The pride and joy of the giant of Africa, Nigeria, was on full display on one of the world’s biggest stage yesterday at Madison Avenue in New York City. In celebration of the Nation’s 65th anniversary of Independence of a narrow escape from the jaws of apartheid, considering lucrative natural resources were discovered just a few years after gaining independence from the United Kingdom. Nigerians in disaspora dressed in some of their fineries, some of which are family heirlooms passed down generations from their ancestors, proudly marched down Madison Avenue full of pride. United Nations high officials, such as Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, blessed the auspicious occasion with her presence. She had been in attendance the previous evening at the sumptuous gala and award ceremony event at the Nigerian Consulate, hosted by Ambassador Abubakar Jidda along with the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) committee, a long standing group that has been organizing the parade and related events for well over 3 decades in the United States. One of the Grand Marshalls included Dr. Wendy Osefo, a Nigerian-American political commentator, public affairs academic, and a cast member of a reality show, The Real Housewives of Potomac.

Concluding the parade at Madison Square Park, world renowned Afrobeat superstar Bella Shmurda performed some of his chart topping hits. Suffice to say, the attendance wasn’t as robust as the previous year. With the ongoing ICE raids at public gatherings of immigrants currently under President Trump’s administration, many chose to stay home, in addition to many job losses at several government positions such as USAIDS et al. Nevertheless, the show must go on, and that it did, complete with jollof and fufu!

Click here to watch the event’s video posted on instagram.

See you all next year, God willing. 💋🥂✌🏼🇳🇬

The 3rd annual Nigerian flag raising ceremony yesterday in celebration of the 65th Independence day, at the Immigrant Heritage Plaza (by the Wall Street Bull) renamed in recognize of immigrant communities in New York City, served as a great remainder for all Africans in diaspora, a time of unity, reverence and compassion for each other. Dignitaries from various neighboring and allied African countries showed up in support of our great nation’s celebration of the narrow escape from the jaws of apartheid, considering we discovered oil and other lucrative resources shortly after gaining independence from the United Kingdom on October 1,1960. The Nigerian Consulate General Ambassador Jidda, along with officials from the Mayor’s office and high officials from New York City Park Committee jointly hosted the occasion. Observing all necessary protocols, the flag was raised on behalf of all humanity, especially during the political climate we currently live in. I couldn’t be more proud as a Nigerian American living in New York City.

Up next, a grand parade is set to march down Madison Avenue on Saturday October 4 at 10am. And yes, you can expect jollof rice, egusi and fufu to be served, I’m not kidding! 🙌🏼 Seriously!

Of course, all are welcome.

Click here to watch the video of the event posted in instagram.

Consulate General Ambassador Jidda

The celebration of the African Heritage Day at Gracie Mansion, hosted by Mayor Eric Adams yesterday, was exactly the kind of celebratory gathering needed during the dire political climate we currently live in. Africans in diaspora from far and wide turned up beaming with pride and joy clad in various attires from their respective countries in Africa. Sponsored meals, beverages, and libations were in abundance. A room full of Africans under one roof had no borders mindset. We all merged as one union in pure jubilation of our heritage and culture. Nigerian flag in one hand, African print hand fan (designed by me) in another, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. A remarkable superb time was had. Salute! 🥂💋🎉

Click here to watch the event video on instagram.

Dandyism exhibition at the Met Museum offers an extraordinary peek into the past, as it transforms and travels through time to the present. It offers in-depth enlightenment of how the oppressed used fashion to their own advantage as an unspoken language of empowerment, exuding grace under pressure.

The exhibition includes one of a kind and limited creations from legends in the space of fashion design such as the military style numbers by John Galliano and Olivier Rousteing. Landmark trendsetter logomania bumper jacket by Dapper Dan, that literally shifted the game in designer labels tapping into the inner city urban way of street style made the cut. African designers from countries such as Senegal, Cameroun and Nigeria, which produced one of the larger than life patterned caftan owned by the late André Leon Talley, along with his iconic Louis Vuitton personalized luggage set, are all on display. Irrefutable history was told using items that once belonged to activist Frederick Douglas. It’s impossible not to feel the presence of such great historical icons in the vast hall of exhibition.

