African Vibes Magazine can now be conveniently purchased in any of the over 300 stores nationwide where the magazine is currently carried. Readers can easily locate a store simply by visiting the Where To Buy page on the African Vibes Magazine website and entering an address to get the stores closest to that address.

Readers can also purchase back issues of the magazine online from the Store on the website as well.

Cameroonian designers Maryanne E. Mokoko and Stephanie T. Mouapi will be showcasing their modern pieces on the “I Wear African” Runway at the African Vibes Magazine 4th Anniversary Event for their Côté Minou label which was created in the Summer of 2006.

Côté Minou was one of the 6 Designers to showcase at the “I Wear African” campaign launch in 2009. It has been featured in numerous fashion and African related events such as Force Afrik’s African Dance Explosion II, The Howard University’s Homecoming, HU-ASA and Spring Fest Fashion Show, BCBG Productions GQ Party II, Dartmouth’s Evolution of Black Fashion Show,St. Scholastica’s African Heritage Festival, Penn State’s Touch of Africa Show, SUNY Binghamton’s Threads of the Motherland, University of Maryland Fight Against Malaria Fashion Show, The DC Fashion Week, The Maryland Fashion Week, The YMCA Benefit Fashion Show, and The Genesis Ent. Native-Trad Party at Love NightClub in Washington, DC.

In the course of their Journey to changing the way we see the African Cloth, Côté Minou has been featured in the 2007 Uzuri Young Designer Series, named the 2008 Africa Pearls Inc. Trendsetter Award Recipient, was winner of the 2009 Annual African Designers and Models Competition and made it to the 2010 Dulce Camer’s Top 100 List. The Journey continues as they strive to represent Africa the best way they know how and that is through Fashion. The label was recently showcased as featured designer for Munaluchi Bridal on The CW Network (WPIX) Morning show.’

What we can expect at the “I Wear African” Runway Show

“This spring  2010, expect flirty and vibrant colors highlighted with tons of edgy designs. The collection entitled The Romance is surrounded with a mix of volume plus geometry that will down right break your heart.”

Website: http://www.mycoteminou.com

Pieces from Previous Collections

Self taught Designer, Arthlene Legair and Designer of the Legair Brand will be showing her Africa inspired collection on the “I Wear African” Runway in Hollywood on April 24th 2010. Legair was born in the Caribbean Island of Dominica West Indies and has over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry. She is also the CEO of LeGair Brand Ltd, her own label which is based in Columbus Ohio. She creates formal, couture, prom, and business attire for Teens and Adults as well as one of a kind accessories.

She was the wardrobe designer for A Walk on Water Production Company. Her design is on the cover and also featured in the movie, “The Best Leading Daddy”.

Legair’s clothing has been in the ICC Christmas play, at the Mother Daughter fashion show, The C.O tour of Columbus, Nellie’s Catwalk 4 Kids, Miss Black Ohio Modeling Inc, Hair meets Fashion and “I Am Fashion” shows.

One of her designs, a peacock feathered gown with over 550 hand sewn feathers, was featured in Issue 14 of the African Vibes Magazine.

What we can expect at the “I Wear African” Runway Show

“I love African fabrics; they are so rich and vibrant. I plan to incorporate modern styles with African fabrics into my collection. I am ecstatic to be a part of the “I Wear African” campaign; it has encouraged me create a full line of contemporary African elegant designs which I will present at the show.”

Website: http://www.legairbrand.com

Pieces from Previous Collections

African Vibes Magazine’s Editor in Chief, Amabel Niba discussed the African Vibes Magazine 4th Anniversary Event and “I Wear African” Campaign on CNE TV in an interview which was aired today on the station’s network. The interview can be viewed at http://www.cneworld.tv

The deadline to apply  is Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 5 p.m. PST.

Please complete and submit the form below if you are interested in walking for the “I Wear African” Runway show at the African Vibes Magazine 4th Anniversary Event. Each model wishing to walk must complete and submit this form.

For all modeling inquiries, please contact Roselyne Mathieu at roselyne.mathieu@africanvibes.com

*Starred fields are required. Form will not be processed unless all starred fields are completed.

After 12 rounds, 33-year-old Joshua Clottey who has a record of 35-3 with 20 KOs lost to Manny Pacquiao by unamimous decision at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

Read round by round commentary on Foxsports.

