I have some exciting news to share – my first event is finally happening! It’s been months of planning, dreaming, and collaborating with my lovely community. I am thrilled to invite you to join me for a day that’s all about connection, inspiration, and celebrating the journey we are on together. Whether you have been with me from the beginning or you are just discovering my brand, we are ready to make memories and take this next step together.
Make sure you are ready and here in Accra on March 22nd. It’s going to be fabulous. Get your tickets now here.
Ok. Let’s get into the details.
I am co-organizing the Burgundy experience with Adrenaline 360. You already know how much I love culture, art, fashion, music, and time travel. So it only makes sense to create an experience that showcases these things.
Step into an unforgettable evening of luxury, style, and culture at Burgundy, an exclusive event that blends sophistication with the vibrant energy of Afro-Latin influences. Designed for a discerning audience who appreciates the finest in life, this celebration is set against an island-inspired, tropical backdrop.
The evening will begin with decadent canapes, curated by a renowned guest chef, offering a fusion of exquisite Afro-Latin and island-inspired flavors. Pair your meal with handcrafted cocktails and savor the essence of a tropical escape, as you enjoy fragrance sampling that transports you through the sensory world of exotic aromas.
As the evening progresses, immerse yourself in the world of high fashion and glamour with an exclusive Afrofuturism live mannequin fashion installation, followed by live performances that bring Afro-Latin rhythms to life. From captivating DJ sets to mesmerizing dance acts, the performances promise to set the stage for a night of excitement.
Art and fashion lovers will enjoy a curated auction featuring stunning artwork and one-of-a-kind fashion pieces. As the night unfolds, the atmosphere evolves into a high-energy after-party with tropical beats, allowing guests to dance the night away in true afofuturistic island style.
Burgundy is not just an event—it’s an experience. From the finest food and drink to the electrifying performances, every detail is crafted to indulge your senses and create memories of a truly elegant and vibrant affair.
Preparing for this event has been a fun adventure. A lot of collaboration and learning. Of course, I will be sharing with you exclusive behind-the-scenes in my newsletter as we countdown to the event. Make sure you subscribe to my newsletter for more details.
This has also continued to be a beautiful experience for me. As the ideas and planning have transformed from notes on a phone to a reality in progress, it has encouraged me to explore more possibilities for myself and Bandele Muse. I find it interesting how brands and businesses continue to grow and evolve in ways you might not have expected when you started. But the mystery makes more sense when you keep going and keep trusting.
Ok. That’s all the details for now.
Burgundy is an experience. This is the debut event. We have more to host and create next for you to enjoy with Burgundy.
What do you think of the concept? Share with me.
There are also opportunities to sponsor. Please contact me if you want to contribute or get involved.
And, do you know someone who you think would love this? Go ahead and share this post with them.
So, do you want to hear about that one time I became a ninja? A few months ago, I visited China. This was my first time in Asia. The trip was awesome. I felt like I traveled to the future. We packed a lot of adventures in 9 days.
Now, before the person behind you reacts with anti-China propaganda, may I ask you to please be respectful and curious about what I’m sharing with you. Fun fact, I served as the editor for an online publication called Africans on China a few years ago. I learned a lot while editing and posting content, training African university students in editorial writing, and interviewing Africans with experience in China. It gave me a glimpse into how Africa – China relations are evolving beyond government agreements.
This trip added another layer of curiosity for me to see the room for improvement and what can be leveraged to create win-win situations. In this post, I share a recap of my trip and elaborate on my reflections about Africa-China relations.
So, let’s get into it. Shall we?
First, the trip. We started in Shenzhen.
Next, we took a trip to Guilin.
Now, back in Shenzhen.
Overall, I really enjoyed my trip. Thanks to this experience, I am still reflecting on a few things. May I share them with you?
