In a world where women are not always given the same opportunities as men, a film that shows powerful women breaking down gender barriers deserves celebration. Audiences are gearing up to see the highly-anticipated Marvel film Black Panther, and for all the right reasons. In addition to having a predominantly African-American cast, the film features an ensemble of vital female characters. Fierce warriors, a powerful queen, and a young genius don’t just work beside the hero — they are heroes...
The first full-length trailer for Black Panther gave audiences a sneak peek at the fictional nation of Wakanda. There’s a lot to love about the look of this land, but its awe-striking technology stands out. Some backstory: Before protagonist T’Challa inherited the throne, Wakanda was ruled by his father, T’Chaka. After a meteorite containing vibranium (a fictional super-metal) crashed into the nation, T’Chaka feared that the rest of the world would attempt to seize the land for the precious resource. He...
Audiences around the world are getting ready to see Black Panther and dive into the film’s fictional kingdom of Wakanda. Though the film’s setting is a work of fantasy, the cultural influences behind it are entirely real. South-African actor John Kani plays T’Chaka, the old king of Wakanda who is succeeded by the film’s protagonist, T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman. Kani brought the language of isiXhosa into Black Panther, and made it the official language of Wakanda in Captain America:...
If anyone understands the power of narrative, it’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The highly-acclaimed Nigerian author has many achievements to her name, including becoming a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and having one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time, “The Danger of A Single Story.” Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'d6_dD-b6RYZzCWOUKJ29lA',sig:'UJ8Kmj48BmSxDc7rHB2O5tsTde3C6xx518UE_wlVlCQ=',w:'594px',h:'409px',items:'909740240',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); There’s no doubt that the narratives found in stories shape how we see the world. Adichie knows too well how problems can arise when a...
This post originally appeared on Global Citizen. In the last 500 years, a certain kind of map has been used to teach children about our planet. But public schools in Boston have made a big change  — and it might alter the way you think about the world. It’s about power. Most might recognize the old map from faded school textbooks. It’s called the Mercator projection. In 1569, Gerardus Mercator built a whole world drawn along colonial lines — literally. The biggest economic powers were given...
By Imani LaTortue, ONE Digital Intern The continent of Africa is filled with a wide array of beautiful countries—all with even more amazing cuisine. There are plenty of options: from salty to sweet, numerous consistencies, meat-filled dishes, and options for vegetarians. Here are five African foods that you should have on the menu in your home or even try the next time that you eat out: Jollof Rice Photo credit: Ask4ugo/Wikimedia Commons As one of the most...
As the founder of Slavery Footprint and Made in a Free World, Justin Dillon went from touring musician to major activist — but why? In his new book, A Selfish Plan to Save the World, Justin describes how working on the problems of the world using the talents and skills you already have is a recipe for a purposeful life. We interviewed Justin prior to the launch of the book to talk about his inspirations, and how meeting the needs...
Recently I was in Chad, documenting the work of an NGO that provides food and education for impoverished areas during difficult times. While there, I had the opportunity to talk with and photograph a number of women working to provide for their families. Many of the younger girls were charged with the responsibility of finding fresh water each day — sometimes walking for miles just to find a well or stream. The below photos provide a small glimpse of...