Words for Worlds: Yvonne Owuor at TEDxEuston 2014

YVONNE OWUOR is a Kenyan writer, who was named "Woman of the Year" by Eve Magazine in Kenya in 2004 for her contribution to the country's literature and arts. She won the 2003 Caine Prize for African Writing for her story "Weight of Whispers", which explores the story of an aristocratic Rwandan refugee in Kenya. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications worldwide including Kwani and McSweeney’s, and her story "The Knife Grinder’s Tale" was made into a short film in 2005. Her novel "Dust", published in 2014 to widespread critical acclaim. Owuor’s talk at TEDxEuston was sheer poetry! She dropped many memorable lines, including this which takes a swipe at the “Bonoesque” brand of charity’: “We complete you “they” imply in songs that obliterated our voices”.  Watch.

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Conversations with Baba: BINYAVANGA WAINAINA at TEDxEuston 2014

BINYAVANGA WAINAINA is a Kenyan author, publisher and cultural worker. For over eleven years Binyavanga has sought, worked with, published, mentored and promoted some of Africa’s most exciting new literary talent. He is the founding editor of one of Africa’s leading literary institutions Kwani. Wainana’s witty and satirical essay, “How to Write About Africa” continues to attract wide attention. His memoir, “One Day I Will Write About This Place” has been translated into several languages. In 2014, he came out publicly as gay. In the same year, he was named by Time magazine as one of 100 most influential people in the world.'' Binyavanga, storyteller extraordinaire, shared his personal journey and struggles at TEDxEuston 2014 with grace. His words resonated deeply with the audience and he got a standing ovation....watch his talk, and save it, and watch it again.

Introducing TEDxEuston 2014 Speaker Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and educated at the Kenyatta University, the University of Reading and University of Queensland. She received the 2003 Caine Prize for African Writing for her short story, “Weight of Whispers.” Her writing has appeared in numerous publications worldwide including Kwani? and McSweeney’s, and her story "The Knife Grinder’s Tale" was made into a short film in 2005. Her first novel, Dust, was published to critical acclaim by Knopf in 2014  received widespread critical recommendations as a vivid and often poetic portrayal of the violent history of Kenya in the second half of the 20th century.

She has a fascinating story to tell at TEDxEuston 2014. To here her, get one of the remaining tickets here.

"No more labels" - Wanuri Kahui at TEDxEuston 2013

An alumna of UCLA’s master’s program in film directing, she debuted in 2006, directing a behind-the-scenes documentary, The Spark that Unites. In 2008 she completed her first feature film, From a Whisper based on the real-life events surrounding the 1998 twin bombings of US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. In 2009 she completed a short science-fiction film, Pumzi. Wanuri Kahui  is passionate about her craft and about our world. Listen to her talk of the need to preserve the world we live in, of creating a world that we can be proud  for the next generation to inherit and the dangers of labeling. She inspires us to just tell our stories and contribute to the Ripple effect of nurturing our world

'If we do not feed the world then we will leave nothing behind.' WK 

Watch her talk HERE. 

Frank Njenga at TEDxEuston 2012 - "The changing role of Grantparenthood"

As a leading psychiatrist, he has been championing the fight to de-stigmatize mental illness in his native Kenya, and to improve care for mental illness patients. Frank Njenga is a staunch anti-drugs campaigner, is patron of a student anti-drugs organization, and joined Facebook in 2011 to be more accessible to people. Yet the most significant event in his life was becoming a grandparent. In his TEDxEuston 2012 talk, he invites us to challenge conventional wisdom in the way we view trans-generational relationships.

Watch his powerful talk HERE

Frank Njenga is a Consultant Psychiatrist in private practice in Nairobi, Kenya, where he has practiced for thirty years. He was the founder President of the African Association of Psychiatrists and Allied Professions (AAPAP). Dr Njenga was appointed by the President of Kenya to chair the (NACADA) - National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority Board which is the body that advises the Kenya Government on Drug and Alcohol policies. In addition to his medical practice, he is Founder Chair of the Institute of Education in Democracy (IED), an Africa wide election monitoring body, as well as active campaigner for Democracy in Africa. He is an author of many scientific papers, books and book chapters, including children’s’ books.

There are a few tickets left for TEDxEustonSalon on April 6 2013. Grab one of the last ones here. 

Introducing TEDxEuston 2012 Speakers - Jepchumba

What is a digital artist?

Well, don't feel too bad if you do not know - at TEDxEuston 2012, we will all be learning some interesting stuff from a lady with just one name - Jepchumba! The world is changing in many ways - some are obvious to us while others are in niche areas that affect our lives in aspects we least expect. Digital art is one such area. Be prepared, be very prepared to be blown away!

Jepchumba is an African digital artist and digital enthusiast who works hard to combine her two passions: Digital media and Africa. Originally from Kenya, she has lived around the world developing her interest in philosophy, art and technology. Jepchumba has a Masters in Digital Media with experience in New Media project management and digital production She specializes in Web Design, Digital Art, Audio/Visual Production and User Interface/User Experience. Jepchumba is also the founder of African Digital Art Network, dedicated to the African Digital Media industry. Jepchumba continues to focus on the intersection between technology, creativity and design.

Jepchumba is also the founder of African Digital Art, a collective and creative space where digital artists, enthusiasts and professionals can seek inspiration, showcase their artistry and connect with emerging artists. Since its inception African Digital Art has grown to be a source of inspiration to Africa’s creative economy. African Digital Art continues to push digital boundaries by fostering, promoting and showcasing the best in African digital media and arts. For the past two years African Digital Art has presented unparalleled ideas, individualistic works and insightful designer solutions by the African creative. African Digital Art has become a platform for innovation and inspiration with a sophisticated blend of fresh talent and successful designers and artists.


Follow Jepchumba @digitalafrican

Introducing TEDxEuston 2012 Speakers - Frank Njenga

On the continent, we generally struggle with how to deal with mental illness. In the health sectors of most countries, it is the most neglected of all medical specialities. So in our search for exceptional people to share their ideas on the TEDxEuston stage we found one of Kenya's leading psychiatrists; Dr Frank Njenga. Dr Njenga has been championing the cause of better mental health care in Kenya and the continent for more than three decades. In an interview with CNN's African Voices he said;

"The truth and reality is that very little has been done systematically and deliberately by government or by ourselves to bring up the level of mental health in this part of the world,"

In Kenya, the ratio of psychiatrists to the population is one psychiatrist to half a million people....and that is probably one of the better served countries in the continent. At TEDxEuston, we will not run away from the difficult issues in our society - but we will bring to you the exceptional people that are tackling them head on - one of these is Dr Frank Njenga. He is our second ever speaker from Kenya!

Frank Njenga is a Consultant Psychiatrist in private practice in Nairobi, Kenya, where he has practiced for thirty years. He was the founder President of the African Association of Psychiatrists and Allied Professions (AAPAP). Dr Njenga was appointed by the President of Kenya to chair the (NACADA) - National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority Board which is the body that advices the Kenya Government on Drug and Alcohol policies. In addition to his medical practice, he is Founder Chair of the Institute of Education in Democracy (IED), an Africa wide election monitoring body, as well as active campaigner for Democracy in Africa. He is an author of many scientific papers, books and book chapters, including children’s’ books.

Get your ticket TODAY!