Crunch Avenue: Blog Feature

Tv Personalities, Models, Entrepreneures

Lukwesa Burak

Lukwesa Burak has worked for Sky News, the BBC (TV & Radio) and South Africa’s eNCA. As a trusted and highly professional Media Personality, Business Entrepreneur and Philanthropic Patron, Lukwesa is often called upon to host Charitable, Corporate and Social events.

She gained her first degree in Geography & European Studies at the University of Sussex. Part of her studies were spent in Switzerland (Univeristy of Neuchatel) through which she became fluent in French. Awarded an EU scholarship she gained a Master of Science degree in Geographical Information Systems from Leicester University.
Internationally renowned News Anchor, TV Presenter and Entrepreneur.

Lukwesa worked in IT consultancy for three years before starting her media career as a Broadcast Meteorologist at the world renowned BBC Television Centre in London. She joined BBC East Midlands as a weather presenter on TV and Radio, before being appointed News Anchor on the Lunchtime and Evening news. Whilst at the BBC she presented within the studio, on Radio and for LIVE outside broadcasts. She also developed, produced and presented a series of programs and features for TV and Radio.

In 2006 Lukwesa moved to Sky News where she anchored Sky World News covering a broad specturm of world news stories, most notably the execution of Saddam Hussein and the Indonesia and Haiti earthquakes.

In 2012 she moved to eNCA, in South Africa, where she anchored The Africa Edition broadcasting across Europe & Africa.

In 2013 Lukwesa returned to Sky World News where she continues to break and present global news stories. http://lukwesaburak.com/presenter/

LUKWESA BURAK SKY NEWS http://lukwesaburak.com/presenter/

LUKWESA BURAK SHOWREEL

Top Black Female Entrepreners

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey may be best known for her work as a daytime talk show host, but she’s making waves as the creator of the Oprah Winfrey Network. She’s the second African-American woman to start her own network (after Cathy Hughes). Not to mention, she founded Harpo Productions in the late 80s. Today, Forbes puts her worth at over $2.7 billion.

OPRAH FULL BIOGRAPHY

Oprah Winfrey spent her first years on her grandmother's farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi, while her mother looked for work in the North. At age 17, Oprah Winfrey won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant and was offered an on-air job at WVOL, a radio station serving the African American community in Nashville. She also won a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored in Speech Communications and Performing Arts.

In 1976, she moved to Baltimore to join WJZ-TV News as a co-anchor. There, she co-hosted her first talk show, People Are Talking, while continuing to serve as anchor and news reporter. She had found a niche that perfectly suited her outgoing, empathetic personality, and word soon spread to other cities. In January 1984, she was invited to Chicago to host a faltering half-hour morning program on WLS-TV. In less than a year, she turned AM Chicago into the hottest show in town. The format was soon expanded to an hour, and in September 1985 it was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show.

A year later, The Oprah Winfrey Show was broadcast nationally, and quickly became the number one talk show in national syndication. In 1987, its first year of eligibility, the show received three Daytime Emmy Awards in the categories of Outstanding Host, Outstanding Talk/Service Program and Outstanding Direction.

The following year, the show received its second consecutive Emmy as Outstanding Talk/Service Program, and Oprah herself received the International Radio and Television Society's "Broadcaster of the Year" Award. She was the youngest person ever to receive the honor. Her love of acting and her desire to bring quality entertainment projects into production prompted her to form her own production company, Harpo Productions, Inc., in 1986. Today, Harpo is a formidable force in film and television production, as well as magazine publishing and the Internet. In 1988, Harpo Productions, Inc. acquired ownership and all production responsibilities forThe Oprah Winfrey Show from Capitol Cities/ABC, making Oprah Winfrey the first woman in history to own and produce her own talk show.

Oprah's show also continued to attract the top names in the entertainment industry; a 1993 interview with the reclusive entertainer Michael Jackson drew a hundred million viewers, making it the most watched interview in television history. Oprah Winfrey was named one of the "100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century" by Time magazine, and in 1998 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 1998, she produced and starred in the feature filmBeloved, adapted from the book by the Nobel Prize-winning American author Toni Morrison. Winfrey has long used her television program to champion the works of authors she admires, including Morrison, and her longtime friend Maya Angelou. Her influence over the publishing industry exploded when she began her on-air book club in 1996. "Oprah Book Club" selections became instant bestsellers, and in 1999 Winfrey received the National Book Foundation's 50th anniversary gold medal for her service to books and authors. She herself has authored five books.

