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  • AB Published Bloggers

    AB Published Bloggers

    Afrobloggers is a vibrant network and community comprising African bloggers and content creators dedicated to advancing and supporting the African blogging and online content creation community. Their mission revolves around providing a collaborative platform for African bloggers to connect, exchange ideas, share their work, and engage in discussions on an array of topics relevant to the African continent. In essence, Afrobloggers serves as a hub for the exchange of ideas, stories, and perspectives, showcasing the rich diversity of African voices.

    In a significant new initiative called AB Published Bloggers, Afrobloggers seeks to empower its members and the broader blogging community by offering invaluable guidance on the journey to becoming published authors. Many within the Afrobloggers community have already authored books, while others aspire to do so, and some may even wish to transform their podcast episodes into published works. The primary focus of this initiative is to help authors find markets for their published works, both within Africa and on a global scale.

    AB Published Bloggers will be steered by a collective of experienced bloggers from the Afrobloggers community, with Afrobloggers itself playing a supportive and supervisory role. This platform will provide a collaborative space for bloggers to exchange insights, propose innovative solutions, and develop practical frameworks to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of an emerging Africa. It’s a venture aimed at amplifying the voices of African bloggers and authors, fostering growth, and facilitating the sharing of valuable experiences and knowledge.

  • Blog, Vlog, Podcast Collaborations and Guests

    Blog, Vlog, Podcast Collaborations and Guests

    Collaboration among bloggers can bring about several honors that contribute to their development, frontage, and overall success in the content creation realm.

    For starters, there is Knowledge Exchange. Collaborating with other bloggers across the African continent permits for the sharing of wisdom, expertise, and various viewpoints. Bloggers can learn from each other’s experiences and gain fresh knowledge on various topics.

    There is Increased Visibility, when bloggers cooperate, they often cross-promote each other’s work. This exposure can put forward their content to new audiences, leading to increased visibility and traffic to their blogs.

    Blog Collaborations a fronts for Networking Opportunities, Collaborative undertakings and projects provide opportunities to relate with like-minded individuals within the blogging community. Networking can lead to friendships, partnerships, and future collaborations.

    There is a whole new world of Diverse Content. Collaboration can result in a myriad and well-rounded content. Bloggers can combine their extraordinary styles, views, and expertise to produce content that is more in-depth and appealing to a broader audiences.

    It’s a must working with others comes with Audience Growth. Join projects with bloggers in a similar niche or with complementary topics can help both parties tap into each other’s audiences, potentially gaining new followers and readers. Imagine taping into the West African viewership that has some of the most populous economies for content creators from the East and South of the continent.

    When content creators work with others there is Shared Resources at the end of the day. Bloggers can pool their resources, such as graphics, tools, and expertise, to create higher-quality content that might have been challenging to produce individually. We are all gifted differently and there is always something new coming up in the content creation tools.

    When as a content creator you have a dry season collaborate to experience a Creativity Boost. Working with others can spark untouched ideas and imaginative paths. Brainstorming and collaborating can lead to renewed perspectives and innovative content.

    The gift established content creators can pass on is Social Proof through collaborative works. Partnering with other respected bloggers can lend credibility to a blogger’s work. When admirable bloggers collaborate, it gives a sign to their audiences that their content is worth paying attention to.

    Working with others will always bring about real Skill Enhancement. Collaboration can provide an opportunity for bloggers to develop new skills, such as teamwork, communication, negotiation, and project management.

    Do you have a someone to watch over you in this creative world, Motivation and Accountability are weaved deep in reaching out to work with others. Collaborative projects can motivate bloggers to stay consistent and accountable in a fast paced world. Deadlines and shared goals can keep everyone fast-paced and productive, but sometimes we need pressure.

    Access to New Platforms when you work with all kinds of people. Collaborating may introduce bloggers to new platforms, websites, or social media channels where they can showcase their work and reach new audiences.

    Most times joint projects are aimed at Synergy. The combination of talents, skills, and audiences from multiple bloggers can create a synergistic effect, where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

    In essence, collaboration empowers bloggers to sway each other’s strengths, broaden their reach, and create content that is more engaging and impactful. So get out and work on a joint project before 2023 ends, you will not be disappointed.

