“To get lost is to learn the way.” ~ African Proverb
I loved trying new ways to get home when I was a child. It was joy because I got to take in the sights and learn my way by using landmarks. Funny thing is that I taught my children to use landmarks as well. The worst feeling in the world is the feeling in the pit of your stomach when you don’t know where you are. Being born and raised in Philly, if you were in the wrong area it could put you in danger.
That being said….
Using each wrong turn as a learning experience became a way of life for me. After one or two trips I pretty much knew the directions to where I was going. It has played a huge role in how I do business and networking as well. I learned to not get stuck in what many would consider a failure. Instead of being a failure…it became a lesson that would pay me later.
What’s your interpretation to this #African proverb?
~ Altovise
My name is Simon Javan Okelo. I grew up in the slums of Manyatta in Kisumu, Kenya, serving as the Field Director of Solace International and Co-Director of the Young Generation Centre from 2002-2010 where I directed humanitarian projects in Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, and South Sudan. I also worked as a DJ and producer, organizing Unite The People concerts in 2008 in the wake of post-election violence and founding One Vibe Africa.
I came to the US in 2010, and I have since organized events and digital campaigns celebrating the African diaspora locally and globally. For example, since 2014 I have organized Madaraka Festival at The Museum of POP Culture headlined by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Sauti Sol, Blitz The Ambassador, Rocky Dawuni, Meklit Hadero, Nik West, Naomi Wachira, Karun, and other renowned grammy award winning artists.
#OurVoiceMatters 