In the center of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York sits a $10 million collection of African art owned by Eric Edwards, a former AT&T executive.

“My love of African history began as a child, but I didn’t start buying art until the 1970s,” says Edwards. “I had no intention of becoming an art collector. I initially brought African art with me because it gave me peace and quiet when I left my everyday life working in New York.”

But after spending greater than 40 years collecting artifacts representing 54 African countries and 4,000 years of history, Edwards realized his private collection needed a house. Edwards decided to create a house for the opening of his collection – the African Art Cultural Museum.

“The principle of the museum relies on the West African principle of Sankofa: you do not know where you are going, when you do not know where you’ve got beensays Edwards. The museum will showcase his private collection of over 2,000 works of African art, a world-class library, youth teaching programs, and a research and media center.

We caught up with Edwards to learn more about his plans for opening the museum and his tips for investing in African art.

BLACK ENTERPRISE: Where does your love for Africa come from? Who inspired you probably the most?

Edwards: When I used to be a toddler, my passion for Africa was inspired by my parents, especially my father, who was an immigrant from Barbados. At that point, on account of racism against people of African descent within the United States, he was very concerned about what we children would encounter once we entered the New York public school system. He was sure that we’d not give you the chance to experience African culture and history as he had in Barbados. So he took it upon himself to show his children all about African history and its many gifts to the world.

Tell us about the experience that inspired you to purchase your first piece of art.

I even have a passion audiophilia— high-quality sound and equipment. Many years ago, I used to be a member of two of the leading audio file associations in New York. We held meetings within the homes of varied members throughout the tri-state area. These people were doctors, engineers, scientists, psychiatrists, etc., who had a passion for music. As I visited their impressive homes, I started to note a number of African art. These people weren’t of African descent. I asked them how they acquired their works of art, and they told me about art galleries and auction houses equivalent to Sotheby’s and Christie’s. I immediately became completely immersed within the artifacts and what they represented. This passion never ended.

One day during my lunch break at AT&T, I took a walk across the SoHo neighborhood and got here across an African art gallery. I fell in love with a maternity figure from Côte d’Ivoire – a lady holding her baby (while sitting) on ​​a birthing chair. I purchased it for $300. I just put it on the desk in my office. But looking back, I had no concept that it could ignite the flame in me that might allow me to begin a set.

What do you listen to when buying works of art? Do you like a particular time period?

For over 40 years, the one thing I actually have searched for is the story behind every bit.
At the identical time, I began collecting art. I began buying books about African history. I’ve built a library as massive as my collection. I desired to know every thing I could about every bit.

The art shouldn’t be only beautiful, but additionally three-dimensional. Each piece was created for a novel purpose, equivalent to on a regular basis objects: protective or warlike, religious, funerary, or even perhaps to honor a specific origin or royal system.

Africa is a continent of secrets. Many of the pieces in my collection are secret society pieces. Societies that taught young girls the way to change into women or trained young boys to fight, the way to be men and responsibility to their ancestors.

Can you share your best advice for investing in or purchasing African art?

I strongly consider that everybody should own a bit of African art.

There is an abundance of African art, so people should find and buy art that was created in Africa. There is nothing improper with “tourist art”, however it is value knowing that it originated in Africa, even when it was made in a factory. It also needs to represent a particular cultural group or tradition.

If you might be a beginner art collector, it’s best to go on to the source. I like to recommend doing a number of research to search out artisans. I actually have purchased art from everywhere in the world and my pieces date back 4,000 years. These pieces were utilized in rituals; they got here from royal houses and were utilized in on a regular basis life. I bring works of art from prestigious auction houses, galleries and private collections all over the world. Over the years I actually have also developed relationships with royal families in Africa and purchased works directly from them. For example, after I bought one piece of art from the royal family, officials from Africa had to come back to my house and perform a ceremony for me to take possession of the artifact.

You also needs to document your purchases. Due to my technological background, I created a database containing information to document each item in my collection.

When Chick-fil-A almost kept an worker’s bag, she reversed course and acquired one other one. This is the story of 22-year-old TikTok creator @mirithesiren.

Since December 2023, Miriam, an worker at a local Chick-fil-A in Southern California, has been sharing free meals with TikTok users on her lunch break. Some of her videos even featured latest menu items. Her meal reviews have garnered between 14,000 and 500,000 views.

However, despite positive reviews of the food and drinks items, Miriam claims that she was contacted by senior management that the videos were against company policy.

“I was contacted by Chick-fil-A senior management and PR to inform me that my videos were in fact violating a rule in our employee handbook,” she explained. “I want to make it clear that this rule was in place before I even started making videos with Chick-fil-A. Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A is not willing to make an exception for me or work with me.”

“I want to make it clear that this is not a punishment. It’s not like I did anything wrong in my videos or said anything in the comments that caused them to stop posting more videos (…) Chick-fil-A PR actually mentioned that they loved my videos.”

