. If I could burn some calories while getting my nature fix then that would be a major bonus. What started as a break from the hustle and bustle turned into a realization that hiking had much more to offer than I’d thought. I liked adventures as a kid, and I wanted to find that joy again. Hiking does that. I also may or may not have a serious thing for dramatic scenery, and turns out hiking can do that too.

The act of hiking is defined as taking an extended walk in nature. We’re all hikers, really, in one form or another. It’s exercise in its most basic, pure form: walking. The world is a giant playground, and we’re all really just oversized kids deep down. Most people have an idea of what certain activities look like, and it can be a bit daunting to actually place yourself there. Maybe you think of hiking as ridiculously long treks in the middle of nowhere for days on end with nothing to eat but wild berries and bugs. While it could be that, it most definitely does not have to be that. Hiking is all-inclusive. You don’t have to be “good” at it. It’s one of those things that offers varying levels, and an activity that most can do in some capacity. While it’s always safer to have a hiking buddy, solo hiking can quench that craving for solitude. It can be a fun day with friends or a great date idea, and a kid-friendly hike could be the perfect family excursion.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

words by Lauren Breedlove photography by Ahmad Barber & Lauren Breedlove styled by Ray C'Mone make-up and hair by Ebonee J model Myisha of St.Claire Models

Photography by Ahmad Barber

CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIKER

Arabia Mountain, Georgia, US 2018—volume 1

FITNESS

Hiking can be as big of a commitment as you want it to be—that’s one of the beautiful things about it. There’s a hike for every taste. You can trek local trails near your home, whether that means a riverside path in your city or a scenic park trail in the country. More exotic trails await when you’re ready, offering adventures going from village to village in Italy’s Cinque Terre or getting up close and personal with the glow of active volcanic lava at Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression. You can go tropical and hike to a jungle waterfall, or let yourself absorb stunning mountain scenery in the Austrian Alps. Hiking is what you make it, and it allows you to access places in the world on foot that cars just can’t reach. Common Myths About Hiking YOU HAVE TO SCALE A MOUNTAIN TO HIKE.

Actually, you don’t. I mean, it’s cool if you do, and the views are bound to dazzle, but you can embark on a relatively flat nature hike around a lake, through the woods, or even in a park. That is still a hike. YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL TO HIKE. Hiking while

traveling definitely opens up opportunities to see otherworldly landscapes, such as the Icelandic highlands or the Rwenzori Mountains (aka “Mountains of the Moon”) between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Even if you live in a big city, there are likely nature trails or a local park to get you started not too far away. YOU HAVE TO BE IN AMAZING SHAPE TO HIKE THE GOOD HIKES. I admit I thought this too. Turns out you can see some pretty fantastic things on easy to moderate hikes. As you build up your endurance, use goal-worthy views as motivation for tougher trails in the future.

THE GEAR IS EXPENSIVE. If you’re backcountry

camping on a multiday trek and need to purchase a tent, pack, and so forth, then yes, the gear can be expensive. As an alternative, there are outdoor suppliers that rent gear for

reasonable prices. However, if you’re just dabbling in day hikes, you can purchase goodquality hiking shoes or boots for affordable prices, particularly if you search last year’s models or shop at a discount outerwear store. Hiking as Excercise There are bountiful physical benefits from hiking. It’s a strong jumping-off point for exercise in general, and might very well be the ideal way to get yourself going. Depending on variables such as body weight, hike length, and incline, you can burn a sizable number of calories (400 to 500) while on the trail. Hiking is an all-over workout. In addition to improving cardiovascular health, it works your legs and core muscle groups, building wellrounded strength. It can also lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as help with high blood pressure. Oh, and did I mention the whole losing weight thing? That too. Also, hiking isn’t as hard on your joints as running, since you’re on softer terrain than jogging on a paved road. Plus it’s highly motivating to have a goal like reaching a summit. Besides all that, hiking is a choose-yourown-adventure workout. The opportunity for discovery is endless, and that’s just plain fun. You’ll feel the burn, but you’ll also be distracted. The best kind of exercise is the kind where you don’t necessarily realize that you’re exercising. Additionally, when you’re traveling, hiking is a great way to stay in shape without having to sacrifice exploration time by going to the gym. Mental Benefits We’re aware of the many physical benefits of hiking, but the mental ones are just as impressive, if not more so. Hiking presents the ideal conditions to clear your head in a muchneeded wilderness time-out. It’s a natural stress reliever, and the cocktail of fresh air, nature, and exercise has been proven to make people happier.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIKER AS YOU BUILD UP YOUR ENDURANCE, USE GOAL-WORTHY VIEWS AS MOTIVATION FOR

Photography by Ahmad Barber

TOUGHER TRAILS IN THE FUTURE.

You can take a break from everyday life, step outside and disconnect, literally. It’s impossible not to be inspired while taking in eye-candylevel scenery. Being outdoors can energize you, like an organic refresh, and make you feel more present. What to Wear You don’t need to be fancy-schmancy, but you do need to be appropriate. I’ve encountered people in some unfortunate clothing choices on the trails. Proper footwear is necessary and can make a large difference in your overall hiking experience. Flip-flops are just not going to cut it. Neither will crocs, jelly shoes, or a sundress.

Hiking presents the ideal conditions to clear your head in a much-needed wilderness time-out.

A good pair of hiking shoes or boots can give you confidence, and you need to be able to trust your own feet when hiking. And layers are the best way to ensure you’re prepared for any sort of weather. You can always peel them off or put more on for warmth. A lightweight raincoat is recommended too, because you never know.

2018—volume 1

FITNESS

Water and snacks are a must. Bring something simple that will give you a little boost of energy, like an energy bar or a piece of fruit. What to Bring A lot of what you would pack for a hike depends on the length of intended trail, the weather, your tendency to get hangry, and so forth. However, there are some basic provisions to pretty much always have on your hiking checklist. »» Water and snacks are a must. Bring something simple that will give you a little boost of energy, like an energy bar or a piece of fruit. (That said, I’ve also brought a bag of doughnuts to the top of a mountain at sunrise, so follow your heart.) »» Sunscreen, bug spray, and a small first-aid kit (even it’s something you throw together yourself) are also suggested. »» Toilet paper and hand sanitizer, in case nature calls and you need to use the outdoors as a bathroom. »» A headlamp is necessary if you’ll be doing any hiking in the dark, or near sunrise or sunset, and will allow you to keep your hands free. »» Offline maps are crucial if you’ll be venturing into areas without cell service or hiking on trails that aren’t well marked. You can find apps such as Map My Hike that provide offline maps with GPS functionality. »» Trekking poles are completely optional, but if you start to do a lot of trails with downhill sections, poles may be a sound investment as they can help with balance and take some of the pressure off your knees. Downsides Everything has its pros and cons, and hiking is no different (though the positives far outweigh prospective negatives).

»» Like any physical activity, there’s always a risk of injury, and bug bites are a very real possibility. »» It’s not always pretty. Your nose may run, you’ll definitely sweat, and you may need to stop every few feet to catch your breath at first. But the fact that you’re moving is its own reward. »» There’s no bathroom. Sometimes trailheads will have an outhouse or porta potty, so it’s wise to go before you embark. However, if nature calls while you’re out there, you should go away from the trail and leave no trace. If you need to use toilet paper, put it in a small bag to dispose of later, when you get home. Going number two requires either digging a small hole or packing it out in a sealable bag to dispose of correctly. Finding Trails There are loads of websites with trail listings, such as The Outbound, Alltrails.com, and many others. Also, many travel destinations have hiking trails as a tab on their tourism websites, along with maps and suggestions. When traveling in a new area, you can ask the locals what hikes they recommend. They will be able to direct you to some true gems, often free from other tourists. Hiking Tips »» Push yourself at least a bit, but know your limits. You’ll feel great afterward! »» Get up early and catch a sunrise, or time your hike for a summit sunset. Make sure you know how long a trek should take so you don’t end up in the dark unprepared, and always overestimate how long it will take you.

Here are some of the possible downsides:

»» Turn around if you feel unsafe. I once got caught in a surprise snowstorm and made the decision to head back. It was the safe, right thing to do.

»» You might not like hiking (but hey, you tried).

»» Do your research. If possible, read reviews

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

Photography by Lauren Breedlove

CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIKER

Thorsmork, Iceland

2018—volume 1

Arches National Park, Utah, US

Photography by Lauren Breedlove

CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIKER

about the hike you plan on doing to get information about the terrain and difficulty so you know what you’re getting into. »» Stay on marked trails. You don’t want to get lost in the wilderness! If you can, hike with a buddy. OUTDOORAFRO.COM is a great resource for connecting with other hikers and meeting likeminded people to hit the trail with. »» If you choose to hike solo, be sure to tell someone where you are going, what time you are leaving, and when you expect to return. »» If you’re going to be hiking in altitudes of over 6,000 feet, allow yourself ample time to acclimate beforehand, as high altitudes have a major physical effect on the body.

CLASSIC DESTINATIONS

Truth Time

You can find places to hike almost anywhere. There is so much to be discovered, but these particular locations are sure to offer an epic start—or even just some initial inspiration.

I don’t always love it. I’m afraid of heights, but I still do it anyway. I’ve used hiking as a tool to help me overcome my fear and push myself farther. I have actually descended a mountain on my butt because it was too steep.

MT. KILIMANJARO A classic six-to-eight-day climb, this is a bucket-list hike for sure. Take in mind-boggling scenery as you make your way to the roof of Africa. Suggested training and preparation starts about two months out, and there’s a route for all hiking levels.

But hiking has taken me places, given me stories, and gifted me perspective. It’s kept me in shape, pushed my limits, and rewarded me far past any expectations. I’ve uncovered fairytale-esque waterfalls, herded sheep in Switzerland, and had a moment with a baby deer and it’s momma at sunrise in a national park.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK For a different kind of scenery, take

»» Go at your own pace.

All because I strapped on my boots and went for a long walk.

out the trees. Utah’s awe-inspiring red rock formations and a wide range of trail options for all activity levels make this a quintessential western U.S. hiking experience NORWAY The country is basically one big hiking trail. Well, not really, but close. It’s a hiker’s paradise, with scenery that will fuel your midweek daydreams for pretty much ever.

2018—volume 1

FITNESS

Into the Woods: #BlackGirlsHike HAVE BOOTS, WILL TRAVEL!

With groups like Outdoor Afro breaking new ground by challenging the myth that black people don’t like to get out into nature, there’s never been a better time for you to strap on your hiking boots. We sat down with our very own social media intern, Dominica Reid, to find out just what gets her heart pumping about hiking and why getting out into the middle of nowhere is her personal form of self-care.

RADIANT HEALTH Was hiking something you were always interested in? DOMINICA REID It’s an interesting story. My dad was very much into hiking and the outdoors. He’s hiked and traveled all over the world, but I wasn’t really into that until I got older and began full-time work as a behavioral therapist. The work was very stressful and exhausting. One day I was really burnt out, so my fiancé (now husband) said, “Let’s just go to a mountain, get a cabin, and get away.” So we went, and I just totally fell in love with hiking. It was beautiful, just coming into nature, and we immediately decided to go on a bunch of hiking trips. RH Who do you usually hike with? DOMINICA I usually hike with my husband and our dogs. RH Have you ever had trouble getting your black female friends to go hiking with you? DOMINICA Yeah, even my mom. It’s immediately a “No, why are you doing this; it’s dangerous; what about the wild

animals out there; why would you want to do it if you don’t know anything about it?” I’d take a picture of a beautiful mountain and she’d ask if there are bears or snakes and what kind of people I was around. That whole fear of getting dirty or getting your hair messed up. I even have that too. RH Why do you think certain groups are more associated with hiking and outdoor activities than others? DOMINICA I think back to my own family growing up. My family and friends, when they go on vacation or trips, tend to look at the luxury vacation market. Outdoor trips are not on their radar, and I think the reason for this is that in the past, the outdoor vacation market didn’t advertise to people of color. Even today, when you look at social media travel pages for people of color, it tends to focus on luxury travel such as beach resorts, cruises, and boutique hotels. So, doing an outdoor trip isn’t always on people of color’s radar since the market tends to overlook them.

I also wonder if, for some people, luxury travel is the ultimate form of relaxation.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

words by Chinyere Amobi images courtesy of Caleb Morris

Why rough it in the woods if you can get a massage on the beach? That’s how I used to think, so I understand where people are coming from. I don’t think that many people know just how therapeutic being in nature can be. I’m happy to see that there are changes happening, especially from big companies like REI and Patagonia, to expand their wilderness marketing outreach to include people of color, and to get them to see that a trip to the woods can be just as relaxing as a beach vacation. I’m seeing a change in general where people are trying to reconnect to the outdoors and get away from technology and their hectic lives. Other than that, it could be a fear thing … I’m not sure. RH When you say a fear thing, what kind? DOMINICA Maybe a fear of the unknown? Personally, when I first started going hiking when we went to Tennessee, we were in a very small town, maybe 500 people, and there was one restaurant and a rental store. Just being around people

INTO THE WOODS

Dominica on a hike in the Tennessee woods with her dog Benny.

2018—volume 1

FITNESS

People are increasingly wanting to just get away into nature and be able to disconnect. Once your phone doesn’t work and you’re in the middle of quiet and peace and hearing the birds and the insects, it’s the best way to get away from everything. who don’t look like you was very worrisome because I didn’t know how people would treat me or perceive me, and so it was like kind of a fear of safety and acceptance, and maybe the fear of being in nature. When we went hiking in Colorado, you’d be the only person for miles on end, in the middle of the woods, and that’s kind of scary. RH Hiking seems to be becoming more mainstream for people of all demographics. Have you found this to be true, and if so, why? DOMINICA I agree. You’re seeing more hiking companies advertising to people of color, and I think it might be the same thing that happened to me: people feeling more stressed and tired from constantly being bombarded by electronics and cars and traffic. People are increasingly wanting to just get away into nature and be able to disconnect. Once your phone doesn’t work and you’re in the middle of quiet and peace and hearing the birds and the insects, it’s the best way to get away from everything. RH I liked what you said about the need to get away from everything. Self-care is being talked about so much more now. Would you see hiking as a form of self-care for you? DOMINICA Absolutely. Once we were knee-deep in wedding planning, my fiancé and I were so stressed and decided to get away. It was a perfect escape of driving two hours to check out these waterfalls and just clear our minds. We came home with a relaxed perspective, instead of trying to figure it all out when we were stressed. Hiking’s definitely become part of my self-care. A simpler hike may not cost you anything, and that’s amazing. RH What are some limitations that people often face when they’re trying to get into hiking? DOMINICA For me, it was mainly finding a way to learn about safety and proper gear. I just winged it the first time and didn’t really reach out and educate myself as much as I should have. No one around me really knew how to do it; it

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

was just an escape. The first time I went hiking I wore sandals, we got lost, it was really hot, and I wasn’t wearing proper attire. A rock rolled onto my fiancé’s foot, and of course he wasn’t wearing proper shoes. Thank God it wasn’t that bad, but it could have been really bad. It’s really easy to make mistakes that get you hurt or lost. That was my limitation for sure. It’s also important to be aware of any physical disabilities that might hinder you from hiking. RH Are there any cost limitations? DOMINICA Getting proper hiking equipment, such as hiking shoes, can be ridiculously expensive. You might buy shoes that are great for winter, but not summer. When we went to Colorado, we got coats for the weather that weren’t heavy and could roll up into themselves, and these jackets were easily $200—some can even go up to $1,000. I was lucky because my dad was really into hiking, so he had some really nice tents and gear and sleeping bags he was able to give me. I can’t imagine having had to spend $300 on a nice sleeping bag. But if you do the proper research and know when to buy your gear, you can find a lot of stuff secondhand at great deals. RH What would you say to someone in a very urban place that’s not close to nature? Do you have advice for people who feel landlocked in that way? DOMINICA I know—luckily, Atlanta is good in that it’s close to a lot of parks that you can go to. I live right in the center of the city, but there’s a park in my neighborhood. It’s not huge, but it has a nature trail that you can walk. Even being around that and the little creek that’s there can still allow you to sit and pull away. For some places like Los Angeles where you’re landlocked and can’t really get out, you can just do nature sounds around the house and meditate; that really helps me. RH What are the main benefits you’ve experienced from hiking? DOMINICA Relaxation. Being able to pull away.

INTO THE WOODS

When you’re around giant trees, rocks and mountains, you realize that your problems are not that big. Clockwise: Garden of the Gods, Colorado; Red Rocks Trail, Colorado; Altamant Tennessee.

From a mental perspective, feeling calm, relaxed, and in the moment. When you’re around giant trees and rocks and mountains, you realize that your problems are not that big. The world is so much bigger than us and there’s so much out there; you’re not the center of it, and that just puts everything into perspective. But I also hike to be physically fit. I sit in the office all day in front of a computer and a phone. After every hike, I notice how sore I am, but also how it really gets your heart pumping and makes you physically realize how stuck you are when you’re at work all day or sitting in traffic. RH What would you say to someone who can’t find anyone to hike with them? DOMINICA There’s a lot of great hiking meetups online that do hiking trips. REI does a lot of different group hikes and trainings. You could go there and meet a bunch of beginning hikers.

They teach you about proper gear and camping trips, and you can really start building a community from there. I wouldn’t recommend hiking on your own for safety reasons, especially as women. RH What about to someone who assumes

hiking wouldn’t be for them?

DOMINICA I’d ask them why they feel that way. I guess if it’s a physical thing I could totally get it. I used to not think it was for me. But I think for us as human beings, being in nature is natural. Once you’re in it you’ll realize how amazing it is and how we’re all connected to nature in some way. So, I’d definitely convince them to give it a try. Go to a nearby trail or park and try to immerse yourself in nature even if it isn’t going up a big mountain. Just try to be around it as much as you can, and slowly branch out.

2018—volume 1

FITNESS

Strengthen Your Legs & Butt for Lifelong Benefits A How-To Guide words by Patrick Dale

SHAPE FOR NOW, STRENGTH FOREVER!

FITNESS AND EXERCISE are often influenced

by fashion. Workouts and diets rise and fall in popularity, and even body parts can be subject to trends. In Madonna’s heyday, toned arms and shoulders were all the rage. More recently, sixpack abs have been grabbing the headlines.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

Now it looks like a new trend is emerging, and it’s one that spells great news not just for how you look, but for your long-term health too. Move over six-pack abs, there’s a new fitness and fashion must-have in town—strong legs and a shapely butt!

WORKOUT: LEGS & GLUTES

Beyond Appearances

It works with the muscles of your legs in almost all lower body movements.

A lot of workouts focus purely on appearance. Women often exercise specifically for the way it makes them look. But when it comes to training the muscles in your lower body, you gain not only aesthetic results, but health and functional benefits as well. Your muscle mass and natural strength peak during your mid-thirties. Up until that time, you should be more than capable of dealing with the physical demands of life. However, as you move from your fourth decade to your fifth (sorry, that’s not a typo!), muscle mass begins to decline. The change won’t be evident at first, but as the years pass you’ll start to notice your lost muscle mass. Some of the effects of this phenomenon, technically known as sarcopenia, include: »» Difficulty climbing stairs. »» Difficulty getting out of a chair without using your arms. »» Tiredness after walking or standing for prolonged periods. »» More knee, hip, and lower back pain. »» Increased incidence of trips and falls. The main reason that many older people are less mobile and capable than their younger counterparts is a lack of muscle mass, especially in the lower body. But by building more muscle and strength now, the inevitable loss of muscle mass associated with

advancing age will not have as large an impact. Instead of struggling with everyday tasks such as walking or climbing stairs, you’ll have muscle power to spare, even as you reach old age. Build Those Bones It’s important to know that exercising for increased lower body strength can also have a huge effect on bone mass. Like muscle mass, bone mass peaks and then declines once you hit your mid-thirties. This loss of bone mass is called osteopenia and can lead to osteoporosis if left unchecked. Osteoporosis, a medical condition characterized by weak and porous bones, is a leading cause of fractures in the elderly. Osteoporosis is a major contributing factor to most fall-related hip fractures. Fortunately, the same exercises that strengthen the muscles of your lower body will strengthen your bones as well. Give Your Back a Break A weak butt, or gluteus maximus, can also affect your health. Spending long periods of time sitting down can lead to a weak and flaccid butt. Located on the back of the hip, your butt is a vital muscle for extending your hip joint.

The key to sculpting the lower body of your dreams is lifting weights, as your muscles will only get stronger if you challenge them.

What’s more, your butt is crucial to helping you lift objects off the floor, such as when you pick up your children. If your butt is weak, your lower back has to do more work than usual, and this increases your risk of injury. In many instances, lower back injuries caused by lifting can be attributed to weak glutes. More Muscle Burns More Calories Strengthening your legs and butt can also help you lose weight and keep it off. The muscles of your lower body burn a lot of calories, even at rest. Adding just a small amount of muscle to your legs and butt will significantly increase your metabolism, making weight management much easier. Also, exercising your legs burns a lot of calories — far more than your abs could ever match. Want to be stronger, leaner, and more toned? Do you want to stay that way long into old age? Then you need to strengthen your legs and butt! Your Rx for Lower Body Strength The key to sculpting the lower body of your dreams is lifting weights, as your muscles will only get stronger if you challenge them. You can use free weights, resistance training machines, resistance bands, and/or body weight exercises to overload your muscles. The key to getting results is making your workouts more difficult from one week to the next.

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FITNESS

There are several ways to do this: »»

Do more repetitions with the same amount of weight, e.g. 12 reps this week, 13 reps the next week, etc.

»»

Increase the amount of weight while keeping the repetitions the same.

»»

Do more sets of each exercise.

»»

Take shorter rests between sets, e.g. 60 seconds this week, 55 seconds next week, etc.

2. ROMANIAN DEADLIFT: This exercise is also known as stiff-legged deadlifts. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Holding dumbbells or a barbell, push your hips back and then lean forward, lowering the weight to just below your knees. Do not round your lower back. Stand back up and repeat. HOME

OPTION

USE

FULL

WATER

BOTTLES

INSTEAD OF DUMBBELLS OR USE A BACKPACK LOADED WITH BOOKS.

»»

Use more demanding exercises.

»»

Work out more often.

Try to apply at least one of these progressions to the following program whenever you repeat it. Remember, doing the same workout over and over will not give you the results you want. If you want to see progress, you need to incorporate some form of progression into your workouts! DO THIS WORKOUT TWICE A WEEK ON NONCONSECUTIVE DAYS, SUCH AS MONDAY AND THURSDAY. YOU CAN DO IT EITHER AT A GYM OR AT HOME. WARM-UP: Do 5 to 10 minutes on your choice of cardio

machine. Start slowly and then increase your pace gradually so that you feel warm and slightly out of breath by the end.

