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EVERY EMOTION IS VALID 2023 CONVENTION SUMMARY

In a fast-paced world with several moving parts, having to sieve through the noise to focus on mental & emotional wellness issues could be daunting because, again, everything is happening so fast and we must keep up.

Our just concluded convention was curated with this in mind as well as to begin addressing the mental and emotional wellness issues plaguing our Black and African community. So, with your device in one hand and a glass of your favourite drink in the other, join us as we take you on a journey through some captivating moments from our just concluded ‘Every Emotion Is Valid’ Annual Convention themed “Break The Stigma: Spotlighting And Tackling Stigma In The Black And African Community” which was held on Saturday, October 21st, 2023 at Leonardo Hotel Milton Keynes, 300 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 2HP.

Whether or not you were present to witness this outstanding conversation firsthand, this blog post promises an inside look into the day and what fuels our passion. Be rest assured that whatever positive action you take afterwards will be worth your investment.

Princess Folaji Fasanya-Omoyeni | Convention Welcome Address

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye | Topic: Promoting Creativity As A Mental Wellness Tool For Combating Stigma

“I made a big hall for them, so they come together and ‘weave’. They turn these weaving they do to jackets and trousers and people come to buy from them.” – Chief Mrs Nike Davies-Okundaye

Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu Speaking Virtually | Topic: Spotlighting Stigma Experiences As They Relate To Racial Identity, Gender And Socioeconomic Status

“‘Stigma are those societal perceptions that attach negatively to you because of how society perceives your actions and words to be and what it means.” – Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu

GUEST SPEAKERS

Dilys Sillah | Topic: Having Stigma Conversations: Creating Safe Spaces and Managing Difficult Dialogues

“When we talk about creating a ‘safe space’, a ‘safe space’ is not a building, it is not a place, neither is it a destination. A ‘safe space’ is a person, it is a people’.” – Dilys Sillah

Dr. T Ayodele Ajayi | Topic: Cultural Mindset Shift as a Tool of Tackling Societal Stigmas

“Stigma festers on ignorance. The call out and call to action is this, if we’re going to fight stigma in any way, if there’s going to be a mindset shift, we need to get knowledge ourselves and we need to deal with our personal biases.” – Dr. T. Ayodele Ajayi

Special address by Mayor Mick & Mayoress Mandy Legg

WATCH THE CONVENTION VIDEOS HERE

PANELLISTS

Panellists discussing the topic: “Spotlighting Stigma Experiences As They Relate To Racial Identity, Gender And Socioeconomic ” shared their perspective on the topic. One key takeaway from this session was that stigma does not respect race, gender or other unique human attributes. Hence, the need to speak out and detach from every form of stigma. By so doing, we are starting a movement that will resonate with people in similar situations, propelling them to join our movement and form a community that serves as a safe space and healing outlet of all.

Panellists discussing the topic; “Cultural Mindset Shift As A Tool Of Tackling Societal Stigmas.” Panel shared about the age-long patriarchal perceptions that have formed certain stigmas. Perceptions like females who run businesses are not submissive and that women must always hand over income to their husbands. Recommendations on how to deal with cultural beliefs were also discussed.

GUEST PERFORMERS

GALLERY

VIEW MORE PICTURES HERE

AFRICAN FASHION RUNWAY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

HONORARY AWARD FOR CHIEF MRS. NIKE DAVIES-OKUNDAYE AS GRAND PATRON, AFRICAN WONDER WOMEN ORGANISATION CIC

In recognition of her dedication to the emancipation of African widows and commitment to the economic empowerment of less privileged African women and young girls, and in honour of her passion for creativity, humanity, arts, culture and enterprise as well as in recognition of other shared values, Chief Mrs Nike Davies-Okundaye, fondly known as ‘Mama Nike’ was dressed with a Grand Patron award at the ‘Every Emotion Is Valid’ Convention. We trust that Mama Nike’s passion experience and insight will help us attain our objectives and development goals. Congratulations!

‘HAIRWEGROW’ CAMPAIGN

We launched the ‘HAIRWEGROW’ campaign at the ‘Every Emotion Is Valid’ convention on the 21st of October 2023.The ‘HAIRWEGROW’ campaign is to raise awareness of and put an end to one of the unique issues faced by African widows; hair mutilation or forceful hair shaving of their head following the loss of their husbands. To launch this campaign, drive the anti gender-based violence message home and in solidarity with the vulnerable community of widows we cater to, our Convener, Princess Folaji Fasanya-Omoyeni shaved her head, cutting off her locs which she has been growing for 18 long years. The message to every vulnerable widow who has been forced to shave their head is that we see them, we stand with them and we feel their pain.

This was an emotional highlight to the 2023 convention and there was not one dry eye in the room during the segment. ‘This is a much needed activism campaign against gender-based violence that we are taking global. Hair mutilation is an abusive widowhood practice that inflicts mental and emotional injury and abuse on women and it feels so powerful to demonstrate my choice to cut my hair in solidarity with these widows whom the United Nation refers to as ‘forgotten women’. We stand in solidarity with all our African widows of which I am one.” said Princess Fasanya-Omoyeni.

To donate find out more or join in our ‘HAIRWEGROW” campaign, please email; office.awworg@gmail.com

DONATE TO THE HAIRWEGROW CAMPAIGN HERE

For media enquiries or interview requests, and additional information about African Wonder Women Organisation CIC (AWWOrgCIC ), and/or “HAIRWEGROW” campaign, please contact:Office.awworg@gmail.com