Ms. Afrika Abney - Consultant Branding Blog

 " Does your mask reveal or conceal who you are? And what are the different and opposing aspects of your personality?"                  Since 2020, I have been wearing as it relates to the Coronavirus/COVID - 19. However, I have created many masks for art projects or art lessons. I think that face masks can tell a story about the person without the person saying anything.  Created by Afrika Abney To the majority of the world I am a bit quiet and reserved, and show others my kind heart. I do genuinely care about others' feelings and desires, and are accommodating in my own personal relationships.

  "Barnett Edward Williams, 61, a percussionist who lived his life to the beat of African drums and who loved sharing the drumming tradition with other enthusiasts, died March 4,2006 of a heart attack at the home in the District where he was born. He was a District resident." Considered one of the elders of the drumming circle, he started drumming at the historic park along 16th Street NW in 1967, when he was 11."                                                                       Photograph by Ms. Afrika Abney                                                                  ...

I love creating fun, aesthetically pleasing campaigns for my clients. People usually compliment me on my creativity skills. I have had the opportunity to design numerous flyers and photograph various events. I love using social media as a marketing channel and enjoy spending time scrolling through news-feeds. In fact, I use my formal training and education in the arts to offer and provide services. I think marketing small businesses and non profit organizations requires some form of artistic skills and talents. Fortunately for me, I have an extensive background in the arts. I have been an artist for over 20 years.                     The above photos was one the photos that I took in 2015 at Malcolm X Park. Photograph by Afrika Abney                     On April 4, 2020, Esther Productions, Inc released it's 1st chapbook. Available at estherproductionsinc.com/shop . ...

   When I was a student attending NationHouse from 1978 - 1991, I studied Taratibu taught by Mama Afia.  "Taratibu combines contemporary military drill movements with traditional African dance. Taratibu also integrates vocals, including traditional Negro spirituals, contemporary gospel and songs in Kiswahili, the national language of several East African countries, as well as vocals in Zulu, the most widely spoken language in South Africa." "Mama Afia Nson, art had always been somewhat of a family tradition and the driving force for every venture in her personal and professional life. Afia Nson Bonsu was born 1956 in Trenton, New Jersey. She relocated to the District of Columbia to transfer to Howard University from Mercer County College Fine Arts program after a 2-year hiatus. She created for academia, she created as an outlet, and she created as a means of income; selling jewelry and crafts at various festivals and art events. A mother of 2 sons, and a full...

        NationHouse Anniversary 1980s   I gave away this dance outfit many years ago.  NationHouse 1982       NationHouse 1989   I gave away this outfit many years ago.     NationHouse Anniversary 1980s   I gave away this outfit many years ago. My African Centered Education experiences were traumatizing and somewhat uplifting for me. I was exposed to a different set of men, standards and principles that completely focused on my culture and heritage as a black female living in America. I was enrolled into an African centered school when I was 2 years old and that was NationHouse. Some of my instructors include Mama Afia, Mama Nkechi, Mama Esi and Baba Michael. At NationHouse, I had the opportunity to learn about my roots, culture and heritage. I participated in numerous Kwanzaa programs and events. When I left NationHouse in 1991, I continued to recognize and celebrate my roots, culture and heritage.  Many years l...

  The above photos were taken while I was a high school student at Bell from 1991 - 1993.  I gave away the clothing articles and jewelry shown in the photos above . Additionally, I donated the artwork shown above. My high school experiences were diverse and somewhat traumatizing for me. I had the opportunity to exhibit my artwork in New York City in 1993 at The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York) and Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York). I was 16 years old at that time. Additionally, I participated in the Congressional Art Competition from 1992 - 1993.   I was exposed to a diverse set of people with different backgrounds and sexual orientations from 1991 - 1993. I was often bullied about my name, height, and size. Fortunately, I expressed my anger throughout my visual artwork. Each of these experiences allowed me to produce a different set of artwork and develop a wide range of skills.  (Please note in the above photos that I was 14 - 16)!

  The above photo was taken in 1996 when I was 19 years old at the Corcoran School of the Art. I donated the charcoal drawing shown in the above photo. Additionally, I gave away the clothing articles and jewelry shown in the photo above.  My college experiences were diverse. I had the opportunity to exhibit my artwork in New York City in 1993 at The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York) and Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York). I was 16 years old at that time. Additionally, I participated in the Congressional Art Competition in 1993.   I was exposed to a diverse set of people with different backgrounds and sexual orientations from 1993 - 1997. I had the opportunity to met Ms. Lois Jones when I was a college student and exhibit my artwork in several exhibitions from 1996 - 1997. Among them include: "Evolution of Historical Symbolisms." Corcoran Gallery of the Art, Hemicycle, Washington, DC. 1997; and "All Senior Summer Show." Corcoran Schoo...

