Meet Zhedy Lena Nuentsa: championing diversity in her field
Creative Strategist based in Paris
THE READERS
Introducing Zhedy, an incredibly talented and versatile creative strategist who is a valuable member of the Air Afrique collective.
Zhedy invited me to a presentation of Air Afrique at Soho House, a presentation that turn out to be the starting point of our relationship. From the very beginning of the presentation, it was clear that Zhedy brought a unique perspective and approach to creative strategy.
Born in Douala, Cameroon and raised in the Paris region, Zhedy is an introverted Afro-Parisian with a unique set of skills.
She is a bilingual creative strategist whose passion for African culture and storytelling is reflected in her work.
She navigates with ease between the creative conceptual phase and the more logical stage of business strategy, helping to add value to the collective led by Lamine Diaoune.
Air Afrique operated as a Pan-African airline between 1961 and 2002, aiming to become the official transnational carrier for francophone West and Central Africa. During this period, the airline was mostly owned by different West African nations.
Inspired by the airline's appearance in sub-Saharan films during the 1960s, Lamine Diaoune acquired the rights to the Air Afrique name and logo.
He subsequently established a collective bearing the same name, of which Zhedy is a member.
Their objective is to uphold the airline's legacy and revive the company in diverse forms.
Zhedy's work is a unique combination of several disciplines, including future planning, creative fit, innovation, research and business strategy. A skills set that are integral to the success of Air Afrique.
She honed her skills working as a strategist in creative advertising agencies in Paris. Her natural curiosity and creativity allow her to see connections where others might not, and her absurd amount of cultural knowledge is truly impressive.
Her genuine passion and dedication to keeping the Air Afrique name and legacy alive is truly inspiring and, as a black woman in a male-dominated industry, we celebrate her pioneering work in the industry.
It is so empowering to see women like Zhedy breaking barriers and making a name for themselves in creative field, while also inspiring others to do the same.
Here she shares with us her essential books written by black writers that have inspired her in both her personal and professional development :
Bad Feminist: Essays - Roxane Gay
"Bad Feminist: Essays" is a collection of essays written by Roxane Gay and published in 2014.
Gay examines a wide range of issues, from politics and popular culture to personal experiences and relationships. She explores the contradictions and limitations of mainstream feminism, while also highlighting the importance of intersectionality and the need to address issues of race and class within feminist discourse.
"Bad Feminist: Essays" is a powerful and insightful book that offers a refreshing and honest take on contemporary feminism. Gay's writing is accessible and relatable, and she encourages readers to engage with feminism in a way that is authentic and meaningful to them.
God Help The Child - Toni Morrison
"God Help The Child" is a novel written by Toni Morrison and published in 2015. The book explores the themes of race, identity, and childhood trauma through the story of Bride, a successful and beautiful black woman who is haunted by the abuse she suffered as a child.
The novel is set in modern-day America and delves into the complexities of contemporary race relations. Morrison's writing is evocative and powerful, and she uses Bride's story to examine the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma on individuals and communities.
Morrison explores the idea of physical beauty as a form of currency, and how it can be both a blessing and a curse. She also examines the role of parental love in shaping a child's sense of self, and how the absence of this love can have devastating consequences.
The Sex Lives of African Women - Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
"The Sex Lives of African Women" is a non-fiction book written by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, published in 2021. The book aims to challenge the myths and stereotypes surrounding African women's sexuality and to explore the diversity of their sexual experiences.
Sekyiamah draws on interviews, personal experiences, and research to provide an insightful and nuanced portrayal of African women's sexual lives. The book covers a wide range of topics, including sexual pleasure, sexual health, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence.
Through her writing, Sekyiamah aims to challenge the stigma and shame that often surrounds discussions of women's sexuality in Africa and to promote a more open and inclusive dialogue around the subject. "The Sex Lives of African Women" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a much-needed perspective on an often-overlooked aspect of African women's lives.
Difficult Women - Roxane Gay
"Difficult Women" is a collection of short stories written by Roxane Gay, published in 2017. The book features a diverse cast of women, each of whom is grappling with various issues and challenges, such as poverty, trauma, and relationships.
The stories in the collection are often gritty and raw, exploring the complexities of women's lives in nuanced and compassionate ways. Gay's writing is unflinching and powerful, and she offers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the struggles faced by women from a range of different backgrounds and experiences.
Throughout the book, Gay explores themes such as sexuality, violence, power dynamics, and the intricacies of human relationships. Her writing is both unapologetic and deeply human, and the stories in the collection offer a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a woman in the modern world.
Victime du colonialisme français : Mon mari Félix Moumié - Marthe Moumié
Victim of French Colonialism: My husband Félix Moumié is a memoir written by Marthe Moumié, the wife of Félix Moumié, a prominent Cameroonian nationalist leader who was assassinated in Switzerland in 1960.
The book chronicles the life of Félix Moumié, from his childhood in Cameroon to his political activism and eventual assassination. Through her personal recollections and historical research, Marthe Moumié offers a vivid and powerful account of her husband's life and the struggle for independence in Cameroon.
The book is both a tribute to Félix Moumié's legacy and a critique of the French colonial system and its role in perpetuating inequality and oppression in Africa.
The book offers a compelling account of the struggle for independence in Cameroon and the legacy of colonialism in Africa.
Le Fils d’Agatha Moudio - Francis Bebey
The Son of Agatha Moudio is a novel written by Francis Bebey, originally published in French in 1967. The book tells the story of a young man named Medza, who returns to his hometown in Cameroon after studying in France.
Medza's return is met with mixed reactions from the townspeople, who are skeptical of his Western education and cultural values. As he struggles to find his place in the community, Medza becomes embroiled in a complex web of family drama and local politics.
The novel explores the tensions between traditional African values and the influence of Western culture, as well as the complexities of family relationships and the struggle for power in a small community.
Les Impatientes - Djaïli Amadou Amal
Written by Djaïli Amadou Amal and published in French in 2018. The book tells the stories of three women living in rural Cameroon who are struggling to assert their rights and overcome the patriarchal customs and traditions that hold them back.
The novel explores a range of themes, including forced marriage, domestic violence, and the limits of female agency in traditional societies. Through the experiences of the three main characters - Ramla, Hindou, and Safira - Amal offers a powerful critique of the systemic oppression faced by women in Cameroon and other African countries.
A powerful and important book that offers a unique perspective on the struggles faced by women in Africa and other parts of the world.