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Emeline Nsingi Nkosi: Never sell yourself out – stand up for what you believe in

Emeline Nsingi Nkosi is a confident and experienced bi-lingual actor and presenter based Accra, Ghana presenting for GHOne TV. She is currently presenting and producing a lifestyle and entertainment show called ‘The Core’.

She has interviewed the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Ozwald Boateng, Abedi Pele, Azumah Nelson, Sarkodie, M.Anifest and many others.

Emeline has a background in Fashion Textiles. She was named Hilary Alexander’s “Secret Seven to Watch” and nominated for the Ethical Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2012.

During her final year in the university, she created a visual dissertation on natural hair which awakened her love for presenting and producing.

Emeline founded M about Town, a London based Lifestyle show in 2015. Highlights include interviewing Rosario Dawson, Ian Taylor and documenting the Ethical Fashion Forum Summit and Fashion Africa Conference 2015.

Emeline has been writing and interviewing celebrities for ThandieKay.com since early2016, concentrating mostly on inspiring individuals, she has interviewed Angela Bassett, Ade Hassan, and Zuriel Oduwole.

She has joined Alexander Amosu’s prestigious LuxAfrique and covers Art exhibitions, Luxury Travel, Restaurants and Fashion in London and internationally.

Emeline Nsingi Nkosi makes us proud to spell our name W-O-M-A-N!

Pace is better than haste - @emelinenn Click To Tweet

What things have you learned about life from being a media personality?

Everything is about great PR and image, it’s no coincidence when you see more of an artist or actor in the media, it’s all carefully curated, and nothing is random.

Your mood can really impact your work, if I have an argument with someone I care about, I can’t leave it to linger, otherwise, my day just feels dark and negative and you need to able to put on a happy face for TV.

Life can sometimes feel lonely especially when knowing who to trust, surround yourself with people who really have your best interest at heart.

Tell us about an interview you conducted that taught you the most?

My interview with the boxing legend Azumah Nelson. He shared that his ill wife had found out that she wouldn’t survive just before he was about to have one of the biggest fights of his life.

Although he didn’t want to fight, he felt he couldn’t cancel it as it was sold out.

It taught me that sometimes you have to put your work before your own needs but also that at the end of the day, what really matters the most is those you care about, without them life feels meaningless.

What’s the one question you wish you’d asked someone you’ve interviewed but never did?

When I meet key personalities I have an idea of what I would like to ask but if it’s not possible, I tend not to dwell on it.

The only person I wish I could have probably gone for a coffee, drink or dinner or maybe all three was Angela Bassett.

I interviewed her for ThandieKay at a beauty brand launch that she had collaborated with. When I went to sit next to her, I felt such warmth and love. We spoke skincare and American Horror Story.

What should every woman try at least once in her life?

Travelling alone. It gives you such self-confidence and belief in your strengths. Before visiting my cousin in the US, I spent the first 7 days alone in New York and at a Yoga ashram in Monroe.

It was both thrilling and petrifying. I’ve never relied on my senses and my gut as much as when traveling alone to various places.

Advice for aspiring media entrepreneurs?

Start: What can you do today that will impact your career positively?
Look at how your favorite media entrepreneurs started and how can you replicate that for you?
Get onto casting websites such as Starnow and look for opportunities if you want to get into presenting.
Head to relevant networking events
Get onto Linkedin, build your network.
Hone your skills, can you do a part-time course? Check out Coursera or Masterclass

What app do you most often use?

Sleep Cycle. I’ve used it for around 983 nights as of today, I’m obsessed with my sleep and getting enough of it.

What can you not miss on TV?

I don’t watch TV at home but when I’m traveling I’ll put on the TV to see which channels are in that country and which programmes they watch.

At home, I’m more of a Netflix chick, I’m currently waiting for the new season of The 100.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

One of my uni teachers told me to slow down and remember that I have a long career ahead of me. For one project, I must have put about 5 different design ideas into one and she reminded me that if I am to have a long career ahead, then why use up all of my ideas in one go.

I want to achieve everything yesterday but actually, there is no need, pace is better than haste.

What’s the key to developing a successful personal brand?

