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What’s in word?:Find out from

our inspirationalinterviewees

INSIDE

FAMILYMATTERSFamily Matters (FM) is a monthly

supplement from ‘The Voice’ thatwill cover: relationships; parenting;book reviews; activities with chil-dren; adoption and fostering. |It’salso a forum for your issues, so letus know what is going on.

“Family is complex but one thingis for sure, you don’t have to haveblood ties to be family”, FM EditorialConsultant Yinka Sunmonu.

Paralympic medalwinner Bonnie

St John, plus bookreviews andgiveaways

Always time forbeauty: how tolook good in

minutes

FAMILYMATTERS

JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012

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Artwork by Tonderai

NAT DISU asked anumber of inspira-tional people frombusiness to design,

how they would define wordsthat represent confidence andpower. Here are theirresponses.

TO BE International Couture

designer Korto Momolu, a firstrunner up in the fifth season of‘Project Runway’

says, “To be is about pride.I am proud of who I am, proudof my past, proud of who I willbe, proud of what my futurewill become and proud of thelegacy I am creating for mydaughter.”

“With the way the world isnow, I instill messages of con-fidence in her without hereven knowing it. I whisper inher ear that she is beautiful,that she is smart and that shecan be anything, that no onecan stop her from where shewants to go.”

“It’s slowly talking to herbut not giving it in a speech.It’s something that my hus-band and I do daily.”

“One day, if someone tellsher that she is ugly, she willsay, ‘I’m beautiful.’ She willinternalize the daily messages

because the world out therecan be terrible and she has tohear the positives to be able todeal with the negatives.”

“Confidence is your founda-tion as a person and you needto know who you are and bestrong.”

Korto is hoping to launch arange in the UK soon.

Find out more: www.korto-momolu.com

DETERMINATIONGet Paid Director Raman

Sunmonu says, “I used to playfor the Charlton YouthAcademy. I thought that I’dmade it and rested on my lau-rels. Never do that. I vowed theexperience would not happenagain. I have my businessnow and it’s about planning,pushing, persevering, remain-ing positive and not under-standing the word ‘can’t. I’mprepared for the journey.”

INSPIRATION Inspirational foster carer

Pearl Cotterell says, “I alwaystell the teenagers I look afterthat, no matter what, I’m notgiving up on them, and I knowthey can turn their livesaround.”

“So many of these young

people have never had anyonewho believes in them before. Ifyou can instill that faith inthem, then it gives them selfworth, and a desire to try andimprove themselves, and thatmakes all the difference.”

ASPIRATIONTwenty four year old

Giovanni Marino, owner of‘Primo Caffe’, Orpington, hasthe word aspire in his DNA.His father is a successful busi-nessman, from humble begin-nings, who worked hard.Giovanni says, “I think whenyou see somebody doing that,it inspires you.”

JOY“Growing up, my mum

instilled in my siblings and Ithat we should always seekhappiness and not bedeterred,” says The GroomConsultant Samantha Aki whospecialises in styling groomsfor their special day. “There aretimes when things may getyou down but if you surroundyourself with joy, you willsoon have a smile on yourface.”

KINDNESS“Kindness is something I

always saw in my mum. Shetaught it to me and I’m teach-ing it to my daughter,” saysartist Tonderai. “I believe thatwhatever you put out comesback to you. In my adult life,it’s helped me gain friends andI’ve been helped by people Ihaven’t known very well whohave also motivated me.”

QUEEN OFASPIRATION

Banke Kuku is a luxurybrand textile designer who hasworked for Burberry, DesignersGuild, Jewel by Lisa, Jasminedi Milo and Duro Olowu.Banke, a graduate of ChelseaCollege of Art & Design andCentral St Martins, is theauthor of ‘The UnwovenThreads of Nigeria’. In thesummer of 2011, she decidedto market her brand and inFebruary, the Banke Kukucushion range appeared inSelfridges. Her dreams are ontrack. LaDiva interviews her.

LaDiva: Why textiles as acareer?

Banke Kuku: I’ve had anobsession with textilessince I was young.Textiles are the way Iconvey my joy andit alwayscomes withl o v e .Fab r i c s

intrigue me from the construc-tion to the surface design andI’m always trying to find away to push the boundaries.