When People Can Tell Their Own Story
I loved how history was documented and showcased in Shenzhen. Every part of their museums, parks, and exhibits are very intentional in maintaining the narrative they want for their people. History, traditions, and stories are beautifully illustrated and celebrated in a variety of story methods. Available all year round for all ages. The majority of the guests in these spaces were Chinese. As in, the focus on this documentation and showcasing is not for the foreign gaze or foreign understanding. Instead, I got the sense that all of this effort was for their own people. To reiterate to themselves what they are capable of, where they come from, what there values are, and where they are headed. I found this to be very inspiring. Like I said in the video, China and Chinese people have a lot to be proud of and excited for. The sleeping dragon is way ahead of the rest of us (if that is appropriate to say, respectfully).
This also got me thinking of how we can use similar methods to document and showcase African history, Ghana history, and Black global history. At the time of writing this, I live in Accra, Ghana. So, my examples are focused on this location to start.
Right now, Africa is navigating an era in presenting itself as a tourist destination, investment destination, and repatriation destination. In Ghana, that navigation has continued through the initiatives Year of Return and Beyond the Return. The layers of success and challenges that these initiatives faced and continue to maintain prove there is a demand for this. So, we have a lot of room to take this further. I don’t mean copy what I saw in Shenzhen. Rather, take note of how much more we can do.
For example, the exhibits I shared with you in the video show four types of methods. First, the room with simulation projection that make the guests feel as if they are walking through an ancient city. Second, the exhibit with mannequins reenacting ceremonies, traditions, and milestones. Third, the amusement park with replicas of historical cites and people dressed to represent different regions. Fourth, the talent park that celebrates talent from the city and reiterates the story and purpose behind building the city. What would something like this look like for Accra?
Possibly a room with a simulation projection that shows what Accra was like before it was named Accra and takes you through how the city changed overtime. Documenting and showcasing the tribes indigenous to this regions, the migration that took place, the ceremonies, the traditions, the colonizers influences, the development, the gentrification, the milestones, etc.
Possibly an exhibit with mannequins reenacting the ceremonies and traditions that represent Accra. This actually reminds me of a play I saw last year at the National Theater in Accra. At the moment I forget the name, but the plot was Anansi as a person traveled to every region of Ghana tricking everyone. In the play, Accra was represented with a boxing match, where Anansi again tricked everyone to win. It was a beautiful display of Ghana’s culture. Could we translate that into an exhibit that is available all year? And add a live show within the exhibit every week? Or everyday as demand grows.
Possibly a talent park or garden that showcases people who contributed to Ghana in all sectors and industries. This reminds me of my visit to the newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah museum. Part of the exhibit there lists all the initiatives, industries, and infrastructure he created during his administration. To give that exhibit more substance…hear me out. Each of those initiatives could include showcasing the people who were involved, the story behind how they got it up and running, and who was responsible for shutting it down and why. In addition, this possible talent park can include statues and plaques reiterating what Ghanaians are capable of, what their values are, and where they are headed, including ancient history and modern history.
I know the amusement park might be a little too far ahead to think of right now, but we should still see it as a possibility.
Again, the intention behind all of these is for the enjoyment and enlightenment for domestic tourism as well as international tourism. Things like this should be available throughout the year for local school field trips, national holidays, etc. This is for Ghanaians to be the expert on their own history and values. This is for those who choose to live in Ghana to be aware of history and values. This is for intercontinental and international tourists to acknowledge history and values. Thus, the “Ghana narrative” is solid.
These are only suggestions. Please adapt and implement what resonates with you.
Where In This Galaxy Can Others Have A Futuristic City Of Their Own
As I mentioned in the video, Shenzhen is about 10 years old. This is a very young city. This is part of why I felt like I had traveled to the future. It was really inspiring to witness how a city can be built to accommodate and account for everyones needs. The level of convenience, security, residential options, commercial options, job opportunities, logistics, transportation, etc. was very impressive.
Actually, this also reminded me of the book The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin. In that book, cities are like living organisms that have an avatar to represent them as they develop. New York City has a new avatar, and all the avatars that represent the different boroughs must help the new one fight against the virus that wants to stop the city from developing. It was a really clever and creative story. If you like fantasy like that, I recommend it. She is one of my favorite authors. Ok, I digress. Keep focused.
