EP 62 - Meet Nollywood

In This Episode: 

I will introduce you to the world's third-largest film industry, Nollywood.   

I’ll take you a journey, from the beginning of Nollywood to where we are today, and how quickly we have grown and achieved world recognition. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Stella Damasus: https://www.stelladamasus.com/
2. Nollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nollywood
3. Nigeria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria
4. Hollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_the_United_States
5. Bollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollywood
6. Bruce Lee: https://brucelee.com/
7. Hurbet Ogunde: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubert_Ogunde
8. 35mm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35_mm_format
9. TIFF: https://www.tiff.net/
10. Cannes: https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/
11. Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/
12. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/
    

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 55 - 'Between' The Movie

In This Episode: 

I’m going to tell you about something very special that is happening TODAY (04/12/19). It’s the London premiere of a feature film that I co-produced and play the lead role in. 

I have played the lead role in very many movies over the last 2 decades, but this one is extra special because it was filmed with the intention of changing how African’s are viewed and portrayed in the entertainment industry.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. ‘Between’- The Movie: https://www.indextwostudios.com/between
2. Index Two Studios: https://www.indextwostudios.com  
3. Ruméh: https://www.instagram.com/rumeh_ejoor/  
   

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 43 - The Relationship Between India and Africa

In This Episode: 

I was watching a documentary with my husband a while ago, and we were shocked to see an Indian and an African getting married. 

I have always wondered why it’s so rare to find such a union. Is there some underlying issue between Indians and Africans? 

We have so much in common, so why is there such a great divide?

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Anchor Podcast Lab: https://twitter.com/anchor/status/1022501209519915009
2. Excuse My African Blog: https://www.stelladamasusblog.com/2017/04/excuse-my-african.html
3. Code 55 Store: https://www.code55store.com/
4. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/
5. Hollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood
6. Bollywood: https://www.bollywood.com/
7. Nollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nollywood 
8. Shah Rukh Khan: https://www.facebook.com/IamSRK/
9. Amitabh Bachchan: https://www.facebook.com/AmitabhBachchan/
10. Girl Child Education: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducation
11. Child Marriage: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/about-child-marriage/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 24 - Black Panther, Hollywood & The African

In This Episode:
“The African and Hollywood”; this was the idea that birthed Excuse My African. When I started this podcast in 2017 Hollywood was at a point where they weren’t ready for MY kind of ‘African’. In the exact words of a Casting Director, I am not “African Enough”.

Fast forward to February 2018 and Black Panther, a movie that praises and glorifies the beauty of Africa; is currently the number 1 movie in the whole world. However, this hasn’t changed the tune of Hollywood.

In this episode, I will tell you about a very recent experience I had with an agency. This time it wasn’t about my looks, it was about my accent.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Black History Month: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month  
2. UN: http://www.un.org/en
3. Women’s Month: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_History_Month
4. Black Panther: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825683/
5. Dialect Coach: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialect_coach
6. Gringo: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3721964/
7. David Oyelowo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Oyelowo
8. A United Kingdom: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3387266/fullcredits

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 21 - Africa Before The Slavery

In This Episode: 

Welcome to Black History Month!

Usually what people celebrate during this period are the achievements of African-Americans after the slave trade, or how they persevered through the slavery. 

However, a lot of people do not know about the great things and great people that lived in Africa before the slave trade. 

So in honor of this year's celebration, we have decided to take you back in time to the days before slavery. The days of the African Kings and Queens, the Black History we should never forget  to celebrate as well. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Black History Month: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month   
2. Kush: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Kush  
3. Axum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axum 
4. Black Panther Movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825683/
5. Hollywood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_the_United_States  
6. King Mansa Musa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_I_of_Mali
7. Niger City: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger
8. Timbuktu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbuktu
9. Goa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Goa
10. Djenne: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djenn%C3%A9
11. Google : https://www.google.com
12. Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/
13. Times Magazine: http://time.com/
14. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ 
15. Jeff Bezos : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Bezos 
16. Jacob Davidson: http://time.com/money/author/jacob-davidson/
17. Mecca: https://www.britannica.com/place/Mecca
18. Chimamanda Adichie: https://www.chimamanda.com/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 19 - "S***hole" Africa

In This Episode:

I woke up a few days ago to hear that some certain individual, had referred to my beautiful continent Africa and Haiti as a s***hole continent and country.

Instead of getting angry, I decided to respond with positivity. Which is what I have decided to do all of 2018. I will not give power to people who try to bring me down, and that’s exactly what we African’s need to do too.

