Canon Launches New “Visionaries” Series to Promote Inspiring African Voices

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA)

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Canon Launches New “Visionaries” Series to Promote Inspiring African Voices – Featuring Kenyan Environmentalist Nzambi Matee , Nigerian Comedian Alibaba, And Couturier Hany El-Behairy from Egypt

The series will provide a powerful platform to celebrate the talent and achievements of everyday people, who have emerged as icons of their generation

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) 

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 17, 2022/ -- Canon’s (Canon-CNA.com) new interview video series puts the spotlight on pioneering voices of Africa, who are challenging stereotypes and ushering in a new era of change; The series features visionaries from Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt and offers a glimpse into the challenges and successes faced by them in their inspiring journeys; Shot on the EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS C70 cameras, the series will provide a powerful platform to celebrate the talent and achievements of everyday people, who have emerged as icons of their generation.

Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA), a provider of imaging technologies and services is proud to announce the launch of its ‘Visionaries’ interview video series across Africa. The series will serve as a powerful platform to promote and celebrate the achievements and impact of everyday people across Africa, who have pushed boundaries and emerged as distinct voices of their generation. There is a tremendous wealth of talent and countless examples of pioneering excellence across Africa and through the ‘Visionaries’ video series, Canon will put the spotlight on those African voices, who are ushering in a new era of change. All the interviews have been shot in documentary style on the game changing EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS C70 and are supplemented by a special Director’s testimonial that grants aspiring filmmakers and content creators, access to how the interviews were filmed.

The African Visionaries Are:

Kenyan entrepreneur and environmentalist Nzambi Matee, has made Kenya proud by being recognized as a leader in the global quest of sustainability by taking a powerful stand to combat the challenge of plastic waste. She is a pioneer in recycling plastic waste into low-cost durable plastic bricks, that are stronger than concrete and can be used to construct affordable houses. She also has the distinct honor of being awarded the ‘Young Champion of the Earth 2020 Africa’ (https://bit.ly/3Motnb9) by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for her innovative solution.

Nigerian stand-up comedian and entertainer, Ali Baba Akpobome is a household name who has been credited with changing the face of Nigerian comedy. As the most awarded comedian in Nigeria, Ali Baba is associated with bringing Nigerian comedy into the limelight and elevating what it means to be an entertainer. Overcoming many obstacles in his way, Ali Baba shows us how perseverance, dedication and hard work contributed to his rise to the top.

Egyptian couturier Hany El-Behairy, is Egypt’s most famous and sought-after fashion designer, who is renowned for his haute couture creations and use of luxurious fabrics and embellishments. Hany has made history by custom designing the world’s most expensive wedding dress, estimated at US $15 million and is a favorite amongst celebrities and stars, including celebrated actress, Yousra El Lozy.  Along his journey to success, Hani broke many social and cultural stereotypes to emerge as an inspiration for others.

‘Canon is synonymous with being visionary, bold and innovative and we are committed to continuing this legacy, by showcasing inspirational individuals who are driven by the same values, in their quest to challenge stereotypes and re-imagine what is possible. Africa is a continent that is dominated by change-makers and we want to offer them a platform where they can share their own stories, in their own words, to inspire a next generation of leaders. Nothing is impossible when you have determination, will power and the ambition to succeed and we are proud to be able to share the unique and inspiring stories of Nzambi, Alibaba and Hany,’ said Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications and Marketing Services Director – Canon Middle East, Turkey and Central and North Africa.

The campaign was filmed using three of Canon’s revolutionary cameras: The EOS C70 camera, which is Canon's first RF Mount Cinema EOS camera and also boasts the smallest and lightest body in the EOS system. The EOS R5, which is the first pro-level full-frame mirrorless camera able to record in 8K RAW and deliver 45-megapixel stills, and the EOS R6 camera, which is an incredibly versatile camera, able to film in 4K resolution and shoot 20.1 megapixels stills.