1. Being authentic to yourself and your audience, I’m really not good at lying and then remembering that lie, so I can’t pretend to be something I’m not or will be found out. At the end of the day, there is only one you and those that like you will stick with you.

2. Knowing what you stand up for, so when opportunities arise you know if they fit.

For example, although I love red wine, I’m not a big drinker, so an alcohol brand sponsoring one of my shows wouldn’t really fit, it’s not me and I can’t stand there pretending to like something that I don’t.

3. Never sell yourself out – stand up for what you believe in, don’t be swayed easily but be flexible. Rooted in a tree but flexible like the branches.

What brings you the greatest joy?

Simple things in life, the sun, warmth, my partner, mum, brother, those close to me being happy and fulfilled.

When I see a project realized and it has impacted people positively, yoga, good smells, music, amazing food, and red wine.

What does sisterhood mean to you?

Sisterhood to me means genuine support for women, knowing that everyone has their own journey and there is enough space for everyone.

I see it over and over where women are catty towards each other but it’s so pointless and a waste of energy.

What song instantly gets you up and going?

Fabregas – Mascara – When I working as a Graphic Designer, I had many lunchtimes where I would go for a walk listening to this song to uplift my mood.

Anything by Koffi Olomide – Effrakata, Micko, Loi … it reminds me of my childhood and feeling carefree. It puts everything into perspective.

What’s next for you?

More seasons of “The Core”, starring in a film out later in the year, producing season 3 of Revealed with Bola Ray, more travel.
I have a good feeling for this year.

2018 is the year of ……?

Money, work, and sleep

I feel like this is the year to grow the finances and as women, being able to talk openly about it, being able to ask for what we are worth and then growing those finances by investing.

Work because I love what I do and want to create more entertaining but impactful content and sleep because I promised myself that I would take better care of myself this year.

Health = Wealth.

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Five skills every online journalist must have to be successful

by Nonofo Nkwe

If you’re an online journalist, content creator, or digital analyst, this one’s for you!

The world is said to be moving online and many are debating if this shift could be the fourth industrial revolution.

This move has seen the rise of digital and/or online journalism and publications which are generating all-things-zines.

This means a lot of information is now available on the internet through webzines, e-zines, mobizines etc, creating easy channels of accessibility to these throughout the world. The internet phenomenon has thus, undoubtedly created a hub for freelance journalists, particularly writers.

Writing for the web, however, may not be as easy as you may think if you are a novice. It requires much skill and is slightly less traditional from print journalism.

On top of having regular journalist skills of interviewing, good writing, research, and accuracy, you must have the ability to be web savvy and stand out. The good thing is you can learn how to excel at these skills.

Understanding and patience will reward your writing with instant tracking, likes, and comments.

As a digital journalist you need to consider these five techniques to incorporate into your writing:

Hyperlinking

When you hyperlink, you want to ensure that when you click on a word, phrase or image within a file it takes you to a different web page or document.

The hyperlinked text is usually highlighted blue, italicised and underlined.

Chunking

Because we read differently on the web than we do in print, a huge paragraph of information as such does not cut it in web writing.

This is why breaking up huge text and making it easy to read is necessary. Use a numbered list, bulleted list, and subheadings. That is chunking.

SEO

Keywords are an essential for search engine optimization (SEO). If you want your article to be part of the list on a search engine, you have to be keyword savvy.

Take time to learn this technique and know how to weave in keywords seamlessly into your writing.

Headings and sub-headings

As a web journalist, it is your duty to make sure that web readers can easily scan your article and direct them to that precise information they are looking for.

The easier the better, hence the use of catchy headings and sub-headings.

Word count

Writing less is essential in web writing. Depending on your chosen online publication this will differ. Some publications require 400 – 600 words and others will require 600 – 900 words.

Got a story or article you’d like to publish? Share your story with us here.

Facebook Live with Frenny Jowi: Journalism as a profitable career choice(July 6)

by Hilda Awomolo

For 4 years, Frenny had a successful career at one of the world’s leading international broadcasters, the BBC. Join us for a Facebook Live session with her on July. 6th, as she shares with us how journalism has been a profitable career for her.

