The spirit of Africa
Africa is a phoenix rising from the ashes of a charred history of contempt and exploitation. She rises and delights the world with the beauty of her culture, the diversity, resilience and tenacity of her people.

British-Sierra-Leonean actor Idris Elba was born and raised in Hackney, London. However, it can be said that he embodies the spirit of Africa. It shows in his eagerness to work hard, his passion to connect with the motherland and its people both in the diaspora and on the continent. You can also see it in the way he tracks and easily manifests his diverse talents.

Is there anything Idris Elba can’t do?
In 2020, a UK sketch show, Famalam, released a sketch in which an Elba-like man with his bulldozer confidence tried everything from a barista to curing cancer to trying to create a black hole in a research center .

While the real Idris Elba hasn’t tried to cure cancer, his portfolio is impressive nonetheless. From leading roles in award-winning films to collecting credits, rapping on Jay-Z’s album, DJing on international platforms to kickboxing – Elba lives its dreams.

Elba was born as Idrissa Akuna Elba to a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother. Always wanted to be an actor since he was a teenager, he also had to support himself by helping his uncle’s wedding DJ business. He later took on odd jobs between roles including tire fitting, cold calling and night shifts at Ford Dagenham, a large automobile factory in Dagenham, London.

By following the path illuminated by his dream, Elba has faced his earlier challenges and become one of the most successful actors in North America. He was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Essence’s Sexiest Man of the Year (2013), People’s Sexiest Man Alive (2018), and won the MOBO Inspiration Award (2014).

Africans until the day I die
It is not easy to get to the roots when you are toured by fame and fortune, but Idris Elba has not forgotten where it originally came from. He calls himself a “proud African” and is true to his words. At every opportunity he connects with Africa and its people. Either through philanthropy, highlighting their problems, and highlighting talent.

He believes Africans should control their own narratives and he says the time is now.

“I think we’re just seeing Africans controlling the narrative. Africans show people and show the world who we are, what we are about, what our culture stands for, what our expression is and it’s an exciting time – especially for young people who can touch the world from their phones. It is definitely a good time to take control of the narrative. “

He added: “Africa is facing adversity and we know it, but we are looking for a future and that is all I try and do. Whether through what I do as an actor, as an entertainer, I always try to move my narrative forward, I always try to be innovative. Hopefully if someone who follows me sees this, they will plant a seed for them. “

In October 2014 he presented the series “Journey Dot Africa with Idris Elba” on BBC Radio 2, in which he explored all kinds of African music. That same year he also worked with the UK Parliament to eradicate Ebola from West Africa and worked with UK Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening.

Last year, Idris Elba and his wife, model and activist Sabrina Dhowre Elba launched a new United Nations fund to help farmers in poorer countries and urged the richer economies to provide aid to “avoid unnecessary hunger and suffering “To prevent due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Elba and his wife contracted the virus themselves in March 2020, although they reportedly had mild symptoms. He is fortunate to have survived the virus.

“Just take the moment to think about everyone who has lost their lives. I was very, very lucky to have gone through COVID and survived, and I’ll tell you what, as a human being, as a human being, emerged from that experience in a much more appreciative person. I realized that tomorrow will not be promised and that I was going through a situation like COVID that was absolutely fatal to much of the world. The ability to live past it just makes me grateful for the days I have. Now I certainly don’t want to take things for granted. “

Africa day concert
Later that week, May 25, Elba would return to host the Africa Day Concert, a virtual concert to celebrate Africa Day, and raise funds to help families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He hosted the opening concert last year and talks about the experience.

“It was a really interesting time because at that time the whole world was under lock and key and here we were trying to celebrate a very historic day in Africa, but one that is less well known.”

Elba says he was inspired to attend the concert when someone told the story of Africa and highlighted new talent on the continent. “Although the world has gone through a crisis and it still is, I am tied to it. I’ll be African until the day I die. As long as there is an Africa Day and the opportunity exists to show what is happening in Africa through talent, I will definitely be a part of it. “

For Elba, Africa Day is a time to focus and contemplate things in Africa and around Africans: “Our problems, our growth and really taking time to celebrate. There are so many beautiful things across the continent and also in the diaspora that it is always good to pat your back every now and then. In the story I didn’t realize how important Africa Day is on the continent and how its history goes back to the 60s, but here we are giving it a new spin today in the year 2021, giving it new energy and energy a new focus. “

This year’s theme will be “Africa’s Next Global Wave” highlighting the continent’s future global giants. Elba says this topic resonates with him because the future is always at the door and is literally the next minute.

“Keeping an eye on the future is just as important as keeping an eye on where you are today. I’ve always been an advocate of talent and new talent, and I’ve kept that door open for the next wave, ”he says. “It’s great because I think audiences all over the world can see who’s next. It was amazing to see some of the giants we’ve seen over the past four years, but there’s a new generation out there and they’re coming fast. “

A decent person
Elba talks about some of the lessons he learned from failure and says failure is part of success. “You can’t be successful without failing. It’s the yin to that yang and obviously failure doesn’t feel good, but the truth is, if you are in hindsight, if you don’t have these failures you will never understand what it feels like to win. I’ve taken a few Ls in my time and I’ve learned from them every time. My skin is getting thicker, my self-confidence is increasing because I’ve hit rock bottom, but in the end you don’t go into it. The most important thing about getting knocked down is getting up. “

Elba has so many plans and we wondered what he would like to be reminded of in all his endeavors. He says, “I want to be remembered as someone who lived by their heart, by their instincts, tried to be a decent person, and hopefully inspired people to be decent people and be good at what they do . “

By Simply Frank

Francisco Perez has been a Professional Wedding DJ in the Houston Area Since 1999 which has allowed him to grow into a leader in the community. Now he is sharing his wisdom with informative posts about the industry. Weddings are his passion because they are centered around LOVE and commitment that two people make to each other for the rest of their lives. The name Simply Frank describes his style perfectly, Simple and Frank or Simply Frank

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