Miss African Roots: Black Panther, cause of African culture rebirth in America — Murphy Folorunsho

While preparations for the maiden edition of “Miss African Roots” in Miami, Florida, United States are underway, the organizer Mr. Murphy Folorunsho has disclosed why an Afrocentric cultural pageant in the United States has become imperative.

Folorunsho, who is the founder of Miami’s leading media platform, Murphy Laaw Entertainment, told Nigerian Tribune in a brief chat on Sunday that the impact of the Marvel Studio’s first black superhero movie, Black Panther, on the cultural landscape of the US has necessitated the need to consolidate the cultural rebirth sweeping the United States with a cultural pageantry.

“Black Panther’s greatest success, ” he maintained, “was the rebirth of Africa in the minds of her descents in the diaspora.

“African music is played all over now, more people wear African fabric now than before, and the consciousness of the culture has grown more and more after the movie was released.

“Black Panther has created the buzz, and we must continue the conversation. We are using the platform of Miss African Roots to link participants and indeed young people of African descents to their roots in Africa.

“All participants are mandated to research about Africa, learn about the culture and how the African culture mirrors their present way of life. With this, they will be able to understand and better appreciate their roots in Africa. For instance, participants from Haiti and Jamaica will see the similarity of their lifestyle and culture with those of Africa and they will want to visit Africa.”

Miss African Roots will be held this summer the prestigious I-tech School at Miami Edison, 6101 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127 as an offshoot of Miss Nigeria Florida, a biennial cultural pageant that Folorunsho had used to promote the Nigerian culture and heritage in the United States for a little over a decade.

Speaking about modalities, he said that the contestants for the maiden edition of Miss African Roots will be drawn from ladies who are of African descents with no criminal records and between the ages of 17 and 32. There will be no particular emphasis on the physique, but contestants’ talents and knowledge of the continent will be tested during the competition.
The event will also feature live entertainment and culturally-inspired performances that reflect the African culture and heritage. Nollywood actors such as Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme of the Aki and Pawpaw fame will be flown to Miami to add organic touch to the maiden event.

Speaking about the winner, he said, “The winner will serve as an ambassador of Africa in the United State. She will select any African country of her choice to visit and to do some charity works.”

Miss African Roots will be held on Saturday, 6th of July 2019.