Journalism as a sector is evolving, and there are plenty of job opportunities in the field. However, Aspiring journalists have to build their experience and gather certain skill sets to thrive in the industry.

If you’re interested in starting (or growing) a career as a media Motherland Mogul, then you have a lot to learn from Frenny Jowi.

Frenny started her career in journalism as an intern at the BBC African Bureau in Nairobi and quickly scaled through her career as a journalist, amplifying African voices and stories.

Join Frenny on Thursday, July 6th, for a 30-minute Facebook Live session where she’ll be discussing journalism as a profitable career choice, and the skills aspiring journalists need to acquire.

Facebook Live with Frenny Jowi: Journalism as a profitable career choice(July 6) Click To Tweet

Some of the topics we’ll cover:

How to make it as a journalist
Media career choices for young people in Africa
Moving from employment to entrepreneurship
Personal PR: Social media etiquette and how it impacts your professionalism
Why young Africans should demand quality content from media outlets(African advocates of public interest journalism)

Facebook Live Details:

Date: Thursday, July 6th, 2017
Time: 2pm Lagos / 3pm Johannesburg / 4pm Nairobi
Where: https://www.facebook.com/sheleadsafrica/

Watch here:

Facebook Live with Frenny Jowi, Journalist and Media consultant, sharing insights on the skills aspiring journalists need to acquire to thrive in the industry.. Join the She Leads Africa community by visiting SheLeadsAfrica.org/join .

Posted by She Leads Africa on Thursday, July 6, 2017

About Frenny Jowi

Frenny Jowi is a journalist, digital media and PR consultant who is currently consulting at Media Focus on Africa, as a radio producer, media relations trainer and digital journalism trainer. She also works as a volunteer youth mentor and freelance journalist.

For 4 years Frenny had a successful career at one of the world’s leading international broadcasters, the BBC.

While working for BBC Africa both in Kenya and the United Kingdom, she led several productions including creating digital content for younger audiences and news coverage of historic President Obama visit to Africa.

In June 2016, she took one of the lead roles in setting up Kenya’s first 24-hour news channel, KTN News. Her work helped direct the day to day running of the newsroom and training journalists on storytelling and social media skills.

She has a BA in media studies from the University of Nairobi.

Nana Ama Agyemang Asante: Women journalists endure misogyny, sexism and general disrespect in their line of duty

by Emma Kwenu Smith

I've been called ugly, angry and disrespectful because I shared my view on a national conversation Click To Tweet

It’s a busy Monday morning. You are stuck in the horrid traffic on your work commute to the country’s capital, Accra, silently cursing yourself for not having left home earlier.

You refuse to let the sun’s heat, drivers’ honkings, and conductor’s arrogance get to you. You know you need your daily dose of whatever seems to be happening in the nation so you tune into the one station where it all makes sense; Citi FM.

As usual, there’s a lively discussion. There are three male voices and the one female voice. Her voice quite strident but just right. Her tone is firm and her take on the issue is different and outrightly expressed, occasionally warranting an interjection from the host. Yet she stands her ground. Unwavering. She’s the lone wolf. Unpopular yet resolute.

Fellow SLAyers, let me introduce you to Nana Ama Agyemang Asante, Deputy Online Editor at Citi FM, one of Ghana’s top radio stations. With a solid background in human right activism and broadcast journalism, Nana Ama continuously remains a strong female voice, relentlessly advocating for the cause of women, children and the underprivileged. She shared her life story and musings with SLA contributor Emma Kwenu Smith.

Growing up, have you always wanted to be a journalist and why?

Not really. My aim was to become a writer and a lawyer. A lawyer because my father decided that law was where my love for reading would be useful. I didn’t really care for law, but again, my dad said writers always ended up broke so combining law and writing was the compromise.

I stumbled into journalism when I started listening to Matilda Asante, who was an anchor at Joy FM. I wanted to be able to query officials without fear or favour like she did.

People argue that female journalists endure more compared to their male counterparts. There are issues of misogyny, sexism and being constantly intimidated. Have you had any such experiences and how do you manage this?