REVERSE LUNGES OFF STEP: Stand on a 3- to 6-inchhigh step (7-15 cm) with your feet together and your hands by your sides. Hold dumbbells if necessary. Take a large step backward and then bend your legs, lowering your rearmost knee to just below the level of the platform. Step forward and back up to return to your starting position. Do your next repetition leading with the opposite leg. Continue alternating legs for the duration of your set. HOME OPTION USE FULL WATER BOTTLES INSTEAD OF DUMBBELLS.

4. GOBLET SQUATS: Hold a single dumbbell in front of your chest, just under your chin. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Push your hips back, bend your knees and squat down until your knees are bent to about 90-degrees. Do not round your lower back. Stand back up and repeat. Make this exercise more butt-centric by tying a resistance band around your knees pushing your legs outward as you squat.

HOME OPTION GO FOR A BRISK WALK/EASY JOG OR

HOME OPTION HOLD A FULL WATER BOTTLE IN-

DO SOME JUMP ROPE.

STEAD OF A DUMBBELL.

DYNAMIC STRETCHES: Prepare your muscles for what’s to come by doing bodyweight squats, lunges, and leg swings, beginning with shallow movements and progressing to deeper ones (10-12 repetitions of each movement should be sufficient).

1. HIP THRUSTS: Lie on your back with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold a weight plate, dumbbell, or barbell across your hips. Push your hips up toward the ceiling and then lower your butt back to the floor. HOME OPTION USE A BACKPACK LOADED WITH

BIRD DOG/ROVER’S REVENGE: Kneel on all fours with your shoulders directly over your hands, and your hips directly over your knees. Extend your left leg backward and your right arm forward until they are parallel to the floor. Lower and then swap sides. Continue alternating for the duration of your set. On completion, lift your left leg up and out to the side while keeping your knee bent. Do the prescribed number of reps and then change sides.

COOL DOWN: Once you have finished your workout, do

a few more minutes of easy cardio and then stretch all of your leg muscles to reduce soreness and stiffness.

BOOKS AND REST IT ACROSS YOUR HIPS.

EXCERCISE

SETS

REPS

REST

Hip thrusts

Romanian Deadlifts

12–15

60 seconds

10–12

Reverse Lunges off step

60 seconds

2 per leg

10–12

Goblet squats

60 seconds

12–15

60 seconds

Bird dog/Rover's revenge

2 per leg

10–12

60 seconds

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

WORKOUT: LEGS & GLUTES

3. 2.

Strong legs and a shapely butt may well be the ultimate fashion accessory right now, but developing them will also help maintain and even improve your quality of life as you get older. Abs are still undeniably important, but a strong and capable lower body can add years to your life!

2018—volume 1

FITNESS I DID IT

From Kidney Donor to Competitive Bodybuilder in One Extraordinary Year

words by Chinyere Cindy Amobi photography by Ahmad Barber

Saving a life helped her reinvent her own

When Wiahdee Hearst found out that her aunt needed a kidney donor for the second time, she didn’t hesitate to get tested to see if she was a match. What followed was not only a saving grace for her aunt, but also an unexpected introduction to the world of fitness and nutrition for Wiahdee herself. We sat down with Hearst, a 39-year-old management and program analyst, to chat about how her decision to donate a kidney eventually led to a new, active lifestyle and bodybuilding competitions. 72

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

I DID IT: WIAHDEE HEARST

RADIANT HEALTH What sickness caused

your aunt to need two kidney transplants?

WIAHDEE HEARST My aunt has had kidney

disease for a long time. When her kidneys eventually deteriorated, my mom donated one of hers in the late 90s or early 2000s. That kidney lasted about 15 years before breaking down. That’s where I came in, in February 2014.

RH What inspired you to donate your

kidney to your aunt?

WIAHDEE Initially, she didn’t want to tell

anyone that she needed a kidney. I guess because she’d already gotten one before. It’s almost impossible for someone on the donor list to even get a match, so she thought that it would basically be impossible to get another one. When I finally did get wind of it, it was like an immediate thing for me to get tested. I’ve heard horrible things about dialysis, and it was just in my spirit to do it. I’m pretty much a carbon copy of my mother, so I felt like if my mother had been a match, I was definitely a match.

RH Were you scared? WIAHDEE When I was at the hospital to do the last step before they said we’re clear for donation, I was really nervous. I remembered the woman at the donor clinic telling me towards the end that if I ever decided I didn’t want to do this, they would just tell my aunt that I wasn’t a match so there wouldn’t be any issues in the family. So, I was at the lab and I remember there were a couple of signs

that showed me I was doing the right thing, and that this is what I needed to be doing. This older lady was sitting there and when I told her I was doing a kidney donation and was getting nervous, she reassured me and said so many people in the world could help people, and if you have the ability, do it—the same stuff I was telling myself up until that point. When I went back up to the transplant area there was a lady in the room next to me and she told me how glad she was that I was giving someone a kidney. She was in need of one herself, and was looking for a donor. That was just impactful to me. To see that my aunt wouldn’t have to be that person, because there’s so many people on that list it’s just ridiculous. I was young and healthy, and I could easily do it. Those two things just reassured me, and I had a lot of peace with the process. RH How would you describe your fitness

level before you donated your kidney?

WIAHDEE I’ve always enjoyed being active,

but prior to the donation, I was fluctuating a lot in my weight. We had been back in the states [from Liberia] for maybe five to six years, and I hadn’t really been working out that much, if at all.

When I went to my initial meeting with the donation people at Piedmont Hospital here in Atlanta, they said that I was a little bit overweight. They wanted me to lose 10 to 15 pounds, because the heavier you are, the higher the chance of issues during the donation process. I decided that I wouldn’t let weight be the

reason I can’t donate a kidney. It had to be because I’m not a match, not because I’m too heavy. They were mainly concerned about my body fat percentage being too high, so I got on a diet right away. I jumped into the gym with my husband, started exercising more, and really focused on losing weight. RH So how did you lose the weight?

Nutrition? A new workout plan?

WIAHDEE It was all of that. My husband had just started using a nutrition supplement line and he was doing this 24-day challenge thing, so I joined in that. We also started exercising together for the first time, which we still do to this day.

He’s now my trainer. We changed our eating habits, and we were in the gym a lot more, to the point where by the time the surgery came around, I had decided to do a fitness competition after my recovery. In fact, the hardest part after the surgery was having to just sit at home and not being able to go to the gym, because it was now such a major part of our lives. So, after I healed from the surgery we jumped right back in and we did my first [bodybuilding] show in November 2014. RH How did you get into bodybuilding? WIAHDEE I’m kind of strong for a female. My husband has always joked with me that I should do the strongman contest, because I’m always moving furniture with him and things like that. We’ve been married for 20 years and I’ve always been that lady.

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After the surgery, we discussed me maybe doing a competition, so I looked into it but didn’t like the way the powerlifting women looked. It wasn’t feminine to me. But then I saw the bodybuilders. They had muscle, but they wear heels as well. That’s how I found a compromise where I could stay fit and be in shape, and get to be feminine at the same time, with heels, makeup, and hair done onstage. RADIANT HEALTH Have you developed a

sense of community in bodybuilding?

WIAHDEE Oh yes, it’s really a lot of fun. I’ve met so many good people since I started in 2014, and this is one of those communities where some things can be misunderstood. People automatically assume that because you’re a bodybuilder you’re going to be looking like Wesley Snipes.

There are different levels in bodybuilding, which was something I didn’t know before. It can range from extremely feminine to extremely manly looking. But a lot of the ladies in there are just people passionate about their health and passionate about always advancing the way their body looks. It’s all about setting goals for yourself and trying to beat your last. As for my husband and I, one of the best things to me about being in the community is being able to work out with him—he’s a great trainer. It started out as helping me lose these pounds for the surgery, but now it gives us the opportunity to spend a lot of time together, which has definitely helped our relationship a lot. Plus, my husband is a certified trainer now. At the time of my surgery he was a police officer and he absolutely hated it. During my recovery, he stayed out of work six to seven weeks with me. After all our training, he ended up leaving his job to get into training more people. The surgery was the catalyst for a lot of this.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

I DID IT: WIAHDEE HEARST

It’s all about setting goals for yourself and trying to beat your last.

RH Could you describe your daily fitness routine? WIAHDEE Monday through Saturday we

get up at 4:30 a.m. and try to hit the gym by five. I usually do about 40 to 45 minutes of cardio and about an hour of weights, hitting a different body part each day.

RH It sounds like you enjoyed jumping into the fitness side of your new routine, but what about nutrition? WIAHDEE That’s always a harder transition, and definitely more of a mindset issue than the body. I’m currently two weeks in to prepping for a show, and I’m getting used to it. We’re Liberian people, so I want to eat Liberian food all the time, not just chicken breasts and egg whites. But I only have 12 weeks to get ready for the show, and while my country’s food is delicious, it’s not good for you because of the oil and all the frying.

I save all the food my family cooks for me in the freezer. The day after my show, we have this tradition where we all come together and I warm up all the food they’ve been eating without me and we eat it. That’s how I get through it; this gives me something to look forward to, so I’m not totally missing out. For the surgery, I probably could have had a little of African food, but I was seeing results, and I was on a mission to lose that weight. So, we ate a lot of chicken breast, egg whites, and oatmeal, focusing on making sure our meals were more consistent. I cut out fast food and soda. I would still have things like Crystal Light, but I’ve learned since then that some of those kinds of things can make it even more difficult to lose weight.

Fitness has helped me learn how my body works, and what’s going to work for me. I now compete for the first half of the year and enjoy the holidays with the family. But once I get into it prepping for a show, I’m definitely all in for those months. RH Can you talk about how you worked your way up fitness-wise to the level you are now? WIAHDEE Before I had lost the weight for my surgery I was probably 186 pounds. After the surgery, I had gone down to about 174 and continued to lose weight due to some issues I had from the recovery medications, which can really mess with your stomach. So, I lost maybe 10 more pounds just from being at home, bringing me down to 160.

After I recovered I had six weeks where I couldn’t work out or do anything. I got into prep around August of that year, where I could lift all the weight I wanted to without feeling any weakness. By the time I got on stage in November, I was down to maybe 138 to 140 pounds from months of working out and dieting. When I finally stepped onstage, I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. Nevertheless, it was an accomplishment to me even though I placed last in my class, because look at what I came from: 186 pounds at the beginning of the year to 138 pounds by the end. It was a huge thing for me to do that. I won my class last year, and I also went up for my Pro Card [an elite designation awarded by the International Federation of BodyBuilders] against another woman. I didn’t win it, but that’s a huge jump from where we started in 2014. Every year I’ve competed at least once

and gotten better. My hope is that this year I’ll win that Pro Card. RH What would you say to someone who wants to ramp up their fitness routine?

It definitely starts with the mind. One thing I hear from people a lot is “I need you to motivate me,” but I think motivation is a difficult thing to give people. I can inspire you, and you can be inspired by someone, but I think people need to understand the difference. A lot of people inspire me, but that person can’t motivate me to do anything. You need to set some goals for yourself and be willing to put in the work to do it.

WIAHDEE

I don’t like to get up at four thirty in the morning, but like with any goal it’s going to take me doing that to get my Pro Card before turning 40 in September. And that’s one of my goals that I’ve written out in my book that I want to accomplish. Whatever you have to do to get yourself motivated, use those tools to get yourself going. Also, don’t be afraid to hit the weights. A lot of women have this misconception about weight training even though it’s one of the best things women can do for themselves. People always say they want arms like Angela Bassett or Michelle Obama. How do you think they get them? They don’t get them from just doing cardio. You have to get into the weight room. It’s not going to make you bigger, it’s going make you leaner. It can be unnerving at first because you don’t know what to do, so I would say get a partner you’re comfortable with until you can learn it yourself. And YouTube, YouTube, YouTube! You’ll find tons of tips.

2018—volume 1

RADIANT FINDS

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P R E M I U M O L I V E O I L S A N D AG E D B A L S A M I C S

cultivatedtree.com

SECTION

features

page 80.

LUVVIE AJAYI The evolution of awesomely Luvvie

PAGE 88.

WOMAN INTERRUPTED Stories of survival

PAGE 108.

MATTERS OF THE HEART A family’s story of grit, grace, and gratitude

PAGE 116.

SPOTLIGHT KIDNEY SOLUTIONS A practical approach to paying it forward

Since 2006, Luvvie Ajayi has faithfully blogged on the good, the bad, the excellences, and the oddities of pop culture. Over the past 12 years, her unabashedly honest, often fierce, and effortlessly humorous judgment has afforded her experiences above and beyond what she imagined when she was initially peer-pressured into the practice. We were able to sit down and talk with Luvvie in the midst of her busy schedule, which now includes much more than posts on computer screens. As times have changed, so has her scope, and that trajectory is on track to be, well … awesome.

words by Nikki Igbo photography by Ahmad Barber styled by Ray C'Mone make-up by Erica Bogart

FEATURE Top by Oscar de la Renta & pants by Amur, Saks Fifth Avenue. Shoes by Vince Emberly Mules, Nordstrom

On Walking Boldly into the Unknown For many who write poetry or songs, there is a certain freedom that comes with guiding the pen in these pursuits. Once written, their interpretation is left at the feet of the reader, the singer, the listener. If the meaning changes, so be it; that part is out of the writer’s hands. But prose is different. Prose is very much about seeing the world and making sense of it in words that are both universal and timeless. It is an exhaustive pursuit of and for clarity and understanding. This kind of writing is the employment of a unique force, a power that can steer a generation, uphold ultimate truth, overcome impossible obstacles. This kind of writing insists on developing into a life and a mission of its own. This kind of writing consumes as it creates and tears down as it rebuilds. And for the writer who dares to compose it, prose demands personal development, growth, and evolution.

that stage and was exactly who I am and realized that I’m always getting the reminder that my journey is unfolding exactly as it should.” Luvvie’s foray into a life of prose has taken her from being a simple pop-culture critic to a true agent of world change. It has included signed television deals, national speaking tours, candid moments with the likes of Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and book sales beyond all expectations. As is customary with this writing life, many demands have been made requiring an adjustment in thought, scope, vision, and self. Luvvie is in the thick of that change. On Owning Her Inner Scribe Though Luvvie Ajayi did not identify herself as a wordsmith until nine years after penning her first blog post, I immediately saw her as a writer during our first encounter. As we approached to shake hands, she surveyed her surroundings for detail, and listened more than she spoke. When she did speak, her words were chosen carefully, crafted instead of simply uttered.

Luvvie Ajayi has come to understand this phenomenon and what it means to be a pro- “It took until 2012 for me to call myself a writer and start monetizing my blog,” Luvvie says. fessional purveyor of prose, which is why she found herself giving the opening remarks at “Brands started coming to me, ‘You have a great audience and we want to work with you,’ and it TedWomen 2017 this past November. The finally got to the point where I couldn’t say that central point of her message was quite simple: I wasn’t a writer. I was out of excuses.” get comfortable with being uncomfortable. She challenged the audience to say yes to seemingly There were other telltale signs of her trade. scary opportunities, to step with alacrity into Nails manicured short so as not to a be a new fresh experiences, and to be empowered to hindrance while keystroking. Locs traded for convert thoughts into positive action. a short cut leaving fingers freed from twisting to focus on typing. An affinity for casual, It was an incredibly personal message. comfortable dress — all the better to sit and write in. An unspoken reluctance to be the On social media, Luvvie confessed to almost center of attention. Except for her cropped not going through with the talk because she mane (which is a fairly recent development), I felt she wasn’t ready. But once it was posted on TED’s home page, her “unprepared” speech re- wondered when Luvvie had developed these ceived over a million views in less than a month. other attributes, though I didn’t ask; writers pour themselves into their work and are Famed rapper, actress, and talk show host Eve therefore, paradoxically, a private lot. took to Twitter to profess her love for Luvvie’s sage advice. The TED Talk she almost didn’t Luvvie did willingly divulge her writing begive has since been transcribed into 18 different ginnings, however. For her, blogging began as languages and has well over 2 million views. It’s no big deal during her freshman year at the been quoted time and again across the web and University of Illinois. Her friends had started printed in places as unlikely as Sunday church blogs and she agreed to do one too, just because. service programs. Then one of her friends noted her obvious writ“I changed half of it the night before and mem- ing abilities and suggested that Luvvie become a columnist for the school paper. Luvvie viewed orized it at 2:00 a.m.,” Luvvie admitted on an this move into journalism as nothing special. Instagram post in late December. “I stood on

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

LUVVIE AJAYI

“I wasn’t looking at writing as a career. It felt so abstract and very much unlike ‘feet on the ground’—which I am. I didn’t think of it as something I should pay attention to. I just thought it was something cute that I like to do,” she explains. She blogged throughout college and kept at it once she graduated and went out into the workforce. “I had a job as a marketing coordinator for a nonprofit and then I got laid off in April 2010, and that’s the last time I had a full-time job,” she says. “It was basically the universe [telling me], ‘I’m going to make you do this thing that you’re not going to do yourself,’ because I wasn’t going to quit my job. My blog had been the constant, and I still wasn’t calling myself a writer or willing to focus on it because it still felt very abstract.” I chuckled to myself both about her marketing roots and her message from the universe. How many other writers had started in this same way? F. Scott Fitzgerald. Elmore Leonard. Augusten Burroughs. Nikki Igbo. How many of us can also attest to the amazing powers of focus, concentration, commitment, dedication, drive, and the lack of a regular paycheck? “Everything I was afraid of in terms of making money and making this a career got moved out the way,” says Luvvie. “I got columns in magazines. I started working with brands and getting deals with them. It was as if the opportunities were just waiting for me to accept them. Doors that I didn’t even know existed opened. Fear kept me from going in for a long time. Not knowing what the path was. What are the guarantees that come with this writing thing? What does it look like to fail at it and what do I do then? The moment I finally said, ‘I’m a writer,’ I felt as if all of those things were going to work out.”

I wasn’t looking at writing as a career. It felt so abstract and very much unlike ‘feet on the ground’—which I am. I didn’t think of it as something I should pay attention to. I just thought it was something cute that I like to do.

Today Luvvie proudly shares that her job is to “critique the world, the shoddy systems, and the people who refuse to do better.” LuvvNation, Luvvie’s tribe of dedicated social media followers, is over half a million strong and growing. Luvvie has been recognized in Oprah Winfrey’s 2016 SuperSoul 100 as a person who elevates humanity. She has made The Root 100 annual list of the most influential African Americans three times. She’s authored a book, I’m Judging

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FEATURE

You: The Do-Better Manual, which made the New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today best-seller lists and is being developed for television. “I don’t remember what it was like the first time I felt like my words had impact,” says Luvvie. “It was one of those slow-to-build realizations; over time I realized people are listening. What’s really important is that I am staying true to myself and my voice, and if I do that everything else is fringe. If I am proud of what I write, I’ve already done my job and the cherry on top of the sundae is that people like it. Being able to be on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook and have people share quotes from that or saying that they bought [my book] for their mom or teenage daughter is really cool. That part is really cool.” On Wokeness and Leaving the World Better Than You Found It It’s funny how writers can’t help writing, discussing, sharing, and thinking about the act of writing. The more the she writes, the more her content changes. The more her writing adapts, the more she recognizes the jejune nature of her first offerings. Luckily, writers of prose forgive themselves, commit to themselves to do better, and write on. In the beginning, Luvvie’s blogs were about “college life, friendships, heartbreak, and whatnot.” Her post-collegiate blog, Luvvie’s Random Rants, offered commentary on subjects ranging from ready-to-wear hairstyle headbands to family photos gone horribly wrong. “When I started my blog, I was writing a lot about TV and Hollywood and randomness and some personal things here and there,” she says. “I wasn’t writing about social justice as much as I do now, and I think that’s a function of who I am as a human. These are issues that are more prominent for me. I can see my growth as a person through my posts. I’m more ‘woke,’ as everybody uses. More conscious of what’s happening in the world—the dynamics of politics, of race, of gender.” Luvvie’s Random Rants has since blossomed into AwesomelyLuvvie.com and has also expanded into a podcast, Rants and Randomness. While the podcast covers her most pressing rants, raves and faves, her blog posts have included topics on the importance of African American bone marrow donors and the role of black women in American politics. “It’s an important part of my identity to be able to say that I’m black, though the definition of

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

Lowle Jumpsuit by Roland Mouret, Saks Fifth Avenue.

LUVVIE AJAYI

Dyanna wrap blouse by Alice + Olivia, Saks Fifth Avenue. Gong drop earrings by Anthropologie.

black didn’t exist to me until I came to the United States,” she explains. “I didn’t know about African American history in Nigeria. Talk about resilience and power—the things that have happened to black people and how far black people in the U.S. have come in spite of it all. Some people don’t identify as black or feel that being black is a political statement. If it is a political statement, it’s one I’m happy to make.

that adversely affect disenfranchised communities worldwide. It could easily be argued that Luvvie’s consciousness was a driving force in her broadcasting endeavors long before her blog became so popular. Back in university, while researching HIV and AIDS, Luvvie was shocked to discover how many people around the world are living with and dying from HIV and AIDS.

“I’m proud of my background as a Nigerian,” says Luvvie. “I feel like we’re all the same even if we are from different continents. Our foods are still the same, our music, the way we move, the way we think. The way we deal with the world. Our coolness. I think Africans and African Americans, if we really combine our power, we’d be unstoppable. I know there’s some tension there and people talk about that but it’s important to also talk about our similarities. Being a bridge is important. So yeah, for me black is a proud statement.”

“It was like 34 million people live with it around the world, 40 million die from it, and I didn’t know it was still a thing,” she admits. “I hadn’t heard about it since the Magic Johnson days. Then I met someone who had 20 cousins who were orphaned by AIDS-related complications and all 20 of them were living with her grandmother in Malawi. I was just like wow, this is stunning that this really preventable disease is taking all these lives and affecting all these families.”

Her racial, cultural, and gender pride is clear in both her social media posts and her actions to stand against forces and systems

In 2009, Luvvie partnered with Karyn Brianne Lee, a fellow blogger and fashion lover, to launch a campaign in which involved

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FEATURE

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

LUVVIE AJAYI « Laced-up dress by Jonathan Simkhai, Tootsies

bloggers donned red pumps on March 10, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and blogged about HIV/AIDS and the statistics to raise awareness among women and girls of color. The two dubbed it the Red Pump Project and emailed 30 people inviting them to participate.

