Theme: Voices of Change

On October 25, we will gather at Eaton House to hear stories of identity, empowerment and creative expression from across the continent of Africa. These talks come from a group of people with unique perspectives expressed through a variety of initiatives, from art expression to activism, design to photography, all of which actively explore the identity and cultures of the African continent and the global African diaspora.

The speakers in this salon are artists, photographers, designers, and visionaries who are remaking the world around them. The live talks will be complemented with talks from the global TED stage, rounding out an evening filled with fresh insights, creativity and heart.

Eaton House
5/F, Champion Tower
3 Garden Road
Central, Hong Kong, 000000
Hong Kong

Akin Jeje

Poet

Akin Jeje is a Canadian poet living in Hong Kong. An active poet and spoken-word performer, Jeje's works have been published and featured in both Canada and Hong Kong. Jeje’s first work, Dreaming of The Sands, was published in Canada in 1999. His first full-length poetry collection, Smoked Pearl: Poems of Hong Kong and Beyond, was a semi-finalist for the 2009 International Proverse Prize, and published by Proverse Hong Kong in 2010. His most recent publications, “Reach” and “Wasted”, were in the special #WRITERSRESIST edition of Hong Kong’s Voice and Verse Poetry Magazine in 2017. Jeje is a regular performer at Hong Kong's Poetry Outloud and is one of the directors at Peel Street Poetry. Jeje has also been published in other Hong Kong and Canadian publications such as fifty-fifty, Asian Cha, Carousel, Outloud Too and Filling Station. He has been presenting educational seminars on poetry for primary and secondary school students since 2014 and is currently at work on another collection.

Alun Be

Artist & Architect

Alun [be] is a photographer whose captivating images distinguish themselves through profound expression in high contrast. Born in Dakar, Senegal, his diverse approach has carved a niche suspended between his upbringing in France, the United States, and West Africa. Alun's art form is constantly evolving through personal projects focused on the human condition in public spaces, incited by his studies in San Francisco where he received his M.A. in Architecture.

Georgette Biebie Songo

Women's Empowerment Activisit

Georgette Biebie Songo, affectionately known as Mama Georgette, has been an advocate for the promotion of human rights, and the rights of women in particular, for over 15 years. She has helped create awareness for young people and women in areas related to gender, education, accountability, ethics and HIV prevention awareness/AIDS, and received a UN Women Honorific Award in 2016 for her actions for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has also participated in mobilizing and distributing emergency food and medical aid to affected populations during periods of crises, and has helped set up multiple microfinance institutions across the D.R.C to help deprived victims of sexual violence, to strengthen their economic capacities, and to enable them to meet the basic needs of their respective families. With a PhD in Pharmacy, she has taught Toxicology and Pharmacology in Algeria and the DRC. She is also a Gender Trainer at the UNESCO Chair at the University of Kinshasa.

Nelly Wandji

Entrepreneur and Brand Management Consultant

Parisian with Cameroonian origins, Nelly is passionate about the creative arts and has devoted herself to promoting African heritage through the development of African creativity and arts internationally. In 2014, she launched moon-look.com, an online concept store promoting #MadeinAfrica fashion & accessories, and has since embarked on roadshows to promote African luxury and fashion, creating business opportunities for brands out of the continent. In March 2017, Nelly opened her first gallery on the Faubourg Saint-Honoré - Paris golden triangle, offering the finest products and artwork from Africa and the global African diaspora, to the rest of the world. The concept of the store offers an immersive gallery promoting creativity across the fields of art, design, fashion and lifestyle. Nelly holds a Master’s degree in International trade and an MBA in Luxury Management from Paris School of Business. Through her travels, she has already sourced closely to 30 creative brands and artists.