There is no debating this. There are men constantly hitting on you because you need an interview or information, colleagues who think they are smarter because they are men and officials who will give information to only male journalists because they are considered more serious.

To be an outspoken woman journalist for me worsens it all because our Ghanaian culture requires women to be deferential at all times, to be seen but not heard. And so being on radio dispensing opinion, sometimes very harsh commentary on the powerful and privileged annoys many.

The abuse is intense on social media where people can troll you for days. It’s hard to understand because I believe I must have a seat at the table, to provide a woman’s perspective on issues. I try not to let it get to me, especially the personal attacks that focus on my looks. I own a mirror, I know I’m fabulous.

For some days, the intensity is unbearable especially when I think that my male colleagues do not get attacked for their looks. Sometimes I respond, other times I ignore people. I’ve noticed, nothing offends many internet trolls more than being ignored. So I am mastering indifference.

You have developed a strong character on the Citi Breakfast Show as a staunch feminist. Have you always been this way, and what was the pivotal point for you?

I’m not sure there has been a pivotal point, I have always been opinionated -a rebel of sorts. I suppose this is because my dad insisted on hearing our opinions on issues even if he disagreed. I haven’t always identified as feminist, though I believe I was one even when I didn’t know the language and the label.

When I came across the label in Women and Development class in University, it wasn’t cool to call oneself a feminist. It was what boys called you for being stubborn, and I did care about likability so I didn’t call myself feminist for a long time. But through it all, I had my opinions and I’ll challenge sexist notions of women.

I think my dad is the reason I became a feminist. He had eight daughters, it was important for him to raise us to be independent women. So he went through, sometimes extreme measures to make sure we studied, taught us the needed skills to make it with or without partners. I suspect the reason I come across on the Citi Breakfast Show as a staunch feminist (which I am) is that radio amplifies what I say.

Your blog continuously explores the flaws in how the Ghanaian society (and by extension, Africa) poorly handles issues relating to women. How do you envisage an egalitarian society with regards to gender and sex?

Well, again, I’m not sure an egalitarian society is possible, at least not in my lifetime but if we could make it happen, that would be a place where women are seen as equal human beings and have access to the opportunities and privileges available to men.

Which means, our bodies and sexual choices would not be policed. In that society, men wouldn’t have to embody the toxic masculinity that harms them and us.

If you could, what are some of the current journalism practices in Ghana that you would like to change?

Journalists are overworked and underpaid, if I could, I would advocate for better working conditions and scrap the practice of paying “soli”.

I really think “soli”, which is this practice where newsmakers and event organizers pay journalists who attend their events or interview them, is not good for the industry.

Stories get skewed/buried if someone’s meals depends on the benevolence of news-makers. Click To Tweet

What can women journalists do differently to enhance the cause of women empowerment in Africa?

Women’s voices are often missing from news stories, even former dominant voices are being erased.

I believe it is up to all journalists, especially women journalists to take note and make sure, we include women voices in the stories we tell. And we must always provide the feminine perspective when we can to create balance and also to ensure inclusion.

Stories of women and girls that are often neglected must be emphasized. Click To Tweet

Who/what inspires you?

Too many people and too many things. All the rebellious Ghanaian women like Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo who courageously told many truths about us are always a source of inspiration.

Who are your favorite African bloggers?

I have so many favorites. Minna Salami of Msafropolitan because of her coverage of feminism. Nana Darkoa Sekyiama and all the women who blog on adventures.com are a delight.

I do love the work Cosmic Yoruba does on her blog and websites. To understand economics, I go to Jerome Kuseh. And even though she doesn’t blog often, kinnareads.com is my go-to site for everything on books.

Watch Nana Ama in the March against Misogyny

If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.

Frenny Jowi: Never muffle your dreams thinking that you are not ready yet

by Rafeeat Aliyu

Reaping profits from the media space while vouching for public-interest journalism is Frenny Jowi's hustle Click To Tweet

Frenny Jowi is a journalist, a digital media and PR consultant. She also creates media coverage strategies with a bias on social media campaigns. Currently Frenny is the lead consultant at Media Focus on Africa, as a media relations trainer, digital journalism trainer, and radio producer.