LD: Where did your love oftextiles come from?

BK: My mother. We used toknit scarves together when Iwas five. She would knit most

of it until

it was long and I would knit tothe last few rows.

LD: What did you do onleaving college?

BK: I started working withthe fashion designer DuroOlowu, which really broughtout my zest and interpretationfor the African print. Hebrought out much of my iden-tity, which I’m very thankfulfor.

LD: What influences you?BK: Whatever is around me:

colour; emotion; art; and life.

LD: Do you work in uphol-stery or fashion?

BK: At the moment I doboth. I love fashion. I’m youngand fashion is fast, crazy andexciting so for now, it suits.My love though, lies withinfabrics for interiors. My inte-rior brand is called Kuku inte-riors

LD: What’s your style?BK: It’s very simple and ele-

gant with a little bit of a twist.It’s nothing complicated orterribly special, it just works.I’m about quality.

24 � THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012

WHAT’S IN A WORD

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

Babes about town We’re raving about this website aimed

at families with babies, toddlers and chil-dren up to the age of 6 that provides infoon family friendly events around the UK.It’s a great source for adults who still havea touch of the child within them.

www.babesabouttown.com

THINGS TO AT THE WEEKEND

MAKE CHOCOLATE LOLLIPOPS

Break four bars milk chocolate into pieces. Heat in microwave inbursts of 15 seconds, stirring each time until fully melted. Alternately,melt chocolate in a bowl over hot water. Place tablespoons of choco-late on greaseproof paper or create shapes by drizzling chocolate (seephoto). Place a lollipop stick in the middle, adding a bit of chocolate tosecure it. Decorate with hundreds and thousands, cocoa pops orchocolate sprinkles. Allow to cool.

DANCE!

The Big Dance is the ultimate dance festival, which takes placeacross the UK between 7-15th July in the run up to the Olympics. Therewill be performances in all genres, workshops, free film screenings,competitions and a Big Dance bus that will travel throughout London.

Michael Jackson was voted greatest dancer in the Big Dance websitepoll (www.bigdance2012.com). Check the full dance list that includesDiversity, Flawless and JLS and take a look at some of the Big Danceinterviews. (http://www.bigdance2012.com/interviews.php).

Samantha Aki

Banke Kuku

FAMILY MATTERS

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Yinka Sunmonu speaksto Bonnie St Johnabout courage. At theage of five, she had

her right leg amputated. Itdid not deter her from any-thing that she aspired to andin 1984, she became the firstBlack African woman to winParalympic Silver and Bronzemedals at skiing at the Gamesin Austria.

Educationally minded, shewent on to graduate fromHarvard and OxfordUniversities. She has workedin the White House under BillClinton and she is now a moti-vational speaker and trainer.

Together with teenagedaughter Darcey Deane, shehas written ‘How GreatWomen Lead’, published byCenter Street (GBP16.99), acurrent bestseller. Based oninterviews with 20 womenaround the world, it focuses onthe meaning of leadership andfinding out about courage wasa part of that.

Bonnie says, “The womanwho was a real example ofcourage for us was EllenJohnson Sirleaf. My daughterwas amazed when she foundout that Ellen Johnson Sirleafgot married straight out ofhigh school, had four boysstraight in a row, had an abu-sive husband and had to over-come all that. She went backto college, got her degree andthen went through so muchstrife for the leadership ofLiberia. She almost faced a fir-ing squad.”

“We spoke about couragewith her and for my daughterthat was a big deal in terms ofhaving the courage to say noto your peers when they aredoing stupid things or being awoman in a leadership posi-tion and standing yourground. “

Bonnie and Darcey are ask-ing women and girls to writestories about the female lead-ers they admire and emailthem to contest@howgreat-womenlead.com .

They would also like womento be part of a Great WomenLeadership Group wherebywomen join together to“embrace their own leadershippotential and inspire others”.

Email: GWLG@bonni-estjohn.com

JOYFUL LESSONSIn ‘Live your joy’ a collec-

tion of real life stories, pub-lished by Faithwords(GBP12.78) Bonnie St Johnexplores how you can embracejoy. Recognising that it takeswork, she includes usefulpointers such as:

Add “to feel” items to your“to do” list. Make it a priority

to feel gratitude, feel wonder,feel in love with nature, andfeel love for family. Theresulting joy is surprising andempowering.

