How African Representation Is Shaping the Future | Karl-Yann Assah | TEDxUofT
A speaker, an international fashion model of African roots, argues that African representation in global spheres—from art and commerce to culture—is laying the foundation for a transformative future. She cites both historical architectural precedents and modern success stories, ultimately anchoring her argument in the philosophy of *Ubuntu*, the belief that "I am because we are." The core call to action is for the audience to embrace collective identity and claim their role in Africa's inevitable rise.
## Speakers & Context
- Unnamed speaker, an international fashion model of African roots.
- Gave the talk following an audience engagement segment at an event (implied by the transition from personal narrative to academic concepts).
- Initially situates the conversation using hyper-visual, overwhelming settings: Time Square in New York, and a TTC subway in Toronto.
- Notes that the initial question posed by strangers ("Young man, are you a model?") is not the core issue but a trigger for discussing "the transformative power of being seen."
## Theses & Positions
- Being seen in one's full diversity can spark powerful change, allowing others to dream of heights they never imagined.
- African representation is not just changing perceptions; it is actively laying the foundation for a transformative global future.
- African cultural genius and innovation are often overlooked, echoing in world architecture and knowledge systems.
- Scientific research demonstrates that representation in media shapes aspirations, similar to how young girls in India were inspired to stay in school by strong female role models.
- Success requires resilience beyond mere talent, demanding an "unshakable belief in my ability to leave a mark."
- The key African philosophy, *Ubuntu*, dictates that humanity is realized through the humanity of others, meaning collective achievement is paramount ("I am because we are").
- The global movement of African diasporans equips them with extraordinary adaptability and cultural insights, making them natural leaders and innovators.
- The ultimate goal is for African excellence to be seen not as an exception, but as the norm.
## Concepts & Definitions
- **Transformative power of being seen:** The capacity of visibility (in art, media, etc.) to change self-perception and guide external perception.
- **Ubuntu:** A key African philosophy meaning "I am because we are"; emphasizes interconnectedness and community contribution.
- **Global Citizenship:** The state achieved by diasporans who carry their identities and values across borders, acting as bridges between ideas.
- **Collective Identity:** The sense of shared aspiration and purpose that drives a group toward the common good, resisting pure individualism.
## Mechanisms & Processes
- **Media Influence:** Exposure to strong role models in media (e.g., TV shows) can profoundly alter aspirations, as seen in the study of young girls in India.
- **Diasporic Adaptation:** Migration forces individuals to develop adaptability skills and deep cultural insights necessary to navigate diverse environments.
- **Cultural Inspiration Tracing:** Examining world architecture (e.g., Manhattan skyline, Westminster Palace) to find echoes of "African innovation" that were historically overlooked.
- **Overcoming Rejection:** The process of persisting, adapting, and excelling in the face of repeated setbacks by focusing on an internal philosophy like *Ubuntu*.
## Timeline & Sequence
- **2019:** Speaker began modeling career.
- **October 19th, 2021:** The moment the speaker identifies as the pivotal turning point for her narrative.
- **Historical Period (Architecture/Knowledge):** Reference to African contributions that influenced iconic designs like the Manhattan skyline and Westminster Palace, but which were "long overlooked."
- **Recent Activity:** Documented successes include African icons like Burnab Boy selling out Madison Square Garden in New York, and Tem/Remma performing at the NBA All-Star game in **2023**.
- **Future Projection:** Statistics show that by **2050**, one in four people in the world will be African, and the continent will have the largest working-age population.
## Named Entities
- **Time Square** — Location in New York mentioned as a site of overwhelming visual campaigns.
- **TTC subway** — Subway system in Toronto mentioned in the opening anecdote.
- **Tom Brown, Javanchi, Prada** — Global brands where African representation is now visible.
- **Burnab Boy** — African icon cited for selling out Madison Square Garden in New York.
- **Tem and Remma** — Artists cited for dominating the global music stage and performing at the NBA All-Star game in 2023.
