Lola Adesioye is a young woman with big dreams. She's traveled the world and sees the black experience from a multitude of angles. She has written for some of the most prestigious publications in the world, including the UK Guardian, The Economist magazine, and many others. She has a deep desire to use media to make the world a better place. It is for that reason that Lola Adesioye is today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:
What is your full name and what do you do?
My name is Lola Adesioye. I'm a British-born, Nigerian, New York-living Renaissance woman... What that really means is that I'm a writer-activist, media personality and inspirational/motivational speaker.
You have quite a bit of experience in new media. In what ways do you see media changing globally?
The speed at which a story travels the world is pretty amazing. It has sped up anyway due to 24 hour news media, but with tools like Facebook and Twitter it goes at an even faster rate. Many people now use Twitter as a news source, particularly when it comes to breaking news. Although you must be careful and verify stories when getting them from places like Twitter (for example, there was a false story last week about a shooting in Central London, which was mistakenly spread on Twitter through a misunderstanding. The shooting was actually a shooting of a commercial). I've been able to get hold of stories in the UK before people in the UK have become aware of them.
We are definitely living in a global news and media environment. This means that people around the world can have easier access to what's happening in places that we may not have really been so connected with before.
What are your long-term goals in media?
To be a global media brand myself and an owner and creator of media that makes a positive difference for people. I want to totally shift our understanding of what the media is for and what it can do, making it more of a tool and resource for the good of our world.
How difficult has it been to find a business and self-employment model in modern media?
What challenges have I faced thus far? I don't think it's difficult... business is business. One just has to be creative. Nowadays each media personality or writer is their own brand, is their own outlet, is their own media and business. You have to be willing to promote yourself, willing to put your name out there and to be creative with what you do.
What are some differences and similarities you've noticed between the black populations in Britain and in the United States?
There are a lot of the same issues quite frankly. The main difference is that people in the US are more honest and frank about the issues of race -- history has meant that you can't deny or ignore its impact -- whereas in the UK, we like to pretend that there are no issues.
I think the black population in the US has less of a glass ceiling than in the UK. Obviously that's a generalization but I think the idea of the American Dream gives black people in the US a lot more to aspire to as well as giving some sense that anything is possible. Sometimes I wonder what the overall vision for black people in the UK is.
The differences are that black people in the UK are a lot more aware of what it is to be black in different parts of the world and I would say are more open-minded than in the US. That's mostly because our parents were immigrants and also because the UK is a small place so we pay a lot more attention to what's going on in other places.
What projects are you working on and how can people follow you?
You can follow me on Twitter: @lolaadesioye. You can go to my website: www.LolaAdesioye.com Another project I'm working on is www.AwakeToAfrica.com.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?
Yes! I've just released my first inspirational book. It's called 'Focus Your Thoughts, Change Your Life' and is now available as a download at my online store! www.LolaAdesioye.com/store. The book contains 52 focused meditations and inspiring, empowering uplifting daily pieces for you to put your mind to. These are all spirit-led, divinely-inspired meditations and pieces, which I use for my own success and spiritual well-being.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here.