Experiencing such a futuristic city got me thinking of where in this galaxy can other people have such a thing of their own. My frame of reference is Afrofuturism, but I also would love to see all groups get to experience this for themselves too. What would a new city look like in Africa, South America, the Middle East, other parts of Asia, the Caribbean, etc? A new city that genuinely serves the needs of the people and is culturally in-tune.
For Black people, I’m not sure if we have that yet. There are populations of Black people living comfortably all over the world, but still balancing nuances that do not always serve them. For a long time, we have been drumming the beat that Africa should be where those new cities should be. Are we truly developing in that direction?
In Ghana’s case, there is room to build a new city. I’m not sure if you can do that with Accra, since you continue to develop without city-planning or zoning. This would also cause too much displacement. For example, Shenzhen was a fishing town. They moved the people who were living there to temporary accommodations and provided incentives to build the new city together. Could we do that in another part of Ghana? I know I am not the first to think this. I am sure others have already designed the blueprint for this. But this new city needs to be a complete city. Not only a residential area for a select few who can afford it. Not only an isolated structure with no good road to get to it. Instead, it would be a city that has no slum, because everyone is served and accounted for. It would be a city with trees that are protected. It would be a city that is clean and safe. It would be a city with maximum wages, because the minimum wage system is obviously disrespectful. Can you imagine how cool that would be?
Then we can make this metro idea a reality. I came across this on Twitter and thought it was fabulous.
Again, these are suggestions. The way Shenzhen is set up, their government views these types of things as a priority. In Ghana, there is an interesting dynamic with the government sector, private sector, extractive sector, and exploitive sector. I say this respectfully.
Why Africa-China Relations Need To Develop Beyond Agreements And Propaganda
Finally, in the video I shared examples of the gap I am seeing with the potential within Africa-China relations winning. First, with my very unpleasant experience with my passengers on my Ethiopian Airlines flight from Accra to Addis Abba to Shanghai. Second, with the Galamsey issue in Ghana. With both, I note a stark difference between the people’s behavior and construction methods.
I feel there are possibilities to create a win-win situation for all involved in this. For instance, the way China maintains its autonomy and holds itself as a priority in international interactions is something Ghana and other African countries could implement and benefit from. I’m not going to get too much into what type of government you should follow, but looking at what I experienced on this trip, it seems like you need more than 4 years to get real things done. But that is neither here, nor there, nor everywhere, nor anywhere, nor all at once.
If you do not respect your own country or people, it can be difficult to insist others should do the opposite. It is not enough to point figures at foreigners or push Western anti-China propaganda about this. The issues that Chinese traders and miners face and facilitate in Ghana could be prevented. From undercutting the fish and goods market to destroying the environment through gold mining on one side to being scammed and harmed on the other side. Is it surprising that some Ghanaians view all Chinese people in their country through the prism of illegal activities, mafia affiliations, and the “new colonization”? I’m not endorsing any of these perspectives and I do not mean any harm. We all deserve better.
I believe the way you do anything is the way you do everything. Because the way you do everything is the way you do anything. From what I am seeing, within Africa-China relations, China is very intentional about what their role is. Same in the way they are very intentional about everything. It is very important for African countries to get intentional with their role. This can be equally beneficial. From my perspective, a thriving African country is good business for China. This has not been the case for Western relations with Africa. There are already examples of this with Chinese trade, distribution, and education in Ghana that has been good and beneficial. You already have a growing number of Ghanaians who are fluent in Mandarin, have lived or studied in China, and want to see Ghana do better. You already have Ghanaian banks setting up better systems to facilitate trade between Ghana and China. So, there is no excuse to continue destroying the environment for mining, disrespecting or harming people, or flooding markets with cheap goods. You are already being set up to win. Are you willing to be who you need to be to win? Like I said in the video, I hold both sides responsible for this solution.
Thank you for taking the time to share in this experience with me and be open to my insight. I hope and trust you found this helpful and fun. As always, I love hearing from you. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Let’s continue the conversation.