It must be nice to be Ethiopian Self Made Billionaire, Mohammed Al Amoudi, Africa’s Richest man. His wealth grew by a billion despite the economic downturn. It is that time of year again and Forbes has put together a list of the World’s richest. On it are 11 Africans 4 from one family in Egypt, 4 from South Africa, 1 from Sudan, 1 from Nigeria and 1 from Ethiopia.

There was 1 new addition to the list this year, Samih Sawiris, son of Egyptian billionaire, Onsi Sawiris whose other 2 sons are on the list as well. Nigeria did loose a billionaire this year, Femi Otedola who had a bitter disagreement with fellow billionaire Aliko Dangote last year. Despite some major challenges, Dangote still made it on the list as the 9th richest man in Africa.

Photo By Hans Berggren

Africa’s Billionaires (No. 1)

• Name: Mohammed Al Amoudi
• Net Worth: 10 Billion
• Origin: Ethiopia
• Age: 65
• Fortune: Self Made
• Source: Oil
• Education: N/A
  Forbes World Ranking #64

AP Photo

Africa’s Billionaires (No. 2)

• Name: Nassef Sawiris
• Net Worth: 5.9 Billion
• Origin: Egypt
• Age: 48
• Fortune: Inherited and Growing
• Source: Construction
• Education: Bachelor of Science

Forbes World Ranking #127

AP Photo

Africa’s Billionaires (No. 3)

• Name: Nicky Oppenheimer & Family
• Net Worth: 5 Billion
• Origin: South Africa
• Age: 65
• Fortune: Inherited
• Source: Metals and Mining
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science and Master of Arts

Forbes World Ranking #154

Photo from Forbes.com

Africa’s Billionaires (No. 4)

• Name: Patrick Shoo-Shiong
• Net Worth: 5 Billion
• Origin: South Africa
• Age: 58
• Fortune: Self Made
• Source: Generic Drugs
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science; Medical Doctor

Forbes World Ranking #154

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

Africa’s Billionaires (No. 5)

• Name: Onsi Sawiris
• Net Worth: 3.1 Billion
• Origin: Egypt
• Age: 80
• Fortune: Self Made
• Source: Construction
• Education: N/A

Forbes World Ranking #307

AP Photo

Africa’s Billionaires (No. 6)

• Name: Naguib Sawiris
• Net Worth: 2.5 Billion
• Origin: Egypt
• Age: 55
• Fortune: Inherited
• Source: Telecom
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science; Master of Science

Forbes World Ranking #374

Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa/Getty Images

Zimbabwe enjoyed its first taste of Oscar glory on Sunday night when the film ‘Music by Prudence’ won the Best Short Documentary gong at the 2010 Academy Awards.

“Music by Prudence” documents Prudence Mabhena’s life. She’s a 21-year-old from Bulawayo who has arthrogryposis, a congenital disorder that crippled her arms and legs.

Few Oscar films have packed in more profundity per minute than the tale of Prudence and seven other disabled young musicians transcending bigotry and isolation through art and fellowship.

“This is amazing. Two years ago when I flew to Zimbabwe, I never imagined I would wind up here,” said the film’s American producer-director, Roger Williams as he accepted the award. “This is for Prudence.”

In the audience, Prudence beamed from her wheelchair after making the trip to the Awards having earlier expressed doubts because of problems with her visa.

The only blemish on Prudence’s incredible night was producer Elinor Burkett borrowing a move from Kanye West’s playbook when she stormed the stage and interrupted Williams’ acceptance. The two collaborated on the movie.

Burkett explained in a post-speech interview with Salon that the pair had a disagreement over the “direction of the film” and that she was late to the podium because Williams’ mother used a cane to keep her from the stage. She went on to say that Williams hadn’t even heard of Zimbabwe until she told him about the country.

Read both sides of the story here

Despite that small hiccup, it was a great achievement and a beautiful story.

The 6^th African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nominees were announced at the Mensvic Grand Hotel in East Legon, Accra Ghana. The actual event shall be held in Yenagoa, the capital of the oil-rich Bayelsa State, Nigeria, on April 10, 2010.

In 2009 Kenya took the lead but this year, they have been surpassed by Ghana and Nigeria who will be going neck to neck in many different categories. It did not help that Wanuri Kahiu opted not to enter her futuristic Scifi short, Pumzi for the AMAA 2010.