  • 2021 Afrobloggers Awards Winners

    2021 Afrobloggers Awards Winners

    Winners of the 2nd edition of the Afrobloggers Awards were revealed on the 15th of December 2021.  Through a rigorous process that involved nomination, public voting, and going through a panel of judges 10 winners were chosen from 10 categories. The Blogger of the Year was selected from the category winners and walked away with $200-00. Congratulations to all the winners:

    [awsmteam id=”32106″]

    We wish to thank everyone who made this year’s event a success: our partners at Blogging Ghana for the wonderful teamwork and insights, our esteemed judges (Tsholofelo Maluleke, Janet Machuka, Ameyaw Debrah, Puleng Sirengqe, and Irvine Nzenza) who gave us their precious time as well as expertise in choosing this year’s winners and Hannah Talindah who designed this year’s themed graphics.

    We also appreciate everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for the various bloggers, without you we could never fully appreciate our storytellers. 

    Let’s converge next year to once again celebrate all the African Bloggers who continue to entertain, inform, educate and inspire us one story at a time.

  • Finalists: The Afrobloggers Awards 2021

    Finalists: The Afrobloggers Awards 2021

    Finalists for the 2021 edition of the Afrobloggers Awards are listed below. These will proceed to the final judging phase which involves public voting and further judges’ content interrogation. Public voting will contribute 20% of the total final mark while content quality will account for 50%. The other 30% was accounted for by site design and user experience.

    Three categories did not make it to this stage because of inadequate nominee submissions. These are Business, Tech, and Guide. However, due to the overwhelming submissions from review sites, we decided to have Reviews as a stand-alone category.

    Congratulations to all the finalists! Voting is now open click the button below to go to the polls page.






  • The Canopy of Our Stories

    If your blog were a forest, your favorite tree should not be the tallest or with the showiest flowers. It should be the one with the deepest roots, the post or episode where you first found your voice, shaky but honest, when you stopped copying others and began to sound like yourself. This idea is small and simple, yet for many African bloggers, podcasters, and vloggers, it’s dangerously easy to forget. We live in an age that measures worth in views, followers, and fast virality. But a forest doesn’t grow overnight, nor does a body of work that matters. If you are on the continent or scattered across the diaspora, if you started a blog because a story wouldn’t leave you or launched a podcast because a conversation had to be held, this is for you.


    When you began, it might have been a lonely room, a slow internet connection, a borrowed laptop, or a phone with a battery that lasted ten minutes. You published a post or uploaded your first episode and felt a mix of terror and relief. That rawness, the awkward phrasing, the rambling anecdote, the sentence you’d later edit a hundred times, is not something to be ashamed of. It is the root system. Roots don’t look glamorous, but they do the real work. They anchor, nourish, and connect.

    Many of us mistake the tallest trees, pages with viral spikes, flashy collaborations, perfect thumbnails for success. They are visible, yes, but often hollow. The quiet tree, the one with deep roots, is the one readers come back to on nights when they feel small. It’s where your early readers found themselves written down for the first time. It is where your voice took shape. That post could be the seed of a memoir, a theme for a future anthology, or the speech you’ll give when someone finally listens.


    Your early work matters, even if it reads embarrassingly now, because it documents growth. Return to it and you’ll see how your thinking has matured. What looks naive now was once courageous. Those pieces show trajectory from imitation to identity. It also holds your audience. Viral posts give you attention; honest posts build trust. A single sincere piece has the power to create a community that stays through platform changes and algorithm shifts. Furthermore, it is repurposable. That essay, thread, or episode can become a chapter, a newsletter series, a podcast mini-series, or a short ebook. The tried-and-tested content is your catalog of ideas. Lastly, it resists erasure. In a world that sidelines African voices, the archive you build, even one imperfect post at a time, preserves perspectives, languages, and memories for future readers and historians.


    You don’t need to be a household name to prove this point. Across Africa and among Africans in the diaspora, countless creators started with a shaky post or a quiet recording that later became a calling card. Take for example the Nigerian blogger KacheeTee, who started her journey with personal, relatable posts on fashion and lifestyle, which over time, cultivated a loyal community. Similarly, the work of OkayAfrica, an online publication dedicated to African culture, music, and politics, began with a modest blog that has since grown into a global platform, all built on the foundation of authentic storytelling.

    A hobbyist who started writing about parenting found that her honest, sleepless night posts became the backbone of a parenting newsletter read by thousands. A podcaster who recorded interviews on a shoestring budget later used those conversations as the skeleton for a community led training series on storytelling. The pattern is the same: one honest seed, tended over time, grows into something that sustains both creator and community.


