Welcome to Vol 127 of The Spread!
Hello and welcome back to The Spread; your weekly edit of all the best stories and global news about Africans shaping mainstream culture.
Now, on to the real peel 👇
FEATURE STORY
Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Place Expands to London with African Film and Culture Hub
Mo Abudu is taking African storytelling to new heights. The media mogul recently announced that her company, EbonyLife Group, has secured a prime location on London’s Wandsworth Road. Situated near the West End and the American Embassy, this new space offers breathtaking views of the city. But more than the location, it’s the vision behind it that’s truly exciting.
Set to launch in late 2025, EbonyLife Place London will be a groundbreaking cultural and creative hub dedicated to showcasing African talent. It will provide filmmakers, artists, musicians, fashion designers, and other creatives with a space to display their work, expand their reach, and build global connections.
At the heart of the project is EbonyLife Cinemas London, the first African cinema in the city, offering a dedicated space for Nollywood and African film premieres. Food lovers will get to experience Turaka London, a vibrant Nigerian restaurant bringing bold flavours to the UK. The space will also feature art exhibitions, highlighting African artists, and a fashion retail section, showcasing top designers from the continent.
With this expansion, Mo Abudu is creating a global stage for African creativity, reinforcing her commitment to amplifying African voices and culture. London is about to experience something truly special.
🔥 Trending Stories
- Stormzy to receive honorary Cambridge University doctorate, via The Guardian
- The Risky Boys Are Turning Cairo’s Vibrant Energy Into Viral Fashion Shows, via OkayAfrica
- David Kusi Boye-Doe is The First LVMH Prize Semi-Finalist From Ghana, via OkayAfrica
- Adedayo Agarau’s Debut Poetry Collection, “The Years of Blood”, Set for Release by Fordham University Press, via Afrocritik
- Simi Celebrates Women’s History Month With “Woman To Woman” Video, via Culture Custodian
- South Sudanese Sprinter Gout Gout Runs Fastest 200 Meters Time in the World This Year, via OkayAfrica
- Quadri Aruna Reclaims His Spot as Africa’s No. 1 Table Tennis Player, via BellaNaija
⏳ Trivia Time
Before becoming a media mogul, Mo Abudu had a successful career in which field?
A) Journalism
B) Human Resources
C) Fashion Design
D) Event Planning
Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.
ICYMI
🧭 Guide: Naledi Modupi Creates Art as a Celebration of Strength, Vulnerability and Beauty
Our next incredible IWD feature is Naledi Tshegofatso Modupi. Naledi is a South African artist and illustrator whose work boldly explores black womanhood, identity and the strength of African women. Known for her bold use of continuous lines and colour, her style is distinct, with a focus on the digital medium, she creates works that are both visually dynamic and deeply symbolic. Her journey, which began in her South African community, has taken her across the world, with her art showcased in cities like London, Cape Town, and Chicago.
In this interview, Naledi reflects on how her creativity was nurtured by her family and how discovering black female artists in high school sparked the idea that art could be her career. With a focus on both digital and traditional mediums, she discusses how her work serves as a tool for empowerment, particularly for African women, whose stories and experiences she brings to the forefront through her unique style.
What We're...
📰 Reading: Lagos Noir, edited by Chris Abani
🎧 Listening to: Painless Melody, by Braye
📺 Watching: How Nigerian singer Patoranking and a British army vet are driving change through philanthropy
🎟️ Booking: JAM: Nigerian Trivia Edition; A special edition of JAM to celebrate Nigerian pop culture, and designed to bring together the Marmalade community for a night of fun, connection and friendly competition.
👀 Eyeing: The limited-edition Kickers x MAINS collection, fronted by Creative Director and rapper, Skepta
We See YOU!
At Marmalade, we believe in celebrating all the incredible voices that make our community thrive. Are you a creative shaking up the scene, an entrepreneur building something bold, or a culture enthusiast with a story or two to tell? We'd like to hear from you!
Share Your Story👏 That's a wrap!
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