In 2000, Oprah's Angel Network began presenting a $100,000 "Use Your Life Award" to people who are using their own lives to improve the lives of others. She now publishes two magazines, O, The Oprah Magazine, and O at Home. The launch of her first magazine was the most successful start-up in the history of the industry. When Forbespublished its list of America's billionaires for the year 2003, it disclosed that Oprah Winfrey was the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. The Oprah Winfrey Show remained as popular as ever, airing in 140 countries around the world. Many of her regular guests, including Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz, have gone on to shows of their own, produced by Oprah's Harpo Productions. After filming a Christmas program in South Africa, she established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, near Johannesburg.

Oprah Winfrey makes her principal home on a 42-acre ocean-view estate in Montecito, California, just south of Santa Barbara, but also owns homes in another six states and the island of Antigua. The business press measures her wealth in numerous superlatives: the highest-paid performer on television, the richest self-made woman in America, and the richest African-American of the 20th century.

President Barack Obama awarded Oprah Winfrey the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Source: http://www.achievement.org/

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks isn’t just a pretty face. This former Victoria Secret model has taken her good looks to the small screen with several cycles of America’s Next Top Model. In addition, she owns Bankable Productions, an independent TV and production company. In recent months she also launched TypeF, Demand Media fashion and beauty website. On top of all that, she just graduated from Harvard Business school.

Iman

Iman is Founder and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances, a beauty company that created the first cosmetics and skincare collection designed for all women with skin of color. Iman began her career in 1975 as a model and has challenged the prevailing notions of beauty ever since. Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world, and a muse for fashion designers including Yves. St. Laurent, Versace, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. During her 14 years as a model.

Launched in 1994, the IMAN brand philosophy holds that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances are designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades. The brand offers skincare and cosmetics, including 16 foundation shades. IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances are sold throughout the world including the United States, Canada, UK, France, Brazil, Africa, and the Caribbean.

In 2004, IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances announced its strategic alliance with Proctor & Gamble.In addition to running a global beauty company, Iman is actively involved in several charities, including The Children's Defense Fund, Action Against Hunger and the RAISE HOPE FOR CONGO campaign, that aims to build a permanent and diverse constituency of activists who advocate for protection and empowerment of Congolese women and girls. Source: Iman.com

Iman's first book, entitled I AM IMAN (Universe, 2001), was an autobiographical sketchbook of her career that questions "the unserious business of fashion and beauty and its serious affect on identity." Her second book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR, THE Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color (Putnam Penguin 2005) is the first beauty and makeup book that truly addresses skin tones across the spectrum.Iman is co-host of Bravo's "The Fashion Show" this Fall with Isaac Mizrahi. Further broadening her horizon, gleaned from experience and a keen eye, she has designed IMAN GLOBAL CHIC, a line of handbags, jewelry, and fashion accessories sold exclusively onHSN.COM. The line is one of four top sellers among more than 200 fashion and jewelry brands on HSN. Additionally, Iman most recently launched IMAN HOME, a collection of globally influenced fabrics and chic home décor. Most recently, Iman was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) with the prestigious Fashion Icon Award.

Janice Bryant Howroyd

Bryant Howroyd founded her employment staffing firm, ACT-1, in 1978 with just $1,500, a small office and a telephone. 34 years later, ACT-1 is the largest American company of its kind owned by a woman of color, with over 70 branches nationwide.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah is a model, actress, musician and ESSENCE cover girl, an entrepreneur, with a talk show, She’s part owner of Flavor Unit Entertainment, a production company specializing in television (it’s behind VH1’s Single Ladies), movies and artist management. Source Essence

Beverly Johnson

Johnson made a splash when she became the first African-American woman to grace the cover of American Vogue in 1971. She extended her love for all things beautiful when she launched the Beverly Johnson Hair Collection of wigs, skin-care and bath/body products. Source:Essence

Tasha Smith

Besides acting, this ESSENCE cover girl is the proud owner of Tasha Smith Actors Workshop in Los Angeles. When she’s not working the small screen on Tyler Perry’s sitcom For Better or For Worse, you can catch Smith mentoring up-and-coming actresses. Source: Essence

Tina Wells

CEO Tina Wells founded the Buzz Marketing Group in 1996 to help companies capture the youth market’s tastes and attitudes. Her company utilizes social media and trendspotting and other research tools for clients like Nike, Steve Madden and MAC Cosmetics. Wells is also the author ofChasing Youth Culture and Getting It Right. Source:Essence

Leanna Archer

This Long Island native started her Leanna Inc.haircare line at just 11-years-old. Yes, 11-years-old. Her all-natural organic hair butters and shampoos have helped her earn over $100,000 in revenue. Her small operation thrives with lots of help from her family. Source:Essence

Lisa Price

Lisa Price, the founder of the popular beauty brand Carol’s Daughter. Evolving from a small home-based business to a multimillion dollar company, Price built her company from the ground up. In 1993, Lisa Price started making hair products in her Brooklyn kitchen with just $100. She sold her concoctions at church flea markets and street fairs. Today, her homemade line Carol’s Daughter is a multimillion-dollar line of must-have beauty treats.