    If you’ve been away, if life’s demands, adulting, side gigs, caring for family, have smothered your flame, the way back is not dramatic. It is intentional. Revisit, don’t erase, your early work. Open it and read it with curiosity, not contempt. Look for threads you still care about. Extract themes. What keeps appearing in your posts? Those recurring motifs are your brand, not the logo or SEO, but the subject matter you’re uniquely placed to explore. Repurpose ruthlessly. That old post can become three social posts, a 10 minute podcast, and a newsletter prompt. Leverage the formats technology offers. Make micro-commitments. If burnout is real (it is), promise only a 20-minute write or a 5-minute voice note per day. Small actions compound. Archive with intention. Make a folder called “Roots” and put your earliest proud pieces there. They’ll surprise you later. Build community, not just metrics. Reply to comments. Message the reader who left a long note. Those human ties are your canopy. Learn new tools carefully. New platforms, shiny features, and AI can help, but don’t chase every trend. Use tools that support your voice, not replace it.


    Our stories travel. The young woman in Nairobi writing about negotiating space in her family home; the grandfather in Accra recounting how trade and migration reshaped his town; the student in London exploring dual identity, these voices stitch together a continental archive that challenges single narratives. When Africans in all our diversity commit to telling the stories only we can tell, we create currency for our histories, economies, and futures. You may feel you’ve outgrown blogging or podcasting. Perhaps you earned a different job, a new title, or simply moved into a season where the old projects no longer fit. That’s normal. Growth can mean change. But outgrowing the formats is not the same as outgrowing the impulse. Your early tree can become the first chapter of a memoir, the opening pages of a screenplay, or the raw material for a research paper. The archive of your small acts can feed new, larger work. Don’t discard the breadcrumbs.


    We know this pattern: social feeds highlight polished peaks and hide the valleys. For a millennial creator, that creates a constant self-evaluation: am I good enough? Do I have the right angle? Will this be useful? Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison. A quick remedy, measure against your own past. Your early posts show where you began and how you have moved. That self comparison is kinder and, crucially, truer. Technology won’t save the story, but it expands the reach. Tools are multiplying: newsletters, audio platforms, micro-video, community apps, and yes, AI assisted drafting. Use them to amplify, not to replace, your voice. A single, honest post amplified across a newsletter, a short audio clip, and a thread can reach different listeners without demanding you be everywhere at once. Let your content work smarter, not you harder.


    This is a small manifesto for the way back. Treasure the first tree. Publish for humans, not for algorithms. Make small promises to yourself and keep them. Turn old posts into new conversations. Protect the space where you felt brave enough to begin. Take five minutes right now. Open an early post. Read it aloud. If something in it still pulls at you, make a plan: one edit, one repurpose, one share. That single action is the watering can for your roots. Promise to return to your forest, even once a week.

    Support another creator who’s also tired. Leave a comment, send a voice note, share an old post that mattered to you. Our forests are many and connected. The tree you planted when you were unsure is still there, its roots deeper than you remember. Tend it, tell the stories it shelters and let it remind you why you began. In a world that rushes toward the loudest signal, there is power in the patient growth of a rooted tree. And for African storytellers everywhere: the world needs your roots.

  • WinterABC2025 Storytelling Festival

    WinterABC2025 Storytelling Festival

    It’s time once again, to gather around the digital fireplace as storytellers, digital content creators, and digital creatives from across Africa and beyond share, connect, and celebrate our diverse narratives in an African Bloggers Challenge. WinterABC is an African storytelling festival organised by Afrobloggers every June; welcome to the 7th edition of WinterABC.


    WinterABC2025

    Each year is always different

    WinterABC2025 comes with daily themes, prompts and guides.

    Note: •The prompts serve as a guide and are open to creative interpretation, with the weekend prompts being an optional extra. 💪
    •Some days have additional prompts to help explore the impact of blogging in Africa. 🌍

    WinterABC25 Blogging Impact Prompts

    2 JunHow much of African blogging is influenced by Western and Eastern Narratives  in Africa?
    3 JunWhat are the laws and acts in your country that are capable of hindering the growth as a Blogger or the laws and acts that can propel your blogging career.
    5 JunIf a blogger were a Minister for Information, Communication and Technology and Media Communications what policies would they put in place to support the growth of blogging and where would they get the money or resources for the success of those policies?
    23 JunOn sustainability as a blogger, do self-assessment of yourself and your blogging industry on how sustainable you think your blogging will be and what elements will determine the success of that sustainability and the decline of your blogging
    25
    Jun
    What role do Bloggers have in Africa’s Agenda 2063 and does Agenda 2063 represent all African interests or the elite of African politics, and how does sovereignty hinder Agenda 2063.
    28
    Jun
    What role do African Bloggers play in the success of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that should be achieved by 2030?

