“African’s must accept and embrace they are valuable content creators and have a voice that should be heard on a global digital scale.” William Jackson, M.Ed. 2018
Ideas shared from my experiences as a professor of technology, WordCamp speaker, organizer / volunteer and business owner.
AWrite as if the world is going to read your content. When people read your content they should experience your passion through your words and pictures. Your voice should resonate with pride and dignity.
BTake the time to read, re-read and edit your content before posting. Remember that you’re not just writing just for you, you are writing and representing your culture and continent.
CRemain humble to the power of your content. Not everyone will agree with your content, they should see you as truthful, honest and authentic.
DEmbrace the diversity of your continent and your nation. Your writings are global content that will travel across the World Wide Web so be sure it travels well.
EBe authentic with what you want to share, it is ok to use quotes and comments from others that share similar experiences, but there is only one you. You’re the expert of you…
FDon’t allow bias or racism to taint or spoil your views of your cultural diversity. Telling a story means telling both sides through your eyes and experiences.
GChinua Achebe – On the power of storytelling “I write because I enjoy it.”
HThe natural human resources of Africa are abundant. African people of color and culture should not be quick to run to others for support and resources because the very things needed might be right in their backyard.
IAccept the diversity of your country and your culture, unify and recognize the African Diaspora.
JWho writes your life story? | Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly https://youtu.be/OscDpHfrtog
KTravel and visit book stores that may contain literary treasures and share them online. Map your travels to intellectual development.
LUse paper and pencil sometimes because they inspire a new level of thinking and build thought leadership inside you.
MLook with different eyes at your environment, use places, people, smells, sites and experiences to influence your writing.
NUse YouTube as a resource to research and learn from great writers like Achebe, Aboulela, Rugero and others.
“The storyteller has a different agenda than the emperor.” Chinua Achebe 2008
O25 African Writers You Should Read https://lithub.com/25-new-books-by-african-writers-you-should-read/
PDon’t look at just one aspect of a culture or society, you should research other diverse areas to get a clear picture of things.
QThe Danger of A Single Story – https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg What is your story?
RWrite to educate, empower, engage and excite others.
SSet yourself up as a life-long learner. Maintain your library card both digital and hard copy. Never compromise the value of learning.
TTailor your thinking to a “growth mind set.”
URemember your voice has power, it can inspire, it can heal, it can motivate, but it can also destroy, bring chaos and even death.
VThink of the legacy you want to create and leave, your words will last forever on a digital platform. What do you want generations to know about you?
WTeach each generation to love literature by being a role model and inspiration. Teach others their words do matter and their mind is valuable.
XGirls and women should have equal opportunities to expand their mental abilities. They have the ability to become thought leaders and spark life-long learning in other girls and women.
YNever forget the sacrifices that the elders made so that you can continue to rise. Remember, if you start to forget, you potentially fall back into past ignorance of educational and economic neglect and mental slavery.
ZPraise God for your gifts, talents, abilities and opportunities. You are so unique that God created only one of you and your voice is unique, authentic and can influence generations” Rumi