In this Curious and Cultured podcast episode, we discuss the fascinating world of advanced robotics and its impact on our lives. Join us as we explore the intricacies of technology, drawing inspiration from the TV show “Humans” and movies like iRobot, Terminator, and Eagle Eye. From AI-powered companions to cutting-edge advancements, we discuss the potential of robotics in enhancing our daily lives, revolutionizing industries, and pushing the boundaries of human achievement. We also acknowledge the ethical and societal concerns that accompany these advancements with the delicate balance between human interaction and the integration of machines. This episode will inspire you to reflect on the promises and challenges of a future increasingly intertwined with technology.
Now, since this episode is all about robots and advanced technology, I thought it was only fitting to write this post collaborating with AI. Have you used it yet? This is my first time experimenting with it for a full post. The text below is a combination of my edits and ChatGPT writing. Enjoy.
Again, welcome to another episode of our Curious and Cultured podcast! Today, we’re diving headfirst into the fascinating realm of advanced robotics and its profound impact on our lives.
The Promise of AI-Powered Companions: From Robotic Helpers to Heartwarming Companions
Picture a world where robots not only lend a helping hand but also become our trusty companions. Inspired by the TV show “Humans,” we’re on the verge of a future where AI-powered companions can do so much more than just chores. These advanced beings will engage in meaningful interactions, offer emotional support, and even provide companionship to the elderly or those in need. It’s a glimpse into a world that’s just waiting to be discovered, where technology intertwines seamlessly with our lives, enhancing our well-being and making each day a little brighter.
Revolutionizing Industries: Robotics As The Ultimate Game-Changers Across Industries
Robotics is turning traditional practices upside down, and the impact is nothing short of mind-blowing. Whether it’s manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, or agriculture, robots are shaking things up. Automation through robotics streamlines processes, boosts productivity, and drastically reduces human error. You’ve probably seen those cobots working alongside humans in factories, taking teamwork to a whole new level. It’s a thrilling transformation that will reshape how we work and pave the way for a more efficient future. However, I still leave room for how these robotics may feel. I remember seeing posts about cobots working on an assembly line with packaging and becoming overwhelmed and not wanting to work. Was it only a glitch? Or something more?
Pushing the Boundaries of Human Achievement: Unleashing Human Potential with Cutting-Edge Robotics
Inspired by movies like Terminator and Eagle Eye, we’re witnessing the birth of a new era. Picture robotic prosthetics restoring mobility to those who thought it was lost forever, or exoskeletons empowering individuals with extraordinary strength. These advancements are amplifying human potential, pushing boundaries, and ushering us into a world where humans and machines coexist in harmony.
Navigating Ethical and Societal Concerns: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility in a Robotic Future
As we venture further into the world of advanced robotics, we must address the ethical and societal concerns that come along for the ride. Striking the right balance between human interaction and machine integration is crucial. We need to ensure that privacy is respected, data security is maintained, and ethical guidelines are firmly in place. Society must grapple with tough questions surrounding accountability, potential job displacement, and the long-term implications of our growing reliance on robotics. It’s a challenging path, but by staying vigilant and responsible, we can shape a future that benefits us all.
Reflections on a Technologically Intertwined Future: Embracing a Future Where Humans and Robotics Coexist
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the promises and challenges of a future intertwined with advanced robotics. We’re witnessing the fusion of human brilliance and technological marvels, and it’s an incredible time to be alive. By embracing this symbiotic relationship, we can shape a society where human achievement knows no bounds. Let’s move forward responsibly, leveraging the potential of robotics while addressing ethical concerns, and create a future that amplifies our strengths and propels us toward a remarkable tomorrow.
So, remember that the future isn’t just a distant dream—it’s being shaped right in front of us. Stay tuned for more captivating discussions as we explore the exciting frontiers of innovation and technology on our Curious and Cultured podcast. Hit that subscribe button and be part of the conversation. Until next time, stay curious and keep embracing the wonders of tomorrow!
Did you know there is now a distinction being made between Afrofuturism and Africanfuturism? As you may know, my business Bandele Muse is an inner-galactic African life and style experience. That means, among other things, futurism is a heavy inspiration and influence. Funnily enough, while reading more about this, I now recognize that Bandele Muse is a blend of both. Let’s unpack that.
In this video, I discuss my experience with exploring Afrofuturism and Africanfuturism in books, film, and fashion.
