RED CARPET | 19/09/24 | SUPER HD
Metadata
- RED CARPET | 19/09/24 | SUPER HD
- September 19, 2024
- Content Type Program
- Language English
- Transcript/Script EDITED: 09/16/2024 Vincent Makori Hello and Welcome to VOA’s Red Carpet, I am Jackson Mvunganyi. This week on the Red Carpet we chat with the creators of Kunda Kids, a TV series that caters to African kids born in the diaspora. The Paris Olympics have just ended, but some diehard fans are already planning for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California, we follow the story of Viviane Robinson an Olympics superfan. A program in Harlem, led by a local who nearly missed their opportunity in the fashion industry, is harnessing community talent to address the lack of progress in promoting minorities within New York City's global fashion scene. We got those stories plus, For the first time in over 20 years, two American semifinalists appeared in both the men's and women's tournaments at the U.S. Open, including Sierra Leonian American Frances Tiafoe. TRENDING: This year's 25th edition of the Woodstower Music Festival in Miribel, near Lyon, France, was an unforgettable four-day celebration of rap and electro music. The festival was headlined by some of the biggest names in French-speaking rap, including Senegalese-born rapper S. Pri Noir, known for his rise from the underground scene in 2008 to becoming the first French rapper to represent luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent. CULTURE: KUNDA AND FRIENDS African children born in the diaspora often face challenges in connecting with their culture and traditions. The creators of the popular YouTube series Kunda and Friends are addressing this by producing engaging children's content designed to help young Africans abroad reconnect with their heritage. Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi tells VOA’s Jackson Mvunganyi that the series offers stories and lessons about African culture, providing much-needed representation and fostering cultural pride among diaspora youth. // Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi – Co-creator Kunda Kids// “So Kunda and friends is a project that we created at Kunda Kids, which is a company that my husband and I, who's also my co-founder, created so as new parents in 2020, we had our son and a big mixed heritage, Nigerian and Ugandan. We really wanted to be able to find. Content for him that celebrated his heritage, that was educational, that was uplift. Saying, but unfortunately a lot of that really wasn't available and we didn't see it and struggle to find it. So when we would be watching YouTube shows when we would be trying to find books and resources for our son, we were like. Not only where are the black people? Where is the representation of African heritage and how is my son supposed to see himself through the content that he watches” Narration: With that in mind, Louisa and her husband decided that the best course forward was to develop a TV show that catered to the educational needs of their child but with the idea of expanding it for the benefit of the millions of African kids born in the diaspora // It's a very East meets West story with my husband and I coming together. And we wanted young people to know that Africa is not a country, right. I think quite often Africa is represented especially to children as some homogeneous thing that's the same. It's just safaris and animals. And I do a lot of work and engagement work in schools with educators and children. And I still get asked sometimes by children. Do do people wear shoes in Africa? Do they sleep with lions? Do we sleep in huts and there is not an awareness that you know, there's so much technological innovation coming out of Africa that Africa is a continent? Is so influential to the development even that we see in the West. So we really wanted to rewrite that for the next generation of global citizens when we see children running around, I think we don't realise that they're going to be the decision makers for us in our old age and in order for them to be well informed. And and to be confident and and make the right decisions. Then we have to give them the right information. //Jackson// And the right resources. So why did you choose to focus on African history and culture in in a preschool series and. How do you? Ensure that these themes resonate with these young audiences. Narration: Well, Children's Media is their window to the world, so it is how they learn about other people and places that are beyond their immediate sort of circle of influence. So it's how they learn about different countries, different people, different foods, different cultures. Media is a window. Television, books, Radio is a window to the world, and if they are lacking in information about anywhere, whether it's Africa, whether it's the Americas, whether it's Europe, they will not have a complete story of the world that they live in. So we just knew that. When it comes to Africa and when it comes to children, that there is a disconnect in modern, high quality progressive stories and content. And as a parent as well, I've listened to countless songs, from whether it's baby shark or whether it's Coco melon. We we go crazy having to listen to these nursery rhymes again and again and again. And I thought, how can we make children's music really fun and a vibe for Mom and Dad, aunties and uncles, grandparents as well. So we took traditional nursery rhymes, sprinkled