To remain grounded, the self-proclaimed “professional troublemaker” surrounds herself with good, down-to-earth friends. “We are regular people. We are so regular,” Luvvie says with a chuckle. “We still have the same types of conversations. We’re in the same space right now. We’re experiencing the same glow up, so we exchange stories and give each other tips.”

“On March 10, 2009, 135 bloggers joined us to rock the red pump and we were like, ‘So what’s next?’ and that’s how it became an In addition to valuing her friendships, Luvvie believes in being organization,” recounts Luvvie. “Over the past nine years we’ve proactive about psychological self-care through therapy. done campaigns to empower women to know that they aren’t standing alone if they are living with this epidemic, to remind those same women that their stories are important, and to re- “I think it’s important for everyone to get therapy because people don’t even realize the amount of baggage they carry with them move the stigma of HIV/AIDS. People have not been able to have from day to day,” she explains. “It’s good to have someone to talk honest conversations about sex and their health. People just live to once a week for an hour about what’s happening in life. This in silence and are afraid to go get tested. If you can talk about it person does not have any type of prejudice about my life. This on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, you can talk about it to is not my friend, not my mom. Everyone’s always talking about your friend, to your partner, to your kids.” going to the gym and exercising. What about exercise for the mind and the heart? For me, it’s about making sure I have my The Red Pump Project celebrated its 10th annual Rock the Red Pump campaign this year and after nine years of work, the orga- toolbox together. It’s important to be a whole human being and part of that is making sure I’m good emotionally.” nization is closing its doors at the end of this summer. On Moving Forward in Awesomeness

Luvvie also believes that religion and therapy don’t have to be mutually exclusive. “I’m Christian,” she says. “You can be a Christian who goes to therapy. You can even go to a therapist who’s Christian too, so you can talk on that level. I think all the tools that we have at our disposal we should use.”

For a committed few, there comes a point at which prose is no longer a private act. It ceases to become a quiet practice performed only in a lonely room. In the midst of our interview and photo shoot lunch break, I found Luvvie typing on her laptop. Looking ahead, Luvvie is excited about things to come, fame and The conversation the photographer was having with the editor publicity come what may, and agrees that it’s a wonderful time and the designer, the makeup artist fiddling with her brushes, the to be a black woman with a mission, a voice, and lots of willing videographer inquiring about the nuts in the cookies—none of listeners. But she also has sage advice for all of her fellow superthat mattered. Luvvie had to write, make the deadline, get the heroes among us, for those of us who are moved by our particular thoughts out, during a photoshoot. During her photoshoot. Her passions, be it prose or not—to do, see, and be more. writing, that cute little habit that was once about silly tidbits and laughable tomfoolery, is now a serious vocation with far-reaching consequences. She’s now a famed figure with a distinguished and “This is the year of the black woman, and it’s really important for us to first take care of ourselves as we try to take over the world,” public presence. asserts Luvvie. “We spend too much time seeing to everyone else without seeing to ourselves. We have to hold on to our own health Luvvie finds her status as a public figure strange. “I don’t see and stability before we even think about saving anybody else.” myself like that, I’m just somebody who wanted to write and do good work,” she says. “It’s weird when people see me and fangirl. I think about people who I place on pedestals—who I would freak out about if I saw. I’ve met some of them and realized they’re just regular people who do extraordinary work. I don’t want to be placed on a pedestal. I’m just a regular person who happens to Luvvie Ajayi’s book, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual, is do this work that they like. I still have the same friends. I still available online and in bookstores worldwide. operate the same way.”

2018—volume 1

words by AdeOla Fadumiye illustration by Nguyen Thao My

Woman Interrupt— Stories of survival.

Life happens, and it can either be a bumper-to-bumper scratch or a head-on collision. The former is what daily life is made of—you lose your car keys, you get into a tiff with your mother-in-law, or your bank charges you an overdraft fee. But other times, life runs headlong into us and shatters our existence as we knew it. What follows are the stories of four women who turned a page in the book of their lives only to find themselves facing a chapter titled “Woman, Interrupted.” It was a chapter they didn’t write or dream or choose, but it was one they had to live. These are the stories of war, loss, and depression, but somewhere in the midst of carrying mountains on their shoulders, these women—like so many women before them—pushed through and emerged as survivors.

—ed

FEATURE

Saio Williams SHELTER FROM THE STORM OF WAR

TEN DAYS before the World Trade Center

towers fell, Saio Williams arrived in the United States of America, leaving behind her a decade-long war that was still ravaging her home country of Sierra Leone.

The United States was supposed to be a respite from war, but then 9/11 happened, and Saio’s first thought was, “There are no bushes or forest here.” She went into survival mode, and spent the rest of the day sleeping under her bed in the home she shared with her family in Hyattsville, Maryland. She was 12 years old. Before arriving in the United States, Saio had spent two months in Cote d’Ivoire, a country in the middle of an uprising. “I got to America, and my trauma was yet again in my face,” says Saio. The war had reached her village, Yiffin, exactly three years before she left the country. Saio was nine years old and living with her uncle and his family while her parents worked in the capital city, Freetown.

The rebels arrived on an ordinary day. Saio was on her way to school with other children in the community. “People were heading to the farm and cooking. Life was going on as usual,” she says. “The adults might have been aware of tensions in the city, but we didn’t know the war was closing in on us.” Suddenly sounds like fireworks from the village entrance pierced through the day; everyone scattered in different directions and chaos ensued. “I ran back home,” says Saio. “Although people were home, it felt like we were each trying to save our own lives. If you found a cousin or a loved one, you dragged them along, but we were all running.” Saio grabbed a basket filled with some of her clothes, put some on just in case she lost her basket, then set the basket on her head and ran in the same direction as the crowd, toward a hill that led into the forest. “I ended up by myself in the crowd without my family,” Saio says.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

A Harrowing Journey The journey up the hill was traumatic. Rebels who were in the center of the village had begun shooting up the hill in addition to slaughtering those who were still in the village. The further she climbed, the more people dropped as rebel bullets made contact. “People fell on top of each other and you had to push them over, pick yourself back up, and run,” she says. “Others died because people ran over them.” When she made it up the hill and to an intersection in the forest, it was nighttime, and she was without her basket. At the intersection, some in the crowd turned left and Saio went with the group that went right. She spent the first night without her family, but people noticed her, and in no time she was reunited with her family by word of mouth. “The more you travel in the forest, the more you get information,” she says. “People would ask if you’ve seen this person or that person when they catch up with you or when you catch up with them.”

WOMAN INTERRUPTED—SAIO WILLIAMS

The darkest hours are just before dawn.

FEATURE

Saio’s right turn also ended up being right in a much larger “The villages were like ghost towns, and you could tell something evil had taken place there,” says Saio. “Dead bodies and heads sense. They later discovered that the people who had turned left of people littered our paths, but we jumped over them and kept encountered rebels and were either killed or made to engage in many despicable acts. Saio had not encountered a rebel face-to- moving. Vultures were having a field day.” face during the war, but she met many people who had. The group finally made it to a village called Alikalia and were “When you meet people who met rebels, you start trembling,” able to catch a ride to Freetown after negotiating with the driver of the only available truck in the area. she says. “I met rape victims, people who had their hands and feet cut off, or who were made to have sex with their parents or They discovered that war was still going on in the capital city. children. It is traumatic.” Everyone stayed indoors and under curfew; it was a different way Making the right turn did not mean everything was fine, however. to experience war. Things were a little calm, but Saio recalls that “We realized we were at war, and running and living like prey was “nothing was normal, and we were all tense.” Fortunately, the Sierra Leone Civil War officially ended in 2002. not a walk in the park,” says Saio. “We had to keep moving, many times walking all day without food because the rebels were on Now, seventeen years after she arrived in the United States, Saio our heels.” is 28 years old and mother to a six-year-old, but she still deals with the trauma of war. Saio and her family didn’t know where their next meal would come from. “We ate whatever was edible and we ate it raw. Some roots and leaves were bitter, but we ate them because we were “I can’t watch the news, especially about war, because it messes with my mind and emotions,” she says. hungry.” If they cooked, someone had to stand over the smoke and blow the flames. The fall of the World Trade Center was extremely traumatic for Many children passed away because when a child would cry, Saio. The images of people falling from the burning building a piece of cloth was placed in its mouth to hush the sound, reminded her of people falling down the hill. sometimes suffocating the child. But she is quick to tell you that surviving war made her stronger and motivates her to rise above the narrative. In 2016, she The Long Road Home finished her master’s degree in information technology, and continues to push forward. When you are running for your life, you lose track of time. You also begin to yearn for home. Many months after being displaced, Saio, her family, and a few others decided to make the long and “I don’t want my story to be solely about war,” says Saio. “Now that I have a child, she makes me work harder.” risky journey back toward home, and ultimately to Freetown. Reversing their journey meant they had to walk thousands of miles with bleeding feet through their village and the other villages the rebels had passed through.

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WOMAN INTERRUPTED—SAIO WILLIAMS

When I told my ex, the father of my daughter, that I was depressed and sensing things, he told me, “Africans don’t have depression, that’s only for white people.”

RADIANT HEALTH What kind of support did you use during or after your experience? SAIO WILLIAMS Prayer helped me function the most; I prayed a lot, and I leaned into my faith by reading Scriptures. I didn’t go to therapy officially, but I talked with a therapist. She was my boss, and she helped me learn about my emotions. From her, I learned that I have zero tolerance for abuse or drama.

I also had postpartum depression after I had my baby, and that coupled with the trauma was hard. I was a high-functional depressed person, but after the baby, I couldn’t function, and I contemplated suicide. I was fortunate to have my boss to talk to. I don’t currently have plans to go to therapy, but if I do need it, I will. I am functioning without it. RH What advice, if any, did anyone offer you and did that advice prove useful or did it further aggravate your situation? SAIO Nothing. A friend referred me to his wife, but I did not

know she had therapy training. If he had told me, “Talk to my wife, I believe you need counseling,” I would have reached out to her. I thought he wanted me to sit again and talk about the war. I wasn’t in the mood to do that anymore with anyone. Mental health is [perceived as] not for Africans or AfricanAmericans. When I told my ex, the father of my daughter, that I was depressed and sensing things, he told me, “Africans don’t have depression, that’s only for white people.” I am also a private and guarded person—war does that to you. I don’t go around announcing that I need help. When I started working and earning my own money, I knew I needed help, but

I also did not want to talk about the war. Postpartum depression didn’t help, but working at a mental health institution and speaking with my boss for about two years was truly helpful. RH In hindsight, what advice would you have given yourself? SAIO I’d tell myself to go for therapy. I wish people who were trying to help me tell my story had told me to go for therapy, even though I don’t show the trauma. In African cultures, when something happens, you can’t just sit and be stagnant. You have to pick back up and keep it moving, and we forget to address the emotional aspect of things and how it does affect us. I’m very mindful of how I raise my child. RH How have you grown and what have you learned from this experience? SAIO I am learning not to take life too seriously. I’m very hard on

myself, and I don’t give myself enough credit. Even though it was hard, life is not all about war. I’m also learning to trust people and to give them the benefit of the doubt—give them the chance to prove themselves. I’m learning that my child is still a six-year-old, not an adult; I shouldn’t expect perfection from her. I was bullied when I moved here and I’m quite protective of my child, but I’m learning to be open to learning new things for her sake. I am strong, but it is okay to relax. I don’t want to be a victim of war. Everything I went through prepared me for so much more. Now when I am faced with a difficult situation, my perseverance and motivation level increases and my faith is strong. I don’t give up.

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Amma Ampah WHEN PLANS FALL APART

EVERY JULY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, the cells

in Amma Ampah’s body quiver in remembrance of the summer she had a miscarriage. “I go through a weird emotion every year around the same time, unfailingly, and it usually clicks that I lost my baby this same time in 2013,” Amma explains. It was a pregnancy that had caught her by surprise, but one she welcomed with open hands and had begun making plans for. Those plans fell apart. She had just found out during an appointment with her primary doctor that she was eight weeks pregnant, but two weeks later she received the devastating news at her obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) follow-up. “I was just settling into the idea that my life was about to change when I was told at my OB/ GYN appointment that I didn’t have a fetal pole and my pregnancy wasn’t viable.” Amma couldn’t wrap her head around the news. She remembers the afternoon quite vividly. “It was in June, but it was raining cats and dogs. The doctor said, ‘There is no more baby, you’re miscarrying, and we’re going to have to do this procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C).’ I was bewildered, but it clicked. I stood outside

the doctor’s office and I screamed. I felt like someone had flipped me over violently.” Driving home was a blur, but she remembers sitting on the cold kitchen floor, crying and screaming into the phone to her mother in Ghana. “It was not physical pain,” says Amma. “My body was fine, but it felt like I was punched in my gut. Somebody had taken something away from me. Let me be specific—God had taken something away from me.” Pain Knows No Limit However, Amma didn’t give up, and she flipflopped between dread and hope. “I hadn’t passed the fetus, so it was still there. Looking back, many aspects of my hope came from ignorance about miscarriages. I also wanted a miracle, and I was sure God would do something.” But after a final visit to the emergency room and further confirmation that she had miscarried, she scheduled the surgical procedure. The pain from that rainy July afternoon wasn’t as devastating as the emotional pain on the surgery day and the days that followed. “For weeks after, I hurt,” says Amma. “Some days while driving, I would step hard on the

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WOMAN INTERRUPTED—AMMA AMPAH

We must all learn to listen to one another with understanding and compassion, to hear what is being felt by the other. — Thich Nhat Hanh

FEATURE

accelerator because I needed the car to crash and I wanted to die.” Sleep was a respite, but morning always came. “I didn’t want to wake up because it meant I had to go through another day,” she says. Amma also had to deal with insensitive and dismissive comments from family, friends, and medical professionals. Particularly hurtful were the comments pointing back to the statistics that many women—one in four—will experience a miscarriage in their lifetime. “My OB/GYN told me, rather flippantly, that women go through this all the time,” says Amma. “Anger was the emotion that stuck with me outside of the pain. Comments like, ‘Oh, you can have another one,’ and ‘You’ll get over this’ made me angry.” It Didn’t Break Us

the pain, yet he needed to fold into himself, disappear, and be quiet. “He handled it without emotion like an African man,” she says. “It nearly ended our relationship, but it didn’t break us. We moved forward.” In the turmoil of what seemed like isolation, a nurse who sat with her in the emergency room turned out to be one the person she needed most. “She was soft and calming instead of flippant,” says Amma. “She held my hands and rubbed my back. Her words were empathetic, and I don’t add her to the list of people who got on my nerves during that time. I remember her.” Five years later, Amma is married with two little girls. She reminiscences about the initial anxiety that comes with a rainbow baby (a baby born after the storm of having a miscarriage) and how her worries turned to joy as the pregnancy moved along smoothly.

The baby’s father, Amma’s then boyfriend and now husband, also struggled to meet her emotional needs.

“She is my miracle, and I was over the moon,” says Amma. “We named her Elianna—‘God has answered.’”

“It was horrible,” she says. “I felt like I was in it alone. He disappeared. He wasn’t there. I would call and there would be no response. Later on, when he talked about it, he explained that he was also going through it and was dealing with a roller coaster of emotions.”

The wound from losing her first baby is now a scar.

Amma wanted to grieve by talking through

“Every July, my body still remembers, and I don’t know how much longer it will do that but I’m fine,” says Amma. “I don’t think about it. It’s a part of my life, but it is in the past. I am happy.”

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WOMAN INTERRUPTED—AMMA AMPAH

As Africans, we can be robotic in the way we respond to people’s pain, and we speak aloof words over them.

RADIANT HEALTH What kind of support did you use during and after your experience? AMMA AMPAH I listened to a lot of music, and I also went back to

church. I went to church before I miscarried, but not frequently. It is funny because I was so mad at God, I didn’t think I would find solace in church. I also went to a support group for people who had lost a child. I was expecting to meet people who had miscarried there, but I was the only one with that story. Someone in the circle had lost an 18-year-old son to drugs, and another a four-year-old to gun wounds. Everybody had horrible stories of losing physical children, and here I was with my miscarriage story. I felt good in the meeting, and it helped, but I didn’t go back. I was looking for support in places like that because I felt like nobody got it in my community and circle. I wanted to meet people who have experienced this kind of loss and understood my pain. I didn’t feel better until I started finding people who have gone through this. I came to find out it’s more common than you think it is. There are women close to you who have gone through it, but you don’t know because they don’t talk about it. RH What advice, if any, did anyone offer you? Did that advice prove useful or did it further aggravate your situation?

AMMA The advice I got from those who had experienced similar

loss helped. One lady told me to start taking folic acid because it reduces the risk. Of course miscarriages happen for several reasons, but I took her advice. She also told me to start working out, eating healthy, and to maintain a healthy weight. Another

lady told me I could carry the memory of the one I lost with me all the time but it doesn’t have to weigh me down. I found that very helpful. I don’t think anybody gave me unhelpful advice, mostly unhelpful comments. RH In hindsight, what advice would you have given yourself?

I experienced all the emotions I was supposed to experience the way I experienced them, but I would have been kinder to myself. I blamed myself and wondered if perhaps my initial reaction of doubt and fear to news of the pregnancy had jinxed it. It was an irrational blame, but I seriously believed it at the time.

AMMA

RH How have you grown and what have you learned from this experience? AMMA I learned empathy. It must be the lesson God wanted to

teach me, but I don’t trivialize people’s pain. Everyone’s pain is valid. People have every right to grieve. It’s not a person’s place to judge whether another’s pain is valid or not. As Africans, we can be robotic in the way we respond to people’s pain, and we speak aloof words over them. I empathize with people, and I might not know how to console them the way they want, but I can empathize.

I also learned that everybody is going through or has gone through something. We should be open to sharing our experiences because we never know who is waiting to unload their heavy burden or is in search of a kindred soul. I found a lot of acquaintances had suffered a similar loss, but it wasn't until I shared that they also did the same. 2018—volume 1

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Francesca Uriri THE WIND BENEATH HER WINGS

THE SECOND DAY of 2015 will forever stand out

to Francesca Uriri as the day she developed a limp. The new year had knocked on her door, and she had gladly welcomed it in, but an unwelcome visitor was lurking close behind. It barged in the next day without warning and took without asking, because that is what death does best.

“My father, who was also my best friend, died suddenly and unexpectedly in a car accident,” says Francesca.

on it. Instead, I would wake up and ask myself ‘Am I missing my daddy today?’ That was how I moved through each day, because dwelling on the pain was too hard.” Grief Has No Timeline No one can prepare adequately for the pain that death brings, and some days the triggers win. All it takes is a smell, a sound, a movie— just something ordinary—to make Francesca crumple over and curl up under the weight of the pain.

Death arrived and left in its wake a pain so intense, Francesca wanted to peel her skin off her “It hit me hard one day,” she says, “and I remember praying, ‘God help me, please help me, help bones. “Something within me cut abruptly, and I me,’ and sobbing.” wanted to come out of myself,” she says. “When I heard the news, I howled and screeched. It was In the aftermath of that breakdown, she felt such a horrible, painful feeling. I have never felt compelled to read the story of Jacob in the Bible. pain like that before, and to be honest, I don’t His hip was dislocated when he wrestled with an think I will ever feel that kind of pain again.” angel, and as a result, he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. Francesca realized that the That same day, the pain turned into rage. “I Bible story represented her own life’s journey. remember sitting and moping with bitter anger while asking nobody in particular, ‘Daddy, how could you do this? You are my ally. You are the “No one can replace my father or fill the space he occupied. We were close, and I miss him. I have one.’ I felt so alone, and his death left a huge a wound, and it is okay to feel it,” she explains. gap in my soul.” It is a loss she will never forget. Francesca says, “The first month after he passed, I tried not to pay attention to my feelings. The pain was there, and I acknowledged it, but I didn’t dwell

The divine revelation gave Francesca the freedom and strength she needed to truly grieve the loss of her father, and she chose to move forward through the pain, anger, and hurt.

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WOMAN INTERRUPTED—FRANCESCA URIRI

There are years that ask questions, and years that answer. — Zora Neale Hurston

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“I felt like I let my big belly over the belt instead of sucking it all in,” she says. It was infinitely harder and slower, but she took every day as it came. “The days I felt like crying, I cried. The days when I felt angry, I would be angry. I may never be fine, and that is okay because grieving does not have a timeline.” Memories Will Endure Three years after the passing of her father, the wound from the loss still throbs, but Francesca is certain that her father would be proud of how she pulled through the grief of losing him. “He would be proud that I didn’t go off the deep end,” she says. “He’d say to me ‘Look at all the things you are achieving now. I expected it, because you are my daughter.’ I think he would be most proud of the woman that I am now and how beautifully complex and self-aware I am.” Death may have the power to snatch away our loved ones, but it cannot take away the memories. In Francesca’s memories, she feels safe, protected, and wanted. She wraps the warm blanket of these memories around herself. “Some of the best, fondest, and most vivid memories I have of my dad are from when I was a child,” she says. From watching him play squash at the clubhouse, to leaning into his warm, sweaty body after a game, to the smell of tobacco on his breath, to his love of books and music, a love which she has inherited, Francesca takes comfort in these remembrances. “Preserving his memory is absolutely essential to me,” she says.

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Francesca Uriri

WOMAN INTERRUPTED—FRANCESCA URIRI

An acquaintance of mine said to me, “You’ll never feel this kind of pain again,” and to some extent that was true and immensely helpful.

RADIANT HEALTH What kind of support did you use during and /after your experience? FRANCESCA URIRI In the beginning, I prayed a lot and also

opened up to the people in my community. A few years after, I went to therapy. RH What advice, if any, did anyone offer you and did that advice prove useful or did it further aggravate your situation? FRANCESCA I’m Nigerian, and in my experience I found that most of the advice people gave me was useless and hollow. Comments like “You can’t question God” and “You’ll get over it soon” lacked depth of understanding and feeling.

I stayed away from people and tried to process my grief in my own way. An acquaintance of mine said to me, “You’ll never feel this kind of pain again,” and to some extent that was true and immensely helpful.

RH In hindsight, what advice would you have given yourself? FRANCESCA I would tell myself in hindsight to be patient with myself and the process and not feel the pressure to “get over it” quickly. I would tell myself to take it one day at a time, not be afraid of the depth or width of the grief, and to lean on people around me more. In addition, I would let the rage out more frequently instead of holding it all in. RH How have you grown and what have you learned through this experience? FRANCESCA I learned that life is fleeting and tragedy reveals the true heart and intentions of people. I have grown to be extremely protective of my joy and peace of mind, and to always close my eyes and jump.