As I said in the video, I dive deeper into this topic at bandelemuse.com. Yes, Bandele Muse has a blog too. You can view the article here.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Share with me in the comments. Let’s continue the conversation.
Half of the year 2020 is now complete. Can you believe it? I don’t really know what or how to feel. A good thing about this period of time is taking note of the things we claimed we did not have time for before. I have read 9 books so far in 2020. In this video, I discuss those books and share my take on what I loved and what I could do without. From Hip Hop culture, to relationships, to Afrofuturism, overall I really enjoyed these books.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi. I loved the alternative world the author created for this story. I also was fascinated by how she described the interactions between the tribes. The theme of power was strong throughout the story. I liked how the source of that power determined the results or destiny of certain tribes. For example, the story focuses on two tribes. One finds their source of power through nature. Everything they do is a balance of give and take with nature. The other finds their source of power through conquest. Everything they do is pushed by taking and conquering. It is fascinating to observe them interact and learn from each other.
This was also the first book I read with the book club Ghana Must Read. I really enjoyed discussing the book with them. Back then, we met in person. Now, the sessions are hosted on Zoom with the author of the books. So cool! If you are in Ghana looking for a group to read with, check them out.
The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love by DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good. I feel this book had helpful tips on determining why you make certain commitments to yourself and how to differentiate who is on your team. The overall message does focus on waiting to have sex until marriage. The examples and experiences they share can also resonate on life commitments that are or are not focused on physical intimacy. It also made me think about how certain personalities deal with self-hate. Like I asked in the video: for those of you who identify as men or lean more into your masculine energy, what do you do to manage disappointments and hurt feelings? Do you move on? Do you take yourself out of the race? For those of you who identify as women or lean more into your feminine energy, what do you do to manage disappointments and hurt feelings? Do you punish yourself? Do you move on? Comment below and let me know!
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler. This book was interesting and creepy. Almost prophetic actually. Even though it was written in 1998, it details a story that sounds very similar to what the world is going through right now. I was encouraged by how the main character maintained her tenacity to create and cultivate a like-minded community in a world where everything has been destroyed. There was a lot of symbolism around human nature and perceived hierarchy in society. This was my first Butler read.
The Game of Desire: 5 Surprising Secrets to Dating with Dominance and Getting What You Want by Shannon Boodram. This book has a lot of great advice in understanding how to define your expectations. I found it really helpful to better differentiate if the people you interact with have priorities that are truly aligned with yours. It was also fascinating to see how the different personalities maneuvered the challenges and lessons. I found it encouraging. I also recommend you check out Shannon’s content. I have been following her for about 6 or 7 years. It is not easy finding information about relationships and sex that is actually helpful and empowering. She knows her stuff.
How Long ‘Till Black Future Month by N. K. Jemisin. This book was one of my favorites! It was such a wealth of creativity and talent. I really love the way this author combines history, culture, and fantasy. This was a collection of short stories. Each one was filled with so much detail and mystery, I really wanted to read the full story of each. I already have another one of her books on my book list for the second half of this year.
Year One by Nora Roberts. This book was also interesting and creepy. The story sounds very similar to what the world is going through now with a mysterious virus and the after effects of a new normal. Overall, it was a good read and I am looking forward to finding out what happens at the end of the series.
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor. The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor. This was such a beautiful and exciting story. The way this author writes made me feel like I was listening to a real African griot. The overall story in this series is about the harm tradition can cause and the journey the chosen few must go through to save their people from themselves. I also loved the description of the dessert and the tribes. It paints an interesting future fantasy for Africa. I am also looking forward to reading more of her work the second half of this year.
Well, those were all the books I read this year so far. Would you read any of these? I am also looking for new books to read for the second half of the year. Do you have any book suggestions? Comment below and let me know.
Also, feel free to connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I love hearing from you.
