A Series of Ands

A Series of Ands

By Unwomanly MediaBusinessEntrepreneurship
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A Series of Ands episodes

  • The Ghanaian PR Maven You Need To Know: Hillary Andoh
    In our opening episode for season 2, we are taking you on a road trip to the “gateway to Africa”--Ghana, West Africa. Did you know that Ghana is the 7th largest gold producer and the second largest cocoa producer in the world? Did you also know, Ghana has the world’s largest artificial reservoir, Lake Volta? 
    In this episode, we sit down with the Ghanaian boss babe and Oheema (Queen) herself, Hillary Andoh, Chief Executive Officer at HSA PR - a public relations agency that specializes in elevating public perception of brands and entities, as well as telling stories that capture the essence of brands and personalities in Ghana and globally.  
    Hillary’s clients are reputable companies, brands, celebrities, and political figures in Africa who she supports with PR, communications, and crisis management services. To get down to the nitty and gritty with Hillary, we discussed her transition from the US to her homeland of Ghana. Why she started her PR firm and the current African market where PR opportunities are expanding as the economy in the region continues to strengthen and grow. We also dive deeper into her faith in God and how that has been the main driver behind her ability to remain grounded and balanced in a demanding field.
    In addition to Hillary being a CEO & GirlBoss, she’s an avid fashionista and a staple in the Ghanaian fashion industry.  She has provided her Public Relations services to the likes of Ghana Fashion and Design week, and through her efforts, she was able to garner a partnership with prestigious publications like Vogue Italia. Furthermore, she facilitates discussions on branding, public relations, and the business of fashion. Hillary is also a creative at heart, who lends motivational, inspirational, and communications capacity to support youth education and literacy in Ghana. 
    We love a boss with style and grace. Hillary is who we like to refer to as “silent confidence”. Her accolades and accomplishments speak for themselves.
    Connect with us:
    Instagram: @aseriesofands
    Twitter: @aseriesofands
    Facebook: @aseriesofands
    Visit: www.unwomanlymedia.com
    1 hr 27 min
  • How to put yourself out there and build a career you love with Edda Neniwa | Bonus Episode

    Spotlight: Emerging Young African Women Leaders!


    In this bonus episode, ASA signature effort in highlighting and investing in the next generation of African women leaders & Bawses, we introduce to our global listeners to Eda xx who originally hails from Malawi and is currently stationed in Namibia. 


    We got the chance to discuss Eda’s passion for entrepreneurship, women economic justice, and gender equality. At her young age, Eda is already doing the damn thing as a fellow for the prestigious African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Programme (AfYWL), a partnership between the African Union Commission (AUC) and United Nations Development Program. 


    For background context, AfYWL Fellowship brings together annually about 25 young women across the continent to equip a new generation of young African women leaders and experts with the capacity to serve Africa and the world in designing and implementing development programmes in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063. Under the guises of the fellowship, one African Young Woman Fellow from each African country per year is assigned with UNDP or another UN organisation. During the first phase of the programme, the young women fellows gain valuable work experience from assignments with UNDP country, regional, or headquarters offices in Africa, Asia, and Europe.


    Want to learn more about the next generation of African Girl Magic? Checkout Edda’s episode.


    To connect with Edda follow her on LinkedIn at: Edda Neniwa


    59 min
  • How An Emotional Heartbreak Led to Multiple Creative Ventures in Nairobi with Melissa Mbugua
    Shaping our future through storytelling and recognizing African Women Super Sheroness! 
    As we quickly approach the conclusion of our Pilot Season, what better way to celebrate and amplify African voices than by connecting with a bad-assy BAWSE, the Tastemaker herself, the Shot Caller, and Digital Disruptor,  hailing  from Nairobi Kenya.  Melissa Mbugua is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Africa Podfest, a venture which aims to Inspire and elevate African podcasters by building a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry on the continent.
    Africa Podfest, brings African voices to the forefront through a series of events, partnerships, collaborations, programming, and a dedicated international festival celebration (#AfricaPodcastDay), coined by the powerhouses behind Africa Podfest. #AfricaPodcastDay is an annual festival on February 12th, which brings together leading podcasters and podcasting innovators across the continent and in the diaspora to share personal lived experiences, industry inside scoops, and best practices - as an effort to build a podcasting ecosystem in Africa. Currently 50 countries are represented and over a million-audience reached. Let’s take a moment of silence to recognize this African Girl Magicness real quick! One thing for sure and two things for certain, Africa will not be left behind in the new wave of storytelling.
    We further chat with Mel, to give us all the insider tips and gems on what inspired her to birth her company Africa Podfest. We are here for all the ways in which she fearlessly disrupts spaces across tech, development,  business, culture, and creativity. We explored her creative talent as a child and her “Magicness” which was rooted in her realness, authenticity, and go-getter mentality. Mel is revolutionizing the Podcasting space on the continent and building the next generation of African creative ventures.
    In the episode we are giving her well deserved flowers and celebrating her strength and pioneering efforts!
    1 hr 32 min
  • How one of Zimbabwe’s top architectural designer stays curious and innovative despite her country’s political and social turmoil with Nyasha Adler

    Talk your shit & stand ten toes down in your African Girl Magicness is a Must!