According to Miriam, she has gained 50,000 followers on TikTok in only a few months, and her latest Chick-fil-A video, which is a review of the restaurant’s cherry and blueberry drink, has received 2 million views. The aspiring content creator clearly remained humble, grateful, and appreciative of all the support she received online.

@mirithesiren Chick-fil-A has asked me to stop creating content. Sorry guys :/ Thank you for all of your support and love, but an era is over. “The contributions on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TC&Js Enterprises, Chick-fil-A Whittwood, or Chick-fil-A, Inc.” #fyp #chickenfila #chickfilaworker #chickensauce #chickfilahacks #curly hair #blackgirl ♬ original sound – mirithesiren

At the end of her announcement video, Miriam stated that despite being upset together with her employer’s decision, she hopes to work with other brands. Shake Shack heard her loud and clear and accepted the offer just a few days later.

Her latest video, posted on April 21, is a paid collaboration with Shake Shack.

“Today we’re at Shake Shack showcasing their chicken sandwich,” Miriam begins in the video.

@mirithesiren I went to @SHAKE SHACK and tried their CHICKEN SHACK – and you may too! Every Sunday in April, you may get a free Chicken Shack with a $10 or more purchase by utilizing the code CHICKENSUNDAY. #shakeshack #shakeshackpartner #Chicken #fyp ♬ original sound – mirithesiren

“Chick-fil-A was rummaging through the bag” – social media users react.

“Chicken sandwich on Sunday (and) no antibiotics. Phew, Jesus! Is it Palm Sunday?!” – wrote the TikToker under his video.

Social media users are reacting to Miri’s latest video, stating that Chick-fil-A missed out on what would have been a great collaboration with their worker.

“Oh! “CFA dropped the bag and Shake Shack caught it,” replied a TikTok user under Miri’s video. “I like watching it. I like this for our girl.

“It’s called Reverse Uno! Congratulations, honey,” one other person commented.

And it looks like Shake Shack made the right move because Miriam’s video influenced people to select Shake Shack.

“Shake Shack, you made a solid move. “I think I’ll have one for dinner tonight,” the TikToker replied.

“Let me drive 45 minutes to get to Shake Shack now,” one other said.

Industry leaders are also calling Chick-fil-A’s motion a “missed opportunity.”

“Instead of throwing punches, Chick-fil-A should have … partnered with this excited employee to co-create content,” said Hannah Giardino, a social media manager at the tech company is LinkedIn.

He adds: “Most have missed the opportunity and it has basically already opened itself up to do it for other brands. “It could have been a really interesting and authentic brand game and it could very well have been intended for the competition.”

“We, like the rest of its community, were disappointed to hear that this chapter was coming to an end,” said Mike McGarry, vice chairman of brand name marketing for Shake Shack. “We loved the energy and authenticity Miri brought to her content.”

McGarry added that the company partnered with Miri because “everything about her content seemed consistent with Shake Shack’s ethos of high-quality food and a strong community.”

The fatherhood of Giancarlo Esposito, beloved actor and father of four adult daughters, looks different today.

While performing in “The Jennifer Hudson Show” On Tuesday, the “A Gentleman” star said his journey as a father has evolved over time — especially since his daughters Kale, Ruby, Shayne and Syrlucia, whom he shares with ex-wife Joy McManigal, at the moment are of their 20s. .

“I realized I was still looking at them as if they were three, four or five years old,” he said. “And I began listening to who they really were. And I all the time told them to ask what (they) want in life. And then I had to comprehend that they were asking me to be present with them.

By embracing the way in which his daughters were growing up, Esposito also realized he could possibly be more human around them.

“Sometimes we protect our children from who we were,” he explained.

He added: “We change as human beings from daily and yr to yr and hopefully we’re growing. If we’re ashamed of any a part of who we were and don’t desire to speak about it, that is a small problem because you are still wearing a mask and you are still hiding.

In fact, the “Breaking Bad” actor said that by dropping his mask and showing his daughters his vulnerability, he “deepened” their relationship.

“I have a great relationship with my four daughters. I’ve always done it,” he said. “But now it deepens because I’m not afraid to show them who I really am.”

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This latest appearance comes just days after the actor revealed a few of his human side to the general public. Appearing on Sirius XM’s “Jim and Sam Show.”” Esposito revealed that before landing his breakout role as Gus Fring on “Breaking Bad,” serious financial problems led him to dark thoughts, including arranging his own death for hire. He hoped that if his death looked like a murder, his daughters would profit from his life insurance.

While Hudson praised Esposito for his fatherhood journey during an appearance on her show, he admitted he couldn’t take all of the credit.

“I would say I’m a single dad, but I’m really not because they have the wonderful Mama Joy,” he said.

He noted how she had shown support for them over time, adding: “We raised them together in many ways, but I think she made the time.”