“Next time you want to jump out of a building, tell me so I remember not to answer your call,” shouted Detective Khalid. He took off his blazer, drenched with water, as he tried not to slip on the marble rocks next to Bruce. They both had just jumped from a window of FAXX Corporation, a 12 story building, diving into the river on the other side. It was dark and the sound of the water blocked surveillance monitoring catching their presence. Bruce stood very still, looking up. Smoke and flames engulfed the window of the office they were just in. They could hear the sirens of emergency responders taking position at the front of the building. Guards, human and robotic, patrolled the remaining floors. Bruce continued to ignore Khalid’s complaints as he pulled out the corner of a handful of files from his backpack. “At least I got these,” Bruce said, which made Khalid freeze. Now, looking back up to the window, Khalid sighed deeply, “It looks like someone did not want us to find something.”
The next day, all news outlets were covering the overnight explosion at FAXX Corporation. Reporters: “The office of Dr. Reptar burst into flames last night, destroying almost all of its contents. FAXX has made an official statement ensuring a full investigation continues. If viewers recall, Dr. Reptar was found dead in his office almost 2 weeks ago. Surveillance footage and his personal robotic assistant are still missing. Sources say the scientist was about to make the biggest announcement of his career before his untimely death. Law enforcement asks for anyone who has any information to help with the investigation to report to the station immediately.”
Khalid switched the wall screen projection to mute. He turns to face Bruce, who is sitting in the middle of a chaotic table full of papers, books, maps, and pens. Bruce takes a photo of a map with his tablet, writes a note on the screen, and swipes right to transfer the image to the screen on the other side of the room. Khalid’s study looks like a time machine glitch. The floors and walls are wood paneled and all the furniture is wood. One wall holds a large bookshelf and several filing cabinets with every size of paper, books, floppy disks, cassettes, DVDs, and external hard drives stacked in a way that only Khalid could know where to find anything. The two opposite walls hold screen projections. The last wall has a medium sized window looking onto the street. Bruce gets up to look over the screen projection. Him and Khalid have created a web of images, maps, and notes, with lines looping and cutting to connect the details.
Clearing his throat, Khalid takes a closer look at the screen. “If Dr. Reptar was showing signs of mental incapacity,” said Khalid, “according to FAXX, why are his lab notes up to his alleged death so advanced?” Bruce drew a line between an image of the FAXX owner and a sketch of a black panther found in Dr. Reptar’s lab notes. “Animals have not been used for corporate or scientific experiments since the 2000s,” said Bruce. “It seems that whatever Doc was building was not going to be used as he expected.”
As they examined the screen, they both realized that the murder they were hired to solve is much more complex then expected. Their collaboration on this case is also complex and unexpected. Khalid is a highly sought after and controversial detective. Bruce is a very effective assassin. They actually met years ago during college study abroad in Istanbul. They stayed in touch and kept a pulse on each others work. For this case, the CEO of FAXX hired Khalid to lead the investigation on Dr. Reptar death, which was alleged as a suicide. At the same time, Bruce was hired by the owner of FAXX to investigate Dr. Reptar’s death, which was alleged as a homicide. On the night of the explosion, Khalid and Bruce went to Dr. Reptar’s office, unbeknownst to each other, to gather more clues. They met in the same elevator going up to the office and quickly realized they were working on the same case and that the story behind Dr. Reptar must be more complicated than they anticipated. While they were looking around in Dr. Reptar’s office, the lights on that floor went out. They heard footsteps approach the office. Someone dressed in what looked like a ninja uniform entered the office with a duffel bag. Approaching the desk to place it on the desk, the ninja uniform took out a remote from the bag. Bruce stepped out of his hiding place with his gun raised. Of course, an acrobatic fight ensued. Khalid stepped in to help and distracted the ninja uniform for a moment, but then, the ninja uniform pressed the remote.
The duffel bag buzzed as an electric current pulsed through the desk and spread through the room. Then it started beeping, as if a clock was counting down. Twenty seconds left. Bruce grabbed what he could from the shelf next to him and the files he was looking at before this interruption and quickly placed it in his backpack. Twelve seconds left. Khalid was focused on the duffel bag trying to figure out how to dismantle the bomb, but having difficulty avoiding the electric shock. A spark snapped from a corner of the office. Khalid and Bruce whirled around and found the ninja uniform had disappeared. Five seconds left. Bruce grabbed the desk chair and smashed the window with it. He then grabbed Khalid, who was protesting, and they both ran and jumped out the window, right before the bomb exploded.