For 4 years Frenny had a successful career at one of the world’s leading international broadcasters, the BBC. While working for BBC Africa both in Kenya and the United Kingdom, she led several productions including creating digital content for younger audiences and news coverage of historic president Obama visit to Africa.

Showing off her inner #MotherlandMogul, Frenny is also the Founder Image Masters PR & Communications, where she works in partnership with the UK-based Peter Burdin Africa Foundation and world roving Ilona Eveleens Media.

To top that all off, Frenny also works as a volunteer youth mentor and freelance journalist.

Tell us, how did you get to the BBC from a local Kenyan media house?

I worked briefly at a little-known community radio station, Exodus Network, then moved into a giant newsroom, the Nation Media Group headquarters in Nairobi. It was my first real experience of working in a converged in newsroom. I enjoyed the complexity of things. KTN came to recruit from my school when I was in my third year. My adventurous self then jumped into TV journalism. All this while, the editors made me file international stories as a trainee reporter.

The tone of the wire copies about Africa made me uncomfortable. I wondered, where was Africa’s genuine voice on the global debate and take on issues? I wanted the news through African eyes for the world. As a young African I was best placed to tell the story. The international broadcaster I had grown up listening to, was the first to spot my talent, so I joined as an intern after doing some voice test, translation and script writing interviews.

I started off as an intern at the East Africa Bureau in Nairobi and quickly gained skills as a bilingual reporter and producer for BBC Swahili and many other BBC World Service Programmes/ My favourite was and still is the Fifth Floor Programme.

I told the African story as I had dreamt. I was nominated for the 2014 Kenya Annual Journalism Excellence in Journalism Awards.

I told the African story as I had dreamt - Frenny Jowi Click To Tweet

What prompted you to move back to Kenya?

Moving to London to work for the BBC was one the most exciting moments in my career at the BBC. I loved London’s palace gardens! Kensington was my best, the Gothic architecture and the Thames during summer.

After one year of doing so much including producing President Obama’s visit to Africa, my work visa practically sent me packing! That was not a bad thing, I was to wait for one year cool off period to renew my work visa, but then came flooding ideas of what I could do at home instead of a rigorous visa application process.

At the time when I lived in London, there was a growing anti-migrant sentiment. My work visa had labeled me such, migrant staff. London treated me well, but I don’t want to shy away from saying the migrant stories made me very uncomfortable.

I was working from the centre of the world when waves of Brexit became more pronounced. I was right at the centre of one of the world’s most influential broadcasters when news of drowning African migrants would dominate the news for weeks. Meeting my former schoolmates who had settled in London permanently, we often talked much about we could do for the continent, it wasn’t just talk for me. I am back home to do something for the continent.

Why do you call yourself a media entrepreneur?

When I started working in the newsroom, I realized the industry was evolving fast and profits were put first. I felt that this compromised storytelling as public interest was given second priority or none at all.

I also saw the potential in digital migration and social media that opened up space for multiple media houses. This was supported with more democratic space in Kenya, that allowed countless radio and TV stations to operate freely.

So, I sought to reap profits from the growing media space. At the same time, I wanted to rigorously vouch for a public-interest journalism model. Despite lacking experience in running a business, I registered my company and started off pitching for work as a communications consultant and content producer. I was confident the myriad new radio and TV stations needed quality content. It was just the right time to turn my journalism skills into a strong business idea.

My company, Image Masters, had been a dormant Facebook page for four years. I breathed life into it, created a company profile and hit the ground running producing for the BBC’s Arts Daily Programme. I then moved on to consult for KTN, a leading TV station in Kenya that was then setting up Kenya’s first 24-hour news channel.

Since then, I have worked with many other clients create alternative educative content for younger audiences. My biggest project now radio plays and shows themed on women leadership. I have a bias for social media which many organizations are now embracing as mainstream.

One year on, I am now proudly self-employed and working with great partners to deliver for clients. I am leveraging on partnerships to compensate for the need of staff. The future can only be bright.

What is the first thing any young woman who wants to start out as a media entrepreneur do?