Build a “portfolio ofdreams.” Don’t just hope forone thing, or dream of onething. Draft an entire portfo-lio of goals — and a few ofthem will actually come true.

Beat the “joy stealers.”Notice your tendency to focuson the negative—including thepeople and situations that trig-ger negativity—and nip it inthe bud. Be intentional aboutyour pursuit of joy.

She adds, “When you learnhow to create joy in your life,you stop being a slave to whatis happening in the world, andyou become the master of yourown destiny and emotions. Youcan always raise the level ofyour joy reservoir because it’scoming from inside you. Andthat is an amazing feeling!”

WINCome to win – how sports

can help you ace your goalsand top your profession’, byVenus Williams, published byAmistad, 2012,

An inspirational collectionof life stories from successfulpeople in business, the arts and, which highlights the impactactive sports participation canhave on an individual’s mind-set later in life and how it candrive them to success.

HISTORY MAKERClaudia Jones: Beyond con-

tainment, edited by CaroleBoyce Davies, published byAyebia Clarke Publishing Ltd,GBP16.99, 2011

The essential read on thewoman remembered as theeditor of ‘The West IndianGazette’, England’s first blacknewspaper, and the ‘Mother ofthe Notting Hill Carnival.

FIGHTERRiot within – my journey

from rebellion to redemption,by Rodney King withLawrence J Spagnola, pub-lished by HarperOne,GBP16.99, 2012

A harsh but compelling mem-oir from Rodney King detailinghis childhood, alcohol addictionand the events of 1991 when hebecame known, worldwide, as avictim of police brutality in LosAngeles. Rodney King died inJune, aged 47.

THE SURVIVIORYou have no idea: How they

survived pageants, Hollywood,love, loss (and each other), byVanessa Williams and HelenWilliams, published byGotham Books, 2012

Award winning entertainerVanessa Williams, known in theUK for her roles in ‘Soul Food’,‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘DesperateHousewives’, had a plan –attend Syracuse University,dance, go to Yale, spend a yearabroad, preferably London andwork on Broadway. It didn’tquite happen that way. Shestarts with the events that led torelinquishing the Miss Americacrown (the first black woman tobe crowned) and continues withher quest to succeed. She got to

Broadway and Hollywood.Helen Williams’s role in the

book is that of sage. She offersadvice and gives her own tips onchild raising without dictating.

EBONY READS BOOKCLUB LAUNCHES

Sign up for the ER bookclub, which launches inJuly. Our first pick is ‘TheSpider King’s Daughter’, byChibundu Onuzo, publishedby Faber & Faber.

The novel centres on a

romance between seventeenyear old Abike Johnson, froma wealthy family in Lagos, andan eighteen year old hawkerwho sells icecream in the streetto support his family. Can itrun smoothly?

At 19, Chibundu is said tobe the youngest ever

female author toreceive a two bookdeal from the pub-

lishing house.If you interested in

joining the ER club, you couldbe one of five lucky readers towin a copy. Email: info@cher-ishcommunications.com by 10July, telling us why you’d liketo join. Find Ebony Reads@ebonyreads at Twitter.

BOOKS GALORE:WIN ONE

The master of romance nov-els Eric Jerome Dickey returnswith another sizzling block-buster ‘An Accidental Affair’.Infidelity, murder, deceit…thisnovel has it all and it won’tleave EJD fans disappointed.

We have four copies for you.To win, email:marketing@gvmedia.co.uk orsend a postcard markedEJD/Bookclub to: Marketing,The Voice, G V Media

Moorfoot House, 1st FloorEast, 221 Marsh Wall, LondonE14 9FH.

Entries must be in by 14thJuly.

POTLUCK ROMANCEWe have 10 romance novels

for you to win. Thing is, you’llhave to take potluck on the titles.

For a chance to win, email:marketing@gvmedia.co.uk orsend a postcard markedEJD/Bookclub to: Marketing,The Voice, G V Media,Moorfoot House, 1st FloorEast, 221 Marsh Wall, LondonE14 9FH.

Entries must be in by 14thJuly.

JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012 THE VOICE � 33

Is there an interesting, funny or unusual story behind

your name?

I want to speak to people to find out the reasons why their parents gave them the name they have.

Parents, why did you give your child that name?

If you are interested in contributing to my book, please contact me. I will be happy to phone you back.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Jacqueline Tel: 0754 738 8407

Email: ejakakpo@gmail.com

(Sorry there will be no payment made for contributing.)

Edited by Carole Boyce Davies

BEYOND CONTAINMENT

COVER DESIGN: AMANDA CARROLL, WWW.MILLIPEDIA.CO.UK. IMAGES: MUSEUM OF LONDON, LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM & CAROLE BOYCE DAVIES COLLECTION

U.K. £16.99

www.ayebia.co.uk

LITERATURE / CRITICISM / BLACK INTEREST

CLAU

DIA

JON

ESBEY

ON

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NTA

INM

ENT

Edited by Carole Boyce Davies

Claudia Jones is one of my personal heroines. I spent my formative political years in Claudia Jones’s London stamping ground of Notting Hill – it was the classic centre of post war black activism in Britain. Most West Indian immigrants in the 1950s came by boat to Southampton and the train from there took them into Paddington. Hence the large black community in that part of West London. So I know people who had worked with Claudia Jones and spoke of her with awe. She founded two of Black Britain’s most important institutions; the first black newspaper, the West Indian Gazette and she was also one of the founding organizers of the Notting Hill Carnival.

The ‘hidden history’ of women’s contribution to progressive politics has been concealed for too long. This important book is part of the process of putting that right. Claudia Jones was an iconic figure who inspired a generation of black activists and deserves to be much more widely known. This book is a fitting memorial.Diane Abbott, MP, Westminster, London.

Claudia Jones: Beyond Containment transcends the silencing and erasure historically accorded women of achievement: it makes accessible and brings to wider attention the words of an often overlooked twentieth-century political and cultural activist, who tirelessly campaigned, wrote, spoke out, organized, edited and published. Autobiographical writings, poetry, essays on subjects close to her political heart – human rights, peace, struggles related to gender, race and class – this is a collection that unites the many facets of a woman whose identities as a radical thinker and as a black woman are not in conflict.

Carole Boyce Davies, author of the acclaimed Left of Karl Marx: The Political Life of Black Communist Claudia Jones (2008), continues the task of ensuring that Claudia Jones takes her rightful place in the exalted list of twentieth-century Caribbean intellectuals in the Diaspora, including her compatriots George Padmore and C.L.R. James, who engaged with the world to make it a more enlightened place and whose legacy still deserves to resonate.Margaret Busby, OBE, Writer, Broadcaster and Journalist.

9 7 8 0 9 5 6 2 4 0 1 6 3

ISBN 978-0-9562401-6-3

EBONY READS – BOOK REVIEWS

BOOK OF THE MONTH

HOW STRONGWOMEN LEAD

Ebony Reads

FAMILY MATTERS

BEAUTYBecoming a mum doesn’t

mean you can’t look or feelyour best despite jugglinghome, childcare and work.With these picks and tips frominternational make-up artists,who are busy mums them-selves, you’ll be made up.

PAMPER YOURSELFRenowned make up artist

Cheryl Huggins(MIFHT/MIFHB) of the CherylHuggins Beauty Spa and Makeup Studio, Kent, works on thesenses with her choices.

SPRITZ ITA natural rose or orange

blossom spritz is just the trickin the morning to revive dullskin and keep it moist.

OILTreat yourself to luxurious

body oil - one that stops theskin from dehydration after abath or shower such asNeutrogena (a good allrounder) or Eve Taylor, whichis natural aromatherapy oil. Itwill leave your body feelingsilky.

A TOUCH OFFRAGRANCE

Spray perfume. Use spar-ingly and always test on theinside of your wrist. Allow itto get warm. Soft and power-ful fragrances are a great wayto express your personality!

CHERYL’S TIPS FORBUSY MUMS

“Organise a beauty pamperevening with other mums andgive yourselves manicures andfacials. It’s fun and you’ll feelfabulous.“

“Think about using naturalitems. Your kitchen is full ofnatural products to assist yourbeauty programme and a mixof bananas, avocado and egg

whites can ensure that younever go without your treat-ments when the budget istight”.