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FEATURE

Omotola Thomas THE BIRTH OF A SINGULAR FOCUS

THE ODDS were

in Omotola Thomas’ favor. The neurologist had told her so four years ago. He told her this was not a disease common to her age, race, ethnicity, or gender—good news, as this was definitely not a disease she wanted. But a few months after her hopes went up, the mother of two got the conclusive diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease (PD). The nerve cells in Omotola’s brain tasked with producing dopamine were either dead or gradually deteriorating. She could anticipate potential tremors, muscle rigidity, stiffness, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, impaired posture, and other symptoms for the rest of her life. The night before she received her diagnosis, Omotola was unusually calm, especially given the circumstances. It had been almost five years since her first symptom appeared.

“It didn’t matter anymore,” she explains. “I had seen general practitioners, neurologists, specialists, and muscle doctors, and I’d taken more blood tests than I care to count. I was done not knowing.

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Armed and on a Mission For many people with chronic diseases, the journey to diagnosis is often paved with unanswered questions. The symptoms had crept into Omotola’s life slowly. Her questions began at 31 with a slight twitch in a finger on her right hand, and they ended at 35 with a diagnosis. “That afternoon, I was given a name,” she says, “Parkinson’s disease.” And armed with a diagnosis, the warrior in Omotola rose up. “I finally had a target and a place to unleash my energy.” And unleash she did! For the last two years, Omotola has focused on altering the natural trajectory of her disease. After experiencing some negative side effects, her current treatment of choice is not medication. “I’m attacking it through diet, exercise, and faith,” says Omotola. “I started a Parkinson’sspecific exercise routine and a gut diet series that should help facilitate the production of dopamine and eliminate some of the inflammatory food that may be contributing to my chronic illness.”

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WOMAN INTERRUPTED—OMOTOLA THOMAS

Transformation literally means going beyond your form. — Wayne Dyer

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And she is not fighting just for herself. Shortly after her diagnosis, Omotola founded ParkinStand®, an initiative that celebrates and encourages people with debilitating illnesses as they take positive action in defiance of the mental and physical limitations imposed by chronic diseases. And this is just one of the ways she fights back. Omotola is also determined to take the fight to her home country, Nigeria. When she went public with her illness almost two years ago, she received private messages from people with loved ones in Nigeria who were living with Parkinson’s but hiding from the world. Questions like “What should I do?” also landed in her inbox. She didn’t have all the answers, but the most burning question on her mind was, “How do people in Nigeria navigate the disease?” She recognized a void and decided to take action. The Executive Director of the World Parkinson’s Congress put her in contact with a PD specialist in Nigeria, and with the help of a friend, Omotola hopes to create a Parkinson’s organization in Nigeria, one that will provide a support network, research information, medication, nurses, healthcare access, and additional resources for patients with PD and their family members in Nigeria and throughout Africa. Navigating the Road Ahead Sit with Omotola for a few minutes and you will be drawn to her desire to live beyond her diagnosis. However, living with PD presents

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many challenges, including everyday tasks such as bathing herself, plaiting her and her daughter’s Afro-textured hair, tying her little boy’s shoelaces, and cooking for her family. But the physical challenges pale in comparison to the immense mental and emotional challenges. Omotola says, “Honestly, as bad as all the physical symptoms are, they are easier to manage than the anxiety and depression.” As a black woman, and specifically as an African woman, Omotola has had to navigate many cultural and religious barriers. She says, “I heard a lot of, ‘Don’t say that. God forbid. You don’t have that in Jesus’ name.’ Except I do!” Parkinson’s disease is a reality she confronts every day, but it does not negate her faith. “For a long time, I was made to feel like I have Parkinson’s because I didn’t pray enough, or God didn’t heal me because my faith was not solid,” says Omotola. This set her back mentally and spiritually, and it took her awhile to navigate the murky waters. Still, she credits her faith for helping her rise from the anxiety and depression. “I overcome by praying about it, reading a lot of Scripture, and encouraging myself,” she says. “This is not to say that I don’t ever experience anxiety, but I have been able to manage it.” For the road ahead, Omotola continues to strengthen her mind and body, while also leaning into the Parkinson’s community, her faith, and the support of her family and friends.

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Omotola Thomas

WOMAN INTERRUPTED—OMOTOLA THOMAS

As a black woman, and specifically as an African woman, Omotola has had to navigate many cultural and religious barriers. She says, “I heard a lot of, ‘Don’t say that. God forbid. You don’t have that in Jesus’ name.’ Except I do!”

RADIANT HEALTH What kind of support did you use during and after your experience? OMOTOLA THOMAS There is a community of people with chronic

illness online, and there are Facebook groups for people with Parkinson’s disease. It is a wealth of knowledge and information. People share their symptoms, and tips on what they are doing and on what works. You get to pick things out, try new things, or you learn what not to try. On my blog and Instagram account, I get messages from hundreds of people who I don’t know and may never meet; they encourage me, cheer me on, and push me. It’s heartwarming to know that there are people who do their best to encourage others and don’t ask or want anything in return. RH What advice, if any, did anyone offer you and did that

advice prove useful or did it further aggravate your situation? OMOTOLA I received tons of advice from many people. Most of

it was based on what I should eat, how I should exercise, what supplements I should take, and how I should exercise my faith. A lot of this advice, although well-intentioned and from love, was sometimes overwhelming and contradictory. I got pulled in many different directions and it was hard to filter through. I had to learn to merge what I heard with my own inner voice, and to trust that I knew what to do. RH In hindsight, what advice would you have given yourself?

OMOTOLA I would tell myself, “Don’t be embarrassed about your

situation.” I don’t need to be embarrassed about the way I look, the way that I talk, or the way that my hands shake. I would have advised myself in hindsight to start exercising vigorously much earlier, and to change my diet a lot earlier than I did. I would tell myself not to be afraid to speak my truth. I am a reserved person by nature and tend to shy away from confrontations because I don’t like arguments. In the past, this resulted in me keeping quiet and dimming my voice. That is all changing now. I am learning to speak up and use my voice. RH How have you grown and what have you learned through this experience? OMOTOLA Honestly, it’s been an interesting journey. My mom wouldn’t want me to say this, but when I look back on my life, I don’t know that I would change anything about living with Parkinson’s. It has been a terribly difficult journey, but it helped me find my strength. The diagnosis helped me find a purpose and a platform to encourage and to motivate people. It has given me the opportunity to connect with amazing individuals who are also fighting an illness or a personal battle in their lives.

I think most importantly it has given me a voice, one I’ve always had, but had not used before Parkinson’s. I did not feel like I had anything significant to contribute to the world and to society. Parkinson’s disease has brought out the strongest and the finest version of me yet—and I’m really grateful for that.

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Matters Of the

Heart

To wake up each day in a body that should do more but cannot is difficult. Especially when you have a family. Especially when you possess something so beautiful as love. You decide that you must push yourself because you must protect that beauty. You expend energy beyond belief, testing science, reason, and logic itself. You keep your mind strong and sharp to accomplish this daily, hourly feat. You are determined to get everything from your body that you possibly can while you can. Because you cherish your family. Because you are a provider.

words by Nikki Igbo photography by Ahmad Barber styled by Ray C'Mone

MATTERS OF THE HEART

Eme, 75 & Oduenyi, 68 sharing a candid moment during their photoshoot.

ACCORDING TO FAMILY LEGEND, Chief Eme Ndukwe Kalu’s

heart problems began with a heifer. When Eme was just a small boy, he was sitting outside one day when a bothersome cow took offense and trampled him. A fellow villager was able to save him by distracting and redirecting the animal. He survived, but the cow is said to have left an indelible mark upon his heart.

The tale was a fanciful way to explain an actual problem that had likely affected him all of his life, but the real cause of his boyhood exhaustion after playing tennis or soccer wouldn’t be discovered until decades later. “I was more tired than the rest of my mates, but I didn’t know why. I didn’t tell my parents. I just thought it was normal for me,” Eme recounts. As time progressed, his proneness to exhaustion and labored breathing did not prevent him from helping to channel food to Igbo soldiers during the Biafran War. It didn’t prevent him

from pursuing his education to become a chartered accountant in London or courting and marrying his wife Oduenyi before he graduated. Nor did it prevent him from receiving several accounting and finance job offers once he completed his studies. However, the underlying cause of his exhaustion did manifest itself during the application process for a job offer from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Before he could be given the job, he had to undergo a physical examination. During this medical examination, while still in London, the physician detected a heart murmur and referred him to the hospital for further investigation. He stayed in the hospital for a few days, yet additional tests revealed nothing further. Eme was ultimately denied the position at CBN because of the physical examination results, but he returned to Nigeria with his wife and first child and went on to work quite happily as a financial controller for the next 20 years. Eme’s career thrived. He moved from one opportunity to the next, enjoying the fruits of his labor as he provided for his wife,

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MATTERS OF THE HEART

Oduenyi, and their growing family. Eme noticed that he tired easily after any type of strenuous exertion, but it was a familiar phenomenon that he continued to dismiss as normal. A potential heart problem was the last thing on the his mind as he and Oduenyi contended with the challenges of building their life together. How would they achieve the goals they’d established together? When would Oduenyi have the opportunity to pursue her own educational goals? Why, after the successful births of their daughter and son, did they experience six miscarriages over an eight-year stretch? Somehow they stuck it out and made it through. Oduenyi received her BS and the couple successfully gave birth to two more sons. Oduenyi confides, “We thought the world was bleak with all those miscarriages. We didn’t know something more than that was coming. Having two [more] healthy babies brought a lot of joy and pep into our lives which didn’t last that long.” The Secret of Eme’s Survival It is a unique sensation, this feeling of living on borrowed time. You take whatever sound survival advice you are given. You search silently for an answer, a cure. You carry this burden closely. You think you carry it alone, but I stand with you, I walk with you, I carry it with you. We chose this life and we chose it together. You and I choose this life every single day, and I choose you every bit as much as you choose me. By the time their youngest son arrived, Eme’s exhaustion was difficult to ignore. “One day, I climbed the stairs to the fourth floor of a building and was panting,” he explains. He made immediate arrangements to visit their family doctor, where he learned that he was suffering from mitral valve regurgitation, a condition in which the valve between the heart’s left atrium and left ventricle leaks in such a way that blood flows backward into the heart. In serious cases, this leakage prevents the blood from flowing efficiently through the heart and body, resulting in shortness of breath and exhaustion. Eme was given medication to reduce his blood pressure and prevent the condition from worsening. He was under the impression that faithfully taking the medication as directed would be enough. He was wrong. “I became frightened,” he says. “I thought that seeing the doctor could cure my heart problem. I came back home and called my brother in Texas, and he told me I should travel to America to see a doctor to be checked out.” Not wanting to worry his family, Eme remained quiet about his condition as he followed his brother’s advice. Upon examination by the American doctor, his mitral valve issue was found to be contributing to his heart’s enlargement, which can increase the

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risk of heart failure. The doctor recommended that he undergo a mitral valve repair. After learning what the open-heart operation entailed and scheduling a date for the procedure, he returned to Nigeria to put funds together for his operation since he had no insurance to cover the cost otherwise. Meanwhile, Oduenyi was not blind. She saw and knew enough to be every bit as concerned as her husband was. “He kept as much of it as he could from me. But the little I heard was very disturbing. I kind of thought I had a clue as to what was happening when the heart is not all it should be. And that made life more dangerous because I had little knowledge about what was going on. I never heard about mitral valve regurgitation before this time. I tried to update myself, read as much as I could, ask questions of friends who were doctors,” Oduenyi explains. Eme returned to the U.S., underwent the operation, and again thought his worries were over. On a subsequent checkup, he learned that although the repair had not been 100% successful, he could still manage his condition with a few lifestyle changes. “The secret of my survival was that I obeyed all the rules the doctor gave me. I was taking my medication, resting. I stopped drinking alcohol and smoking,” he says.

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Oduenyi was a big part of that obedience, because nutrition was also key to maintaining her husband’s health. “It was quite hectic planning a meal because I had to plan in such a way that didn’t disrupt his life,” she says. “That was the hard part, staying there to plan a meal that everybody, not just he, would eat. I had to figure a way to exclude as much oil as possible and use a higher class of oil to keep his cholesterol down. Palm oil was completely out, but nobody knew. The kids didn’t know.” In addition to spending time in the kitchen making what she describes as “nonmedicinal concoctions called food,” Oduenyi had to get creative with sourcing safflower oil, sunflower oil, or soy bean oil. In social situations, it was she who policed her husband’s alcohol intake. Though Eme remained disciplined about taking his medicine regularly, she kept a watchful eye on him for any signs of exhaustion. “I learned to sleep with one eye open. To pay attention to his breathing,” she says. The couple continued to work with and for each other as they had done for so long already. “He wanted to live,” Oduenyi smiles. “At the time this happened,

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MATTERS OF THE HEART

we were in the prime of our lives. We had paid our dues and built up a comfortable life. And finally it’s time to live, and these things happen.”

“He said he didn’t think there was anything like that because so many people in America were seeking naturalization,” Eme recalls. “America couldn’t possibly be seeking more people from outside. But I said, in any event, if it exists, apply.”

When a Heart Refuses to Go On

That cousin actually dismissed the entire matter until he ran into a colleague who was frantically trying to complete his own diversity visa application on what turned out to be the last possible day to apply. A year passed, then that same cousin called to report the impossible: Eme, out of thousands of applicants, was among those awarded a diversity visa to relocate to the U.S. with his wife and children.

You and I, we are better together than we are apart. We labor for and in service of each other. We can never labor too much. If you should ever fall, I’d help you rise again. And if the same should trouble me, I know you are my wings. I am your warm, gentle breeze and you are my sunshine. You are my keeper still and I am yours. Sometimes situations have a way of working themselves out as if by grand design, as if matters are orchestrated in earnest instead of by chance. Eme happened to see an article in the newspaper one day about an opportunity to apply for a diversity visa to America. It was the first time such a visa was offered in Nigeria. At that very moment, he got a call from his cousin in Raleigh, North Carolina. He quickly relayed what he’d read and urged his cousin to apply on his behalf, despite his cousin’s incredulity about such an opportunity existing.

By this time, Eme had risen to the top of the international company he worked for, while simultaneously running a successful import business. He took an early retirement from his corporate job and resettled his family in San Antonio—the same place where he had received his mitral valve repair operation—and began splitting his time between Nigeria and the U.S. Less than three years after this transition, his heart condition took a turn for the worse. “My heart started giving me a lot of problems,” he says. “We went back to the doctor that attended to me before. One day I went to the office with my brother and the doctor refused to see us.”

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“All either of them could do was wait, watch, and continue to live on as best they could...”

The medical diagnostics revealed that his condition was so dire that he should not even have been able to walk into the office on his own two feet. The doctor refused to be forthcoming with the severity of his condition because he thought that Eme did not have the insurance necessary to cover the cost of any lifesaving procedure on American soil. After his brother finally coaxed the doctor into speaking with Eme, the doctor rambled on about perhaps seeking care with a heart specialist in Europe. Fortunately, and unbeknownst to Eme, Oduenyi had planned ahead. When the family initially moved to the U.S., Oduenyi’s foreign degree was nontransferable, so she began retraining in medical care and received certification to work as a licensed vocational nurse. She sought work at Methodist Hospital of San Antonio, the same hospital where Eme had received his mitral valve repair. With her additional medical knowledge, she noted the adverse signs in her husband, and she urged both a doctor’s visit and a second opinion. She had also enrolled in an excellent insurance plan that would cover the cost of any potential surgeries and ongoing care. Upon confirming Oduenyi’s insurance coverage, the doctor finally admitted the only possible solution: Eme needed a heart transplant. He was immediately placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and underwent a series of workups in order to be placed in the transplant program. While in the ICU, he was not permitted to stand or even sit up fully. The very act of inclining his body, even slightly, set off the heart monitor alarms. “I had to find a way to feed him while lying down,” says Oduenyi. “While waiting [for the transplant] I did not know what to expect because I had never known anyone who’d experienced a heart transplant. As a nurse, I was fully aware of the complications that could arise. My fear was immense.” There was plenty of fear to go around. “I thought there was no hope,” Eme admits. “I never ever thought I would have the benefit of going to America to have mitral valve repair. But it happened. Again, when they said I had to have a heart transplant, I was devastated and worried about my children.” All either of them could do was wait, watch, and continue to live on as best they could with Oduenyi working close by and keeping watch.

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“I didn’t live; I existed,” says Oduenyi. “It was mechanical. I worked up the hill at Methodist. After work, I walked down the hill to the ICU. Cleaned him up. Stayed there. At 11:00 p.m. I went home and saw to the children. At 6:00 a.m. I came back to the hospital. I had to work my full-time hours to maintain the insurance. There was no me. I think I died. I was zombieing. Going to work and acting as if I had no problem. I just went to work to keep this insurance because my life depended on it. I thought I was in for a long wait.” To add even more stress to the ICU situation, Eme’s lung was punctured during a mishap with a heart catherization. He nearly bled to death and had to be transfused. Still, he remained in the ICU for a mere 52 days before a donor match was found, a process that can often take many months or even years. The Kalu family was not given much information about the donor, as in those days it was generally considered best for both the donor’s family and the recipient that they remain anonymous. The one thing they know for sure is that the gift of this heart came from a teenage boy whose life was tragically cut short. Upon release, Eme was almost immediately able to participate in all of the things he had previously been unable to do. “It is very surprising to hear that if you have a heart failure like I had and are unable to function, if you have a heart transplant, as soon as they discharge you from the hospital you are ready to go,” he says. “You’re anxious to do anything. You will be restless. You will be doing everything that you never thought you would do. The life will come back to you. At that point, you will realize that the heart is the engine of the body. Since I had the heart transplant, I have had no issues with my heart specifically; the heart has been perfect.” At that time, he didn’t know that other challenges would eventually arise. Love, Dedication, Happiness, and Gratitude Ephesians 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” You and I, we have even more. Eme recovered fully from his heart transplant and resumed his frequent business trips to Nigeria to manage his import business. Oduenyi meanwhile continued her work as a nurse and was thankful for the miracle of seeing her husband’s life renewed.

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MATTERS OF THE HEART

“He had to go for biopsies and he was on a lot of anti-rejection medications and what have you. It was like watching an ailing plant come back to life. He was stronger, traveled, moved around. But I was still on edge, because I knew and understood all the things that could go wrong with organ rejection. He didn’t understand the full implications. I worried for him. I worried for me. I worried for the kids,” says Oduenyi. Days passed into months which passed into years of checkups and tests. With regard to Eme’s health, everything was fine until it wasn’t. “I think the problem came from a medication I was taking, Prograf,” he says. “There was no other reason why my kidneys should fail.” Prograf (Tacrolimus) is an immunosuppressant that works to prevent the rejection of a kidney, heart, or liver transplant by weakening the body’s immune system in order to help it accept the new but foreign organ. The drug’s serious side effects can include potential kidney failure. Eme’s transplant doctor set out to find the source of the problem but found nothing. Ultimately it was concluded that the anti-rejection medication was to blame. Certain medications were stopped and new ones prescribed. Finally, his doctor recommended dialysis.

“We had high hopes that he would not have to be tied to a machine three times a week,” says Oduenyi. “Just when they told us that we were now on top of the list and a transplant could happen any day now, he got sick. We went to the hospital and he was fighting for his life. They told us they would have to discontinue care and let him go quietly. That was the most traumatic time for me. The transplant was traumatic, but this was … We fought and we fought and we fought.” When a couple of days passed and Oduenyi noticed that her husband had not been dialyzed, she followed up with the nephrologist and insisted that her husband receive the treatment. “I didn’t want him to die from him not getting what he should get. I said it wasn’t over until God said so. I said that they must dialyze him because without dialysis he was more likely to go. In any case, they automatically removed him from the transplant list because they believed he was going to die. That was five years ago. He has since gradually come back to life,” says Oduenyi. But Eme is still not deemed qualified for reinstatement on the kidney transplant wait list. Eme and Oduenyi are older now, and the rigors of their experiences have exacted a toll in many ways, but they continue still, taking one day at a time. The couple recently relocated to live closer to their children, who step in to provide additional care and support when needed. Still, they maintain their own residence and prefer to stay as independent as possible.

“I have been receiving [dialysis] treatments for the last 10 years,” he says. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday like clockwork. “I was able to see all my children through their education, witness my children get married,” shares Eme. “I am enjoying my “Dialysis is a different thing to go through because you lose your grandchildren and I’m seeing them on a daily basis. My children independence,” he explains. “You just have to have the will to are really looking after me. I am happy. I am grateful that I’m live and something to live for. You cannot travel easily. If you still alive.” travel, you have to make arrangements to receive treatments in the city which you are traveling to. There are a lot of problems Heart transplant is a relatively new procedure. December 2017 associated with kidney failure and dialysis. You can see I am not marked the 50th anniversary of the first successful heart translooking the way I used to when I was a young man. The dialysis plant, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa. The current changes your person. But in my own case I am able to do all the average life span for heart transplant patients is about 10 years. things that normal people do. What keeps you going is a loving Amazingly, June 18 of this year will mark 20 years since Chief family and a dedicated wife.” Eme Ndukwe Kalu received his new heart. Eme drove himself to his treatments (and still does) and was able to function quite independently in spite of his weekly appointments. For the longest time, the couple believed that he could receive a kidney transplant as well.

