After the successful first ever Beijing Africa Week in 2018 by Kente and Silk, the innovative social enterprise has launched the second edition in Beijing in line with its aim to promote Africa in China. Held on Friday 17th May 2019, the launch was held concurrently with a contemporary African Art exhibition named Art Afrik and curated by Magean Mace and James Sserwadda.
This year’s Africa week promises to promote Africa and deepen the knowledge and understanding of Africa’s rich culture, uniqueness and history through a line up of creative and innovative events scheduled from the 17th of May to the 26th of May 2019. It also promises to provide a platform for networking among Africans and the dynamic business community in Beijing including funding opportunities for African startups in China.
With an exciting and packed week, the activities continue with ART AFRIK WATOTO; a family-friendly event for children with art, face painting and a Reggae Night on the 18th, a forum for African Diaspora in China on the 19th, an African culinary experience on the 21st, screening of the Sembene documentary on the 22nd, a night with the curators of the Art Afrik on the 23rd, an evening for African talents in music and the creative industry on the 24th and the 3rd edition of the popular China Africa Stories on 26th of May . The week ends on the 26th with a Start-Up pitch competition highlighting the entrepreneurship of Africans in China.
Founded by two Africans; Zahra Baitie from Ghana and Miatta Momoh from Sierra Leone, Kente and Silk is a social enterprise that aims to change the status quo of Africa-China relations by rebranding Africa in China, supporting African startups to engage with China and introducing value added products from Africa to the Chinese market.
In 2018, the team held Beijing’s first ever Africa week with series of creative and educational activities including a startup competition. Kente and Silk has hosted a range of events from: Africa China Tech for Social Impact (ACT SI) to film screenings, book launches and an African jazz concert. Kente & Silk has also provided strategic advisory services to African start-ups and helped them navigate the complexity of the China opportunity.
Source – 360 Degrees Management