Cheryl offers skincare andmake-up lessons at her beautystudio and she is preparing tolaunch a series of tutorials onthe web. Details: www.cheryl-huggins.co.uk

READY IN FIVEGrace Ibukunoluwa, CEO of

the FaceQuizite MakeupAcademy & Services lists threeitems that can work wonders.If you add a pair of sunglasseswith this look before you leavehome, you’ll look simply chic...

MASCARA “Mascara is great for adding

volume and definition to youreyes. My choice is HypnoseDrama by Lancôme.”

GETTING LIPPY“Lipstick is always a winner

and opting for a favourite willalways make you feel good. Irecommend Plumful by MACas it gives a hint of colourwithout being too overbear-ing.”

BLOTTING PAPER“Blotting paper is the ulti-

mate secret weapon if youwant your lipstick to last.Apply colour and blot yourlips with the paper.”

GRACE’S TIP FORBUSY MUMS:

“Two coats of Hypnosedrama mascara and a lightapplication of Plumful lipstickand you’re good to go.”

Grace runs workshops andseminars and has a series ofbeauty videos on her site.Details: www.Facequizite.com

KING’S KITKemi Imevbore Uwaga of

Kemi Kings chooses threeitems that make the perfect kitfor mums on the move. Keepthem in your handbag as astandby.

FOUNDATIONPOWDER

“Foundation powder is the 2in 1 miracle in a compact thatensures your face is flawless,spots and pigmentation con-cealed and oiliness and shinereduced. “

MASCARA “This little tube of wonder

will wake up those eyes andglam up those lashes.”

Super moisturising and longstaying lipgloss

“Use for shine, gloss and lesscolour than traditional lip-sticks. If painting your lips orlip colour has never been yourthing, then gloss is great foryou.“

Kemi runs make-up masterclasses and offers a personalmake up shopping service.Details: www.kemikings.com

BEAUTY ON A BUDGETHandsome remedy Try this homemade hand

wash lotion using Redbush tea.Redbush Hand Wash LotionIngredients3 Redbush tea bags

4 Tablespoons of honey1 Standard cup of hot milk8 teaspoons of wheatgerm

MethodSteep Redbush in milk for

two hours.Strain and keep the milky tea.Add honey and wheatgerm

to the liquid.Blend well and store in a

clean sterilized bottle.Use as needed as a hand

lotion to help soften and roughand dry skin.

It will last for about a weekif kept stored in a sealed bottlein the fridge.

(Reprinted with permissionfrom The Redbush TeaCompany –www.redbushtea.com)

GÈLÈLITES UNITEGèlè Tea, the couture fash-

ion show that raises aware-ness of Alzheimer’s returnson 15 September at a Londonvenue to be announced.

Building on the success oflast year, GT organisers arelaunching the InternationalGèlè Stylist of the Year(IGSTY) awards.

They are asking Gèlèlites(people who appreciate theGèlè (head tie) and knowhow to make a statement) tonominate innovative gèlèstylists.

Couture Designer AdebayoJones said, “GT showed ushow Gèlè is oh so couture.Art and creativity is on dis-play, the designs are one of akind and the stylists arehighly skilled. When you addcouture fashion to that, youhave a new look and that iswhat trendsetting is about.IGTSTY will raise the profileof gèlè stylists around theworld and we are excitedabout it.”

Look out for theGèlèctionary – a dictionaryof Gèlè terms and phrasesand Gèlè Tea’s list of the top10 gèlè stylists worldwide.

For information on GèlèTea and the InternationalGèlè Style Awards, emailgeletea@cherishcommuncia-tions.com or @gele_tea onTwitter.

NEXT MONTH IN FAMILY MATTERSThe A-Z of raising confident children

School’s out – 60 ways to entertain children during the summer

The Ebony Reads book club launches with ‘The Spider King’s Daughter’ by Chibundu Onuzo

What’s stopping you from living the life you were meant to lead?

ALWAYS TIME FOR BEAUTY

GraceIbukunoluwa

Cheryl Huggins

Adebayo Jones

34 � THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012

FAMILY MATTERS

Model: Sibohan Ridguard

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