    WinterABC Badges 🏆

    Whats a blogging challenge without something shiny? There will be badges awarded for various milestones and achievements including:
    • First-time participants of WinterABC 🏅
    • Streak Milestones 📈
    •Halfway Milestone 🕧
    •Completion 💪🏽

    Are you ready for WinterABC? Sign up on the button below:


  • Reigniting the Passion: An Invitation to African Creatives for the 2025 Winter African Blogging Challenge

    For many years, the Winter African Blogging Challenge (#WinterABC), has been a lively tribute to African storytelling. Each June, bloggers, podcasters, vloggers, photographers, and various artists unite to present their distinct viewpoints, weaving depths of stories that amplify our continent’s voice.

    Nevertheless, in recent years, some bloggers have been reluctant to engage, feeling that the pool of topics has run dry. They argue that the prompts appear repetitive and there’s little new to investigate. According to the feedback we received and reviewed.

    But is that truly the case? With Africa being as diverse and vibrant as it is, our narratives are far from being exhausted—they’re simply waiting for fresh perspectives, courageous voices, and innovative minds to bring them forward.

    As we reach April 2025, specifically April 6, an exhilarating opportunity is approaching. As a community we are gearing up for #WinterABC in June 2025, and this time, the power lies with you.

    Creatives from all over Africa—whether you write, capture images, produce videos, or create podcasts—have until mid-May to propose topics that spark your enthusiasm.

    The final prompts will be revealed by May 15, 2025, crafted to motivate all of us to produce meaningful content throughout June. This isn’t solely a challenge; it’s a chance to redefine African storytelling and adapt it to a rapidly evolving world.

    The charm of #WinterABC lies in its adaptability. It’s not about recycling old ideas but about formulating prompts that resonate with our current experiences—subjects that mirror the essence of Africa in 2025. Think outside the box. What’s trending in your community right now? How are young Africans confronting the hurdles of technology, climate change, or cultural transformations? What forgotten histories, rising trends, or personal narratives deserve attention? This is your moment to propose something innovative and thrilling—prompts that inspire you to delve deep, reflect, and create.

    Consider topics like the rise of eco-friendly fashion in Lagos, the impact of AI on rural education in Kenya, or the revival of traditional recipes in Tunisian households. The aim is straightforward: to encourage Africa to articulate its stories, in all their rawness and richness.

    Don’t allow the fear of repetition to deter you. The last few years may have raised doubts, but a quick look at social media discussions indicates there’s a vibrant desire for creativity.

    African creatives are brimming with ideas—they just require a little encouragement to express them. You have all of April and part of May to generate ideas. Contact Afrobloggers with your suggestions via social media or through their official channels. Put forward prompts that intrigue you, ones you’d be excited to explore through a blog post, podcast episode, vlog, or photo essay. It’s not about being flawless; it’s about engaging and challenging norms.

    The #WinterABC is more than just a challenge—it’s a movement. It’s a venue for connection, learning, and growth while showcasing Africa’s limitless creativity. So, let’s dispel the notion that every topic has already been explored. Your voice is essential, and your story deserves to be told. Let’s turn June 2025 into a season for bold, fresh narratives that resonate throughout the continent and beyond. Share your topics now—Africa is listening! Engaging and challenging norms.

    The #WinterABC is more than just a challenge—it’s a movement. It’s a venue for connection, learning, and growth while showcasing Africa’s limitless creativity. So, let’s dispel the notion that every topic has already been explored. Your voice is essential, and your story deserves to be told. Let’s turn June 2025 into a season for bold, fresh narratives that resonate throughout the continent and beyond. Share your topics now—Africa is listening!

    You can send your suggestions

    ab@afrobloggers.org

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Women Who Move Mountains – Amplifying African Women’s Voices

    Last month, we explored love as Africa’s heartbeat. This March, we focus on the powerful force that shapes our continents and cultures: African women. From the quiet strength of grandmothers to the groundbreaking strides of innovators, women have always moved mountains—often without fanfare. This month, we amplify their stories; when African women speak, the world must listen.

    Week 1: Unsung Heroines Every community holds unsung heroines—the women whose names may not make headlines but whose impact echoes through generations. This week, honor the matriarchs, aunties, teachers, and neighbors who shaped your world. Did your mother work double shifts to keep dreams alive? Does a local healer hold your village together? Share their legacy. Tell us about the woman who taught you resilience through her silence or the one whose laughter became your shelter. These stories are not just tributes; they prove that heroism thrives in everyday acts.