It was a delightful way to spend the day with my dear friend celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes, who also treated me to a belated sumptuous birthday lunch shortly afterward. Upon our arrival at the Met Museum, we patiently joined the long line of guests waiting to acquire tickets. Clad in our daringly sparkling ensemble in broad daylight, we stood out like disco balls. We came prepared to blend in with the dandyism mannequins, unapologetically! Needless to say, the security and museum attendants took one look at us and immediately pulled us out of the line, complimentary tickets in hand, and ushered us upstairs VIP style. We’re ever so grateful for their warm hospitality. Talk about dressing for success! The gawds of Dandyism past were most certainly in our favor!

Click here to check out the video on instagram.

This past weekend was a rather daunting and painful one. I needed recovery time to be strong enough to post this tribute. I lost not one but two beloved friends to a car accident, fellow doll afficionados and highly revered doll artists Mario and Gianni, collectively known as “Magia2000”. The dynamic duo’s artistry and craftmanship were incomparable, none like we’ve ever seen before in the doll community. Their impeccable and keen eyes for perfection garnered them worldwide recognition, enough to have big corporations such as Mattel collaborating with them on numerous occasions. Their highly coveted works of art have helped raise tens of thousands of funds for various charities around the world through several donations of their remarkable work, with biddings soaring to high 5 digits figures. Their selfless acts of kindness, unwavering support of the arts, generosity, warm friendship, will be sorely missed. To everyone who owns a piece of their work, much like Picasso or Rembrandt, please cherish them like family heirlooms because their legacy now lives through you for generations to be inspired by.🙏

It was a real privilege and honor to have known Mario and Gianni. Now looking back, I’m immensely grateful for Mario and Gianni’s friendship. To me, they were more than doll artists, they were my Italian brothers from another mother. They always light up any environment they were in with their warmth and kindness.

RIP dear friends. Grazie mille, riposa in pace.🕊😪🙏

Just hours after Pres. Trump successfully had his “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress, this happened… My kids suggested we have a family 4th of July themed pizza lunch in the park. I set out yesterday in search of the traditional blue, white & red “gadgets”, such as paper plates, table covers, napkins and fashion items to wear, et.al. To my shock, not a single item was on display at any stores, not even the big box stores as such TJ Maxx, Marshalls, et.al that sold them in abundance last year and prior. None of the regular stores had the typical window decals in celebration or to announce any sales. The Empire State Building wasn’t lit in the celebratory patriotic colors either, which normally starts few days before the 4th. The atmosphere was rather dire.

My dear friend Ty-Ron Mayes said the same thing about the stores uptown.

Is this the aftermath of the import tariffs we’re seeing unfold? Are people also scared to come out and shop in droves like the previous years because of ICE? Or are people reeling from the blunt blow of the Bill that just passed? What’s good America? Is it a happy milestone 250th birthday? 🙈🤔🙌🎂

Click here to see the video.

The New York City Pride March took place today on June 29 and it hadn’t been this crucial and relevant since the uprising at the iconic Stonewall. The current political climate has members of the LGBTQ community on edge, with their rights on the brink of being rolled back and major corporations ditching several of their DEI programs, which protects a lot of their basic rights. Some corporations begged to differ and were in full support of their queer staff members by participating with fully kitted vehicular floats armed with promotional swags to throw to the onlookers lined up along the sides of 5th Avenue.

Corporations such as L’Oréal enlisted queer celebrities to appear on their floats. Niecy Nash did the honors, while Amanda Lepore and Tokischa graced the MAC makeup floats featuring an impressive oversized lipstick.

International queer community leaders such as Ireland, Italy, Japan, Nordic regions, et.al, were prominent at the March. The Pride march draws in millions of viewers from around the world annually.

Click here to watch the highlights and after party scene.

Chef Tayo fed a village last night at his highly coveted home communal dining experience. The extraordinary IT Chef of the moment offered an almost rare and once in a golden opportunity for press/influencers to take part in his highly sought after exclusive homecooked meal dinning experience at his swanky abode in SOHO, New York City, and I couldn’t pass up such an opportune moment for all the gawds in the hemisphere!

Upon arrival, I was faced with a room full of esteemed guests of various backgrounds and vocations. Many of them had traveled far and wide to partake in the fête. We were welcomed with summer fresh cocktails, to set the mood. The affair offered a great opportunity for networking and connecting with many like-minded guests, many of whom were women. We came as strangers, laughed, connected, bonded, and left like long-time best friends. Without further ado, after Chef Tayo’s heartfelt introduction of his humble beginnings in Nigeria (watch the speech in the reel linked below), infused with Italian food culture, which he picked up after migrating to Italy from Nigeria. This set the precedence for the evening. With the help of his dedicated and thoughtful staff members, guests proceeded to the rooftop area, which had been set up with the iconic city skyline offering the perfect backdrop for the sumptuous feast. The table setting included personalized velvet pouches for each guests, with names embroidered in gold threads, and vintage style Polaroid cameras for guests to utilize in capturing the memorable evening under the stars.