- **Aliko Denote** — Business magnet cited for redefining African success as an industrialist.
- **Jenna in Mali** — Example of architectural inspiration from Mali.
- **University of Tingbuktu in Mali** — Example of academic principle from Mali.
- **London** — City where the speaker experienced a moment of self-reflection during travel.
- **Gatwick airports** — Airport used in the speaker's London journey.
- **Muhammad** — Driver who asked the speaker, "What makes you unique?"
## Numbers & Data
- Modeling start year: **2019**.
- Timeframe for global visibility shift: From a count of "African faces in international campaigns" being low to a current visible presence.
- Projected African global population share: **One in four people** by **2050**.
- Projected population demographic: Over a billion people under 25 in Africa by **2050**.
## Examples & Cases
- **TTC subway interaction:** Stranger asking the speaker, "Young man, are you a model?" in a Toronto subway.
- **Architectural Echoes:** Buildings like the Manhattan skyline and the Westminster Palace in the UK echoing the genius of places like Jenna in Mali or the University of Tingbuktu in Mali.
- **Scientific Evidence (Representation):** The "power of TV" study by Robert Jensen, which found that young girls in India watching strong, confident women on TV were more likely to stay longer in school and delay marriage.
- **Personal Challenge:** The speaker's attempt to prompt an image generation from **chat GBT** after being asked by her driver, Muhammad, "What makes you unique?"
- **Global Economic Indicators:** African music, art, and fashion are now described as "billion-dollar industries."
## Tools, Tech & Products
- **chat GBT** — AI tool used by the speaker to process a prompt about her identity and global movement.
- **Global Campaigns/Billboards** — Medium for current visibility.
- **Fashion Week/Runways** — Venue for professional visibility.
## References Cited
- **Lumino** — Father's book, also known as *the bright side of Africa*, which highlights Africa's social and cultural contributions.
- **Robert Jensen** — Researcher who conducted the study titled "the power of TV."
## Trade-offs & Alternatives
- **Individualism vs. Community:** The need to move as a collective unit rather than emphasizing individual achievement, which modern society over-prioritizes.
- **Visible Success vs. Deep Roots:** The comparison between modern, visible successes (music, business) and the deeper, historical cultural contributions (architecture, academia).
## Counterarguments & Caveats
- The success and achievements celebrated today are framed as "neither new nor novel," suggesting that the brilliance has always been present but overlooked.
- The speaker admits that the "rejection eats at you," acknowledging the emotional toll of the journey.
## Conclusions & Recommendations
- Embrace and project a collective identity rooted in *Ubuntu* ("I am because we are").
- Treat one's identity and global movement as a source of unparalleled adaptability, which must be utilized to become a "bridge."
- The world needs to recognize African excellence as a global norm, not an exception.
- The speaker challenges the audience: "What role will you play in this story? Will you be the one who shapes or the one who watches?"
## Implications & Consequences
- **Global Imperative:** Africa's rise is not only for Africans but a global necessity, because the continent brings *Ubuntu*—a philosophy that transforms leadership and connection.
- **Shifting Paradigms:** The success of African innovation suggests a paradigm shift where collectivist, interconnected values become the leading model for global problem-solving.
## Verbatim Moments
- *"What if I told you that one moment, one image, or one voice could change everything?"*
- *"African moms don't mess around when it comes to presentation, right?"*
- *"The reality is though that this question touches on something deeper."*
- *"What does it mean to truly be seen in a world that often overlooks people like us?"*
- *"A shift that's as exciting as it is overdue."*
- *"What if I told you that they echo the genius of African innovation, long overlooked but deeply influential?"*
- *"Representation changes lives."*
- *"I am because we are."*
- *"The profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others."*
- *"It's not about me anymore."*
- *"We bring Ubuntu, the belief that I am because we are."*
- *"The world is evolving and so must we."*
- *"together we're not just telling the story, we are the story."*