For more information on organ transplantation and how you can become a donor, visit the United Network for Organ Sharing at UNOS.ORG

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words by Chinyere Amobi illustration by Kuukua Wilson

SPOTLIGHT

Kidney Solutions: The Anatomy of a Successful Give-Back A practical approach to paying it forward

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SPOTLIGHT: KIDNEY SOLUTIONS

When Dr. Ogo Egbuna and his business partners sat down in the U.S. to dream up Kidney Solutions in 2006, their goal to create an airtight business plan was fueled by their family, friends, and community still in Nigeria. “We knew how bad the situation was back home, so we wanted to see what we could do to change that,” says Dr. Egbuna. Nephrologists by training, Dr. Egbuna and Dr. Emmanuel Anekwe joined forces with their wives— Ndidi Obidoa, a business consultant, and Dr. Teresa Anekwe, a pharmacist—to nail down a business plan for providing world-class, comprehensive kidney care for their compatriots. According to Dr. Egbuna, “Everybody brought their perspective and insight into how we could potentially make this viable, and then we took the plunge.” The partners’ “plunge” was actually a series of wellcalculated trips home to see how much they could achieve while managing from afar, and in what ways they could leverage technology to connect with patients and provide quality care. “If we found that our plan was not sustainable in a reasonable amount of time, we didn’t want to get involved in it,” says Dr. Egbuna. In For The Long Haul Indeed, conditions in Nigeria were beginning to appear stable enough for the idea of running a business remotely to be feasible. The naira had been steady for three years against the U.S. dollar, the cost of internet service had dropped, online banking had gained a foothold, and alternatives such as electronic medical records proved cheaper than higher-priced American systems, suggesting that the team could make reasonable predictions for the future. “It would be good if we could get a return on investments sooner rather than later, but we weren’t really thinking in the short term,” Dr. Egbuna says. “We were in it for the long haul, not only for patients, but to establish a medical training system for local professionals in kidney disease.” After opening its doors to services in 2013, Kidney Solutions is today a vital resource for Nigerians suffering from kidney-related ailments, including renal failure, kidney stones, and polycystic kidney disease, as well as for those in need of dialysis or a kidney transplant. Located in Ikeja, Lagos, the clinic is strictly outpatient, with surgical collaborators

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in Garki Hospital in Abuja, Hammersmith Hospital in the UK, the University of Toledo, and specialists in India and the U.S. To date, the organization has coordinated 15 kidney transplants, with all transplants in the last two years performed in Abuja. While collaborators take care of acute cases and the transplants themselves, Dr. Egbuna and his team perform the pre- and post-operative care, in addition to dialysis and other related treatments. And though the typical day-to-day operations in Ikeja can seem routine and monotonous, Dr. Egbuna and his team are constantly reminded that they are providing an essential service to their community. “You’ll sometimes hear, ‘I haven’t visited Nigeria because I didn’t believe there was a safe place to do dialysis. Now I know I can come back and you guys operate exactly the same way as my dialysis unit outside Nigeria operates,’” says Dr. Egbuna. “Those are the things that—and it happens on an almost daily basis—these are the kinds of things that keep us knowing that we’re on to something good.” Not Without Its Challenges Things are not always rosy, however. Working with patients from the entire spectrum of economic opportunity, staff see patients who can afford to undergo the recommended amount of dialysis, but they also encounter those who can hardly afford to come in twice a month. Dr. Egbuna vividly recalls the story of a woman who was eight weeks pregnant when she came to the clinic. “A nonpregnant dialysis patient needs dialysis two to three times a week,” Dr. Egbuna explains. “A pregnant one needs it five times a week, and this woman couldn’t rub two coins together.” The team dipped into their charitable funds to support the woman, but despite their best efforts, economic hardship had caused the mother-to-be to put off seeking treatment for so long that her condition was advanced by the time she came to the clinic, and she lost the baby after just two weeks. Miscarriages are unfortunately common with dialysis patients, especially in the presence of high blood pressure. Dr. Egbuna estimates that approximately 1 percent of the clinic’s funding comes from charitable donations, which the staff rations out prudently on extreme cases such as the pregnant woman in need of dialysis. He states that other funding comes from a combination of bank loans and funds straight from his and his partners’ pockets. Nevertheless, the doctor says they’ve never failed to pay staff for a single day in five years. The team credits what they call their “sustainable business principles” for the high level of preparation that has allowed them to continue operating despite the many challenges of doing business in Nigeria. Dr. Egbuna estimates that 10 to 15 percent of the clinic’s expenses go to energy generation, due in large part to the notorious unreliability of Nigeria’s power holding company, formerly called NEPA, which has been a persistent challenge to Kidney Solutions’ operations, including the disastrous results of their frequent blackouts. “We’ve had situations where we were connected to NEPA, and when power came

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RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

One surprisingly common cause of the disease among Nigerians is the use of untested herbal medications taken on the advice of traditional doctors.

SPOTLIGHT: KIDNEY SOLUTIONS

back on board there was a surge and they blew our machines,” Dr. Egbuna says. “It took us nearly five million naira to replace burnt equipment, and we had to put in voltage stabilizers because we couldn’t go through that again.” After that incident, the team invested in a backup for every machine they use, as well as for their water treatment system, so that they won’t be left in a bind if something malfunctions. Delivering Daily and Facing the Future “It’s a really big challenge to consistently, day after day other than Sunday, be able to deliver,” says Dr. Egbuna. “That’s why a lot of government dialysis centers are not able to keep up. They don’t have such logistic principles in place.” The doctor says that in just the last two years, three to four dialysis centers have closed down, including the multibillion-naira Cardiac and Renal Center that was supported by the Lagos State government. In addition to outpatient kidney care, the team at Kidney Solutions puts considerable energy into local events such as health fairs, where they provide basic blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, and distribute booklets on the causes of kidney disease and what can be done to prevent it. The clinic’s website features an online blog and popular YouTube channel that share similar information from licensed medical professionals. Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are the two most common causes of kidney disease in Nigeria. In addition to making sure these two conditions are controlled, proper nutrition and regular exercise can go a long way in preventing or slowing the progression of kidney disease. One surprisingly common cause of the disease among Nigerians is the use of untested herbal medications taken on the advice of traditional doctors. But for some, it’s hard to determine the exact cause of their kidney-related malfunction. “That’s one reason why having a screening test that identifies blood or protein in the urine once a year once you’re over the age of 40 is quite costeffective,” says Dr. Egbuna. “It can help to identify problems long before they become so severe that you need dialysis and have no other options.” When asked about his vision for the future of Kidney Solutions, Dr. Egbuna’s answer is as ambitious as the organization itself: “End-to-end kidney care. Right now, we offer nonsurgical kidney care and have collaborators for patients that have clear urological problems, but our vision is to provide end-to-end service for the entire range of surgical and nonsurgical kidney care.” Taking it a step further, the doctor and his team hope to deepen ties with local hospitals and clinics and to serve as a resource for budding physicians.

To learn more about Kidney Solutions, visit WWW.KIDNEY-SOLUTIONS.COM

“We’ve trained quite a number of medical officers that have actually left the country now and are in nephrology training programs in the U.S. and the UK,” says Dr. Egbuna. “We’re looking forward to the time when we can collaborate with local hospitals and teaching hospitals and they can send their students on rotations to hang out with us and learn how we do things.”

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health & wellness

page 122.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: FRIEND OR FOE? What you need to know behind all the buzz

page 124.

INTERVIEW DR. JOY BRADEN HARDFORD Therapy demystified

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Activated Charcoal: Friend or Foe? From head to toe, what you need to know about charcoal.

Lately it seems you cannot walk down a store aisle without seeing a product touting activated charcoal as a key ingredient, both in topical remedies and in food products. And while activated charcoal has been used since ancient times and is still a standard medical treatment for certain types of poisonings and overdoses, it has recently crossed over into mainstream commercial use in many household items. Let’s weigh in on activated charcoal’s uses and effectiveness. For Skin Many beauty products, such as facial masks, include charcoal as an active ingredient because it is porous and can therefore absorb dirt and impurities. But some dermatologists point out that while this may work in theory, activated charcoal could also bind with a product’s other ingredients, effectively negating its absorptive power. In some cases, it may actually be a product’s other ingredients that are providing results—the clay in a natural face mask, for instance—not the charcoal. For Teeth Recently touted as a natural toothpaste especially good at whitening the teeth, charcoal has already been used as a toothpaste in rural communities for many years. And research suggests that it can indeed whiten teeth, possibly because its rough surfaces can help scrape away plaque and stains. Charcoal also appears to have an effect on halitosis, or bad breath, again because of its ability to bind tightly to other materials. On the downside, toothpastes containing charcoal may have to leave out certain beneficial ingredients that would bind to the charcoal and make it less effective. And while activated charcoal has not been proven to be abrasive enough to thin down the enamel or gums, the

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excessive brushing required to remove the charcoal residue may be hard on the teeth. In addition, black particles from the charcoal can lodge in the crevices of the teeth or result in the discoloration of dental restorations, which may require replacement. For Detox It is important to stress that we already have organs such as the liver to do the hard work of detoxification for us, but our organs can always be supported by what we eat. Because activated charcoal is not absorbed by the body, it has the ability to bind with various substances and then be excreted along with them. Ingesting charcoal is an effective way to remove certain toxic drugs or irritants before they can spread throughout the body, which explains its medical use in instances of poisonings and overdoses of drugs such as paracetamol. However, just as it binds to toxins, charcoal can also bind to vital nutrients and drugs, which can lead to deficiencies in certain nutrients and minerals, as well as other unintended consequences. For example, there has been speculation that charcoal may make the contraceptive pill less effective, as it too may bind to the charcoal. Therefore, it may be wise to think twice and do some research before

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words by Deyo Famuboni, MD

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

starting a detoxification program that involves ingesting activated charcoal if you are taking oral contraceptives. Activated charcoal is often added to drinks and foods as a novelty these days, and while it may be fine in small doses, it is probably best not to overdo and to ensure that you wait several hours between eating any foods fortified with charcoal and dining or taking medications (ideally consuming the charcoal product first). For Water Filtration Activated charcoal is commonly used in water filtration systems, as it binds to many types of impurities, toxins, pesticides, and industrial waste. It can also improve the taste and smell of water. Charcoal cannot remove bacteria, viruses, and some minerals found in hard water, however. Also, one dental study suggests that charcoal may remove fluoride from water, and charcoal water filters may provide a breeding ground for bacteria if not replaced regularly, according to some filter manufacturers. For Other Uses In addition to these popular uses for activated charcoal, there are other applications that have resulted in either conflicting results or

insufficient evidence of effectiveness. These include relieving excess wind from the bowels, treating hangovers, removing excess bile during pregnancy, and lowering cholesterol. So, Is It Safe? In small doses, activated charcoal has been shown to be safe for most people. However, side effects can occur, including dehydration (it is important to drink plenty of water when ingesting charcoal), nausea and vomiting, constipation, black stools, and very rarely, bowel obstruction when ingested in therapeutic amounts. Activated charcoal can cause breathing problems if it is used in powder form and accidentally aspirated, and it can also cause scratches or abrasions on the eye surface if it comes into contact with the eye (when used as face mask, for example). Charcoal can also cause erosion to veneers or crowns if used as a toothpaste, so it always best to check with your dentist before using. In short, when used externally, activated charcoal is generally regarded as posing a low risk to health, but caution is required when using charcoal for other indications.

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words by Chinyere Amobi image courtesy of Dr. Joy

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THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS

Many black women are reluctant to see a therapist for a variety of reasons, including embarrassment, fear of being stigmatized, logistical hurdles, and cost, just to name a few. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is changing all that. We caught up with Dr. Joy, the founder of Therapy for Black Girls, “an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of black women and girls,” to talk about why she thinks everybody could use a bit of therapy, what to expect in your first session, and how black women can break down the “strong woman” myth and engage in their own self-healing.

RADIANT HEALTH What led you to focus on black women in

your practice?

DR. JOY HARDEN BRADFORD Much of my career has been spent in college counseling centers, so I’ve done a lot of work helping college students with their mental health concerns, oftentimes on predominantly white campuses. I always felt like I also needed to make sure that I was providing services for students who might not have support otherwise, or maybe felt very isolated or alone on campus. So, I’ve always run black women support groups on every campus that I’ve worked at, and it just felt really important to me to make sure that they had the same level of services to connect with someone in the counseling center if they needed to. RH Would you say that black women are reluctant to seek therapy? DR. JOY Definitely. Some of that may be changing because there

is some conversation around it now. If you look on social media you’ll find people saying, “Oh, today I had a really good therapy session,” or “My therapist made me cry.” However, it does still feel like there is a reluctance just in that therapy is still very weird—you’re talking to this stranger about personal things and we’ve kind of culturally been taught that you don’t talk to strangers about your messed-up stuff. And then you have to factor in reluctance related to religion and faith-based practices, like the idea that you can just pray this away, or that if you reach out for help, does that mean your relationship with God isn’t strong? RH Much has been written to propagate the image of the “strong black woman.” How dangerous is this narrative to black women’s health? DR. JOY I feel like it’s really dangerous. To paint us as always hav-

ing to be strong makes it so that we either don’t feel comfortable when we’re not feeling that strong, or we don’t even recognize it

because we’re moving so much. We’re so busy being strong for other people that we don’t recognize that we’re breaking down ourselves. So, I think it’s incredibly dangerous because it forces us to ignore what’s really going on with us and doesn’t allow us to be vulnerable like other people who are allowed that liberty. RH What exactly should one expect when they come to their

first therapy visit?

DR. JOY The first session will be a lot of questions, so people are often initially taken aback by what is going to happen. We’re trying to get a lot of information about what’s bringing you in, what symptoms you’re having, what you’ve tried before, your family history, etc. RH And how exactly does therapy work? The whole idea of

sitting down with a stranger and taking about your problems.

DR. JOY One of the ways that it helps is that you don’t have to

be worried about judgement. If you’re talking to your best friend about something that’s going on, they’re invested in you in a way that your therapist isn’t, so you might feel the need to not share all of the details with your friend because you don’t want them to think differently about you, or you’re worried about them thinking that you’re too sad, so you kind of filter, whereas with a therapist you don’t have to hold back. It’s completely okay to share whatever you’re struggling with. I also think that therapy is helpful because sometimes we can help you see things from a perspective that you didn’t have before. We can give you strategies you may not have seen or tried before, because we may have seen this in another client and it worked for them. Sometimes you still may feel judgment [in therapy] because you’re human and you’re wondering what the therapist is thinking about you, but it could also help you gain some perspective.

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RH How are therapists able to reserve judgment when listen-

ing to their clients? The perception of being judged may be a major issue preventing some from being comfortable enough to seek therapy.

DR. JOY This is a great question. When we’re listening to clients

we are listening from a place of wanting to deeply understand our client’s world and connect things in a way that may be helpful. This is also why we have very strict guidelines about having dual relationships with clients and maintaining confidentiality. All of these things work together to help create the therapeutic environment where a client does feel safe to share things that may be difficult.

RH We have this idea of therapy based on what we see in

movies. The client lying on a couch while the therapist is scribbling notes on a pad. Is this how it works in reality? How do you get someone comfortable enough to discuss their problems with you?

DR. JOY Therapy can look so many different ways, as we all practice differently. Most of us have couches in our office, but you‘re definitely not required to lie down (unless you’re working with a psychoanalyst, and even then I’m not sure that lying down is required). Some of us take notes while in session but not always. Helping someone get comfortable to share their concerns really starts the moment they come across your website. As a therapist, you want your website to communicate to a potential client that you understand their concerns and are skilled at helping with that concern. This process likely continues with an initial phone call to talk with one another about any questions you have and for the therapist to get a better sense of what brings you in. I also think it’s our job as therapists to set a good framework in the first few sessions for how therapy will look with us. This framework also goes a long way in helping clients feel comfortable. RH Who should seek therapy? And what are some less dis-

cussed reasons to seek therapy?

DR. JOY I’m a personal believer that anybody can benefit from some therapy because we are human and there are always ways that we can have better relationships, be more productive. And we don’t often think that there may be some mental-healthrelated things that we could be doing that may be impacting our productivity and relationships. It feels typical for people to come to therapy if they feel really sad, anxious, or if they’ve lost someone or had a breakup. Those seem really obvious, but if you find that you are kind of overextending yourself in relationships and always telling people yes, never wanting to say no to somebody, like people-pleasing, then that definitely could be a reason to come to therapy. If you realize that you’ve been in relationships that never quite go the way you planned, that could be a reason to go to therapy, because it could be something that you’re doing in terms of how you’re showing up in a relationship or in the people you are choosing. So, there’s no limit to the kinds of things that you can work out in therapy. RH How does one know when they need to seek psychiatric medication, as opposed to more organic solutions? DR. JOY The research shows that the best combination is therapy

and medication, but typically when I have the conversation with

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my clients about moving over to medication it’s because I see real decreases in functioning that are making it difficult for them to live their daily lives. This can include them having trouble getting up to go to work or school, missing classes, not keeping up with missing assignments, no longer enjoying hanging out with friends, hearing or seeing things that other people don’t, and a whole range of other behaviors. RH What are some ways black women can work toward their own healing? DR. JOY Being really open and honest with friends and family when you’re struggling. Not using loved ones as therapists, but being honest with people. When you think about how quickly we ask, “How are you?” and we all respond “Fine,” oftentimes we’re really not. So really being honest about how you’re doing and making space for them to tell you when things aren’t okay can go a long way to making sure that we’re not continuing that strong black woman myth. If you make it okay in your circle of friends

that everybody doesn’t have to be okay, that can go a long way. If everybody did their part in their own circle, we could really see change. RH What are some daily activities that black women can do

to check in with their healing? DR. JOY Journaling is excellent. People who journal regularly can get a lot out of it because you can notice connections and patterns from week to week by going back to your journal, which can be really helpful. Getting your body moving through exercise and releasing dopamine and all the other neurotransmitters that make us feel good can do wonders for improving our mood. Also, making sure that we’re paying attention to our diet. There has been a lot of research about how different foods impact our moods. Sleep is also important. Sometimes there’s this culture of grinding and hustling which encourages working yourself to the bone and not paying attention to sleep. But when you’re not sleeping you can cause a whole host of other issues to the point where sleep deprivation can almost mimic an actual mental health concern. You tend to be crankier and more irritable. Your body can’t function the way it should. RH How can women better pay attention to their emotions

and what they’re saying about their mental and physical health?

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THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS

If your friends always notice that you talk like that, it’s nothing different, but letting a new person hear these conversations can give insight into ways you need to change your self-talk or how you’re treating yourself.

DR. JOY Journaling can be excellent for that and therapy. Some-

times we say things in passing and it isn’t until we discuss with a therapist that we realize we have a lot of negative self-talk and may even be talking ourselves out of opportunities before even giving ourselves a chance to be successful. That’s also why I think therapy is important—if your friends always notice that you talk like that, it’s nothing different, but letting a new person hear these conversations can give insight into ways you need to change your self-talk or how you’re treating yourself.

RH Can you talk about access and cost issues with seeking

therapy?

DR. JOY If you have health insurance, for most plans mental

health is covered at least in some part. Just like you pay a copay to go see your primary care physician, for many plans you’ll also pay a copay to see a therapist. The copay may be a little higher, but relatively reasonable. So, the first thing I would say is that if you have insurance, check to see about your mental health coverage. For those without insurance, most counties have some kind of mental health center where you can see a therapist, and those are typically free or low cost. You can also look at colleges or universities in your town, especially if they have a psychology or PhD program. Usually there’s a clinic that’s run from these programs where you can go in to get therapy from the students that are in training, who are supervised by actual licensed therapists.

session, so I encourage you to do your research and come with all your questions, to see if they’re going to be a good fit for you. RH How important is it that a therapist match you in charac-

teristics like race, sexual orientation, or gender presentation? DR. JOY I think it matters as much as it matters to you. Research

says that one of the most important things that will determine if therapy is effective is the therapist-client relationship. If finding another black female therapist is really important to you, then by all means find that. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t really mind, find whoever’s closest to you. But I do think if something is really important to you in finding a therapist, that is what you should try to find, because you’ll likely have a better relationship with that person if you feel like your values are being met in that relationship.

RH This could be a barrier for many black women who don’t believe they’ll find a black female therapist in their area. DR. JOY Yes, and that was the motivation behind our Therapist

Directory, [a listing of mental health professionals across the country who provide culturally competent services to black women and girls]. I had heard that same thing, that people just couldn’t find black female therapists, and that it was really important to them. So I wanted to make it easier for people to find them.

RH Any tips on how to choose or find a therapist?

RH Can you speak more about your Directory?

DR. JOY Sometimes you might hear that finding a therapist is kind of like dating, because you may have to go through a couple different people until you find the one that’s right for you. Of course, that may not feel comfortable because you’re opening up to your therapist and you don’t want to have to keep repeating your story. But the worst thing you can do is stay in a relationship with a therapist even when you know it’s not clicking. We’re all very different in terms of our personalities, and again, we’re human, so you’re not going to match with everybody. We also practice very differently. Some of us are very active as therapists, and some of us are more quiet and are kind of reflecting on what you say. So, you have to shop around and know what kind of personality and style is going to be a good match for you. Most therapists have websites and maybe even videos that showcase their styles, where you can gauge them. Many offer a 10- to 15-minute consultation before you sign up for your first

DR. JOY It started off as a simple Google Doc—I just put a call out

on social media for people to send me information on therapists they had worked with and liked, and who they thought others would like, so that I could compile it. That was in December of 2016, and probably by the end of that month I had 100 therapists. After people began submitting, other therapists heard of it and wanted to get on the list too, so it started that way and picked up steam as it was shared on social media. At this point, there are almost 600 therapists in the Directory across the country. Some states are still not covered, but for most states people can typically find someone who’s going to be in their area.

To learn more about the directory of black therapists and Dr. Joy’s work, visit THERAPYFORBLACKGIRLS.COM

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on this page Model Stephanie is wearing a plume dress by Trina Turk and sun hat by Lola, all from Tootsies on the next page » She is wearing a PatBo dress from Tootsies with Wagon wheel hoop earrings from Anthropologie

She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sail.

Photography by Ahmad Barber | styled by Ray C'Mone | hair by Ebonee J | make up by Christine Vazquez

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

on this page Stephanie is wearing a Packard dress by Likely from Tootsies, and Wilma Drop earrings from Anthropologie on the last page « She is wearing a Costarellos dress from Tootsies

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Top by Self Portrait, head wrap by Zara , earrings by Anthropologie.

style

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A NEW GUARD OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DESIGNERS Traditional textiles reimagined

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INTERVIEW LISA FOLAWIYO Honoring tradition with a modern twist

Designs by Mafi

Designs by Raffia

Designs by Lisa Folawiyo

CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DESIGNERS

words by Ngozi Ekeledo images courtesy of the designers

A New Guard of Contemporary African Designers with Traditional Roots

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, attending

Nigerian parties or events always meant being able to admire a variety of gorgeous outfits donned by beautiful women and, of course, outspoken Nigerian men (who have never been wont to hide bashfully in the corner). My father would typically take part in the fare, but my siblings and I instead stuck to “American” clothing. Our blue jeans and Old Navy graphic tees paled in comparison to the ornate outfits on vibrant display. Truth be told, I didn’t realize there even were contemporary African options for anyone under 30. To me Nigerian fashion was reserved for big events, and the one time I did wear West African clothing to school was for a presentation. I felt out of place and awkward in an itchy, stiff, pale pink dress I borrowed from my mom. It was five sizes too big and

not necessarily a stylish silhouette for a tween trying to fit into the suburban Georgia crowd. From that point on, the idea of wearing Nigerian clothing outside of the proper setting seemed nearly impossible to me. Coming Home to Fashion Turns out, I wasn’t alone. Even for some young women living in African countries, the idea of head-to-toe traditional clothing hasn’t always been an easy sell. In recent years, however, the fashion culture on the continent has seen a renaissance in design when it comes to celebrating our countries’ rich traditional practices on a more global scale. African fashion is unique, and for members of the diaspora, it’s often a way to visually reclaim one’s roots. That ideology has worked twofold, at home and abroad.

