Welcome to Vol 122 of The Spread!

A big hello to our new (and returning) subscribers! If you didn't already know, The Spread is your weekly edit of the best stories and global news on Africans shaping mainstream culture.

February is already packing its bags–short, sweet, and leaving some people lovestruck while the rest of us side-eye couples soft-launching their relationships. If (like mine) your Valentine’s Day plans involved ignoring love songs and focusing on self-care, at least take notes from Tyla–because no one secures a bag, and a serve, quite like her. It feels like every other day, another African artist is making history, and honestly, I love that for us.

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Speaking of things to love, our virtual Member Mondays are finally kicking off on February 24th *insert excited scream* and we're looking forward to connecting with all of you. If you’re more of an in-person person, we're hosting IRL Meetup on February 21st, and trust me, you’ll want to be there.

Oh, and our Spotlight section is officially open! Keep reading to see our first feature.

Mary x

Now, on to the real peel 👇

FEATURE STORY

🏆 Grammy Award Winner Tyla Is The New Face Of Nike

TYLA ROCKING THE AIR MAX DN8: Courtesy of @tygerprint

Tyla is on a winning streak, and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Fresh off her Grammy win and turning heads with her Super Bowl look, the South African star is now making waves in the fashion world; this time with Nike.

The global sportswear giant has tapped her as its latest ambassador, placing her alongside music heavyweights like Travis Scott, Billie Eilish, and Drake. And even though details of the partnership largely remain under wraps, it’s clear that Nike is making a strategic play in Africa, and Tyla is the perfect fit, because her effortless ability to blend music, movement, and fashion has made her a global style icon.

With this deal, Tyla will join a growing list of South African stars who’ve worked with Nike, from DBN Gogo to PSL giants like Kaizer Chiefs. And it's clear that Nike sees what the world already knows: she’s got the talent, influence, and the star power to take them to the next level.

Read on The South African
Image Credit: NWE/ Instagram
Image Source: NotJustOk/Instagram

⏳ Trivia Time

Which South African city is Tyla from?


A) Cape Town
B) Durban
C) Johannesburg
D) Pretoria

Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.

ICYMI

🧭 Guide: Creating Home Away from Home: Inside ‘My Friend's House’ with Demilade

Image Credit: Demilade

When it comes to creating spaces where people feel instantly at home, Demilade has mastered the art. After living different lives as a lawyer in Lagos and a consultant in the U.S., she returned to Nigeria with a fresh vision—one that blended her love for intimate gatherings with the need for community.

And so, My Friend's House was born, a space where people can hang out, feel at ease, and connect without the formalities of traditional social settings. Described as a haven "for when you want to be at home but not in your own home," My Friend's House speaks to the heart of community and belonging, especially for those finding it hard to make new friends as adults.

Described as a haven "for when you want to be at home but not in your own home," My Friend's House speaks to the heart of community and belonging, especially for those finding it hard to make new friends as adults.

Read & Share Guide

What We're...

📰 Reading: How Congo’s stylish Sapeur movement is going beyond fashion.

🎧 Listening to: Baby (Is it a Crime), by Rema.

📺 Watching: (Un)credited: the Story of Afro dance’; a Red Bull documentary, streaming on Netflix, that tells us of Nigeria’s unsung dance heroes and notable figures behind the country’s Afrobeats and viral TikTok dance sensations.

🎟️ Booking: Toyotastes, a curated, multi-course spread of all the best Nigerian and West African flavours. Sponsored by DÒDÒ.

👀 Eyeing: Emmy Kasbit’s Naza Dress–a thoughtful interpretation of sacred Udara cloth.

🧡 Member Spotlight: Tolani Agoro

Meet Tolani Agoro, founder of Chapmans of London, who's bringing Nigerian beverage culture to the UK while balancing life as a new mother. Based in South West London, she's working to make Chapman drinks as recognisable as Porn Star Martinis, driven by her love of food culture and guided by her faith. A self-described "half twin" who shares a birthday with her sister, Tolani splits her days between growing her business and caring for her 8-month-old son.

Get To Know Tolani

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!

Did we miss anything? Or just want to say hey? We'd love to hear from you! You can...

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Trivia Answer: C) Johannesburg
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