Say Africa to most Americans and what comes to mind?
Hot tropical jungles and exotic adventure filled safari; or famished children with swollen bellies and flies covering their faces; or the plight of war and civil conflict; or AIDS, malaria, and total despair?
These are the thoughts and bleak images we’ve come to associate with Africa.
As a child of the 60s my first impressions of Africa (after Tarzan) was the images of the starving children of the Biafran War. This remained my view of Africa as media continued the dissemination of negative press and misinformation.
As an adult, with a peaked interest in my ancestry and African story, I made my first travel to West Africa with my family as a cultural pilgrimage to discover and connect with our roots. The experience proved more enlightening than anticipated. For six weeks we toured Senegal and Ghana. It took 3 days to witness that much of what I’d been led to believe about Africa was untrue and a few days more to realize the need to undo the prevailing stigma.
Native New Yorker, Artist, Photographer and avid traveler I’ve been traveling West Africa yearly since 2002 – Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Niger, and the Cape Verde islands – with the inspired goal to see and photograph the entire continent. My intention is to truthfully document the life, diverse culture, beautiful landscapes, and modern realities of the real Africa.
Cameras in hand, I’ve been photographically documenting my travels – 9 years and counting – ultimately capturing the essence of Africa. My numerous travel experiences throughout West Africa have given me great exposure and knowledge of many magnificent locations, day-to-day life, cultural traditions, along with the modern scene. As well, I have established many friendships, relationships and important contacts permitting me access to countless subjects and opening doors to photo opportunities essential to revealing the true, unseen beauty of Africa.
The culmination of my photographs (2002-2011) will be exhibited and published as a series of books – Africa Travelogue/West Africa – on the subject of travel and tourism in West Africa. This photo based series will expose people to a new and complete view into Africa along with stories, culture, and travel information. Future publication will also include: Africa Travelogue/Central Africa, Africa Travelogue/East Africa, and Africa Travelogue/Southern Africa.
To date I’ve used my own funds – with help from family and friends – to cover cost associated with research and planning; travel expenses; film supply and processing; website design; and book planning. I have also received in-kind support from the airlines, hotels, and assistance from the Tourism and Culture Ministries in all the subject countries.
I’m holding this fundraiser because I need your support in order to bring the premier publishing of the Africa Travelogue/West Africa and future editions of this important book series to life. All funds raised will go to up coming intra-West Africa ground transport expenses, film supply and processing, prepress book production, book printing and publishing.
You can make a secure on-line donation on this IndieGoGo page by credit card or e-check using PayPal or Amazon. It’s quick and easy. Just click the FUND MY PROJECT button, choose pay option, and follow the simple prompts.
For your generous support I’ve selected special rewards to give you a lasting piece of the experience. Photo prints from my West Africa travels; first press editions of Africa Travelogue/West Africa; even a hand made men’s or women’s Boubou will be offered according to you level of support.
So become a part in making the world know and see true Africa.