We started off the 5 course dinner with fresh garden salad, then the pasta garnished with one of Nigeria’s favorite, the fried plantain, aka “dodo”, before moving on to his trademark Nigerian-Italian Jollof Risotto, cleverly escaping the Jollof war.

The delectable menu also included salivatory mango glazed branzino, some had it with lobster. The 5 course meal wouldn’t be complete without a classic Italian gelato, the perfect touch for a warm summer night. It was a Michelin Star quality dining that any African or Italian Grandma would be proud of. The meal was heartfelt, well seasoned, unpretentious, and filing.

The weather initially threatened to derail the highly anticipated celebratory summer rooftop dining, but with prayers to every sacred deities known to man (and of the Chef’s), the weather let up! Whew!

Chef Tayo is a Nigerian immigrant in America living his best American dream possible, serving as a great inspiration for many with similar humble backgrounds. He truly embodies his true origin with the theme of the “Ebi Ayo Supper Club,” tapping deeply into the core of African communal daily activities and dining experience of embracing and loving thy neighbor. Dare I say, no one has set the bar as high as Chef Tayo in NYC when it comes to homecooked dinning with a sincere heart and soul felt in every bite! Considering the astonomical commercial rent of restaurant space in NYC, Chef Tayo is on to something, definitely well ahead of the curve with his concept of “home dining!” It’s an experience not to be missed.

Be sure to click here to watch the reel on instagram from the festivities. 🥂💋

Jollof Risotto by Chef Tayo

It’s Art Week in New York City! Frieze, a leading international art fair is back in the big apple! The highly anticipated fair takes up residence at the swanky premises of The Shed in the ritzy Hudson Yards in New York City. The fair showcases a great selection of galleries highlighting presentations and works by emerging and renowned artists from around the world. I had the honor of making my acquaintance with Steven Harrington, who presented stunning and playful collaboration with South Korean appliance giant LG. The collaboration includes colorful and playful yet functional art electronics and sculptures.

The legendary and world renowned cultural icon, 89 year old South African Esther Mahlangu’s unique captivating contemporary art work is definitely not to be missed.

Jeff Koons life size coloful sculptures are definitely a must see.

The fair is ongoing now at The Shed until May 11, 2025.  

Click here to watch the reel compilation from the exhibition.

One of the few remaining gilded age mansion in New York City just had a grand reopening soirée in honor of the sprawling estate’s vast and detailed $200 million renovation after five years, heralding the 5th Avenue jeweled box property to it’s golden era. Famously known for it’s unique vast collection of rare paintings and remarkable collection of European sculptures and arts. All thanks to the original collector and former Master of the vast estate, Henry Clay Frick, who generously left everything for the publics enjoyment and further understanding of art. This establishment I must say, is not your everyday kind of museum.

Upon my arrival at the premises, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t a member of the Frick family in my previous life, because I felt extremely comfortable and right at home. The ambiance and good energy permeating through the air and walls was calmingly inviting and exhilarating. The staff members and security detail were very friendly and welcoming. Not the usual cold stare and guarded types you’d normally see at other museums. This made the experience overall extra special.

Having spent quite a great deal of time at the mansion previously prior to the renovation, I’d never set foot on the upper level. It was always off limit to the public. Imagine my surprise to hear at the grand opening party that it’s now accessible to all. I made a beeline for the ornate grand staircase for the upper floor, which once served as the private quarters for the Frick family. Suffice to say, there are no original beddings and coordinating furnitures, but the general layouts and remnants of their previous purpose still lingers. Think of it as a mini Versailles, which pretty much was the blueprint and a huge inspiration for most mansions during the guilded age. One of the ornate rooms looks like it could have easily belonged to Marie Antoinette!

I hope it’ll inspire you to pop by the museum and let your imaginations run wild taking in some quality art and gilded age history and architecture. It’s helpful to become a member of the Frick! The museum is officially open for business starting April 17. Be sure to visit Frick.org for more details and preview the images featured below.

Click here to get a glimpse of the museum party in video on instagram.