Back in Khalid’s study, the screen projection was filled with more details. Why did the owner and CEO of FAXX hire two different professionals to solve this? Why did they both give them different information? What was Dr. Reptar’s announcement? Who wants to hide the evidence? What type of machine did Dr. Reptar build? Why are there so many sketches of black panthers in his notes? The list of questions continued to grow without many answers. What was for sure? The announcement and his recent project is connected to his death. FAXX may or may not be behind it, but the fact that the top security corporation in the world cannot explain how surveillance footage and a robotic personal assistant is missing in their own building is suspect. Khalid had picked up a book from the shelf and was fervently flipping through it. “Aha!,” he said while placing the book open on the table. “I know who we need to add to our team.” Bruce looked at him annoyed. “Team?,” he asked. Khalid gestured to him to come closer to look at the book.
“I knew Dr. Reptar looked familiar,” continued Khalid. “Here he is with my dear friend Dr. Fly. Some years ago they collaborated on a research initiative which created the vaccine for plastic allergies. I’m sure they must have kept in touch.” Bruce looked at the page Khalid held open. Pictured was Dr. Reptar and Dr. Fly wearing their lab coats smiling and shaking hands. “Why would she know anything,” asked Bruce. Khalid’s face lit up. “Because,” Khalid said, “she is an extraordinary.”
The Fly house is one of the most colorful homes in the neighborhood. As Khalid and Bruce rang the doorbell, they heard Hip Hop Jazz playing in the home. A woman with bright silver hair, high cheekbones, and a wise stern look opened the door. She eyed the two men with a mixture of suspicion and indescribable knowing. “How can I help you?,” she said. Khalid gave a slight bow as he introduced himself and Bruce. “We are here to meet with Dr. Kamali Fly,” said Khalid. “She is expecting us.” Bruce nodded in agreement. “One moment please,” the woman said. She closed the door. A moment later she opened it again, “You are welcome. Please follow me.” Stepping into the foyer and looking around them as they waited, Khalid and Bruce felt as if they had stepped into another dimension. Black and white tiles lined the floor. The walls had gold accents with African masks hanging up to the top of the high ceiling. The music continued to play in another room to the left of the foyer, now with added chatter. The woman lead them to another living room to the right of the foyer to wait. She left and returned with two glasses of chilled Ribena and a bowl of plantain chips and pistachios. As Khalid and Bruce waited, they could see part of the other room across from the foyer. The room was full of stunning, beautiful people all dressed colorfully and edgy. It looked like they were having more of a meeting than a social gathering, in spite of the upbeat music. Everyone was holding a tablet with the same crest engraved on the back. Then, everyone’s attention shifted to one part of the room and stopped talking. One woman addressed the group, thanking them for their attendance and summarizing their points of discussion. They have scheduled a health mission trip, an inter-generational mentoring brunch, and have a new collection of art ready for their next exhibit. She hugged each of them as they filed out of the room and out of the house. The music decreased in volume and transitioned to an afro house mix.
The woman walked in the room with her own glass of a juice mixture. Khalid and Bruce stood up when she entered. “Hello Kamali,” said Khalid. Kamali grinned, opening her arms to give Khalid a hug. Bruce noticed a flash of orange quickly appeared and disappeared in her hair, like a streak of electricity surrounding her curls. “It’s been a long time,” said Kamali. She stepped back and looked directly at Bruce. Khalid introduced them as they shook hands. She then sat on the lounge chair across from the. “So,” she said, “what adventure are you mixed in now?”
Khalid and Bruce explained their findings about Dr. Reptar’s research and death and their suspicions of FAXX and the ninja uniform. Kamali listened intensely. When they finished their story, silence fell on the room as the afro house music continued to loop in the background. Again, Bruce noticed Kamali’s hair. This time, a spark of blue flashed around her curls. Bruce quickly looked at Khalid, who was already eyeing him with a knowing smile. He mouthed the words “an extraordinary.” Kamali took the last sip of her drink and sat back in her seat.