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from top to bottom: designs by Raffia using Batakri fabric, from her 2015-2016 Collection & 2017-2018 Collection » For Ghanaian designer Madonna Kendona, observing the community aspect of African fashion started firsthand with her “stylish mother” and helped spark her interest from a young age. “In West Africa, we usually have tailors who make us clothes. It isn’t a big deal like it is abroad, and so that was an opportunity for me to be creative. I designed my own clothes from when I was way younger,” Madonna says. “At a point I was like, ‘You know, this is what I’m really passionate about. Let me just see. I’ve been doing this for myself. I’ve been doing this for my family. Let me see if I can do it for other people.’” It wasn’t until Madonna turned 30—and had earned a degree in economics and French from the University of Ghana, followed by a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University—that she finally gave herself permission to pursue her first love: fashion. She began to tap into recreating elements of her heritage, and a melding of traditional and contemporary practices became the inspiration for her brand, Raffia. “My family is from Northern Ghana, and I’ve always very much been influenced by the culture, the language, the clothes, the food, and so I kind of felt like this was an opportunity,” Madonna says. “Northern Ghanaians tend to be kind of like a minority, and so we’re not necessarily mainstream. Our food, our music— it was considered niche. So when I decided to start Raffia, I was like, ‘This is me, this is what I represent.’ And so I thought about batakari.” Beyond the Brand Batakari or “Gonja cloth” is a weaving and textile practice synonymous with the Northern and Upper regions of Ghana and a point of pride for the people of this area, much as the Kente cloth is to South Ghana. When Madonna launched her collection five years ago, she saw batakari as an opportunity to shine a light on her region’s rich textile history. “I wanted to do something that was sort of authentic. I didn’t want to come out and copy another brand. I wanted to continue making clothes that felt authentic to me and what I stood for,” Madonna says. “I’ve always loved

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batakari and always sort of used it for special occasions, and I was like, ‘You know, there’s something there. I need to learn a little bit more about the weaving process and I need to see if I can make something modern out of this very traditional piece of clothing.’” This wasn’t without some growing pains. “It was eye-opening because, as much as I read about fashion and I knew the realities on the ground, it’s not just the beautiful clothes on the runway. There was a lot of hard work behind the scenes,” Madonna says. “Actually doing it myself, it was very interesting to see the little bits and pieces that come together to make a brand.” Raffia is still a small operation, with just four members comprising its main team. What separates the label from others in Ghana, though, is its modern approach not just to clothing, but to social issues as well, such as sustainability and opportunities for women. “It wasn’t just about creating a fashion brand,” acknowledges Madonna. “I also wanted to work with women in the northern part of Ghana because women tend to be economically and even socially marginalized, so I wanted to work with women who had amazing skills and who didn’t necessarily have ways in which to monetize those skills. “We work with women weavers. We source some of our cotton directly from there; it is grown, it is spun, and it is woven in directly the same place. In terms of sustainability, we create very few pieces, so it’s not a fast fashion business. We create very, very few pieces per collection because it’s all supposed to sort of tie together.”

Contemporary designs by Mafi, using traditional Ethiopian hand-woven fabrics »

A Tradition of Collaboration In Ethiopia, 29-year-old designer Mahlet Afework, also known as “Mafi,” is also part of this new generation of contemporary African designers steeped in traditional roots. The former model and musician launched her namesake brand, Mafi, in 2014 as a way to celebrate and showcase her country’s rich tradition of hand-woven fabrics—an integral aspect of her designs. “It’s very important because that’s how I grew up. When we talk about traditional dresses or

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fabrics, that’s the first thing that I was introduced to when I was very young. It’s beautiful, it’s amazing, but it’s traditional clothing. When I grew up, and when I started thinking about being a designer and when I started working, I learned the skill behind it,” Mafi says.

“very busy, so her clothing should be very comfortable and at the same time something that can take her from her day meeting to an evening cocktail.”

That meant immersing herself in the intricacies of traditional dyed fabrics, hand-looming, and spinning in small factories or workshops. It was a collaborative environment that never ceased to amaze her.

The international reception to this hybrid of traditional and modern African clothing has been overwhelmingly positive. After years of seeing dashikis stateside as the cultural purveyor of an entire continent, it’s been a breath of fresh air to see new sources of multicultural designs and fashion stories spreading past African borders and onto some of the world’s most recognizable personalities.

“I think that makes it rich, in a sense, that a lot of people are involved to produce one specific fabric,” Mafi says. “There’s always a story behind that process, so that’s why I wanted to stick to that.” A Style for Every Occasion For this new stable of African designers, the twist to contemporary fashion is figuring out how to breathe innovative life into classic fabrics often seen as just ornaments worn by their elders. Their aim is to repurpose familiar elements in a more appealing manner for a younger demographic of more globally connected clients.

More Star-studded Support

Out of Nigeria, designers such as Amaka Osakwe of Maki Oh and Lisa Folawiyo have captured the attention of some major A-list names with their juxtaposition of traditional West African techniques and fabrics like ankara and adire against their designs’ modern silhouettes. Celebrities including Solange Knowles and Lupita Nyong’o have worn both brands, and former First Lady Michelle Obama is a fan of Maki Oh, even extending a personal invite to Amaka Osakwe in 2014 to visit the White House—the first for an African designer.

It’s often a broad undertaking, because the idea of the global woman takes on many forms. For Lisa Folawiyo, the attention her brand has garnered is an added benefit to what she Madonna Kendona says the Raffia woman may be “anyone from a military officer to a CEO,” originally set out for when she created her popular, ankara-heavy label Jewel by Lisa. while Mafi Afework describes the Mafi woman as “someone who can be from Ethiopia, she can be from Europe, Asia, wherever, but that girl “That was the start of me going into designing,” Lisa says. “Just getting people to see our popular travels the world, appreciates culture, and likes fabrics and just doing something new with what to learn new things.” was old.” Comfort and elegance are also pulsing undercurrents in this new African fashion market. Meanwhile, Mafi Afework’s success helped her land a coveted opportunity to deliver a Ted Talk Like Western designs, the popularity of street about her mission of “marrying ancient Ethiostyle has helped shift our perceptions of just pian tradition with contemporary designs,” and what constitutes a casual and chic uniform to this day it’s still one of her proudest moments these days. For both designers, it’s been a fun as a designer, while also providing a big boost in process exploring how that definition has sales for her label. evolved abroad. “We work with traditional fabrics but we make “I got to meet so many amazing people, and then I got a lot of emails from different clients,” Mafi says. very modern clothing, and it’s kind of a mix of streetwear, luxury, and kind of sporty chic,” “Some of them are still our clients, and we ship to them wherever they are. It’s pretty amazing.” says Mafi. In her eyes, the Mafi customer is

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Even though her label is still growing, Mafi is already stocked outside of Ethiopia in major cities in the United States, including New York and Washington, and in boutiques in Belgium and the UK. The designer hopes to launch an online boutique for her global clientele within the next year. Growing Global Reaching such a wide variety of customers has been a point of pride for all of these African designers, and the sign of a welcome shift in perception of traditional African fashion in the eyes of international audiences. Madonna Kendona recalls, “A few years ago, this Austrian designer, Lena Hoschek—I think she used Vlisco exclusively for an entire collection that she called ‘Hot Mama Africa,’ which is very interesting. It was all full of African print. So the influence is definitely there.” These designers have also noticed a wave of accelerated change back home in their own pockets of the fashion industry, creating a more welcoming atmosphere for young, upand-coming African designers looking to continue those traditional practices with a more modern approach.

« Lisa Folawiyo, Spring-Summer 2018 Collection

“African designers are coming out with and using traditional methods, but their clothes don’t necessarily appear to be African. It’s more like, ‘Is it elegant? It’s elegant. Is it mainstream? It’s mainstream,’” says Madonna. “They’re just very talented designers on the continent that are coming out with beautiful clothing.” Even with this global appeal, both designers intend to remain close to their roots as their reach continues to expand. Mafi Afework is still based in Addis Abba and Raffia is still headquartered in Accra. While international recognition is nice, in the end both women say they’re grounded in a mission true to Africa. “For me as a designer, authenticity is important because you can only pretend to be somebody else for so long,” says Madonna. “The fact that Raffia has elements of Northern Ghana but all the while is a modern brand really speaks to who I am as a person.”

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LISA FOLAWIYO

words by Ngozi Ekeledo images courtesy of Lisa Folawiyo

Lisa Folawiyo Celebrating the Universal Appeal Of Ankara

Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo portrays her vision through a message of selfreflection, cultural representation, and tradition woven into a modern story. The Nigerian designer is best known for celebrating Ankara and making it a mainstream element of her popular contemporary Jewel by Lisa collection. With it, the 41-yearold from Lagos has become a global force in the fashion industry, with recognition from major players ranging from Vogue Italia to Harper’s Bazaar, and has shown her collections everywhere from Lagos Fashion and Design Week to New York Fashion Week. Her collection has been worn by some of the most fashionable women in the world—Solange Knowles, Lupita Nyong’o, and Thandie Newton, to name a few—and is stocked by major outlets such as Selfridges and Moda Operandi. She’s also worked with large global brands, including L'Oréal and Blackberry. Lisa recently spoke with us about the attention her work has received and how she continues to maintain her roots as a source of pride in her collections.

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However, we know over the years there’s evidence to show that indeed most of the interpretation in terms of the prints and the fabrics was influenced by Africa, and it’s been here forever. So, we have claim to it.

RADIANT HEALTH What made you want to get your start as a fashion designer? LISA FOLAWIYO For me, it was just being able to see African

fashion — or Nigerian fashion, because I’m Nigerian — in a different or more contemporary way. Growing up here and seeing the use of our traditional textiles in ways that were perhaps not appealing to me anymore, and also as someone who had been out of the country and experienced fashion in different ways, it was my decision to merge my own individual aesthetic with what was traditional to us. [My brand] is celebrating what we know and where we’re from and who we are, but also putting a spin on it in a modern and fresh way.

RH How did your travels outside of Nigeria help your inspiration? LISA With many Nigerians, I think, for either schooling or when

you go on a holiday, you would go and buy clothes [abroad]. For me, I saw that I wanted to be able to buy clothes in Nigeria, and at that point in time there was nothing that really appealed to me. The fashion scene I felt was still growing, but it was very much in its infancy. I am someone who has always liked to experiment, and I just thought that I needed to do so with what was available to me here, as opposed to every time you would travel and you would buy things. I just wanted to see how I could explore what we had here and turn that into something that was highly covetable, was modern, was contemporary, but mostly was what I knew about myself and my peers. At the time, there was sort of a rejuvenation of not only the fashion scene, but with music. Things were coming to life at that period, so I thought, “Let’s see how we can work with what we have here and make it once again desirable.”

RH When did you launch your brand?

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In 2005 I started the brand Jewel by Lisa, which is popularly known for the use of anakra fabric. We started with Nigerian fabric but then went on to Vlisco, which everybody argues about, saying, “Oh, well Vlisco is not owned by Africa.” However, we know over the years there’s evidence to show that indeed most of the interpretation in terms of the prints and the fabrics was influenced by Africa, and it’s been here forever. So, we have claim to it.

LISA

The Jewel by Lisa brand started with the use of this ankara fabric, and that’s when we decided to interpret it in very modern, very useful, and very fresh ways in terms of the aesthetic. Then we started to add on to that with the embellishments—which I felt was the luxury component of it, which is something that had never been seen or done before in Nigeria, or in fact in Africa. Because it was brand new, people were excited and it was very appealing, and so that brand—which is still the main brand, the “mother brand,” I call it—still is big today here in Nigeria. Then [the brand] Lisa Folawiyo came about, and this is when we started to make our own custom prints with Nigerian textiles. With my background, that’s something that resonated with me, being Nigerian and African. All my products have a very contemporary African appeal. These are my custom prints, so we decided to go with the name Lisa Folawiyo. Then we have The J Label, which is the diffusion line. My brand is very print-focused, which we started with and what we continue to do. The J Label is more accessible, more affordable, but still carries the brand aesthetic. RH What was the initial reception to your use of ankara from your international clientele, who maybe did not know what it was? LISA I think that for everyone, both locally and globally, the

feedback we got was that it was really fresh and brand new.

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Lisa Folawiyo Autumn-Winter 2017 Collection »

In the past, the fabric—it is very strong in terms of color and print, and in design—has always been made to seem more costume and heavy. But what we did was to sort of make it lighter and easier and wearable, and so I think that everyone, both here in Africa and globally, saw that—the freshness, the lightness, the wearability. And also the luxury of it, because we then took attention to bead these pieces by hand—I think people saw the preciousness, in addition to our designs. It was received really well.

RH You’ve had huge names wear you brand, like Solange Knowles, Lupita Nyong’o, Thandie Newton, and Lucy Liu. LISA That’s been nice. RH How does that make you feel as a designer? LISA I think it’s great, I do. As a designer, the most joy that you

can get is when you see your pieces come to life when you see people wearing them after the runway shows. For me, seeing women, whether a celebrity or not, wearing these pieces and “making it your own” is exciting—it’s fulfilling.

RH Is there a celebrity that you'd love to wear your designs? LISA There are tons of them! I would love to see Rihanna in one

of our pieces, for sure. She would be definitely my first choice. Zendaya I’m liking, and I would love to see her in something, and I would like Yara Shahidi as well. She’s a young, strong woman and I love everything she stands for. Having her wear one of my pieces, just for me [would be] empowering. Seeing a young girl who gets it? That would be really great. RH Those would all be amazing choices. When you see these

stars wearing your work, how does it help validate the work of African designers? LISA Everyone wants validation, of course. You put your work out

there and you want people to love it. You want people to buy into your idea. But I don’t like it when it feels like Africa is looking for validation from the international [scene] or these people. I don’t like that, I have to be honest with you. I’ve grown, and I’ve come to realize that my work continues to validate itself, and I say this with all humility. What makes me feel good is just seeing that there’s this collaborative effort here [at Lisa Folawiyo]. What the women stand for is what’s, to me, empowering. It’s wonderful. That is where I see the beauty in [celebrities] wearing my clothes. As a designer you always want people to love what you do. I don’t want you to validate my work because I am in Africa. I want you to validate my work because I’m a designer, but not because I am an African designer.

RH You mentioned before that you wanted to include

traditional elements in your collections because that’s just a part of how you grew up and your culture. What role does that authenticity play in your mission as a designer?

LISA With my inspirations, they come from somewhere—a lot

of the time from within, and the things that I remember, and the things that are familiar. And if I can interpret that and really tell a story with my clothes, this is the beauty of my upbringing and this is the beauty of life. This is my life, and in whichever way or form I can say that, this is the medium that I have chosen to say that through. So, that I can successfully achieve that is for me what is really beautiful and amazing. It is everything that I am.

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GREEN BEAUTY Is it time to clean up your beauty regime?

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INTERVIEW ABENA BOAMAH Reclaiming our beauty, reclaiming ourselves

Green Beauty What You Need To Know.

GREEN BEAUTY

Is it time to clean up your beauty routine?

Coconut oil fixes everything. Okay, not exactly, but that saying is definitely on to something—the idea that maybe the best beauty solutions aren’t the traditional options we’ve flocked to in the past. And we’re not alone in this idea. In everything from hair products to makeup, skin care to nail polish, women around the world are becoming more intentional about their bodies and what they put in and on them. Green beauty is the bridge connecting the ageold gap between our beauty and our health. It offers an option that doesn’t require us to sacrifice and that is becoming more accessible and mainstream by the day. But as much as we love the idea of green beauty, it’s still a very new concept for many of us. What is it? How do we get started? Is it expensive? What do we have to do? It can feel overwhelming in the beginning, but it really isn’t. We’re going to answer some of the most common questions about green beauty so you can find out exactly what you need to know in order to start incorporating more green products into your beauty routine. What Is Green Beauty?

words by Tyshia Ingram photography by Ahmad Barber make up by Maraz model Maryse of Ursula Weidmann Models

Let’s start at the beginning. There’s all this talk about green beauty lately, but not much clarity on what it really is. To be abstract, green beauty is a lifestyle and a commitment to taking control of our bodies and the things we surround them with. A more tangible answer is that green beauty is an umbrella term used to describe beauty

products that are branded as natural, clean, eco-friendly, and organic. But these terms are often used interchangeably throughout the green beauty space, which can make things a bit tricky. And depending on who you ask, each one can also mean something very different. Generally speaking, natural beauty products are created with plant- or fruit-derived ingredients. They’re commonly marketed as formulated without any synthetic ingredients, dyes, or fragrances. However, natural beauty products aren’t regulated, so the actual term “natural beauty” doesn’t mean much. Brands can call their products “all natural” or “natural-based” without any real oversight or confirmation. The same goes for natural beauty’s sister category, clean beauty. Clean beauty products are marketed as nontoxic and created without any known hazardous chemicals, but as with natural beauty, there is no “clean beauty” certification that regulates products that claim this title. The eco-friendly label, on the other hand, is a bit more well-defined. Eco-friendly commonly refers to products that are cruelty-free, meaning they aren’t tested on animals, and that use ethically sourced ingredients and/or sustainable packaging. There are certifications that you can be on the lookout for to confirm an eco-friendly product is indeed eco-friendly. The Leaping Bunny certification is an industry standard that is globally trusted for crueltyfree products, while the EcoCert certification indicates sustainable practices in beauty.

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Because regulations in green beauty are so few and far between, some people prefer to play it safe and only shop organic for their green beauty. Organic beauty products are the only ones in the green beauty space that are highly regulated. In the U.S., for instance, products must contain 95 percent certified USDA organic ingredients in order to be approved to use the coveted “certified organic” label. Is It Worth the Switch? Here’s a not-so-fun fact: A 2016 study conducted by the Environmental Working Group found that one in 12 beauty products marketed to women of color is considered highly hazardous. That same study found that less than 25 percent of products marketed to women of color contained “low hazard” ingredients. Combine this with the fact that your skin absorbs at least 64 percent of whatever you put on it, and at the very least you’ve got something serious to think about. When it comes to making the switch to green beauty, it doesn’t have to be this dramatic event where you throw out everything you have and start over from the beginning (though power to you if that’s your thing). Small steps and gradual changes over time can make a big impact on your beauty routine. Taking the time to read ingredient labels, doing research where you’re unsure, and finding out which hard-topronounce ingredients are okay with you and which ones are nonnegotiable are all great places to start. Even simply switching out a conditioner here or a lipstick there can get you in the habit of making more intentional choices. Is It Difficult to Make the Transition? It’s important to understand that green beauty is a lifestyle change, and as such it takes time and commitment to make the transition. One of the more difficult aspects of making the transition to green beauty is finding alternatives for

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all of your skin, body, hair, and makeup needs. If you’re anything like me, that’s a lot of products. And the reality is, there are some that are just easier to replace than others. Oil cleansers and facial mists made of the purest organic oils can be found on every other website, while natural deodorant that actually works or nail polish colors that are vibrant are fewer and farther between. One of the best ways I’ve found to discover those tough-to-find products is by shopping at stores dedicated to green beauty. There are boutiques like BLK + GRN, an online destination where you can shop natural beauty and wellness products crafted by black artisans, and subscription boxes such as Green Beauty for Us, which curates green beauty products created for women of color. Even with all of the options available, making the switch to green beauty can still feel a bit out of reach. Updating your whole beauty stash isn’t easy and isn’t cheap. If you’re on a budget, you can still begin to make some subtle transitions that require less of a monetary commitment. Many women get their first experiences with green beauty by mixing up oils and butters in the kitchen. DIY green beauty is still green beauty, so don’t shy away from making your own body oil or scrub—you'll be surprised at how simple, effective, and inexpensive it can be. Where Do I Start? Remember, you do not have to immediately toss all of your favorite beauty products in order to embrace the green beauty lifestyle. As a general rule, I suggest starting with the products you use most often. For most of us, that means things like deodorant, sunscreen, cleansers, body lotion, and lipstick. Finding green alternatives that you love and use daily can make a huge impact on your beauty routine. Here are my top five picks to start your green beauty transition:

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

ARTICLE NAME ARTICLE NAME

HUNNYBUNNY ALL-NATURAL DEODORANT

An all-natural deodorant that works is one of the trickiest green beauty buys to find, but it’s also one of the most important. I love HunnyBunny’s deodorant for its simple ingredients, heavenly scent, and ability to keep me feeling fresh all day long.

skin-care routine with one product. I can use this cleansing oil as a standalone cleanser or as a makeup remover before a heavier cleanser if I need it. It’s super hydrating and full of organic oils to nourish the skin. BENEATH YOUR MASK HEAL WHIPPED SKIN SOUFFLÉ

UNSUN TINTED MINERAL SUNSCREEN

There is a longstanding myth that people of color don’t need sunscreen. Wrong! We absolutely do. The problem is that many sunscreens can leave an ashy gray cast on our melanin-infused skin. UnSun mineral sunscreen is created specifically for deeper complexions. It has a mineral base and is tinted so it blends into the skin—no streaks or ashiness left behind. KAIKE CLEANSING OIL

I love a good multitasking beauty product, and this one by Kaike is my current favorite. Cleansing oils are a great way to transition into green beauty as they can replace the first few steps in your

If you like the idea of green beauty but can’t seem to part with your luxury creams and serums, Beneath Your Mask can help. Their Heal Whipped Skin Soufflé is one of the most luxurious all-natural body creams I’ve ever tried. It’s made with only certified ingredients and works to hydrate my skin on its driest days. LUV MINERALS LIPSTICK

I’ve found lipstick to be a tough green beauty find as well. Either they aren’t very natural or they aren’t very pigmented. Luv Minerals is a natural beauty company dedicated to women of color, and their all-natural lipsticks are the perfect medium. As a dark-lipstick fan, I love the 10 deep shades they offer.

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ST Y L I S H LO C A L LY H A N D M A D E AC C E S S O R I E S BY I N D E P E N D E N T A RT I S A N S.

jidegear.com

RADIANT FINDS

Pamper your skin right.

1. Clary Collection All Purpose Balm $17 2. Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 $19 3. Mischo Beauty Nail Lacquer in Worthy $17 4. Herb'N Eden Rosemary & Lavender Soap $6

BEAUTY RECLAIMING OUR BEAUTY, RECLAIMING OURSELVES

Abena Boamah

on Learning & Teaching the Beauty of Blackness

words by Nikki Igbo photography by Deun Ivory, Abena Boamah & Jessica Sarkodie

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Abena Boamah is an educator, curator, and craftswoman. First and foremost, however, Abena is a woman who is dedicated to uplifting and empowering the black woman. It’s this particular dedication to women of color that informs the beauty she aims to place on permanent exhibition for all the world to see, experience, and appreciate.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

ABENA BOAMAH

It’s difficult not to smile when speaking with Abena. Even on a phone call, her joy and bubbly disposition is contagious. “I like to be the positive energy and at least just try my best,” Abena says, with genuine humility. As she shares her teaching background and the story of how she came to create Hanahana Beauty while pursuing a graduate degree, her enthusiasm dances across the telephone line.

