So grateful to many vision believers and collaborators who have made my work possible. π»π»Here is an interview that talks about art installations on the African continent:
I am overwhelmed by all the love and beautiful messages I have been receiving from you all here. It is a true testament to the character of the special man I was lucky to love. I can't respond to all your messages but know that I have read and received your warmth. Thank you.
Mr. C., I miss being your personal paparazzi for our failed selfies. 6 months, 13 days, 22hrs 20mins since I last saw you. Happy Birthday
@bobcollymore
I continue to love you.
Since 2016 when my name first appeared in press concerning my private life, I have done some interviews and turned down alot more than I have accepted. Often my interviews are focused on the work I do in the hope that it educates and empowers others.
My grandmother used to say that the problem with telling a lie is that you soon have to tell another lie to cover up the first lie. Soon, it becomes your identity and even you begin to believe your own lies. Then there is no difference between yourself and the village madman.
You know what is profound? Hardworking and prolific artists. A drive from Nairobi to Naivasha only on
@sautisol
music. No repeat, no pause and I didn't even get to play ALL their songs. I am in awe of this bunch of artists.
This is precisely why we need to stop using the words, "support art." Art is made to be bought, unless the artist themself offers to do it for free. Artists live on the money their art makes. Refusing to buy art actually kills the industry. Exposure is refusing to buy art.
Kibe. Please tukutane nyuma ya tent, pris. This is what is wrong with our society. Money does not determine the value of your respect. Respect is a basic human right and it does not matter how much is in your pocket.
Tina here is not wrong about
@PeponiHotel
a few years ago, I booked a trip to Shela & decided to have lunch on the terrace. When I suggested to my host that I was planning to go there, she was hesitant but would'nt explain why. Nonetheless, I sat at an empty table on the terrace.
I want to share an unpleasant and racist experience that my husband and I had at
@PeponiHotel
in Lamu earlier this week. Black people being treated with utmost disrespect in our own country. When will this end?
@magicalkenya
#SomeoneTellPeponiLamu
It is not uncommon for a bank to loan you money because the collateral you offer is very attractive. Sometimes banks loan you money when they know you can't repay the loan because they want that collateral. A bank giving you a loan does not mean you are special.
*Men.* If a cough lasts more than 7 days, go see a doctor. If something just doesn't feel right about your body, go see a doctor. Night sweats, go see a doctor. There is nothing manly about ignoring symptoms that your body is not well.
#WorldCancerDay2020
Something had not been sitting right with my spirit from
#KOT
and other Africans on the protests in America. Somehow folks have forgotten that less that 60 years ago we were in the same position on the African continent and Civil Rights leaders joined us in war.
In 2009, my visionary husband
@bobcollymore
came home and announced that he and
@michaelj2
would build the best school in Africa. I thought he was talking about a five-year goal. Alittle over six months later
@SafaricomFDN
broke ground for what would be the
@MPESAFdnAcademy
When I was looking into getting a motorcycle Victor allowed me to test drive his. When I opened my gallery, Victor came to celebrate with a bunch of other bikers. When Bob died, Victor and other bikers came home to pay tribute. He was a gentle soul.
How do we turn our minds to the bigger issues that affect us? How do we stop from being distracted from the future we want as a nation? How do we harness our power as a people?
#RandomLateNightThoughts
We also don't have much time to waste. I am not the news. The news is what we are leaving in the dark. Media can determine the future of our country everyday, on that front page by casting light into the dark. On just that one page, media can make or break us as a nation.
I want to see change in my country. But it has to start with media, the very powerful source of infomation that unlike alot of other institutions, we still have some level of trust in.
And sometimes I am grateful for the reminder to live this moment. This. Not 2 mins ago, not 2 mins from now. Because life continues to unfold beautifully even as I am not sure where my next breath comes from. Ase Oooo.
As I understand it, the job of media is to inform, educate and empower. This is the essence of free press - to enhance critical thought and then to drive positive change.
#StoriesIWantToRead
Congratulations
@apourredon
of
@meditect
on winning The Bob Collymore Tech for Good 2019 Prize at the 2019 Summit of Minds in Chamonix! The award is sponsored by
@SocieteGenerale
and honors business solutions that solve social problems.
#Business4Good
It's time that the media handed power back to the people. It can only do so if it provides content that informs, educates and empowers. The media can raise consciousness, can fullfil the greatest role in redirecting our country from the bleak future that we are hurrying toward.
Most of all be gentle on yourself. If you fight against yourself, you will break yourself. This can only unfold positively if you take each day as it comes. If need be each hour.
Since the focus is on me again and I still don't consider myself newsworthy, here are a couple of stories that I wish were national news. These are stories, I would like to see on the front page:
#StoriesIWantToRead
Kenyans are capable of radical change. Kenyans are capable of innovation and are of great resilience. The media should not waste us by having us believe that we have nothing of substance that is newsworthy.
"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears...The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." - The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
#KahlilGibran
You can either use your anger to drive you in the right direction or let someone use your anger to drive you in the direction they choose. Either way, you will be driven.
There was a time when newspapers spoke such truth to power that people read particular articles in secret. Folding the paper over so as not to reveal the questions that articles raised.
This applies for our lockdown but also for grief, trauma and burnout. Be kind to the body vessel and spirit that has carried you this far. Perharps it is time to let it rest and reset.
Starting the year with new work that has been in development for 5 years or so. Grief is a universal state of being. I hope this space offers room for contemplation.
#AllMyVenusDays
opens Saturday 5th Feb 2022. πΉπΉπΉ
Congratulations to
@SandaOjiambo
on your appointment as ED
@globalcompact
they picked a good one. I can't wait to see your actions to make this world a better place. Business for good was
@bobcollymore
's driving force and I know he is smiling warmly and raising a toast. Salute!
Also as a side thought. Folks be getting mad about Beyonce appropriating African culture. Haven't Africans been doing the same for a few decades now with African American culture? Perhaps we should be celebrating the similarities in just being Black and Proud?
PSA: Before October comes through, for those looking to deposit mattress cash somewhere, please buy art. This is a valuable and appreciating asset. Also it is just a good idea to buy art. (This message brought to you by KAAAAS).
Drink water. Hydrate. You are not moving as much so you will not get thirsty but hydrate to keep refreshed and to reduce the feeling of feeling "beat."
@Asmali77
@JesseKenya
@PeponiHotel
What I am most sad about is that the locals have accepted it. We let it happen. Those people who continue going despite knowing the context, *they* let it happen.