In today’s fast-paced world, especially for Africans in the diaspora balancing work, family, and the pressures of daily life, health can sometimes take a back seat.

We can get carried away by  Yet, few health conditions demand as much urgency and awareness as a stroke.

Often sudden and life-threatening, a stroke can have long-term consequences but early recognition of its warning signs can make all the difference.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, either due to a blockage or a burst blood vessel.

When this happens, brain cells begin to die within minutes. According to health experts, acting fast is crucial, as immediate medical attention can greatly reduce the risk of death or a permanent disability.

One of the most important things anyone can do is to learn the early signs of a stroke.

These typically include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech, blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes, dizziness, and a sudden severe headache with no clear cause are also red flags.

To help people remember these symptoms, doctors recommend remembering face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call for emergency services, in order to save a loved one.

For members of the African and Black diaspora, the stakes are particularly high. Research has shown that people of African descent have a higher risk of hypertension which is a major cause of stroke, as well as other underlying conditions like diabetes.

Lifestyle changes in new environments, such as increased stress, poor diet, or sedentary habits can make this risk become even greater.

Preventing stroke begins with awareness and action. Activities like regular health check-ups, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol and tobacco use are crucial steps to take in preventing this illness.

Equally important is knowing when something is not right and seeking help immediately.

In our communities, where stories of sudden illness are very common, education about stroke needs to become part of everyday conversations.

It is not just a medical issue, it is a lifestyle concern, a family issue, and a community responsibility.

Many African beauty brands are striving to bring the perfect products for each person closer to them, both at home and in the diaspora. These brands celebrate indigenous ingredients and sustainable practices and their names are making waves across the globe. Offering products that blend tradition with innovation, each of them carves its unique space and thrives in it.

These brands are curated without using standard criteria.

Shea Moisture

As a global beauty brand, Shea Moisture has deep African roots. This company was founded in 1991 by Liberians Nyema Tubman and Richelieu Dennis. The establishment of the brand was inspired by Dennis’ grandmother who sold shea butter in Sierra Leone, the brand uses raw shea and other African ingredients to create hair and skincare products tailored for textured hair and melanin-rich skin. They offer skin cleansing products with naturally derived formula and their products are available for adults and children.

Arami Essentials

Founded in Lagos, Nigeria, Arami champions minimalist skincare using raw, natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and black soap. Their simple yet elegant packaging and effective formulations have earned them a cult following both in Africa and abroad. Arami Essentials was established when the owner, Ore Runsewe, arrived in Nigeria from the UK, where she could not access hair products that suited her.

LIHA Beauty

This is a British-Nigerian beauty brand that focuses on natural, sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients for their products. Merging Yoruba tradition with British chic, LIHA Beauty was created by friends Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan. They utilize ingredients like raw shea butter, coconut oil, and tuberose to produce top products. LIHA Beauty celebrates African wellness with a modern twist.

Nubian Heritage

Known for its use of culturally authentic ingredients like frankincense, myrrh, and African black soap, Nubian Heritage is beloved for fusing ancient beauty recipes with contemporary science to create nourishing body care products. Nubian Heritage is inspired by African healing traditions. Here, they use organic ingredients to revitalize the skin and hair of their customers.

Skin Gourmet

This Accra-based brand creates 100% natural, edible skincare using raw ingredients sourced directly from Ghanaian farmers. With products like baobab oil and cocoa butter scrubs, Skin Gourmet is redefining luxury with authenticity and sustainability at its core. They use meticulous methods to craft their products which are free from preservatives.

These brands are redefining beauty like never before. Using natural ingredients, effective formulations and appealing packaging, they are telling African stories in their own way. Also, in the little way they can, they are empowering local communities, and showing the world the richness of the continent’s natural and cultural resources.

Wizkid and Ayra Starr Face Backlash Over ‘Gimme Dat’ Lyrics Referencing ‘Diallo’

Nigerian music stars Wizkid and Ayra Starr are under scrutiny following the release of their latest collaboration, “Gimme Dat.” The track has sparked controversy due to its chorus, which repeatedly mentions the name “Diallo” in a romantic context. Some listeners interpret this as a reference to Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old Guinean immigrant fatally shot by New York City police in 1999.

The contentious lyrics—“Diallo, Diallo / If I give you my love, oh / Make you no disappoint, oh…”—have been deemed by some as insensitive, suggesting they trivialize a significant historical tragedy.

Following the song’s release, Ayra Starr promoted the accompanying music video on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a snapshot and inviting fans to watch. However, the post quickly attracted criticism. A user, @Catchoris, expressed disapproval in a tweet that has since garnered over 2.5 million impressions:

“Ayra Starr & Wizkid are so ignorant. Wyclef sang ‘Diallo’ about the US police killing an unarmed African in 2000. 25 years later, 2 African stars turn that sad tune about police brutality into a stupid song about sex, repeatedly calling the murdered man’s name in the silly chorus.”

While some fans echoed these sentiments, accusing the artists of cultural insensitivity, others offered a different perspective. User @menlotanna argued:

“I get your point but you’re wrong bro. Ayra’s song samples Wyclef Jean’s ft Mary J. Blige ‘911’ which is actually a love song. And the ‘Diallo’ in Ayra’s chorus doesn’t reference the song you’re referring to because the notes in these songs are totally different.”

Indeed, “Gimme Dat” samples Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige’s 2000 hit “911,” a song depicting star-crossed lovers entangled in drama, with the male narrator evading police while the female narrator expresses concern. The original “911” does not reference Amadou Diallo. However, Wyclef Jean did release a separate track titled “Diallo,” directly addressing the 1999 police shooting of Amadou Diallo and criticizing systemic racism and police brutality.(en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)

The confusion may stem from the similarity in names and Wyclef Jean’s involvement in both songs. While “911” is a romantic narrative, “Diallo” serves as a protest song memorializing Amadou Diallo’s tragic death.

As debates continue, neither Wizkid nor Ayra Starr have publicly addressed the controversy. Meanwhile, “Gimme Dat” has achieved commercial success, amassing over 1 million Spotify streams within 12 hours of its release. The song’s popularity underscores the global reach of Afrobeats, even as discussions about cultural sensitivity and artistic responsibility persist.(Inside Port Harcourt)