Africa Utopia Talks & Debates, curated by Journalist and Author Hannah Pool, kick off this weekend with a bevy of intriguing discussions spanning fashion + film + technology + art and more! Out of over one dozen thought-provoking panels these next 3 days, we present you with our picks of 5 discussions not to miss! 

1 – Imagining Africa: A Granta Salon | Sat, July 21st @ 12:30pm

Artists and Writers Yinka Shonibare, Aminatta Forna, Diriye Osman and Micahel Salu explore how the realities of life across Africa find expression through art, film and writing.

2 – Arise and Shine | Sat, July 21st @ 3pm

Arise Magazine presents a salon style selection of their favorite creatives, including Singer Bez, Designer Tsemaye Binitie, Poet Lebo Mashile, Another Africa Writer Missla Libsekal, and Playwright Inua Ellams.

3 – Women, Inspiration, and Leadership | Sun, July 22nd @ 12:30pm 

Singer-Songwriter and Activist Angelique Kidjoe, Interim CEO of the African Women’s Developent Fund Theo Sowa, Poet and Founding Member of the African Feminist Forum Jessica Horn, Poet Lebo Mashile, and MsAfropolitan Blogger discuss women, inspiration and leadership.

 4 – More Than Zebra Print: African Fashion Panel | Sun, July 22nd @ 2pm 

Heritage1960 Founder Enyinne Owunwanne, Arise Editor and New African Fashion Author Helen Jennings, One Nigerian Boy Blogger Terence Sambo, Chichia London Creative Director Christine Mhando, and Journalist and Author Hannah Pool discuss the impact of mainstream collections inspired by Africa on the African fashion industry.

5 – We Face Forward: Art From West Africa Today | Sun, July 22nd @ 3:30pm 

Whitworth Art Gallery Curator Bryony Bond presents a curation of contemporary art and music from West Africa, selected from the We Face Forward exhibit at the Manchester Galleries. Be sure to stop by the gallery gift shops for a special selection of Heritage1960's best selling accessories, available for sale at the Manchester Galleries through September 16th.

Need to rest your mind, body, and soul in between panel discussions this weekend? Here are a few leisurely Africa Utopia events to unwind at on Saturday: 

Africa On The Catwalk | 1:30pm

Feast your eyes on collections by Bestow Elan, Chichia London, Eki Orleans, Madam Wokie, Kezia Frederick, and Mo Saique Shoes – curated by Creative Director Ola Shobowale and Arise Fashion Director Sabrina Henry.  Like what you see?  We’re presenting an exclusive Africa Utopia Trunk Show – stay tuned! 

The Ultimate Afrobeats Utopia | 9pm

BBC Radio 1’s DJ Edu, award-winning DJ Neptizzle, and Afro House specialist Sef Kombo are spinning the hottest Naija Pop, Azonto Rhythms, Kudoro, Kizombo and more for a night chock full of dancing.

“All too often the conversations that happen about Africa are about how the West can ‘help’. The Africa Utopia talks and debates salon is about flipping that around and challenging preconceptions.” 

- Hannah Pool, Curator of Africa Utopia Talks & Debates