Let confidence and courage lead you. Never muffle your dreams thinking that you are not ready yet. Carefully reconsider your talents, skills, and networks. Figure out how much of your abilities are lying underutilized. Get to work.

I know you may suddenly think, ‘oh I don’t have the experience’ Think again, you can lay paving for a new path and prove the untested ground. Don’t be lured into the comfort of the already obvious that’s assumed to guarantee financial stability and predictability.

Why do you choose to remain a journalist even as an entrepreneur?

I believe in the power of good storytelling. Stories make or break our world.

I still feel that the African story is yet to be told in it’s totally and I am still searching to see the African face, accent, and style in the global story. Most international broadcasters still have a very western tone to the African story, and now China is here for a hundred years I am told! We can’t leave this African story to others to tell.

What steps are you taking to remodel the paradigm of journalism in Africa?

Wow! This is the tough question now… I have been in talks with partners and organisations that work with journalists. It’s not easy to say this is what we should or should not do. But it’s clear that what we need is a bold type of journalism that brings to life the true story of Africa that is rich, yes rich.

Look at all the young and old brilliant people living in and outside the continent. Africa’s boom of oil and gas discoveries, bursting with solar energy, the resilience of nations despite political upheavals and a draining colonial past.

In my experience, I find journalists and their stories trapped in between commercial interests of media owners and political muscles of the repressive governments. True media freedoms remain slippery. We cannot remain silent about it. We need to protect the space for quality public interest journalism. Everyone is responsible, the audiences, the journalists, and the government.

Why have we let our public tax-payer-funded national broadcasters to fall into the hands of politicians and freedom-smothering governments?

Frenny Jowi: True media freedoms remain slippery. We cannot remain silent about it. Click To Tweet

What cheers you up?

Seeing the impact of my work on people’s lives. Also when I travel for work, that’s to find a story, I feel so cheered up!

What are you most proud of when it comes to your work?

Many times, I have worked beyond bare minimum working hours to get a story aired or published. I do it from the bottom of my heart believing it will make a difference no matter how small.

Last year I volunteered to write one story about the struggles of breastfeeding working African mothers, my story formed part of a global debate on breastfeeding and maternity rights for mothers. Stories are all I can give the world.

If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.

Advice from Vanessa De Luca, Editor-in-Chief, ESSENCE magazine on building a career in journalism

by Benewaa Bonsu

The profession of journalism has evolved over time, greatly propelled by social media platforms. From print to digital, the various mediums in which information is now presented to the world can be a little overwhelming for a novice who wants to make their mark within the industry.

At She Hive NYC 2016 Vanessa De Luca, Editor-in-Chief of ESSENCE Magazine, shared with us some of the important guidelines needed to build a career in journalism.

Here are some of the gems of information Vanessa shared.

Keep it short

In the age of technology many people have a very short attention span. You have to be masterful at telling a great story within a short time frame. Create content that shows your target audience that you understand them.

Be as direct in your message as you can possibly be. Keeping your content simple and authentic allows your target audience to connect with it.

Be Adaptable

Be very comfortable with adapting to constant change. See what type of content your target audience is engaged around and give them that. Take the time to learn what the “new thing” is and what will set you apart from everyone else.

You may go into work spaces where others who have been in the industry much longer than yourself may not understand how to use the newest technological platform that others are using to connect with core audiences.

By keeping on top of these various platforms, and showing them how it’s done, you can make yourself more of an asset to your team.

Know Your Audience

Use data metrics to measure your engagement, but do not solely rely on it. Let your connection to your audience guide you in making intuitive decisions. Use data as a guide but also ask your audience what they would like to see.

Engage on Social Media

If you are looking for a job as a social media manager but your personal social media page has only 25 followers, employers are not likely to take you very seriously.

If you are not engaged on your own personal social media platforms, how can someone trust that you will be engaging on theirs? When branding your business you can’t hide in the background. You must have a presence, know what you stand for and what you don’t.

You must humanize your brand; people want to know who you are and they want to connect with the pieces of you that resonate with them. You have to tell a story; people want to know how what you do changes the lives of the people that you serve. Telling the story of how you built your business for example, this allows others to be inspired by your journey.