  I met Ms. Eloise Greenfield when I was a student.    " Children’s author Ms. Eloise Greenfield was born in Parmele, North Carolina, and raised in Washington, DC. She attended Miner Teachers’ College (now the University of the District of Columbia) and went on to work as a clerk in the US Patent Office. The monotony of the job drove her to experiment with making up rhymes, and eventually Greenfield began writing poetry in earnest. Her first published poem appeared in the Hartford Times in 1962. Since then, Greenfield has published more than 40 books for children, including works of poetry, biography, picture books, and chapter books. Her work is widely praised for its depiction of African American experience, particularly family life; Greenfield has said she began writing for children after looking in vain for books for her own children that reflected their life. ."   She recently passed.  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/eloise-greenfiel...

  "Ms. Dolores Kendrick was born and raised in Washington DC. She earned a teaching certificate from Miner Teacher’s College and an MA from Georgetown University. She first taught in the Washington DC public school system, where she helped found the School Without Walls; for two decades she taught at Phillips Exeter Academy, where she was the first Vira I. Heinz Professor Emerita. In 1999 Kendrick was appointed poet laureate of the District of Columbia. She was the second poet to hold the position, after  Sterling Brown . She has developed a series of initiatives aimed at forging connections between poets, poetry, and communities, both in Washington DC and further afield in Aix-en-Provence, where Kendrick has also taught. As she told the  Washington Post,  “I don’t believe poetry should be a solitary intellectual adventure. It should be a relationship with people, it should forge a connection. Good poetry does not belong to the poet.”   Kendric...

  NationHouse Positive Action Center, private African - American school originally located at 770 Park Rd NW in Washington, D.C. I had the opportunity to attend this school from 1978 - 1991. Some of my teachers while I was a student at NationHouse include Baba Agyei Akoto, Mama Nkechi Taifa, Mama Afia Nson Bonsu and Baba Michael Anthony - Brown artist.  "Baba Agyei Akoto was a respected scholar, educator, institution builder and author. He was the principal of NationHouse Positive Action Center – which has provided a rigorous African-centered education to students ranging from pre-school through high school, for over thirty eight years." Baba Agyei recently passed on December 4, 2019.  "Mama Nkechi Taifa is a native Washingtonian and life-long resident of the District of Columbia. She is a social justice attorney, activist, author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. She serves as a Senior Policy Analyst for an international foundation and convenes a W...

  The pandemic has had a profound impact on consultants, influencing various aspects of their professional lives, including mental health, economic stability, and social interactions. For instance, Ms. Afrika Abney found it necessary to cancel all her scheduled meetings with prospective clients, which significantly hindered her ability to connect and engage with them during this challenging period. The abrupt shift in the business landscape forced many consultants, including Ms. Abney, to reassess their strategies and adapt to the new normal.  As a consultant specializing in services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations, Ms. Abney faced considerable obstacles in delivering her offerings effectively due to the stringent restrictions and regulations imposed since March 9, 2020. The ongoing challenges made it increasingly difficult for her to ensure the success of her services, as the traditional methods of engagement were no longer viable. This situation necessitated...

In 2021, I have implemented over 30 new strategies. As a consultant, I would say that I have received numerous feedback on my effective strategies. Each strategy was uniquely different for each event that I provided and offered services. During the pandemic which began on March 9, 2020, I provided and offered all of my services online. I had to ensure that each service that I provided was effective and successful. This was challenging for me because I was used to providing services for in person events hosted by Esther Productions, Inc.  I had to completely revamp all of my services online as a result of the restrictions and precautions revolved around the pandemic.    I provided services for the following events that were hosted by Esther Productions, Inc. Among them include 2nd Annual Discovering Me..Without You Essay Contest Winners Announced which took place on February 6, 2021; The Power of Poetry In You which took place on February 13, 2021; Women Are Poetry i...

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         CONTACT: Esther Productions Inc       202-829-0591-- estherproductionsinc@gmail.com     ESTHER PRODUCTIONS INC. ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS THIRD ANNUAL DISCOVERING ME…WITHOUT YOU ESSAY CONTEST       Flyer created and designed by Ms. Afrika Abney Services provided by Ms. Abney Maya Santhanam, Anais Joubert, Amari Norris were selected by a distinguished panel of judges as First Place, Second Place and Third Place winners respectively of Esther Productions Inc’s essay writing contest for 2021. Two other young ladies Diya Jha and Briayawna Mitchell-Thomas were chosen as Honorable Mentions. They received cash awards totaling $1800.00 They were selected from a group of more than two-dozen teen girls between the ages of 14 and 17. Those who did not receive cash prizes were given $25 gift cards. Esther Productions Inc. and members of the community congratulated all th...