In this episode, I discuss the role public libraries have in cities with Professor Lia Frederiksen. I also chat with Grant McNulty of McNulty Consulting a company that works on "creating and promoting access to digital cultural resources in Africa," and developed iAfrika. 

iAfrika is a new mobile-friendly platform that provides libraries and their patrons a unique service, that allows them to create content in their own languages, and contribute to closing the digital divide all the while teaching valuable digital skills. And by making library materials accessible on a mobile phone, iAfrika just might be the future of library access on the continent because instead of bringing libraries and knowledge to the community or vice versa, the community is the library.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• the roles public libraries play in cities
• the digital language divide
• what the future of public libraries across Africa looks like
• and much more!

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You can listen to the podcast on Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

While doing my research for the first episode of the podcast about skateboarding and its role in city and community building, I came across a few other organizations spread across the continent working hard to harness the power of skateboarding to empower their communities in a number of different ways.

Surf Ghana

Surf Ghana is based out of Accra, Ghana and uses a combination of skateboarding and surfing to engage communities across the country. The organization runs a variety of initiatives ranging from skate and surf tours to different major surf and skate spots in the region, to their Skate Gal Club that's focused on providing a safe environment for women to learn to sport. 

They're currently fundraising for the construction of Accra's first skatepark called The Freedom Skatepark which is certain to become a key community hub for both skateboarders and non-skateboarders alike. 

Click here to listen to the podcast interview with Surf Ghana's founder and click here to learn more about Surf Ghana's work.

Skateistan

Skateistan, is an organization that started in Kabul, Afghanistan that combines the power of skateboarding and education to empower youth in several locations around the world. They currently have Skate Schools in places as far as Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they offer not only skateboarding programming but a full-blown public school geared towards closing the educational gap for low-income youth and girls. They also provide youth leadership programming that through skill-building training and events help students to become the community leaders of tomorrow.

You can find out more about Skateistan's work here.

Ethiopia Skate

In 2016, Ethiopia Skate, in Addis Ababa, collaborated with volunteers from another non-profit organization that builds community skateparks across the world called Make Life Skate Life and created Addis Skatepark, Ethiopia’s first free-of-charge public skatepark as part of their mission of empowering youth. On top of creating vibrant skateboard spots where the community can experience and engage in the sport, Ethiopia Skate also helps to lessen the gap in access to board sports by providing skateboard equipment to youth. 

You can find out more about their work here.

Girls Skate South Africa

Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, Girls Skate South Africa uses skateboarding to support social development and empower girls to take up the often male-dominated sport. Additionally, they offer community-building workshops, skateboarding sessions, and host board drives to help expand access to the sport across the region.

You can find out more about their work here.

Shop the Capsule Collection

Surf Ghana has teamed up with the two major clothing brands Off-White and Daily Paper to develop an exclusive capsule collection. The items are available on dailypaperclothing.com and all proceeds from the purchase go directly to supporting the construction of the Freedom Skate Park. 

Make sure to check it out before it is all sold out!

Shop Surf Ghana's Merch

Donate

If your not interested in purchasing an item from the capsule collection, Surf Ghana is also accepting donations. Click here to learn more about the project and how you can donate to the cause.

Follow @surfghana on Instagram

Make sure to follow and engage with Surf Ghana on Instagram (@surfghana). Every like, share, and/or follow helps to amplify the reach of their amazing work. 

To learn more about the organization, make sure to visit their website www.surfghana.org and/or tune in to my interview with Sandy, the founder of Surf Ghana!

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In this episode, I discuss a bit about the role of skateboarding and skateparks in city building. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Sandy Alibo, the founder of Surf Ghana, a non-profit based in Accra, Ghana that transforms its communities by bringing youth together using the power of skateboarding and surfing. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Surf Ghana's Freedom Skate Park and the highly anticipated Daily Paper and Off White capsule collection,
• Surf Ghana's Skate Gal Club,
• what a skate-friendly Accra looks like to Sandy
• and much more!

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