    Week 2: Women in STEM/Arts African women are rewriting narratives in labs, studios, and stages. This week, spotlight a visionary merging code and culture, a painter challenging stereotypes, or a doctor revolutionizing rural healthcare. Interview a trailblazer or profile her journey—how did she navigate barriers? What fuels her defiance? Whether it’s a musician preserving traditions or an engineer building smart cities, let’s celebrate the audacity of African women claiming space in fields that once excluded them.

    Week 3: Letters to My Younger Self. In the third week, we embrace vulnerability. Write a letter to the girl you once were—the one who doubted her voice, her beauty, her worth. What would you tell her about the woman she’d become? Perhaps it’s a reassurance that her curls are crowns, her accent a symphony. Maybe it’s a lesson from heartbreak that taught her resilience. These letters are not just personal healing; they are lifelines for girls still navigating self-doubt. Your words could be the mirror another woman needs to see her strength.

    Week 4: Men as Allies Progress isn’t a solo journey. This week, we invite men to the conversation. Guest posts by fathers, brothers, or colleagues—how do they actively uplift women? Share stories of men dismantling stereotypes, advocating for equality at work, or raising daughters to shatter ceilings. This isn’t about applause; it’s about accountability. How can men move from bystanders to allies? Let’s explore partnerships that fuel collective growth.

    Africa’s history is incomplete without its women. By sharing their stories, we challenge erasure and inspire the next generation. Whether through a blog, podcast, or vlog, your contributions add to an ever-growing tapestry of truth. Tag #SheMovesMountainsMar and @Afrobloggers to amplify your voice.

    This March, let’s turn whispers into roars. Pick a prompt, break the silence, and remind the world: African women don’t just move mountains—they birth them.Your pen (or mic) is power. Let’s use it. Afrobloggers Community: Walking Beside You, Always.#SheMovesMountainsMar #ReclaimOurNarratives2025

  • February 2025: Let’s Redefine Love (And Amplify Africa’s Stories)

    This Month’s Theme: “Love in All Its Forms” – Because Africa’s Heartbeat Goes Beyond Romance

    Dear Storytellers,

    Last month, we asked you to dig into your roots. This February, we’re turning to something even more universal yet deeply personal: LOVE. But forget the clichés – we’re here to celebrate love in its rawest, most revolutionary forms.

    As promised in this piece, Afrobloggers is rolling out 2025’s monthly themes to keep your creativity ablaze. This month, we’re tearing up the rulebook on love because in Africa, love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an act of resistance, resilience, and reclamation.

    February 2025 Theme: “Love in All Its Forms” #AfricanLoveFeb Love isn’t confined to roses and rom-coms. Let’s redefine it through stories that honor:

    – Friendships that feel like family,

    – Self-love as a daily rebellion,

    – Community bonds that move mountains,

    – Love for our land as an ancestral duty.

    Your Weekly Prompts: We’ll amplify every blog, podcast, or vlog tagged #AfricanLoveFeb!

    Week 1 (Feb 1–7): Platonic Love Chronicles “Friendship stories that saved (or shook) you.”

    – Did a friend become your lifeline during a crisis?

    – Ever had a friendship break-up that taught you about boundaries?

    – Share a tribute to your ride-or-die squad.

    Week 2 (Feb 8–14): Self-Love Diaries

    “Mental health, routines, and reclaiming your worth.”

    – How do you silence self-doubt in a world that undervalues African voices?

    – What’s your unapologetic self-care ritual? (Hint: It doesn’t need to be “aesthetic”!)

    – Write a love letter to your younger self.

    Week 3 (Feb 15–21): Community Love “Local heroes and collective efforts rewriting Africa’s future.”

    – Spotlight a neighbor, teacher, or grassroots group making change.

    – Share a time your community rallied together (protests, festivals, disasters).

    – Why is “Ubuntu” more than just a buzzword?

    Week 4 (Feb 22–28): Love for the Land “Environmental activism rooted in African soil.”

    – Document a local conservation effort.

    – Rant about climate injustice – then pivot to solutions.

    – How do your ancestors’ farming practices inform eco-love today?

    Why Your Voice Matters. We’re not just curating prompts, we’re building an archive of African truths. Your stories will challenge stereotypes (No, we’re not “just” trauma and sunsets), Inspire others to pick up their pens or mics, Prove that love in all its messy, mighty forms is Africa’s superpower.