it with some AMA piano Afro beats influence which, you know, enables us to still do the storytelling. Still educate children, but do it in a fun way that feels good for everybody in the household and that celebrates Africa. SPORTS: HEAD: Where Tiafoe learned how to play tennis ((INTRO)) [[For the first time in over 20 years, there were two American semifinalists in both men’s and women’s tournaments at the U.S. Open. One of them was Frances Tiafoe, an alumnus of the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland. VOA Russian visited the center, where Tiafoe still trains between tennis tournaments. Rafael Saakov and Karina Bafradzhian have the story, narrated by Anna Rice]] ((NARRATOR)) Here, on the courts of the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, or JTCC, then four-year-old Frances Tiafoe learned how to play tennis. The son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Tiafoe and his twin brother, Franklin, spent hours practicing here multiple days a week. Their father, who helped build the center, later got a job as a janitor. For more than a decade the Tiafoe family slept in one of the offices, recalls one of Tiafoe’s coaches and senior director of player development at JTCC Alisama Agnamba. ((Alisama Agnamba, JTCC Player Development)) ((Male, ENG)) ((00:14)) “When I first got here 20-something years ago, Frances’s dad obviously worked here, and Frances automatically started playing tennis as a young kid, and he fell in love with the sport since then.” ((NARRATOR)) Tiafoe has come a long way, and Friday’s place at the U.S. Open semifinals was his second in New York and at Grand Slam tournaments in general. He’s only the fourth American tennis player since 2000 who has managed to do that – after Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Andy Roddick. Two years ago, ((Mandatory courtesy: USA Today Sports + Reuters)) when Tiafoe defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal, he became the first Black man to advance ((End courtesy)) to a U.S. Open semifinal since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Tiafoe did it on the main court bearing Ashe’s name. ((Aisha Henderson, Former JTCC Summer Assistant Coach)) ((Female, ENG)) “It was pretty much always apparent that he was a huge talent while I was here. I would hear so many accolades from the coaches that worked with him.” ((NARRATOR)) While in women’s tournaments, sisters Serena and Venus Williams have long set the winning tone, there have been fewer such talented players among African American men. Even now, despite world fame and being one of the main characters of Netflix’s ((Mandatory courtesy: Break Point Official Trailer/Netflix + YouTube Logo)) docuseries about tennis players called “Break Point,” Tiafoe – currently ranked 20th in the ((End courtesy)) world – doesn’t forget the place where it all began. ((Alisama Agnamba, JTCC Player Development)) ((Male, ENG)) ((02:38)) “This is Frances’ home. He is always here. When he’s in Maryland, this is where he spends time. He loves coming here, playing with some of our top juniors and signing autographs for the young." ((NARRATOR)) Junior players say it’s amazing to hang out with the famous JTCC alum. ((Legan Thomas, JTCC Junior Player)) ((Male, ENG)) ((00:14)) “He’s a really good inspiration for everyone in the academy. When he comes, everybody comes to see him train! He’s always very positive to everybody!” ((Kalista Papadopoulos, JTCC Junior Player)) ((Female, ENG)) ((00:34)) “Everyone can see he has so much fun on the court, and it’s so exciting to watch him play! And he’s a great guy in general!” ((NARRATOR)) Inspiring the next generation while adding to his own legacy, Tiafoe is still pursuing his dreams. ((For Rafael Saakov and Karina Bafradzhian in College Park, Maryland, Anna Rice, VOA News.)) FASHION: US HARLEM FASHION TAILOR ((INTRO)) [[New York City is one of the fashion capitals of the world, but the industry has made fewer strides in advancing and promoting minorities. In the uptown neighborhood of Harlem, a program is tapping into community talent, led by a local who almost missed out on the industry entirely. Tina Trinh reports.]] ((BROLL man seated at sewing machine, CU thread and fabric)) ((NATS)) “When I sit at the sewing machine or if I'm at the table working on something, I'm in my sanctuary. I've grown to really, really love... ((Henry Smith OC)) what I do. I don't like it, I love it.” ((NARRATOR)) ((BROLL man working on garment, spools of thread in foreground)) Henry Smith is a master tailor and sewing instructor in New York City. As a young man growing up in Harlem, it’s work he never imagined for himself. ((Henry Smith, Tailor)) “I was at church one Sunday morning and this lady came up to me and she asked me if I wanted to learn how to sew. I’m like, ‘No, I don't want to learn how to sew because sewing is for girls.’” ((BROLL Smith stands at table, cuts fabric)) ((NARRATOR)) The offer came at a time when life at home had become difficult. His father had remarried after his mother’s death, and Smith’s relationship with him and his stepmother had grown estranged. ((Henry Smith, Tailor)) “I was angry. Very, very angry. So much to the point that I had made it up in my mind that I needed both of them to feel the hurt that I was feeling … and this was on a Friday that I came up with this idea that when I left the house Monday morning to go to school that I was going to commit a very heinous act.” ((BROLL Smith seated at sewing machine, sewing patterns hang on hook)) ((NARRATOR)) But that Sunday at church when a congregant saw a different future for Smith, she offered to pay for a local tailoring program. ((Henry Smith, Tailor)) “She said ‘Baby, I looked into your eyes from across the church and I saw something in your eyes that said if somebody didn't intervene in your life, you was going to make a mistake that was going to cost you your life itself.’ And she wasn't lying.” ((BROLL suit with threading on fashion form)) ((NARRATOR)) Smith studied at the Manhattanville Needle Trade School opened by... ((STILL man posing at sewing table)) ((Mandatory CG: Jeanne Noonan, New York Daily News)) Marion Anderson, the first African American licensed to teach tailoring in New York City. ((End Courtesy)) ((Henry Smith, Tailor)) “He was everything that I needed. You know, he was the counselor, he was my father, he was my mentor, he was my friend. And with that relationship, it changed my mindset as to what I was going to do the very next day.” ((NARRATOR)) Smith now has his own custom tailoring business in Harlem, a predominantly African-American neighborhood in New York. He’s also teaching the next generation of seamsters at So-Harlem, a business incubator for local creatives and entrepreneurs. It’s a vital addition to New York’s fashion scene, ((BROLL models walking runway)) ((Video Source: AFP)) known the world over for its influence, but notably lacking in its diversity. ((End Courtesy)) ((BROLL Smith with students, surrounding work table)) One of the main causes is a lack of mentors and sponsorships for minorities. But not in this corner of the city. For Smith, giving back is personal. ((Henry Smith, Tailor)) “I embrace people based on my past, based on how I got to be where I am, because you never know what someone comes into this atmosphere with.” ((BROLL student drafts pattern)) ((NARRATOR)) Giving others an opportunity that could make all the difference, much like the one given to him over 30 years ago. For this accomplished tailor, it’s a life dedicated to helping others … fashion theirs. ((Tina Trinh, VOA News, New York.)) SPECIAL REPORT: US OLYMPICS FAN Paris flame barely extinguished, 'superfan' readies for next Summer Olympics ((INTRO)) [[The Paris Olympics have just ended, but some diehard fans are already planning for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California. Vivianne Robinson is one of them. The self-described Olympics superfan has been following the Games' flame all over the world. Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]] ((NARRATION)) An Olympics superfan, California native Vivianne Robinson gets recognized by people visiting her state from all over the world. Jade, visiting from France, is an admirer. ((Jade, French Tourist)) ((Female, ENG)) “I saw her in TikTok – I saw the video, it’s cool, so I wanted to take a picture with her!” ((NARRATION)) She calls herself the Olympics’ biggest fan – and dresses the part. The Paris ((Mandatory courtesy: Olympicsuperfan + Instagram Logo)) Olympics were her seventh Games – and she made headlines while visiting. ((End courtesy)) [[agency video and pics from French media]] ((Vivianne Robinson, Olympics Superfan)) ((ENG)) “The ones I’ve been to are Australia, Athens, London, Rio, Los Angeles, Atlanta and France. // ((Mandatory courtesy: Olympicsuperfan + Instagram Logo)) Seven Olympics! // Every second, people on the street would stop me and say, ’I saw you on Instagram!’ ‘I saw you on TikTok!,’ ‘I saw you on the news!’" ((End courtesy)) It was just unbelievable!” ((NARRATION)) Robinson lives in Los Angeles and has been in love with the Olympics since 1984. ((Vivianne Robinson, Olympics Superfan)) ((ENG)) “In 1984, my mom was a volunteer at the LA Olympics. She used to take the press to meet the athletes and translate into and from French, and she would bring home pins for me – and then I started getting addicted to pin collecting. // That’s how it started. And the one day I saw on the news people were pin trading in Atlanta, and I decided to go to Atlanta with no place to stay, nothing, I just took off!” ((NARRATION)) Robinson knew she had to go to the Paris Olympics, so she worked two jobs and saved her money. Finally, she had enough to live her dream. ((Vivianne Robinson, Olympics Superfan)) ((ENG)) “It was a lot of money, but I wasn’t going to miss it, it was worth it! The opening ceremony, I paid like $1600 – I never spent that much money for one ticket! And I was sitting on the bridge, Pont Royale, and it started pouring rain. // I was expecting a big show, a boat and entertainment, fireworks, anything! And… nothing!” ((NARRATION)) Robinson says she’s ecstatic the next Summer Olympics are going to be in her home city of Los Angeles. It’s less expensive for her, and the weather is pretty much guaranteed to be sunny! ((For Angelina Bagdasaryan in Los Angeles, California, Anna Rice, VOA News)) GOODBYE: Thanks for watching VOA’s Red Carpet. I’m your host for today, Jackson Mvunganyi. For more entertainment news, visit www.voaafrica.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Until next time, goodbye everyone!
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Topic Tags SUPER HD
- Subtitles / Dubbing Available No
- Program Name Red Carpet
- Network VOA
- Expiration Date October 20, 2024 23:59 EDT
- Embargo Date September 19, 2024 07:59 EDT
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America - Africa