I’m proudly African, and I love my s***hole continent!

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Africa : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa 
2. Haiti : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti
3. Michelle Obama : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Obama
4. Excuse My African : http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
5. David Oyelowo : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Oyelowo
6. Lupita Nyong’o : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupita_Nyong%27o
7. Uzo Aduba : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzo_Aduba
8. Chiwetel Ejiofor : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiwetel_Ejiofor
9. O.T. Fagbenle : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._T._Fagbenle
10. Nigeria : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria
11. Texas : https://texas.gov/
12. Obafemi Awolowo University : http://www.oauife.edu.ng/
13. Ile-Ife : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ife
14. The Virginia Commonwealth University : https://www.vcu.edu/
15. Richmond, Virginia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia
16. Medical College of Virginia Hospitals : https://www.vcuhealth.org/
17. Pediatric Surgery : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatric_surgery
18. General Surgery : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_surgery
19. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia : http://www.chop.edu/
20. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine : https://www.med.upenn.edu/
21. Texas Children Fetal Centre : http://women.texaschildrens.org/program/texas-childrens-fetal-center

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 18 - AFRICA IN 2017

In This Episode:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018!

Before we continue to take you on a journey through Africa and tell you about all her amazing countries and people. We decided that for our first episode of 2018, we will take you back in time and tell you about 5 amazing and historic things that happened in 2017.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1.  George Weah  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Weah
2.  Liberia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia
3.  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Johnson_Sirleaf
4.  Wizkid - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizkid_(musician)
5.  Afrobeats - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrobeat
6. Royal Albert Hall - https://www.royalalberthall.com
7.  Coachella- https://www.coachella.com
8. Hello Rain- http://www.okayafrica.com/hello-rain-is-an-afrofuturistic-short-film-based-on-nnedi-okorafors-hello-moto/   
9. Nnedi Okorafor - http://nnedi.com
10. Hello Moto - https://www.tor.com/2011/11/02/hello-moto/
11. CJ Obasi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._J._Obasi
12. Wedding Party 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU6pkGpUOiQ 
13. Mo Abudu - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Abudu
14. Ebony Life TV - http://ebonylifetv.com
15. Nollywood- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nollywood
16. Hollywood - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_the_United_States
17. Awa Baldé - http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-42089547/africa-s-first-roller-skating-world-champion 
18. World Roller Games - http://www.rollersports.org/rg-2017
19. China - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 5 - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NIGERIA

In This Episode:

I have never admitted it publicly, but for a while I have had this love/hate feeling for MY country, Nigeria. From the place to the people, I just couldn’t deal with it. BUT, that feeling didn’t last very long becuase honestly, I REALLY DO LOVE MY COUNTRY! There are so many experiences and opportunities I have today that I won’t trade for anything in this world, because it’s a big part of who I am.

That’s why in honor of our Independence Day (1st of October), I decided to dedicate this episode to my country. I am going to share with you, all the amazing things that I love about Nigeria.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Nollywood (Nigerian Film Industry)
2. Oscars - http://oscar.go.com
3. Hollywood
4. Bollywood 
5. United Nations - http://www.un.org/en/index.html
6. Toronto Film Festival - https://www.tiff.net
7. Nigerian Music Industry
8. Nicki Minaj
9. Drake - http://www.drakeofficial.com/music.html
10. Akon - http://www.akon.com
11. Jay-Z
12. Roc Nation - http://rocnation.com
13. Beyoncé - https://www.beyonce.com
14. Trey Songz - http://www.treysongz.com/#
15. Missy Elliot - http://www.missy-elliott.com/#
16. Queen Idia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idia
17. Queen Amina - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amina
18. Obaseki
19. Oba Ovonramwen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovonramwen
20. Festac 77 Head - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FESTAC_77
21.  Will Smith - http://www.willsmith.com
22.  Concussion - http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/concussion/

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EPISODE 2: THE AFRICAN & HOLLYWOOD

PROMO VIDEO:

EPISODE 2:

Having over 2 decades of experience as an actor in Africa, I knew that I was prepared to take my career to the next level, and explore the mainstream movie Industry in America; “Hollywood”. However, it would seem that Hollywood just wasn’t ready for MY kind of ‘African’.

In this episode, I will tell you about my experience with trying to break into the mainstream movie industry. The things I was told about my looks, my skin tone, my accent, and how I am not “African Enough”.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1.  Acting Coach (An Actorsplayhouse) - http://www.anactorsplayhouse.com 

2. NYC (New York City) - http://www1.nyc.gov 

3. Hollywood

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/