    This February Challenge yourself by picking a prompt (or tackle all four!). Create fearlessly, it could be just a 300-word blog, a 5-minute podcast, a photo essay, everything counts. Share with #AfricanLoveFeb #ReclaimOurNarratives2025 and most importantly Tag @Afrobloggers.

  • It’s Not Too Late to Reclaim Your Story in 2025!

    Afrobloggers is here to reignite your creative fire. Let’s amplify Africa together.

    Dear Storytellers,

    January has been and gone, yet your voice can still be heard. If you haven’t blogged, vlogged, or podcasted as yet this year, let this be your sign. I confess it: as your Community Manager, I’ve lost sleep over the silence where vibrant African stories ought to thrive. But 2025 is our year to rewrite that narrative.

    Afrobloggers’ 2025 Pledge to You

    This year, we’re not just going to operate like any other forum; we’re your accountability partners. Every month, we’ll serve up themes and prompts to spark your creativity, and we’ll nudge-or lovingly push-you to share your unique perspective. Missed January? No guilt! Dive into any month’s themes-your story is timeless.

    The 2025 Campaign: ”Reclaiming Our Narratives” and the Goal is Consistency over perfection. We want to always celebrate Africa’s everyday magic through blogs, videos, or podcasts. #ReclaimOurNarratives2025

    We would wish for your 2025 Storytelling Roadmap to be modeled on this sneak peek of themes to jolt your creativity. No more blank-page anxiety – we’ve got prompts for you! January Recap: Roots & Routes

    (Still time to tackle these!)

    – “My Name, My Story” – What’s in your name?

    – “Family Traditions That Shaped Me” – Recipes, rituals, or rebellions?

    – “A Place That Feels Like Home” – City, memory, or person?

    – “The African Diaspora Experience” – Continents connected.

    #RootsAndRoutesJan

    For February and beyond Themes to Light Up Your Year

    – February: Love in All Its Forms – Friendships, self-love, community.

    – March: Women Who Move Mountains – Unsung heroines, future leaders.

    – April: Future Forward – Tech, Afrofuturism, and AI debates.

    Why Join Now?

    – No Pressure, Just Passion: Write 10 words or 1,000. Record a 2-minute vlog. Every effort counts.

    – Community Over Competition: We’ll amplify your work across our networks.

    – Structured Creativity: There are weekly prompts, so no more “I don’t know what to write!”

    We Are in This Together

    This year, I will be in your DMs, comments, and inboxes-not to nag you but to remind you that your story is needed-now more than ever in Africa.

    Let’s make 2025 the year we drown out the silence with our collective voice.

    Your pen-or mic-is power. Let’s use it.

    Afrobloggers Community is Your Biggest Cheerleader

    P.S. Catch our daily tweets filled with questions that get you thinking, writing sprints, and shootouts to inspire. Miss a week? Jump back in at any time. We’re in it for the marathon, not the sprint.

  • Book Review: When It All Falls Down

    BY CHINEDU ACHEBE

    When It All Falls Down Chinedu Achebe

    Life isn’t fair, but humans are the fools for believing that.

    When It All Falls Down is the sequel to The Miseducation of Obi Ifeanyi by the author Chinedu Achebe. A book that highlights the events of the worst time of this decade in America and across the world.
    The book explores the life ofthe protagonist Obi Ifeanyiwho is coping with a plethora of issues which include reaching his 40s, different family dynamics, the memories of the Nigeria-Biafra War, the impact of the deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant

    and Chadwick Boseman, loss due to COVID-19, the reality of being a black person in America and American politics, to name a few.

    Obi, now a father of two, Ike (10) and Chimamanda (4) face the challenge of losing his job during COVID-19 and how it affected every aspect of his family’s lives. The writer centres on the emotional and psychological effects of how people lost their loved ones, jobs, recreational places and communities. The effects of a workplace being a resting place made life monotonous and disabled people’s agency leading to strife in marriages, children and individuals. Achebe foregrounded this topic through Obi and his wife Nkechi’s marriage and his parent’s marriage. Ijeoma, Obi’s mom decides to leave her husband after holding on to so much pain from his betrayal in thefirst book, but ends up going back.

