In regards to Africa and Africans slavery, White Supremacy and racism forbade positive images of Africa and Africans in America. In regards to Africa the dominate image that Americans hold of African comes from the 1932 MGM movie "Tarzan the Ape Man." Most African/Americans believe that Africans live in the Jungle and many decline to travel to Africa in fear of getting eaten by wild Animals.
In regards to American media, most stories about Africa are negative. In the case of Africa and negative images such imagery such could not be exemplified better than that of "Memphis in May" cultural celebration honoring "The Republic Ghana" in May of 2022
The Ghanaians in regards to Memphis 70% African/American population and Memphis being the seat of the Civil Rights Movement the Ghanaians showed no respect for Dr. Martin Luther King or the African/American Community. We Afro-Centric Americans who purchase African clothes from Ghana and who support Ghana were isolated from Ghanaians. Dr. Martin Luther King via his last speech in Memphis mentioned "Accra, Ghana, Johannesburg, South Africa and Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr. Martin Luther King's 1st International trip to Africa was via the birth of Ghana in 1957. The Ghana dignitaries failed to connect Ghana with its 2019 year of Return or Ghana's role in the Civil Rights movement.
We in Memphis at our home in "Orange Mound" have the display of the largest Custom African Home furnishing of any home in America. Our home in Memphis have spent more money in Ghana and our household use more Ghana made products than any home in America. The White orientated "Memphis in May" refused to highlight positive Black history and culture.
The Government of Ghana allowed a bias "Ashanti" ethnic take over of Ghana's democratic image. We in Memphis were lead to believe that "His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II" "The King of Ghana" and not "A King in Ghana." What happen in Memphis was a look at an "homogenous ethnic" that engaged via an "Esotoric Ashanti Culture." It was a case of "Ashantis supporting on Ashantis" and there was no interaction with majority Black population in Memphis.
The image projected to Memphis African/Americans was an "embarrassment" in that African/Americans believe that Africans do not wear clothes and that Ghana was not a democratic Republic, instead one of Kings. The issue is that Ghana did not project cultural Integration and many Africans do not project "African Cultural Integration."
Please click on the above picture to learn about the "African Styled Tuxedo I had produced in Ghana for President Obama." We opened an African Import Business after visiting Ghana in 1998. We made products for "Whose Who in Memphis" including the Mayor, police chief Judges, Attorneys, Business people, Ministers.
Clearly there is a market for "Styled African Products in America." While I was once named the minority "Importer of the Year" I realize that in order for Africa to compete with China there must be designed a "Shipping Infrastructure" to get products from Africa to the U.S.
In order to sell African products in America there must be strict "quality control mechanisms enforced. In fact we fought for years with Ghana tailors regard "quality control." We went the extra mile to make our products better.
In order to sell African products in America to Americans the products must be a better product at a cheaper price. We also call this "A Cultural Integration." In order for African products to compete Africa must make better products.
In regards to the movies "The Black Panther & Wakanda Forever" film director Ryan Coogler was able via film to Integrate African Cultural Integration via film. We must do the same vial real life.
In regards to the proposed "Tom Mboya/Dr. Martin Luther King Education and Cultural Center" being built in Nairobi, Kenya; the idea of the Center is to build and design the largest and most historic " African Cultural Integrated Education Center in the World." The way to create the best in Cultural Integration is to build the 1st Wakanda futuristic center in Africa whereas African/Americans and African would make it life's journey to visit to learn African and African/American history and culture.
This center will be funded by donations worldwide. Kenya is the home of the birth of Humankind. Kenya has more wildlife that any country in the world. This center will make Kenya the start of the "Returning Point of African/Americans visiting Africa.
Elmore explains that in 2005 I purchased a container load of goods from Ghana and I contacted Ghana officials looking for "moral support." We were criticized by the Ghana Government official who would not offer us publicity or show interest as to how we can improved Ghana exports to America.
In regards to exports to America Ghana is amazing whereas Ghana as well as Africa are missing billions and billions of potential American dollars. In regards to Ghana Government they were not "African/American Friendly." If a young inspired African/American were to seek Ghana Government support unlike Kenya there are no systems in place to inspire trade.
We African/Americans can make a major difference in helping Africa and Ghana to move up to American standards. We are impressed by Ghana and note that Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo is doing a wonderful job. We in America in partnership can help Ghana. While we did not get a story in 2005 when our container shipped from Ghana. Today in 2023 we are the "Most African Home in America." Thanks to Ghana.