On opening page: photography by Deun Ivory

“After I graduated in 2013, I was working in the clinical field as a program director for a summer treatment program,” Abena says. “While doing that, I realized all these awesome choices I was able to give to people, but none of the people looked like me. “I’ve always wanted to teach, and I really thought that I should use my degree [in psychology] in teaching. I started teaching and taught for three years, starting as a gym teacher and teaching math too. Then I became a full-time math teacher, teaching algebra on the west side of Chicago.” Abena found herself teaching hip-hop and social justice, cooking and feminism. Anything and everything that she was exposed to, she passed on to her classes, while making each lesson fun and creative with visual documentation.

woman teaching,” says Abena. “I wanted to make sure that my students learned things that are necessary for them, like learning about their identity and people who looked like them. I wanted to be a better resource for my students, so I decided to go back to school so I could learn more skills to do that.” Beauty with a Mission As she taught and pursued her master’s, Abena often escaped the rigors of her workload by making shea butter. “I was basically making my own products because I felt I should know what was going on my skin,” she explains. And so, embracing her inner autodidact, Abena set out to teach herself about various oils and ingredients and their healing properties. “It was just something I really enjoyed doing,” she says. “And then I discovered I was really good at it. My friends and family encouraged me to start the business.” Hanahana Beauty became a beauty brand with Abena’s personal teaching mission very much at its core.

“In America, being a black woman, being dark-skinned comes with being exposed to so many things that make you feel less confident in your beauty,” says Abena. “Nothing against makeup, but there is Her commitment to being the best pos- pressure to look a certain way. When I started making shea butter, I felt very sible teacher she could be is what led her confident in my skin. I actually looked to continue her own studies by pursuing a master’s degree in community counseling. better and felt better.

“I felt it was important as a young black

“As I continued to learn about it and the

women behind this, actually being able to meet the Katariga women, I was able to see how confident they were in their own skin. All the things that we’re now using in these natural products are things that our ancestors have used for such a long time. “I don’t want to force anyone to go natural; my whole mission is for people to realize their own beauty and confidence. I want Hanahana to be the source for that realization through our products and the story we tell through our Instagram page and our website. I want Hanahana to be a positive experience for women of color, especially black women.” Nkuto as a Path to Identity Long, long before shea butter began to appear in Western beauty products, the fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree was used throughout West Africa for almost everything, including cooking oil, wood preservation, hairdressing, candlemaking, pain relief, nasal decongestion, sunblock, and skin hydration. “In general, shea butter is very traditional,” says Abena. “And it was traditional for women to make it because it comes from a nut. Going and picking the fruit, using the nut, being able to break it down and boil, and roast, and all that stuff—that was a tradition. “It was a passed-down tradition before shea butter was in all your products. People taught their children how to make it. Especially in Northern Ghana. It was not only a tradition for women—it was a way for people to be able to purchase other goods as it was sold at the market.”

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Still, many women of color who use shea butter are largely unaware of their personal connection with nkuto (the Twi word for shea butter), how it is made, or who is making it. “As we are growing up, we search for beauty that reflects ourselves,” she says. “If we could just learn from ourselves, from our past, we would easily find that representation. But it’s difficult because so much of what has been passed down has been whitewashed, and that’s how people don’t know their own identity.” For Abena, it took a trip to Northern Ghana, the source of much of the world’s shea butter, to learn about the women and the process behind shea butter creation. When Abena landed in Tamale, she found the Katariga Women’s Group. “I wanted to make sure that if I’m going to use Ghana in any of my business or my marketing, then I actually needed to buy shea from Ghana and someone in Ghana should make money,” she says. “I also wanted to go and actually meet the women. The Katariga Women’s Group in Ghana is based in the neighborhood Katariga, but it’s the shea women’s group.” “This group of about 60 women produce raw shea butter as a living. They produce and work together, and I buy directly from these women, who also produce for other companies. There are a lot of women’s collectives all over West Africa like this — in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo—who are making shea butter.” The Genesis of an Exhibition While learning about the Katariga Women’s Group and learning their process, Abena took plenty of gorgeous photos and video, and this imagery became something much bigger.

They are spending several hours doing this—picking the nuts, crushing the nuts, milling the nuts. Mixing with their hands for 45 minutes to an hour and then boiling it. They do so much stuff and people don’t know about these women. “The product is sold so cheap, but it supports a billion-dollar industry. These women should be getting a bigger profit off of it.” And that’s how Abena’s exhibition, The Process, a visual documentation of her time with the Katariga Women’s Group, came to be. “[The Process] is a teaching exhibition. I thought it was extremely important to curate something that not only teaches you but also shows you your own beauty through these women and what they’re doing. We have such a glamorized view of the end product and we don’t think about all the different people that had something to do with those products before we buy them. And these people, these women, are women of color.” The process has been exhibited in both ghana and the united states thus far. “I first did the exhibition in Ghana in December at Elle Lokko,” says Abena. “I got to give the women back large printouts of their pictures. And then I did the pop-up exhibition at South by Southwest [an annual arts, film, and music festival in Austin, Texas] where people were able to see the photos, read materials, and see my process of making shea butter too.” Having quit her teaching gig to complete her internship, Abena has thrown herself completely into using Hanahana for the larger teaching opportunity it presents.

“I want to be in New York, and also do one in Chicago if I continue to have more opportunities to teach people “The process of the women … it just about the women’s process and all changed my life,” says Abena. “It gave me so much appreciation and under- the different stories behind them, and the women who are working,” standing about what these women are doing. It also made me a bit angry. says Abena.

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Photography by Abena Boamah

BEAUTY

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

Katariga women showcased in Abena's teaching exhibition.

ABENA BOAMAH

If we could just learn from our‑ selves, from our past, we would easily find that representation. But it’s difficult because so much of what has been passed down has been white‑ washed...

Smooth + Confidence = Personal Power The history of shea butter and its importance to African and Ghanaian culture is a long, winding road in and of itself. But Abena’s vision of Hanahana does not stop at the fabulous shea butter or the women who create it—hence the reasoning behind Hanahana’s Smooth + Confidence blog series. “As I was busy learning about mental health, I found that nothing is taught about black psychologists or their theories,” says Abena. “You only learn about mental health as it relates to black people in the multicultural spectrum within the classroom. So when I was thinking of having a journal or a blog, I wanted to feature interviews to learn about mental health from other black women and, in a way, enable others to see themselves through these interviews.” Hanahana’s blog has since featured the personal experiences of several black female entrepreneurs to further showcase the beauty of blackness—which is far more than skin deep. “We started featuring other women of color across the diaspora and their stories,” says Abena. “There are so many types and identities of black people around the globe. We might look similar but our words are different, our thoughts are different.

Photography by Jessica Sarkodie

“When you read these interviews, you find that it is no longer safe to assume that black women answer every question similarly. Each interviewee answers in their own way based on their identity and experiences. This journal, this blog, showcases all the various things we do to feel confident. It showcases how we do things, how we cope, how we learn from our experiences.” Abena understands that she’s entering into a very large marketplace with Hanahana Beauty, but the challenge ahead has not dampened her spirit or her overall drive and determination to promote, uplift, and celebrate women of African descent. She is buoyed by the fact that what she does feels and is right.

Hanahana Beauty products are available online at HANAHANABEAUTY.COM

“This type of platform that showcases black women, African women—like Radiant—is so beautiful and so needed. It says, ‘This is for you,’ and I always want to make sure people know, because it can be difficult. It can feel as if you’re alienating others, when instead you’re actually saying, ‘I’m just trying to create a space that does not exist for me or people who look like me.’”

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SECTION

culture

page 158.

INTERVIEW KECHI OKWUCHI She sang her way out of the darkness

page 162.

CULTURE ON THE GO The latest on the African culture scene

page 164.

INTERVIEW DAGMAR van WEEGHEL On capturing the Diaspora portraits

CULTURE

Kechi Okwuchi’s Rise to New Heights After the Crash

words by Nikki Igbo images courtesy of Kechi Okwuchi

Out of the wreckage and into the light.

December 10, 2005. Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 from Abuja to Port Harcourt for Christmas holiday. Seated in an aisle seat. Chatting with a good friend. Close to landing—turbulence turns rough. A woman shouts. The screech of metal on metal. Then darkness. Kechi Okwuchi was one of only two people to survive this horrific experience, and what’s she done in the wake of it is truly amazing. 158

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KECHI OKWUCHI

♫

Now I tell the story of how I overcame … “I TESTIFY,” ADA

THE FIRST TIME Kechi Okwuchi shared her recollection of being one of two survivors of a plane crash that killed 108 people, the telling of it gave her an odd sensation.

At the time, Kechi’s mother had arrived at the runway and had seen the wreckage firsthand. Based on what she’d seen, she had given up hope of her daughter having survived.

“I was telling the story like it was something I had watched on TV. It was a very kind of dissociative moment, but it allowed me to hear out loud for the first time just how miraculous everything had been. How tragic the events of the accident were. How amazing it was the way God has moved after the accident happened, and how it was that I was alive today. It gave me a bigger appreciation for the fact that I was alive in that moment. And made me realize that this really was a second chance for me to just live my life, and hopefully in living it find what I’m supposed to do with it.”

“My mom had just basically told God thank you for 16 wonderful years with me. She prayed that she would see me in heaven. And she told me it’s okay for me to let go and just go along with Jesus because she knew that I would not want to leave without knowing that she was okay.”

Kechi has since told her plane crash survival story countless times. As a testimony to the fellow members of her church. In moments spent with the parents of those 60 fellow secondary school students of Loyola Jesuit College who had not survived. In a rousingly inspirational speech given at TedxEuston. And most notably, as a contestant on America’s Got Talent. The tale always manages to be so moving because the circumstances are so incredible. “The plane had crashed and broken into pieces off the runway and into the bushes. And it was among the debris that a man found my body. He saw me moving and found that I was actually still alive. He carried me to where I could be treated at the airport hospital next door to the airport. I was taken there along with other people who had initially survived but eventually didn’t make it.” Many of the passengers survived the initial impact only to perish in the resulting fire. Still others survived both the crash and the fire but later succumbed to their injuries. “It was at that hospital that I apparently gave my mother’s phone number, which I didn’t really remember ever knowing before the accident.”

Kechi’s mother was on her way home when she received a phone call telling her to come to the hospital to be with her daughter. Of course, Kechi’s mother believed it to be a terrible joke. “She called my dad and told him the same thing. He told her she should go on and he would meet her there. When she got there I was thrashing about and wouldn’t let them work on me, and I was shouting for her, and eventually when she called my name and I heard her voice, then I calmed down. Then the doctors were able to put in an IV and flush out the black coal that was in my system from the smoke that I inhaled. Essentially the doctors saved my life and then they stabilized me and got me ready for the trip to South Africa.” The air ambulance headed for Johannesburg’s Milpark Hospital left that very night. Upon her arrival, doctors prepared Kechi for immediate surgery. She was then placed in an induced coma and remained that way for the next five weeks. “My mom told me that during that time she would come every single day to see me in the hospital. I remember hearing her speak. I remember the things that she said. I remember hearing music. I remember her singing. I basically remember everything that she was doing while I was in the coma. I heard her explain what had happened, where I was, and the fact that I was going to be okay. When I woke up I knew where I was, I knew what had happened, and I believed that I was going to be okay.”

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CULTURE

♫

One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain … “TRENCHTOWN ROCK,” BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS

Kechi’s battle to hold on to life had only just begun. The first battle she had to face was coping with the pain of third-degree burns all over her body. “It feels like white-hot pain. Like the sensation of touching something that burns without the instinct of taking your hand away—it’s just constantly there. It changes, too. Sometimes it feels like electricity on certain areas. Sometimes it is a kind of numbness as well. A lot of it’s like feeling pain through numbness. The nerves in certain areas are literally dead and gone, but then somehow your pain receptors in those areas are still working. You can feel a level of pain on top of the numbness that just is really surreal. That’s how it feels over your body. There are moments of relief when they give you a medication and the feeling disappears for a while, but it always comes back.” The second battle was coping with the pain of loss. Kechi had been the only surviving student in her entire school. “It was a deep grief like a huge burden on my chest that stayed there constantly. Every time my heart pounded, I was reminded of that pain, that grief. I cried straight for two days. I just cried and cried until I had no more tears from exhausting all the liquid in my body. They [the medical staff] would replenish me with plasma, then I would just start crying again. It was a deep grief that I couldn’t do anything about.” Her only option was to simply begin to heal. Music was and continues to be a big part of that process.

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“Music has been a part of my treatment even before I opened my eyes in South Africa. My mom played music for me while I was in my coma. I heard my favorite songs and my favorite artists playing. When I got to America and started surgery, it became the music therapy I would do after I had physiotherapy. Music has just been this one constant thing that is my escape—my primary distraction. It became this very important part of my life.” Kechi found music to be a vital form of expression, but never thought she could or would take it any farther than singing karaoke in her house or recording covers to send to her family and friends. However, a friend of hers sent an audition tape to America’s Got Talent on her behalf. “I was touched by the fact that this was something that happened even without input from me. It was a part of my story that was meant to happen. It’s more amazing to me that people were actually interested in hearing me sing and were receptive to my voice and the things I brought forth to the stage. Just the platform that America’s Got Talent created for me really surprised me. Because of the show and response, it feels like something might be there.” The songstress has since been invited to perform for several different companies, organizations, and events. “I never considered pursuing a music career, but that’s what I’m doing now. Being a part of various other lineups and shows has shown me that it was not just about America’s Got Talent. They actually want me and my voice to be involved in what they’re doing. That has built my confidence in continuing on and doing

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

KECHI OKWUCHI

♫

I’m not gonna give up, I’m not gonna stop, I’m gonna work harder … “SURVIVOR,” DESTINY’S CHILD

something original. I’m still in shock and disbelief mode. But I’m also in go-getting mode.” Following two years of treatment in America, Kechi pushed herself to complete high school and attend university. She earned an academic scholarship to go to the University of St. Thomas, where she majored in economics and marketing and graduated summa cum laude. She’s currently completing her MBA in economics and is compelled to do more and more each day in the name of those classmates she lost on that fateful flight. “I always want to live my life as good and exemplary as possible because I want those parents to always feel like something good came out of that horrible day. Even if their kids were not able to see today, the one person that’s tied to them that’s alive is not wasting the life that God gave her.” Yes, Kechi is driven but she’s also had her moments of self-doubt. “What I’ve found out about life these past few years is that we are our own worst critics. We tend to put ourselves down and talk ourselves out of stuff way more than anyone else could. Before we even give ourselves a chance to explore some opportunity, we’ve already given ourselves different rationales as to why we can’t do it. You’re going to be afraid either way because fear is a natural response to risk-taking. But I feel like I’ve noticed that it’s just better to be afraid while doing the thing than to be afraid of doing the thing. The only way we can determine if it was something worth doing or not doing is

by actually doing it. I’ve learned to get out of my head more and give myself more credit, because oftentimes it’s only when I’m in a situation that I realize how resilient and enduring I can be.” And so, Kechi works to live her life by making the most of each situation and opportunity in which she finds herself. “It’s always in the back of my mind that my life is this way for a reason. I don’t know what that reason is and I will probably never know. But my job in each moment is to do my best and have no regrets. I just want to excel wherever I find myself and prove to myself that I can do these things despite the accident. It didn’t stop me from achieving the things I want to achieve. It didn’t change my intelligence. I also really want to find what my life is. Like what I’m destined to do. Everyone has their thing. I’m just trying to find my thing.” Kechi’s parents, family, and friends are all watching her—and so is the rest of the world. She doesn’t view these watchful eyes as a burden. Instead, she sees them as a source of strength, as evidence of the testimony that her life is and will continue to be. “A lot of people have told me that they don’t think they can do what I did if they were in my situation. But I don’t think that’s true. We as human beings are equipped and built by God to be able to handle the things that he puts or allows to happen in our lives. We need to realize that we’re much stronger than we think. We shouldn’t have to go through a dramatic situation like a plane crash to realize just how strong we are.”

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Culture On The Go

GO WATCH

GO BEHOLD

The Arbitration

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Now Available on Netflix As the old adage goes, there are two sides to every story, and then there is the truth. In this tense drama, Gbenga (OC Ukeje) and Dara (Adesua Etomi) make the mistake of mixing business and pleasure with the future of both a company and a marriage at stake. Now it’s up to an arbitration panel to hear them each out and set everything right.

Washington D.C., USA This museum is open every day of the year with the exception of December 25. With the mission of igniting dialogue about the beauty, power, and diversity of African arts and cultures worldwide, this D.C. attraction offers an array of public programs, exhibitions, and educational activities, all free of charge.

NETFLIX.COM

AFRICA.SI.EDU

Ankara Swim 2018

Tiwani Contemporary

Miami, Florida: July 21–22, 2018 Since 2011, Ankara Miami has been southern Florida’s source for showcasing emerging and established fashion designers from the African diaspora. Known for producing the first and largest major runway production of its kind, the company presents its third annual African and culturally inspired summer, swim, and resort apparel show.

London, England The work of international emerging and established artists of Africa and its diaspora is right at home at this seven-year-old gallery which also provides a platform for discussing contemporary artistic practice through publications, discussions, and special projects. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays. TIWANI.CO.UK

ANKARAMIAMI.COM

Africa World Documentary Film Festival (AWDFF)

Mona, Jamaica: October 17–21, 2018 Continuing its mission to “promote knowledge and culture of the people of Africa in a PanAfrican context,” this festival is back again for its 11th iteration. By the time AWDFF reaches the University of West Indies in sunny Jamaica, it will have showcased in nine other venues around the globe this year. AFRICAWORLDFILMFESTIVAL.COM

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Museu Afro Brasil

São Paulo, Brazil After Nigeria, Brazil has the largest black population in the world. This public institution features more than 6,000 masterpieces, sculptures, documents, engravings, and more highlighting and celebrating the invaluable contributions of Africans and Afro-Brazilians to Brazilian culture, heritage, and identity. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays. MUSEUAFROBRASIL.ORG.BR

THE LATEST ON THE AFRICAN CULTURAL SCENE

African identity isn’t just continental; it’s global. Don’t miss what Africa has to offer at a destination near (or maybe not so near) you!

GO READ

GO LISTEN

The Hundred Wells of Salaga by Ayesha Harruna Attah

Forthcoming in May 2018 Aminah led a happy existence until fate brutally separated her from her home. Wurche was the headstrong daughter of a chief and wanted to establish her role in her father’s court. When the lives of these two women intersect during the height of the 19th century slave trade, a story of courage, forgiveness, love, and freedom unfolds. CASSAVAREPUBLIC.BIZ

Afrofest

Toronto, Canada: July 7–8, 2018 Since 1989, Music Africa has ignited the spirit of African music, arts, crafts, culture, and food by coordinating the largest African music festival in North America. Marking its 30th anniversary, Afrofest will usher in another unbeatable weekend of African excellence at Toronto’s famed Woodbine Park. Admission is free. AFROFEST.CA

Lake of Stars Malawi Arts Festival

This Mournable Body: A Novel by Tsitsi Dangarembga

Lake Malawi, Malawi: September 28–30, 2018 This three-day concert featuring Malawian and African musical talent will light up the night sky over Lake Malawi in celebration of its 15th season. As an added treat, the festival takes place at Kabumba Hotel Resort in Salima at the foot of Senga Hills, a lush wooded hillside along the expanse of rolling, shimmering sands.

GRAYWOLFPRESS.ORG

LAKEOFSTARS.ORG

Forthcoming in August 2018 Employing the same protagonist from her first novel, notable Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga artfully portrays the heartwrenching experience of a young woman on the road to improving her financial standing in life while meeting trials and tribulations at every turn.

Writivism Festival 2018

Kampala, Uganda: August 17–19, 2018 Headquartered in Kampala, the Writivism Literary Initiative promotes African literature and supports emerging writers based in African countries. Its sixth annual literary festival features creative writing workshops and an online mentoring program in addition to awarding two prizes for works of short fiction and nonfiction. WRITIVISM.ORG

Felabration

Ikeja, Nigeria: October 2018 Fela Kuti is all the reason needed for this annual music and arts festival which celebrates the music, life, and times of Nigeria’s preeminent musical legend. Always falling on and around October 15th (Fela’s birthday), the week-long event will feature dance troupes, photo exhibitions, a parade, and amazing musical performances. FELABRATION.NET

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CULTURE

Dagmar van Weeghel AFTER SEEING DAGMAR VAN WEEGHEL’S DIASPORA PORTRAITS,

we instantly wanted to know more about the artist and inspiration behind them. We sat down with Dagmar to get a deeper understanding of her work and the stories she tells through her photography.

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words by Katie Schenk images courtesy of Rademakers Gallery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

DAGMAR van WEEGHEL

As soon as we begin speaking, I feel as if I’ve known Dagmar for years, as if she’s an old friend. There’s an absolute willingness to share and connect, and her questions are so thoughtful that we slip easily into conversation.

Returning to her roots, however, wasn’t as natural as the shift from filmmaking to photography which also happened as Dagmar and her family moved to the Netherlands. Though it’s difficult to believe with the constant positivity that she exudes, the first years were a serious challenge.

From her story, it’s clear that she’s always enjoyed forging connections—new ones, deeper ones, positive ones, meaningful ones. Nevertheless, this was not her intention when she first set out with her still camera.

Homesickness, which she describes as a “big, destructive emotion,” had crept into their lives. Dagmar’s husband felt an almost constant desire to return to southern Africa.

In 1998, after graduating from the Netherlands Film Academy, Dagmar traveled to Zimbabwe for the first time. Her goal was to become the next big wildlife filmmaker, and her job involved creating a video library of painted hunting dogs (African wild dogs). The beauty of the bush captivated her, but it was the people, especially the children in the community, who really took her breath away.

And at a time when so many Africans were arriving in Europe, whether by boat or by plane, whether economically drawn or criminally pushed, Dagmar began to see the duality of the Western mindset. While touting welcoming, liberal values, many people’s demeanor and distrust relegate African immigrants to a place of otherness. Most don’t even realize they are doing it, but for Dagmar, it was both painful and painfully obvious.