“Have you heard of the Corks?” Kamali asked. Bruce sat up straighter and Khalid raised both eyebrows. She continued. “The news paints them as a little gang, but they are actually a very organized and highly connected mafia group that has this government wrapped around it’s pinkie toe. FAXX is not as far removed from them as they seem. Rep, that is what I called Dr. Reptar, was so committed to his research. I’m sorry I don’t know the details about his announcement or project. I know it meant a lot to him. He even sent me a calendar invite to make sure I did not miss it.”
Bruce returned his glass to the ornate table between them. “The Corks are lethal,” said Bruce. “They have too much money and too many underground businesses to care about one scientist.” Kamali looked at Bruce with a raised eyebrow. “Well,” she said, “that announcement and that machine must have meant a lot to them.”
Khalid took out his tablet, “Have you seen anything similar to this?” He reached over and passed the tablet to Kamali. On the screen was one of the sketches of a black panther from Dr. Reptar’s notes. Kamali looked at it, gasped, and stood up quickly. “Come,” she said, as she walked out of the room. Khalid and Bruce looked at each other and stumbled over the table to keep up with her. Walking further into the house, they passed more ornate figurines, African carvings, family portraits, and tapestries. Kamali was standing in the library. The windows and shelves reached from the floor to the high ceiling. There were elegant nooks and desks to read and write throughout the two story room. She was standing in front of a painting. As Bruce and Khalid moved closer, they noticed that the painting moved too. “Don’t be frightened,” said Kamali. “It is one of my own masterpieces.” The painting was of a black panther, similar to the one illustrated on the tablet and in Dr. Reptar’s notes. However, this one moved within the canvas. As all three of them stood in front of it, the black panther in the painting paced from left to right watching them. Finally, it climbed back up on the tree within the painting and watched them from a higher level.
Bruce did not have much patience for mysteries or manners. He now turned to Khalid. “Alright. Why are we here? What is up with her hair? Why is that cat moving?”
The panther in the painting and Kamali turned to look at both Bruce and Khalid at the same time. Kamali wrinkled her nose at Khalid and turned to Bruce. “So, dear Khalid did not have the decency to explain anything to you?” she said. “I am an extraordinary. My hair changes color with the shift in my mood. I love to paint and whatever I create lives in the canvas. I can heal wounds with the power of nature. Professionally, I am a doctor.” Bruce nodded slowly, but his face showed the million questions he wanted to ask.
“Now,” said Kamali, “this panther in Rep’s notes is the same as my painting. We have a heart for real animals you see. Did you know there is a group of panthers that escaped and continued to evolve? They are the last real animals. Some say it’s a conspiracy, but the last panthers can be used to create a weapon of mass destruction. Of course, they would have to be slaughtered. Rep told me about it.”
Khalid asked for the tablet back and examined it next to the painting. Bruce paced back and forth near one of the windows. He paused and turned to the other two. “FAXX and the Corks must be the same entity,” Bruce said. “Or a paid accomplice,” said Khalid. “You will need a lot more evidence than a sketch and a hunch to go public with that statement,” chuckled Kamali.
The sound of plates and cutlery came from the dining room. Kamali’s hair sparked a flash of pink. “Oh,” she exclaimed, “I know both of you are staying for dinner.” Bruce and Khalid started shuffling towards the door slowly while mumbling about work and needing to get back. “Nonsense,” she insisted. “Quincy is on his way back and we already prepared for guests this evening. I think they would love to hear about your new adventure.”
Bruce and Khalid stopped shuffling. “Who is coming for dinner?” Khalid asked. As she walked out of the room, Kamali twirled around with a grin. “Well,” she said, “Pepper and Gold.”
Visuals
I really enjoyed putting this look together and playing the character Kamali.
Wearing: SheIn Lace Blouse; ASOS high waist pants; ALDO black heels; Fenty Beauty primer and foundation; Black Radiance contour and highlight; LipBar lipstick
What do you think of the story so far? Who is your favorite character? What do you think will happen next? Share with me in the comments below.
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Dagny Zenovia 