    In this episode, we connect with the bold, fearless, and head honcho in charge, Nyasha Adler, who is part owner of ADLER & ADLER, an architectural three-dimensional visualization company in Zimbabwe,  bringing exterior and interior architectural designs to life through creativity and technical expertise. Nysha gets candid with us about her childhood experiences and her knack for curiosity at a young age which ignited her passion for design and architecture.


    Nysha’s work and impact, makes her a pioneering trailblazer in her own rights as she strikes a balance between modernization and honoring Zimbabwe’s heritage, milieu, and local needs through her company’s architecture designs. While this still remains a male dominated industry on the continent, Nysha holds her own and shows just how bad-assy she is. Her commitment to promoting African women’s leadership in design and desire for achieving equity in this field, gives us some insights on how deeply rooted gender disparities in architecture still persist in Africa. 


    We are dropping gems, awakening our assertive ancestors, and shaking the table with the episode!


    LinkedIn: Nyasha Adler

    Connect with Nysha at @Nyasha_Adler

    Architectural company: @AdlerandAdler3d


    ABOUT US:

    Instagram: @ASeriesofAnds

    Twitter: @ASeriesofAnds_

    Facebook: @ASeriesofAnds

    YouTube: @ASeriesofAnds


    1 hr 31 min
  • How this Senegalese marketing guru left luxury brand marketing in France to run Senegal’s top ride sharing app with Fatoumata Conte

    When West Africa shows up and shows out! Shoutout to Francophone Africa! 


    In this episode of ASA, we chat with creative tastemaker , marketing guru, luxury brand consultant, fashion designer, and BAWSE, Fatoumata Conte, who is the Head of Marketing at Heech, a mobile car ride share app company located in Dakar Senegal.


    Fatou is the epitome of “A series of Ands” the woman who wears many hats and does it with style! We explore Fatou’s lucrative and expansive career working with high end fashion powerhouses like Christian Dior, Hermes, LVMH, and Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) to name a few. If you are a fashion fiend and style connoisseur then this is the episode you shouldn’t miss. 


    Fatou discusses her honest experiences transitioning from the diaspora in France and taking a leap of faith in relocating back to her country of origin, Senegal. Fatou shares similar emotional waves like most diasporas, in choosing to either remain abroad or go back home to contribute to their country’s economic, social, political, and cultural development. Speaking truth to power and utilizing her own position of power to advocate for employment opportunities and equal pay for women in Senegal, Fatou is also a proud Senegalese feminist.


    We also explore Fatou’s passion project and undying love for fashion, as she gears up for the launch of her luxury African fashion brand Maison Kebe. The pieces, designs, structure, story, and quality got us out here counting our coins in preparation of her release at the end of March. With Maison Kebe, Fatou is a sure in to gaining prominence in the fashion game, as she makes her presence felt in the industry . Her innovative direction with Maison Kebe will not only create space for emerging fashion creatives but also change the fashion landscape across the continent.


    To connect with Fatou, follow her on:

    LinkedIn: Fatoumata Conte

    Instagram: @Maisonkebe


    ABOUT US:

