Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People (‘Shades of Us’) is a non-profit organization using storytelling to address the socio-economic issues affecting Africa, Africans, and people of African descent, to facilitate open and honest conversations that lead to introspection, analysis and perspective change towards the greater goal of a redefined continent and people.
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| Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels |
By Ruth Ajawu
My parents in their benevolence kept me in a bubble: a bubble of perpetual provision and financial security. I had zero worries and big dreams. There was this picture in mind of what my life would look like: graduate from the university by 19, get a well-paying job that would cater to my expensive tastes immediately after, and make a meaningful impact in my community by funding sustainability projects.
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Girls Braid Ojonugwa's Hair in An IDP Camp in Abuja |
By Ojonugwa Yahaya and the IDP Children
The afternoon sun bathed the camp in a warm, golden light as I sat on a small stool, surrounded by a sea of eager faces. Today was a special day dedicated to sharing and bonding through a simple yet profound act—braiding hair.
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| Photo by Overly Olu on Pexels |
By Ruth Ajawu
One of the most pressing challenges facing Nigerians today is the skyrocketing prices of food. I went to the market the other day and a bag of rice was priced at ₦72,000. The minimum wage in Nigeria, in the States that pay minimum wage, is ₦30,000, which means the average Nigerian cannot afford a bag of rice. The general cost of food has surged, putting immense strain on household budgets and pushing many families into food insecurity and extreme poverty.
Lightning Talkat the Solutions Journalism Africa Summit in Abuja Reflections from the SoJo Africa Summit 2025 By Simbiat Amzat The SoJo Afri...
