A Woman You Should Know: Activist Suzanne "Africa" Engo

"There's nothing more glamorous than a woman who gives back by changing lives"

Suzanne " AFRICA" Engo is an African born, American and British Bred /Activist Personality/ Producer, she currently is the CEO of Girl Behind the Camera Productions as well as the executive director of the New York AIDS film festival and museum which she does in collaboration with the United Nations.

Suzanne is the daughter of Judge Paul Bamela Engo ( former UN ambassador of Cameroon to the United Nations) and current International Court Justice and Dr. Ruth Bamela Engo ( former Senior Advisor on Africa to the former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan) and Currently Executive Director of African Action on AIDS.

Suzanne first gained prominence for her, “I Love Africa” project that was created to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa, originally by running from New York to Chicago back in 2008 and again raised funds and AIDS awareness in 2010 by running in Europe and Africa for the cause. Suzanne is also a member of the THE ENGO GROUP, a private financial holding company with real estate and business development projects in Africa as well as media and charity holdings in the Europe and America.

Suzanne splits her time between New York , Rome and their Africa Offices. Miss Engo works with numerous celebrities on their philanthropic endeavors and has collaborated with many of them on eradicating AIDS on a global level. If you want to support Africa and the Staying Alive Foundation by making a donation please visit her FirstGiving Page.


Photos: Getty Images

Need To Hear: Esperanza Spalding's "Chamber Music Society" and Les Nubians' "Nü Revolution"

"The Cover of Esperanza Spaldings New CD"

New Music! New Music! There's nothing like new music especially when it comes from some of our favorites. My music life will be complete if Lauryn Hills drops a new album within the coming months, but I will definately be checking out new music by these three women.

First up is the beautiful and talented bassist Esperanza Spalding serving it to us Jazz lovers in a way that only she can. With a voice that serenades the listener in a multi-lingual lyrical display of Portuguese and English, Esperanza has what it takes to transcend generations and cross cultural barriers with her music alone. Chamber Music Society will be available for sale on August 17, 2010. To hear samples, click on the link.


Listen to their reasons for creating the new music for "Nü Revolution."

The singing group, Les Nubians which consist of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart will bless us with new music titled "Nü Revolution" which will be released in September 2010. If you remember their international hit, "Makeda" then you know the duo never disappoints with their jazzy, and sophisticated style of R&B that is combined with both French and Cameroonian lyrics. Personally, when it comes to A cappella, no one does A cappella better than Les Nubians and En Vogue. Check out their website for new updates.