Shonda Rhimes

Rhimes is the first African-American woman to create and executive-produce a top 10 primetime television series with ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy; she’s also the woman behind Private Practice and is currently developing Scandal, starring Kerry Washington. The Dartmouth graduate is arguably the most powerful Black woman in Hollywood and one of the most sought-after writers and producers in entertainment. Source: Essence

Mara Brock Akil

The brains behind hit TV shows like Girlfriends, The Game and Moesha, Mara Brock Akil is also the co-founder of Akil Productions with husband Salim Akil, who directed the highly anticipated remake of Sparklestarring Whitney Houston. Source:Essence

Africa's Next Top Model Winner Aamito Logun

Introducing the winner of ANTM (Cycle 1) 20 year old Aamito Stacie Lagum! representing Uganda. Interview coming soon.

Photo credit: ANTM

Introducing Model/Fashion Designer Nana Afua Antwi

Nana Afua Antwi is a British Fashion Model originally from Ghana. She emerged in the modeling spotlight when she won Britain's Top Model of Colour contest November 27. Nana Afua started modelling when she was scouted at H&M. Nana Afua is one of the few African models to recently grace September/August Issue 2011 of Black hair Magazine which was voted best cover celebrating black beauty in America. She also appread in Pride Magazine as the face of the feature for 'real women' and did editorials for Fabulous Magazine. Nana Afua has walked in London Fashion Week for Matthew Williamson and the face for E'lon Cosmetics in America. She has grace most fashion and lifestyle magazine in the UK and also for American Online Magazine E'lon.
Nana is also a fashion designer with the clothing brand 'adopted culture' which was selected for Vogue Fashion's night out September 2011. In record the label is the first ethincal brand to ever grace Savile Row in Sartoria Bar Central London. She won Best Female Model of the year in October 2011 for Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television Awards (BEFFTA Awards). Source: Wikipedia

Nana Afua Antwi on the cover of Black Hair Magazine UK

Nana Afua Antwi's fab designs at (Adopted Culture) at AFWL

Former President Nelson Mandela Dies (R.I.P)

I was shocked by Mr Mandelas death, i knew the greatest man was critically ill, but i wasnt prepared for this sad news, I have watched him on tv, read about him, all his stories have been of inspiration throught my life. Mr Mandela taught me forgiveness, kindness, and goodness, as i write this i write in great pain and sorrow, may his kindness be an inspiration to the whole world. Mr Mandelas funeral will be attended by more than 60 Heads of State and Government officials. After what has been billed as one of the largest gatherings of global leaders in recent history, only a handful of dignitaries will attend Sunday’s state burial in Mandela’s ancestral home of Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

The US president is among some 60 heads of state expected to attend this week's events in memory of the anti-apartheid hero.South Africa is preparing for the arrival of scores of world leaders as the official mourning continues for Nelson Mandela.

President Barack Obama and First Lady First Lady Michelle left on Monday to attend the memorial service for the anti-apartheid hero.Former US presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and their wives will also be present at the event.George H W Bush is the only living president who will not attend. His spokesman said the 89-year-old is no longer is able to travel long distances.
The American leaders will join dozens of other dignitaries, including about 60 heads of state who have confirmed their attendance at this week's memorial events.Prime Minister David Cameron will attend the main memorial service on Tuesday, while Prince Charles will represent Britain at Sunday’s state funeral.The US president is among some 60 heads of state expected to attend this week's events in memory of the anti-apartheid hero.

Celebrities, including Bono, Oprah Winfrey and Sir Richard Branson are expected to head to the country to pay their personal tributes to the man they considered a friend.
Later on Monday, a special joint session of parliament will be held in Cape Town to allow South African politicians from all political parties to mark the passing of the nation’s first black president.
President Jacob Zuma has urged the country to remember the values of peace and forgiveness that Mr Mandela lived by and uphold them.His sentiments were echoed by the anti-apartheid icon's family, who released a statement calling for South Africans to "keep the dream alive". Source Sky News