As part of the project, Dagmar went to local schools to show videos of the dogs that lived close to, but often at odds with, the community. It was that act which spoke to her. She hadn’t just shown them a wildlife documentary; she had shared a story, created a new understanding.

Her husband, whom she describes as her “closest connection and inspiration,” battled it personally. The dual identity he was forced to create as a black African in Europe, as well as the experiences of their beloved children, opened a deep, sad wound created by othering—a pain experienced by immigrants every day. The view through her husband’s eyes and their shared journey have also shaped the stories Dagmar tells, particularly in her Diaspora portraits (see next page), which began with her husband.

I begin to see that the stories she tells all began at that moment, for it was then that she started to appreciate the interplay between the subjects of a film or photograph and the audience— how the way a story is told can be the link that allows both sides to see each other. When Dagmar returned to southern Africa a few years later, this time to a nature reserve in Botswana, she wanted to make films whose stories would positively affect the communities they belonged to. These fictions had their roots in reality, and with locals serving as both actors and viewers, communicating in their own languages, the finished films resonated as deeply with Dagmar as they did with the people who welcomed her into their lives. Over the next 14 years, she traveled, volunteered, and enjoyed Africa while developing the organization Nature for Kids in the Netherlands. Her partnerships with influential groups such as the Jane Goodall Institute enabled Dagmar to distribute enjoyable educational films designed to connect communities to each other as well as to the wildlife that initially inspired her. Dagmar speaks about creating her powerful body of work as if it’s commonplace. The stories about her work seem as natural as the stories about her husband and children. With an infectious burst of laughter, she explains that she became a lioness when her son was born. That, of course, is perfectly reasonable. But it is telling to hear Dagmar unconsciously choose such a powerful African wildlife analogy—again blurring the lines between artist, actor, and audience while bringing her own story to life. Having met in Gaborone, Dagmar and her Zimbabwean husband were living in Johannesburg when their son was born. At the time, it was home, and clearly Dagmar had become a local, but she had also begun to think more of her home home (a truly African concept) in Europe.

As she explains how there is no way to compare her personal experiences of a European in Africa with the feelings of otherness and duality faced by Africans in Europe, I suddenly realize why it feels as though we’ve always been friends—she’s given me her trust. And it is the same willing vulnerability and openness that she receives when photographing her Diaspora portraits. It’s a little sad that trust has become unnatural enough in modern life to comment on when it’s there, but this is part of what makes Dagmar’s photography so powerful. She doesn’t simply take pictures of beautiful people; she is entrusted with difficult emotions. These are real people, and their stories of home and what was left behind aren’t just colorful, tender backdrops for portraits; they represent a trust and a responsibility. And Dagmar takes this responsibility seriously. Her photographs have an otherworldly feel to them—yet another connection she’s made, linking the fantastical aspects of ancient European paintings with modern photographic light painting, blending authentic Oriental pieces with contemporary elements, combining the rich cultural additions the Moors brought to Spain from Africa with the equally rich potential of today’s immigrants. Diaspora, an open-ended portrait series, is “a tribute to immigrants and settlers, past and present,” according to Dagmar. For her, it’s a win whenever someone becomes interested enough to read more, to engage, to make a connection. As we return to the lighthearted banter we began with—how the heather in the Netherlands reminds her of the bush, the endless list of places that she’d still like to visit—it becomes clear that Dagmar herself, not the camera she works with, is the connection between her Diaspora subjects and their viewers.

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This is a portrait of Chaila. She is 23 years old. She moved from Equatorial Guinea to Europe all by herself five years ago. Her youth was very tough. Moving away to the west was a brave decision but she now is

excited about her future. She studies and works as a mannequin in Belgium. She loves to cook, dance and sing and dreams of becoming famous.

This is a portrait of Penda Mbaye, 18 years old. Penda came to Europe eight years ago together with her sister. She and her sister reunited with their mother in Belgium after

being apart for 5 years. Penda came from Guinea Conakry. She now studies in Belgium and loves fashion and cooking. She wants to travel the world.

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BUT WHO CARES FOR THE CAREGIVER The lost art of accepting help

PAGE 176.

RADIANT WOMAN WATCH AISHA BADRU Making music by mining the depths

But Who Cares For The Caregiver?

words by Yvonne Ibifuro Ator MD, MPH illustrations by Carmen Kipp

THE LOST ART OF ACCEPTING HELP

Until we can receive with an open heart, we’re never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help. — Brené Brown

WHO CARES FOR THE CAREGIVER?

“COME ON, YVONNE! YOU’VE GOT THIS! HOOYAH!”

Jim, one of my closest friends in the group, slid his arm under mine and his leg under mine and lifted me up, taking on my weight. He called to another teammate to get under me from the other side to prop me up. Now I was being supported by two men. And I was still trying to carry my weight.

Beads of sweat dripped from my forehead to the grass in a steady patter, my arms shaking as I held the plank pose. I was only halfway through the nine minutes demanded by the SEALFIT Instructor and I had hit a wall. I couldn’t go on. A nine-minute plank! I usually couldn’t last one minute. How the heck was I going to pull off “Yvonne, lean on me! Let go! Let me support you!” nine minutes? I could hear the words, but somehow I was still trying But there I was, in a circle of my fellow Unbeatable to do it all myself. Jim kept repeating the same request: Mind coaching candidates, all of us pushing to our phys- “Lean on me, Yvonne. I’ve got you. Lean on me.” ical limits as we learned about mental toughness and emotional resilience. The Unbeatable Mind methodol- For several minutes I tried to hold myself up. Then ogy was developed by former Navy SEAL Commander finally it registered. I could let go. I didn’t have to do all Mark Divine. Its purpose is to reinforce the idea that we the work. I could lean on my teammates. They had my are capable of doing 20 times more than we believe pos- back. I relaxed on them, still holding myself up but also sible. We were training to optimize and master ourselves letting them carry some of my weight. in pushing beyond what we ever thought was possible. The instructor, a beautiful, ridiculously fit Amazonian The shouts of my peers cut through my reverie: “Hooyah, goddess, counted down the last seconds: “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” Yvonne! Almost there! Hang on!” We all collapsed to the grass with relief, my two helpers I listened to the cheers of my tribe, all of us holding the lying right next to me. plank pose, telling stories, cheering each other on to distract ourselves from the immense pain and suffering I began to cry, and then to sob uncontrollably. we were experiencing. We were works of life, of different ages and with different levels of physical ability—a yoga I realized the impact of what had just happened—how teacher, an entrepreneur, an orthopedic surgeon, a long it took for me to accept help, that someone cared former Navy SEAL, an FBI agent, a photographer—all enough about me to come to my help, and that I didn’t desiring to embody physical, mental, emotional, intuitive, even have to ask for help nor did it occur to me to ask. That these men were strong enough to hold me and did and spiritual self-mastery and to teach others the same. not let me down. I was fading. I couldn’t hang on to the plank pose any longer and I was about to give up. And then, I felt him. That experience changed my life.

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“Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind” Dodinsky

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RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

WHO CARES FOR THE CAREGIVER?

“Strong Black Woman” Syndrome and Cracking Under the Weight of the World Maybe you are like me, always having to be the strong one. Always the helper. The one others come to for help. But it sometimes feels like an emotional and physical roller coaster. On the one hand, it is incredibly gratifying and fulfilling to demonstrate your love and commitment to those you love. But on the other hand, it is exhausting. You worry about limited resources—time, money, and energy. With the unrelenting, continuous care and demands, it becomes all-consuming. Sometimes it feels like you can’t go on. The weight feels overwhelming. And as you look around, no one is there to help you. And when others do offer help, you struggle to receive it. Many of us are suffering from the “superwoman” or “strong black woman” syndrome, and it is killing us. Why don’t we like to ask for help? The reasons are many. Lack of trust, not wanting to be a burden, fear of rejection. Feeling like we can’t rely on others, or that maybe those offering help are not strong enough, or we don’t want to be beholden to them because they might exploit our weakness. Or we want them to do it out of love, or to offer without our asking, or we are afraid they are doing it out of obligation. Even worse, a woman’s voice, needs, and opinions are notoriously undervalued and minimized in many African cultures. From a young age, girls are taught to be seen and not heard. Many are admonished to “be a good girl,” which can be internalized as not being too forward, ruffling any feathers, inconveniencing anyone, or bringing shame to the family. The self-sacrificing, dutiful daughter never learns to ask for what she wants, or she is silenced if she does and soon learns to stop. She learns that her job is to be hardworking and resourceful, to be nice and helpful, to make the family proud, and to serve all the males in her life. As females, we are expected to take on the caregiving role, and by adulthood are experts at suffering in silence. It’s hard enough to be female, but the intersection of being both African and a woman often makes the caregiving role even more difficult. So we feed this “strong black woman” stereotype, silently carrying more than our share of the burden, ensuring that injustice is allowed to prevail. We can’t let our guard down, we can’t connect, and we act like we don’t need anyone. Pressure, stress, isolation, frustration, resentment, and bitterness build up in silence behind the

scenes until we become another stereotype—the “angry black woman”—because our needs are not being met. Caregiving takes a serious toll on our bodies and minds. The “sandwich generation” of caregivers who simultaneously care for their parents, raise their children, and juggle work faces an increased risk of depression, chronic illness, and a possible decline in quality of life. Research shows that among people who are the same age, the risk of dying is 63 percent higher for caregivers than non-caregivers. The Family Caregiver Alliance report “Taking Care of YOU” cautions that “the combination of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving, and the biological vulnerabilities that come with age place you at risk for significant health problems as well as an earlier death.” Yet caregivers are much less likely than non-caregivers to practice preventive healthcare and good self-care behaviors. Regardless of their age, sex, race, or ethnicity, caregivers report the same problems attending to their own health and well-being while managing their caregiving responsibilities. They report sleep deprivation, missing exercise, eating poorly, not resting in bed when ill, and not making medical appointments for themselves. Caregivers are also at increased risk for depression, a weakened immune system, short-term memory loss or forgetfulness, and excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. They also have an increased likelihood of chronic illness, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. Studies show that an estimated 46 to 59 percent of caregivers are clinically depressed. And caregiving also takes a toll on our relationships. With the sometimes overwhelming, all-consuming nature of caregiving, relationships and friendships often get lost in the shuffle. With the irritability, compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout of caregiving, authentic communication and listening can be difficult, making conflict, resentment, and bitterness inevitable. Without prioritizing dates, outings, and hobbies, relationships are neglected and often dwindle and die. Caregivers are at high risk for loneliness, isolation, and divorce. Atlas Shrugs—Daring to Ask for Help So, we are tired, exhausted, holding on, our figurative arms shaking with exertion and fatigue. We don’t know how to ask for help. And even worse, when we ask for help or when help is offered, we don’t know how to receive it. We are usually the strong one that everyone relies on. Like Atlas, we are carrying the world on our shoulders. If we can’t carry it all, juggle it all, we feel incompetent, guilty, ashamed.

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But who are you without being the strong one? Who are you without holding it all together? We have trained others to depend on us. We become martyrs, sacrificing our lives for everyone, allowing others to underperform or not contribute at all, and we panic at the idea of being less than perfect or needing help. So many of us struggle with anxiety, depression, heart disease, loneliness, and isolation. We are struggling at home, at work, in our marriages, and in our parenting. It feels like we are failing on all fronts. What would it look like for you to:

place of scarcity or lack. Allow yourself to receive to overflowing so you can serve wholeheartedly. That is the key to sustainable serving! Here is the framework that I developed and use in my work to help caregivers serve sustainably. How Idealists Thrive: The “Dare To A.C.T.” Framework for Serving Sustainably DARE. Daring requires courage. According to Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston renowned for her groundbreaking work on shame, empathy, vulnerability, courage, and authenticity, there are five tenets of courage. As a caregiver, you will need to really internalize these. They will change your life.

»» LET GO OF YOUR IDENTITY AS “THE STRONG ONE”? »» BECOME AWARE OF YOUR NEEDS? »» ASK FOR HELP?

1. ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT: People are not

mind-readers. Dare to ask for what you want. If you need a break, ask for it. Give yourself permission to face your needs and then ask for what you want.

Boundaries are simply saying what is okay and what is not okay. What is acceptable and what is not acceptable. “No” is a complete sentence. It is okay to say no if you don’t want to do something. You don’t have to do everything or help everyone. This is why you are exhausted. 2. SETTING BOUNDARIES:

»» ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELPED? »» RECEIVE HELP OFFERED? »» BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT KIND OF HELP YOU NEED?

Telling our story helps us know we are not alone and also gives others an opportunity to support us and empathize with us. Shame breeds in silence and secrecy. When we share our stories, we shine a light on shame, and shame cannot survive being spoken. Many of us suffer from exhaustion and overwhelm in silence. A burden shared is a burden halved. 3. TELLING YOUR STORY:

Consider that when you allow yourself to be helped, you give others the opportunity to help, to be of service, to use their gifts. If you, as a helper, like to help and are energized by service, then think of your receiving help as a gift to others who like to help and are energized by it. Give them an opportunity to serve. My clients in my coaching practice are moms who are also highly trained helping professionals, many of them physicians. They are idealists who sacrifice to serve others at work and at home, and they are at high risk for compassion fatigue, disillusionment, and burnout. My passion is helping them thrive in their personal and professional lives as they make their positive impact in the world. I say to them again and again, “Fill up to overflowing and serve from there.” You can’t give what you don’t have. If you are depleted, tired, and exhausted, you don’t want to give from that

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4. OWNING YOUR STORY: Rather than blaming or

playing the victim, own your story. Reclaim your power. You get to choose who you want to be and how you want to serve.

5. REACHING OUT FOR SUPPORT: To serve sustainably, to go hard for an indefinite amount of time, you need others to support and pour into you. Allow them to do so. Find someone you can trust. Examine your stories about asking for and receiving help and the judgments you have around them.

WHO CARES FOR THE CAREGIVER?

It is okay. Keep showing up. Forgive yourself. You are doing the best you can.

DARE TO ALIGN. What is important to you? What are your values? Why are you doing what you are doing? Obviously, being of service and caring for those you love is important to you. However, it is also critical to get clear about other values in your life—creativity, joy, freedom, authenticity, adventure, health, and so on. Your values are a compass guiding you to your truest and highest self. They point to your purpose, principles, and passions. They define your priorities.

requires daring to go beyond surviving to something much more. Remember what I said earlier? “Fill up to overflowing and serve from there.” This requires my three S’s of thriving:

In caregiving, it is common to let your values fall by the wayside. And suddenly the things that light you up are gone. You find yourself making decisions that do not align with who you are and who you really want to be. A gap opens between your professed values and your practiced values. When this happens, burnout is inevitable. So get clear about what your values are, commit to living them, and let go of any activity that does not align with your values.

2. SELF–EXPRESSION — Using our creativity to express our-

DARE TO CONNECT. You can’t do it alone. You need support. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Connection requires vulnerability. Vulnerability is emotional exposure. It feels risky and hard. But in order to connect, we have to allow ourselves to be seen. This requires courage. So review the tenets of courage above and apply them to building a safe and supportive community of like-minded compassionate and reliable people you can trust and depend on.

1. SELF-CARE — Taking care of ourselves physically and

emotionally. This may include exercise, meditation, time in nature, rest, medical appointments, spa dates, massages, alone time, and of course sleep. selves through mediums such as music, writing, art, painting, crafts, dancing, and so forth.

3. SELF COMPASSION — Cultivating the discipline to master yourself, get organized, and build the habits required to sustain your caregiving role takes practice. You will fail and make mistakes. You will anger some family members when you set new boundaries. It is okay. Keep showing up. Forgive yourself. You are doing the best you can. Keep taking one step after another. Trust the process and be kind to yourself.

Dare to serve sustainably! Dare to serve from a place of overflowing, not of scarcity and exhaustion. This will ensure that you thrive while serving those you love for a long time without succumbing to disillusionment, compassion fatigue, or burnout.

Do not lean on toxic relationships with those who are unreliable or codependent, who say they want to help but then shame you for reaching out, exploit your vulnerability, or control you. Share with those who have earned the right to learn your story. Allow them to support you. It might be messy and embarrassing, but it will save your life.

You are a giver. You serve because you love. You believe in making a difference by serving something bigger than yourself. However, you are of no use to those you serve when you are burned out. You can’t give what you don’t have. You are worthy of the time, energy, money, and space required to be all that you are.

If building your own community sounds overwhelming, join one. Some places to start might be church, caregiver support groups, or online groups. Find caregiving resources for services such as meal delivery, housekeeping, physical and nursing therapy, babysitting, cooking, respite care, and others.

By putting on your own oxygen mask first, you will have the presence, focus, and peace of mind to help others with theirs. Take care of yourself first. Then and only then can you thrive while serving those you love, doing meaningful work, and making your positive impact in the world.

DARE TO THRIVE. Many caregivers are in survival mode. Thriving

AND YOU ARE WORTH IT!

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Radiant Woman Watch Aisha Badru words by Nikki Igbo photography by Catie Laffoon

MAKING MUSIC BY MINING THE DEPTHS

AISHA BADRU’S MUSIC can’t be summed up in

one tidy little genre like “pop” or “indie” or “folk.” Exploring themes of angst and inner turmoil in melodies over unexpected grooves, Aisha’s sound is exquisitely personal. And still its vibe is as recognizable and familiar as the color blue or the smell of rain. A Volkswagen campaign featuring her song. Millions upon millions of plays on

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Spotify. Her debut at the world-renowned South by Southwest Music Festival. All of these things speak to that instant connection so many people have when they listen to Aisha’s raspy yet ethereal voice. We caught up with the up-and-coming songstress of Nigerian descent to talk about how she’s using that connection to heal both herself and the world.

RADIANT HEALTH № 11 The Survivor Issue

AISHA BADRU

“In society we are sort of following this script; we’re not living for ourselves.”

RADIANT HEALTH There are many misconceptions about black women and our ability to deal with personal issues like depression or emotional trauma. One of the biggest myths is that we somehow are not affected. And that myth may possibly stem from the fact that we don’t often talk about it. Your willingness to talk about your own struggle with depression is a big deal. Why are you so vocal? AISHA BADRU I’m vocal about it because

I noticed that most people around me are depressed whether it’s something they speak about or not. I feel like depression is something that plagues a lot of people. I wanted to open up about my depression through my music because it’s important to let people know that they’re not alone. You don’t have to feel as if you’re the only person who has ever felt this way and you’re always going to feel this way. It’s good to have people who are vocal about it so that you can gain some type of faith to know that you can also overcome your hurdles.

RH Now, at what point in your life did you come to understand that you were depressed? AISHA In college. I almost felt like my

existence at that time was meaningless because it was really hard to find something that meant anything to me. In society we are sort of following this script; we’re not living for ourselves. I felt like I was in school to make my parents happy and I wasn’t making myself happy. I wasn’t doing what I really wanted to do, and so when I was in school those emotions came to the surface even more. I wanted to explore my own thoughts and my own feelings instead of sitting there listening to and helping to build someone else’s ideas. I just wanted to explore what my inner voice was.

RH And so you used music as an outlet and really turned what can be perceived as a huge negative into a really big positive with your burgeoning music career. How did you come to discover the musical artist within yourself?

AISHA The fact that I wasn’t expressing

my feelings was a large reason as to why I was feeling depressed. I’ve always loved to write but I had never shared it with anyone before. Going to open mics in New York City was the first time that I was vulnerable and put myself out there. My way to begin to heal was to realize that others felt what I felt. I was sharing the music and people would come up to me afterward and say, “Wow, we’re going through the same thing,” or “Your music is such an inspiration.” Opening up was extremely connected to my music. RH You also chose yoga as a part of your therapy. Why so?

AISHA I’m more into holistic health and

so I started researching different holistic ways of healing in yoga and Ayurveda. I started doing yoga and I found that it helps calm my mind. Taking on any physical challenge mirrors the things I’m going through. As I practice yoga and choose to surpass different challenges I make for myself, I’m realizing that I’m also gaining strength mentally and emotionally.

Many people are responding to your music in such a huge fashion. How does it feel to know that your courage to expose your truth to the world has connected with so many people? RH

AISHA I know now that I’m doing what

I’m supposed to be doing. I like that there’s so many who relate to me and I just want to keep improving myself. I want to continue to be open, to hopefully inspire other people to realize that there’s so much more than their mental health issue, and there’s so much more than their depression or their struggles in life. RH Now, about your music, it’s definite-

ly not a formulaic sound. What inspires you to create such simultaneously unique and universal music? AISHA I grew up in an underprivileged

neighborhood, and when you grow up in those circumstances, you’re put into a little box and it’s very easy to only see what’s within that box. I have so much

in common with people outside of the box. I’ve always connected with everyone. That connection informs my creativity. Music has really showed me that I can be a girl who grew up in Yonkers (New York) whose music can resonate with a middleaged man who lives in Germany. RH Your debut album Pendulum was just recently released. What else can we look forward to from you? AISHA I’m really interested in documen-

tary film-making and activism, so I plan on continuing to travel the world and just give my perspective on reality. Because I feel like most of the news that we get is through a very limited lens. I just want to share my perspective with my fans and I want to do that through film. RH It sounds to me like you’re continuing

in the tradition of other musical greats with African origins. Miriam Makeba comes to mind as she dabbled in film and was a mighty activist. How does that feel to aim to join that pantheon of artistry and thought in that way? AISHA When you have a music platform

and you use it for more than just music, I feel like it just makes your career so much more meaningful. I truly feel like when I speak or when I share these thoughts about social issues, I’m speaking with the words of all the people who walked before me, my ancestors, and powerful leaders who have passed away. I feel like I’m carrying their legacy through my music and who I am as a person. RH One last question—what does it mean to you to be a Radiant Woman?

AISHA Being a Radiant Woman is not being

afraid to be “naked.” Maybe you once felt afraid, but when you shed the old skin, the old conditioning of being afraid or feeling negative about yourself, you really find the essence of who you are underneath.

Get a taste of Aisha’s new album Pendulum at AISHABADRU.COM.

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Thema Davis

radianthealthmag.com

Radiant Health is the healthy living guide for today’s African woman. We began as Nigeria’s first women’s health magazine and have grown globally to reach African women on the Continent and across the diaspora as Africa’s leading health magazine. Radiant is dedicated to the discerning African woman and her journey to wellness through health, beauty and culture. We believe that actions speak louder than words, even when they're beautifully written and printed. To this end we have partnered with Mirabel Center Lagos and committed to donate a portion of our magazine sales to its mission. Your purchase of Radiant Health Magazine helps support Mirabel, the only organization of its kind in Nigeria, to provide rape and sexual assault victims free forensic medical and counseling services.

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