Saturday March 27th, 7:30 – 9:30pm, Faculty House – Skyline Dining Room
GALA KEYNOTE
AKWASI AIDOO
Executive Director, TrustAfrica
Akwasi Aidoo has extensive experience in philanthropy in Africa. He is the founding Executive Director of TrustAfrica, a foundation dedicated to securing democracy and equitable development in Africa.
His previous positions include regional program officer for West and Central Africa at International Development Center (IDRC), head of the Ford Foundation’s offices in Senegal and Nigeria, and director of the Ford Foundation’s Special Initiative for Africa.
Akwasi has served as a director on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Resource Alliance, Oxfam America, International Beliefs and Values Institute, the Fund for Global Human Rights, Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group, and Amandla Development.
Akwasi has taught at universities in Ghana, Tanzania, and the United States. He was educated in Ghana and the United States and received a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Connecticut in 1985. He writes poetry and short stories in his free time.
MUSIC: CHRIS AKINYEMI
Chris Akinyemi gives a new meaning to the term “Singer/songwriter”. The 20 year-old New Jersey native pulls listeners ears with his visual storytelling, captivating melodies and charismatic persona, which embodies his music. At the age of 6 he started his musical enlightenment playing the snare drum for his elementary school’s marching band. By the age of 11, he wrote his first thoughts on paper about love, which was endearing for a pre-teen.“I’ve always wanted to feel and give love even though I might have not completely understood what the word meant,” says Chris
Chris developed his musical abilities by picking up and self-teaching himself how to play the guitar and piano. Teaming up with producer Dboy (Souldiggaz, Missy Elliot, Dirty Money) and recording five well-thought out but personal songs that bring listeners into his world. These songs are mixed by industry veteran Harry Conyers (Foo fighters, Vanessa Williams, Mint Condition….) and mastered by Sweetz (Keisha Cole…). Chris is an artist that is here to stay and to leave the footprints of his legacy behind.
“I want people to know who I am or at least have an idea after listening to my records, Autumn puts my ideas in perspective in four to five minutes a piece” says Chris
His first EP will be independently released under the Tannaz imprint in January 2010.Influenced by popular music, he creates melodies that are distinct thus can never be forgotten. Indeed, the world is about to witness what has almost been forgotten in the history of musicianship… A writer who creates music that truly speaks to the soul!
MUSIC: TySu
A very creative mind is what embodies TySu. Born in Nigeria, but bred in the Republic of Benin, Cotonou where he performed at various solos in french and english. He has been able to work with people from different backgrounds whom he tapped a little bit of song writing skills from. These people are part of what led him to make a lot of compositions even when he had no studio access. His persistent love for writing and composition grew to what he does now.
He got his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Montclair State University and is presently working on his Masters in Bio-Medical Engineering at NJIT. He is also a young working man in today’s society like most. He definitely hopes to be in the working world whether or not it has to do with music. He is a fighter and overcomer.
Musically he hopes to inspire and also help people get “jiggy” with it, cause that truly defines his personality. As one of the co-runners of “Tannaz Records“, he hopes he and his team can make a lasting impression in the music world.