The List of Heads of State attending Mr Mandela's funeral

Afghanistan, His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President	Mozambique, President of Mozambique, HE Armando Emilio Guebuza
Algeria, His Excellency Mr Abdelkader Bensalah, Speaker of the Council of the Nation (Senate) – rank above the Prime Minister	Namibia, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President
Angola, His Excellency Mr Manuel Vicente, Vice President	Niger, His Excellency Issoufou Mahamdou, President
Argentina, Mr Amado Boudou, Acting President of Argentina	New Zealand, Right Hon John Key, Prime Minister
Australia, His Excellency Mr Tony Abbott, MP, Prime Minister	Nigeria, His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan, President
Bahamas, Right Honourable Perry Christie, Prime Minister	Niger, His Excellency Mahamadou, President of Niger
Bangladesh, His Excellency Mr Md. Abdul Hamid MD ABDUL, President	Norway, His Royal Highness Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway
Belgium, His Royal Highness King Philippe	Pakistan, His Excellency Mr Mamnoon Hussain, President
Benin, His Excellency Boni Yayi, President	Palestinian State, His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, President
Botswana, His Excellency Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President	Portugal, His Excellency, Anibal Cavaco Silva, President
Brazil, Her Excellency Dilma Rousseff, President	Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince
Burundi, His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President	Saharawi Republic, His Excellency Mr Mohamed Abdelaziz, President
Canada, His Excellency Stephen Harper, Prime Minister	Senegal, His Excellency Macky Sall, President

CHAD, His Excellency Mr Idriss Deby Itno, President	Serbia, His Excellency Tomislav Nikolic, President
China, His Excellency Li Yuanchao, Vice President,	Seychelles, His Excellency Mr James Alix MICHEL
COMORES, His Excellency Dr Ikiliou Dhoinine, President	Spain, His Royal Highness Felipe de Borbon, The Prince of Asturias
Congo (Republic of the Congo ), His Excellency Mr Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President	Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President
	Sudan, His Excellency Bakri Hassan Salih, Vice President
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo), His Excellency Joseph Kabila, President	Suriname, His Excellency Desire Delano Bouterse, President
Cote d Ivoire, His Excellency President Allassane Ouattara, President	Slovenia, His Excellency Pahor, President
Croatia, His Excellency Josipovic Ivo, President	South Sudan, His Excellency General Salva Kir Mayardit, President
Cuba, His Excellency Raul Castro Ruz, President	Sweden, His Excellency Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria.
Denmark, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Federick	Switzerland, His Excellency Mr Ulrich Maurer, President
Djibouti, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, President	Swaziland, His Excellency Dr Sibusiso Dlamini, Prime Minister
Ethiopia, His Excellency Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister	Suriname, His Excellency Desire Delano Bouterse, President
Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Mr Obiang Mbasogo, President	Tanzania, His Excellency Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President
France, His Excellency, Francois Hollande, President	Timor-Leste, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana, Prime Minister
Finland, His Excellency Sauli Niinisto, President	Tunisia, His Excellency Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, President
Gabon, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, President	Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister

The Gambia, His Excellency Prof Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, President Sheikh	Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kagota Museveni, President
Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President	United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Sheikh Nayahan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture – Special Envoy of the Emir
Germany, His Excellency Joachim Gauck, President	United Kingdom, His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron
	United States of America, His Excellency Barack Obama, President
Guyana, His Excellency Donald Ramotar, President	Venezuela, His Excellency Nicolas Maduro Moros, President
Guinea, His Excellency Prof Alpha Conde, President	Zimbabwe, His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President
India, His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee, President	Zambia His Excellency Michael Sata, President
Ireland, His Excellency Michael D Higgins, President	Arab States League, His Excellency Amb Samir Hosny, Minister
Italy, His Excellency Enrico Letta, Prime Minister	African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson
Japan, His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito	Commonwealth, His Excellency, Mr Kamalesh Sharma
Jamaica, Her Excellency, Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister	European Council, His Excellency Mr Herman van Rompuy, President
Jordan, Her Royal Highness, Queen Rania Al Abdullah and His Excellency Prime Minister Dr Abdullah Ensour	Mexico, His Excellency Enrique Pena Nieto President of Mexico
Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President	Mauritius, His Excellency Dr the Honourable Navinchandra, Prime Minister
Korea (South), His Excellency Hongwon Chung, Prime Minister	Mauritania, His Excellency Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President
Lebanon, His Excellency Mr Najib Mikati, Prime Minister	Malawi, Her Excellency Joyce Banda, President
Lesotho, His Excellency, T Thabane, Prime Minister	Grand Duchy of LUXEMBOURG, His Royal Highness Henry of Luxembourg, The Grand Duke
Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President

R.I.P Mr Mandela

R.I.P Mr Mandela

Folorunsho Alakija covers Forbes Woman Africa Magazine’s

December 2013/January 2014 Issue

Africa’s self made billionaire Folorunsho Alakija covers Forbes Africa Woman Magazine‘s December 2013/January 2014 issue.The Nigerian oil mogul who is reportedly the richest black woman in the world, is all smiles on the cover in a sequined multi-coloured Ankara dress. Source: Bella Naija