    IG: @ASeriesofAnds

    Twitter: @ASeriesofAnds_

    Facebook: @ASeriesofAnds

    YouTube: @ASeriesofAnds


    1 hr 31 min
  • Data is the New Oil: From Fulbright Scholar to Head of Data and Analytics at Swaziland’s Leading Bank with Linda Zwane
    At “ASA” we love a good secure the bag story! Turn your volume up, relax, grab a friend, and get to know an African force to be reckoned with, Linda Zawne, the Head of Data and Analytics  at Standard Bank in Eswatini (Swaziland). Linda is changing the game in Corporate Africa, as she’s the only woman to hold such high level executive position within Data Analytics across all Standard Bank locations & geographic footprint in Nigeria, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia Zimbabwe etc. 
    As in many male dominated and patriarchal led industries and spaces across the continent, Linda is doing the damn thing in challenging the exclusion of African women in the banking, finance, trade, and investment sectors. This episode furthered tackled workplace culture, gender parity, unequal opportunities, and sexism that often deters most African women from shooting for the top rungs of the corporate ladder.
    We ensured a no holds barred conversation as we bring Corporate Africa to reckoning. Linda provides a roadmap on how she was able to level up by unapologetically taking charge of her career. Linda is committed to doing her part in helping to shift the continent’s financial sector towards being more innovative and gender equal. As she ignites the enthusiasm of African women to be solutionists and changemakers, we can expect a new wave of disrupters and status quo changers!
    Join in on our weekly installment of “A Series Of And’s (ASA)”  and learn how to turn your dreams and passion  into a scalable hustle!
    1 hr 29 min
  • How this Eswatini policy expert is working alongside African leaders to eradicate malaria with Phelele Fakudze
    Join ASA’s hosts Binja and Patience as they chit-chat with the dynamic African Girl Magic, Policy Making Babe, African Girl Luxury and Bougie Living Enthusiast, and Passionate Public Health Advocacy Frontliner, Phelele Fakudze, who hails originally from the Kingdom of Eswatini and currently is the Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Communications at the SADC Elimination 8 Secretariat in Windhoek, Namibia.
    SADC Elimination 8 is a coalition of eight countries working across national borders to eliminate malaria in southern Africa by 2030. As the malaria response arm of SADC, the E8 is pioneering an ambitious regional approach and driving collective action to end this deadly disease.
    Phelele immerses us in her journey to being a transformative Girl Boss who is leading the charge against Malaria across Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. She gives us an insight as a prominent public health activist and provides a backdrop on how she has elevated this work across these borders with notable impact.
    We also get to know Phelele abit from her childhood experiences and all the in between stages of her life. And it wouldn’t be “A series of Ands” episode without throwing a little shade and spilling the tea with our home girl Phelele.
    To Connect with Phelele, follow her at @PhelelePie and her LinkedIn: Phelele Fakudze to learn more about her work.
    1 hr 11 min
  • How her curiosity fueled her leap to a PHD in AI and her innovative role at Microsoft Africa Research Institute with Kagonya Awori
    When it comes to the field of science, globally there are few women in this discipline and even fewer African women scientists on the continent. This gross underrepresentation of African women calls for more intentionality and a revolution. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kagonya Awori (PhD), one of Africa’s trailblazing and top scientists. She’s a Senior Applied Scientist at Microsoft in Nairobi Kenya. Dr. Kagonya gives us the scoop on how she is breaking down gender barriers in science and developing homegrown technology solutions  to solving African problems in ways that closely resemble African cultures, peoples, resources, knowledge, and ways of life. 
    As a brilliant African thinker, thought leader, and scientist , Dr. Kagonya shares with us how she  fearlessly dares to discover  new scientific knowledge, promote human-computer Interaction, and produce data to form themes and strategies in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Kagonya is the epitome of African Girl Magic, as she is recognized as one of the leading women scientists on the continent.
    Hold on to your edges and ponytails, because this episode is giving Genius, African Excellence, above Our Paid Grade, and Legendary! Due to her tremendous work, she and her colleagues are opening doors, pulling up a chair, and breaking windows for the next generation of African women scientists to thrive.
    To connect with Dr. Kagonya check out her LinkedIn at: Dr. Kagonya Awori (PhD)
    1 hr 17 min
  • From Moghels (Homegirls) To Moguls In The Making: Binja & Tiny
    In this episode, the hosts provide an overview of their upbringing and pivotal moments in their lives which inspired their achievements and accolades in other aspects of their lives and the birth of their passion project “A Series of Ands.” Patience and Binja, are unapologetic Girl Bosses, Technology & Digital Space Disruptors, Creative Influencers, and Emerging African Investors & Venture Capitalists with their pulse on what is happening and yet to come on the continent of Africa. Together, they are the powerhouse and dynamic duo of a few entrepreneurship ventures inclusive of Unwomanly Media Corporation, a multimedia technological and communications company, built by African Women and for African Women.
    Join in on our weekly installment of “A Series Of And’s (ASA)” and learn how to turn your dreams and passion into a scalable hustle!
    Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and IG at @Africancocktail & @SavvyAfropolitan
    ABOUT US:
    IG: @ASeriesOfAnds
    Twitter: @ASeriesOfAnds_
    FB: @ASeriesOfAnds
    YouTube: @ASeriesOfAnds
    1 hr 21 min

About A Series of Ands

From the publisher's feed

"A Series of Ands" is a powerful podcast that highlights the inspiring stories of entrepreneurial women across Africa. In each episode, we dive into the journeys of women who are breaking barriers, innovating, and making an impact in various industries—from fashion and beauty to tech and beyond. These trailblazing women share their challenges, triumphs, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way, all while embracing the "and" in their lives: the many roles they play, the diverse passions.