    Obi’s marriage went through a challenge when he was diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, which is quite common as men get older and has a plethora of causes including stress. Despite it being a sore topic amongst men, Obi confided in his friend/step-brother-in-law, Zik who seems to be going through the same thing. The author explores friendship and what it looks like between men and women. Through the protagonist, we observe how he ponders the effects of friendship and how it needs effort to work just as in any relationship. He sees how his sister, Chinwe and his wife, canfind comfort, laughter and ease in friendships because they can express themselves and also put in the work by cultivating these relationships. Albeit the opposite for men, who rarely share their aches and thoughts and the disadvantages of that approach.

    Politics and The Black Lives movement were integral topics in the book. Obi and his wife face subtle racism in the workplace and observe that white liberals think that because they read books and think pieces by black people like James Baldwin, Bell Hook, and Ibram Kendi, believe they understand the black struggle but their whiteness prevents them from that. This is an issue that is very prevalent in the West and rings true in the UK too. The protagonist believes whiteness does not disappear due to a person’s political choice. This book also reflects the current times in America, we see history repeating itself as they are living the same presidency as we speak. It was a scary coincidence because the character had predicted that the people would vote for said candidate again. The killing of black people was also a very important topic and heavy in the book, the death of George Floyd was one which affected even us in the UK. Obi and Nkechi having to sit down with their children and talk to them about racism and taking them to marches at a young age, was quite eye-opening because I do not think it is a subject that is not easy to bring up. As a parent, you try to shield and protect your child’s innocence but that is not a reality for most black people in the West.

    There were so many topics which I wish the author had probed more on which I feel were glazed over. For example, Obi’s son Ike feels a bit left out when he sees his parents play with his little sister. I would have loved to know more about that dynamic and how it would have brought the family together and dealt with how at times older siblings feel neglected. Achebe talks about how most people from the boomer generation, tend to stay in their marriages despite the discomfort. They have learnt the art of endurance and this is something most of us witness in our day-to-day life. I wish the author had expanded more on the topic and explored the nitty-gritty of the topic outside of comfort and familiarity. Sibling dynamics of both the older generation and younger generations were touched on but there was a gap that left me as the reader with a lot of questions.

    I found the style of writing quite “matter of factly”, it lacked the emotional aspect even during intimate or vulnerable scenes. It covers a lot of important topics but I feel the author was holding back on certain scenes, which may result in the reader not remembering them.
    If you love contemporaryfiction which highlights integral subjects such as politics, the Nigeria-Biafra War, loss, Black Lives Matter and family dynamics that are complex due to distance or miscommunication, I reckon you will enjoy it but be sure to read the prequel first!

    ABOUT AUTHOR

    CHINEDU ACHEBE is a Nigerian American author who was born in Richmond, Virginia. Chinedu graduated from the
    University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. He published his first book, Blunted on Reality in 2012. Chinedu published his second book, The Miseducation of Obi Ifeanyi in 2017. Chinedu was the recipient of the 2023 Independent Press Award in the category of African American fiction for the title. He currently resides in Houston, Texas with his wife and children.
    Instagram: Chinedu Achebe


    This article was written by Rudo Manyere, Author and African Lit Reviewer. You can find her other reviews on YouTube: What’s Rudo Reading?

  • Setting Ambitious Yet Realistic Goals for African Content Creators in 2025 while Striking the Balance for Growth and Well-Being

    In a fast paced and ever changing arena of African literature and digital content creation, setting the right goals is important for content creators aiming to make a meaningful impact. As we approach 2025, it’s essential for African bloggers and all kinds of content creators to seriously move away from easy, complacent targets and embrace more ambitious yet attainable objectives. This approach not only fosters personal and professional growth but also sustains mental well-being, ensuring that the creative spirit remains vibrant and resilient.

    The easy goals we set will always have pitfalls. Many content creators, whether part time hobby like or the seasoned, often fall into the trap of setting easily achievable goals. These targets will in the first place be appealing and motivating, can easily lead to stagnation and a lack of fulfillment. The assumption that lower goals are preferable for maintaining morale is misleading. Research indicates that, in certain contexts, higher goals can be perceived as more attainable and appealing than their easier counterparts. This misunderstanding stems from a deeper understanding of human psychology and the intrinsic desire for meaningful achievement.

    A study conducted through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform revealed that participants often view modest improvement goals as more achievable and satisfying than maintaining the status quo. When presented with both status quo and modest improvement goals simultaneously, participants favored the latter, anticipating greater satisfaction from achieving modest positive changes despite recognizing their higher difficulty. This finding underscores the importance of setting goals that challenge us to grow while remaining within the realm of possibility.