Nominees as reported on Art Matters are:

Best Documentary

• Mwamba Ngoma, Tanzania
• Peace Wanted Alive, Kenya
• Bariga Boys, Nigeria
• En quette d’identite, Burkina Faso
• Innovating for Africa, Nigeria

Best Short Film

• Mahala, Mozambique
• The Abbys Boys, South Africa
• The Painter, Uganda
• Suara La, Nigeria
• The Camera, Nigeria

Best Animation

• Honyan’s Shoe, Egypt
• Adventure of Alayo, Nigeria
• Zoodo, Burkina Faso
• Lyrics, Algeria
• One Step of Love, Algeria

Best Film by An African in the Diaspora

• Soul Diaspora
• Okra Principle
• China Wahala
• Crunch

Best Film in an African Language

• Omo Iya Kan, Nigeria
• Aldewolem, Ethiopia
• Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Imani, Uganda
• Game of my Life, South Africa

Heart of Africa Award for Best Film from Nigeria

• The Child
• High Blood Pressure
• Nnenda
• Lillies of the Ghetto
• The Figurine

AMAA Achievement in Sound

• The Tenant, Nigeria
• Season of a Life, Malawi
• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• I sing of a well, Ghana
• Soul Diaspora, Diaspora

AMAA Achievement in Editing

• Season of a Life, Malawi
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Heart of Men, Ghana
• Lilies of the Ghetto, Nigeria

AMAA Achievement in Art Direction

• I sing of a well, Ghana
• Fulani, Nigeria
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• Imani, Uganda

AMAA Achievement in Make Up

• Heart of Men, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• The King is Mine, Ghana
• I sing of a well, Ghana
• Fulani, Nigeria

AMAA Achievement in Costume

• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Prince’s Bride, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• I sing of a Well, Ghana
• Lilies of the Ghetto, Nigeria

AMAA Achievement in Visual Effect

• The Child, Nigeria
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• A sting in a Tale, Ghana
• Fulani, Nigeria
• Heart of Men, Ghana

Best Original Soundtrack

• Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• Imani, Uganda
• A sting in a Tale, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Figurine, Nigeria

Best Performance by a Child Actor

• Teddy Onyango and Bill Oloo—Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Tobi Oboli—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Feyisola Ewulomi—Champions of our Time, Nigeria
• Treasure Obasi—Champions of our Time, Nigeria
• Mfanafuthi Magudulela—Game of my Life

Most Promising Actress

• Martha Kisaka—Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Chelsea Eze—Silent Scandal,
• Martha Ankomah—Sins of the Soul, Ghana
• Ashionye Michelle Ugboh—Jungle Ride, Nigeria
• Rahema Nanfuka—Imani, Uganda

Most Promising Actor

• Wilson Maina—Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Wale Ojo—The Child, Nigeria
• John Dumelo—Heart of Men, Ghana
• Pethro Tumba Mbole—Game of My Life
• Sunny Chikezie—Lilies of the Ghetto, Nigeria

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

• Godwin Kotey—I sing of a well, Ghana
• Francis Duru—Nnenda, Nigeria
• Yemi Blaq—High Blood Pressure, Nigeria
• Adjatey Anang—The Perfect Picture, Ghana

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

• Doris Sakitey—A sting in a Tale, Ghana
• Funlola Aoifeyebi-Raimi—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Tapiwa Gwaza—Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• Yvonne Nelson—Heart of Men, Ghana

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

• Bimbo Akintola—Freedom in Chains, Nigeria
• Jackie Appiah, Lydia Farson, Naa Ashoku Mensa-Doku—The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Stephanie Okereke—Nnenda, Nigeria
• Flora Suya—Season of a Life, Malawi
• Akofa Edjeani Asiedu—I sing of a Well, Ghana

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

• Lucky Ejim—The Tenant, Nigeria
• Majid Michel—Sin of a Soul, Ghana
• Ramsey Nouah—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Sadiq Abu—Soul Diaspora, Diaspora
• John Osie Tutu Agyeman—I Sing of a well, Ghana

Best Screenplay

• Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• The Tenant, Nigeria
• Freedom In chains,
• Guilty Pleasure, Ghana
• I sing of a well, Ghana

AMAA Achievement in Cinematography

• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• I sing of a Well, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Tenant, Nigeria

Best Picture

• Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• The Tenant, Canada/Nigeria
• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• I sing of a well, Ghana

Best Director

• Charles Shemu Joyah—Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• Shirley Frimpong-Manso—The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Kunle Afolayan—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Leila Jewel Djansi—I sing of a well, Ghana
• Jude Idada and Lucky Ejim—The Tenant, Nigeria