    African Content creators face unique challenges that necessitate a strategic approach to goal-setting. For example limited access to resources and support systems can hinder the ability to produce quality work consistently.

    Financial constraints often restrict opportunities for growth and exposure on a global stage another challenge that we should never overlook. The reality is that Africa in general lacks substantial investment in the creative sectors which blocks any potential for large-scale projects and international collaborations. Then the elephant in the room is a cultural aspect. It’s common knowledge that certain professions, such as blogging, vlogging, and podcasting, are still undervalued in many parts of the continent, discouraging young talent from pursuing these paths.

    For African content creators, setting ambitious goals is not about setting oneself up for failure but about pushing boundaries and unlocking potential. This can be attempted through putting in place strategies like Consistency Over Quantity, Engage with Peers, Diversify Content, Set Incremental Goals and Leverage Technology.

    Bloggers should aim at producing a set number of pieces each year, such as twelve (12) articles, to maintain a steady presence without overwhelming themselves. Consistency builds credibility and a loyal audience. It’s should be a must to collaborate with fellow writers, bloggers, and content creators. Interaction fosters a sense of community and opens doors to new opportunities. Engaging with others’ work can also inspire and enhance your own.

    Experiment with different formats blogs, vlogs, podcasts to find what resonates most with your audience. Diversification keeps your work fresh and expands your reach. Break down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach makes ambitious goals less daunting and more achievable, ensuring steady progress without burnout.

    Utilize digital tools and platforms to streamline your workflow and increase productivity. Technology can bridge gaps caused by limited resources and enhance the quality of your output. Today everyone blogger can spend $ 8 a month to use AI as their personal assistant for starters.

    While striving for higher goals, it’s crucial to put first mental health to sustain long-term creativity and productivity. Content creators should make it a routine to allocate time for relaxation and hobbies to prevent burnout. A well-rested mind is more creative and resilient. Balancing work and rest should not be a myth but a reality in this craft.

    Content creators are believed to be knowledgeable and they should never hesitate to reach out to mentors, peers, or mental health professionals when feeling overwhelmed. Support systems are vital for maintaining mental well-being. Afrobloggers has for the last half a decade worked to put in place a support system that can address such situations.

    In our content we encourage our readers to practice Mindfulness and so should we. We should embrace techniques such as meditation because mindfulness can help manage stress and maintain focus. A clear mind enhances creativity and decision-making and this is no brainer.

    You should from time to time acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This practice boosts morale and reinforces positive habits. So please celebrate all the small wins that come your way in 2025, share these moments with those who under you and are close to you.

    You should from time to time acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This practice boosts morale and reinforces positive habits. So please celebrate all the small wins that come your way in 2025, share these moments with those who under you and are close to you.

    As African content creators set their sights on 2025, embracing Pan-Africanism can provide a unifying framework for collective growth. Pan-Africanism emphasizes solidarity among African nations and the sharing of resources, knowledge, and opportunities. By fostering regional collaboration, African content creators can amplify their voices and create a more cohesive and influential literary community. Seek out for more organization that are trans-African like Afrobloggers.

    To effectively set and achieve ambitious yet realistic goals, consider aspects like defining clear objectives, creating timelines, seeking feedback, investing in Skills development at every given opportunity and building a personal brand.

    It’s critical to Identify what you want to achieve by the end of 2025. Whether it’s publishing a certain number of articles, expanding your audience, or mastering a new content format, clarity is key. That’s how Bloggers transform into publishers. Develop a timeline with specific milestones. This structure helps track progress and stay motivated. Dividing your work plan into quarters has been established to be very helpful.

    From time to time try to seek feedback from your audience and peers. Constructive criticism can guide improvements and ensure your work remains relevant and impactful. Also continuously improve your skills through workshops, courses, and self-study. Enhanced skills lead to higher quality work and greater opportunities. Today we have Eworkshops and all kinds of online events across the world that are available for our taking.

    Lastly establish a strong personal brand that reflects your unique voice and values. A recognizable brand attracts a dedicated following and opens up new avenues for collaboration and then the opportunities became limitless.

    As we navigate the complexities of the African creative landscape, setting ambitious yet realistic goals is essential for growth and sustainability. By embracing higher targets, African writers can achieve greater satisfaction and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. Maintaining mental well-being ensures that this journey is not only productive but also fulfilling.

    Embrace the challenge, strive for excellence, and let your passion drive you toward a prosperous and impactful 2025. Together, African content creators can transform the narrative, breaking free from constraints and showcasing the continent’s rich and diverse voices to the world.