All interviews are accompanied by a special Behind the Scenes (BTS) segment with three Director’s testimonials, where they share professional advice on how each of the videos were created:

John Wambugu was able to achieve his artistic goal of bringing Nzambi Matee’s inspiring story to life with the help of a diverse range of dynamic, close-up and wide-angle shots using the exceptional RF 50mm F1.2 L USM and RF 28-70mm F2 L USM lenses.

Daniel Ehimen takes us inside the world of Alibaba and show-business with his Canon EOS C70 and shares the tips and tricks of how to maximize the different capabilities, modes and functions of the exceptional cinema camera, as well as the RF lenses.

Gregor Amon takes us behind the glitz, glamour and fast-paced action that went into Hani El-Behairy’s fashion show. Supported by his RF and EF lenses, Gregor shares his professional advice and insider knowledge for filmmaking on the go, in a fast-paced environment.

The series can be viewed here! (https://bit.ly/3MmYh3Q)

For further information on Canon North Africa, please visit here! (https://bit.ly/3LhAnoZ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact:

Canon Central and North Africa

Mai Youssef

E-mail: Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group - PR Agency

Rania ElRafie

E-mail: Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region - by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://bit.ly/3M8Nrhz) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better. For more information: Canon-CNA.com.

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Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA)

12 Visionaries Are Honored by the Ford Foundation

GADO
Syndicated Editorial Cartoonist Nairobi, Kenya

Godfrey Mwampembwa, better known by his pen name GADO, is the most syndicated political cartoonist in Eastern and Central Africa. Through his cartoons and satirical TV series, "The XYZ Show," he has increased awareness of social and political issues, encouraged public participation in discussions about governance and reminded elected officials of their responsibility to the public. With millions of viewers and nearly 120,000 Facebook fans just two years after its debut, "The XYZ Show" has already had an impact both in Kenya and throughout the region.


Ford Foundation Visionaries

“We can’t think of a more fitting way to mark our anniversary than to spotlight the people who continually infuse new energy and ideas into the effort to solve our most pressing social problems.”

— Luis A. Ubiñas, President


4 May 2011 05:01 Africa/Lagos


Twelve Social Change Visionaries Are Honored by the Ford Foundation

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 4, 2011

'Visionaries Awards' Mark 75 Years of Support for Courageous Leaders Worldwide

From Technology to Human Rights to Microfinance, Awardees Receive $100,000 to Advance Their Work

NEW YORK, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of its 75th anniversary, the Ford Foundation today announced $100,000 awards to 12 social innovators who, through their extraordinary vision and courageous work, are improving the lives of millions of people.

In a period of uncertain transformation in global society, politics and the economy, the Ford Foundation Visionaries Awards seek to raise the profile of leaders whose innovative efforts on the frontlines of key social issues offer pathways to improved economic opportunities and expanded political and social participation for millions of marginalized people worldwide.

"We can't think of a more fitting way to mark our anniversary than to spotlight the people who continually infuse new energy and ideas into the effort to solve our most pressing social problems," said Luis Ubinas, president of the Ford Foundation. "They are thinkers and doers-people who pursue their vision with determination and a laser focus on impact."

The 12 visionaries represent the thousands of brilliant people and organizations the foundation has supported since its founding in 1936. They come from diverse backgrounds and work in a variety of fields-from human rights to technology to education, both in the United States and around the world.

"Through these awards, we want to highlight the unheralded work of thousands of courageous leaders whose lives are devoted to improving systems and institutions so that all people have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives," Ubinas said. "These 12 individuals represent the courage, commitment, and innovative thinking of all the remarkable people who work on the frontlines of social change."

The foundation is using its 75th anniversary to explore the next generation of important issues facing America and the world, as well as highlighting the people and ideas making a difference today.

The awards will help these leaders share their work with a broad range of new audiences, allowing them to promote their ideas and ensure that their insights inform and advance the work of other social innovators.

From an indigenous women's rights leader in Peru to a political cartoonist in Kenya, the visionaries were selected for their pioneering work, exceptional leadership and the potential scale and impact of their visions.

The recipients of the Ford Found a tion Visionaries Awards are:

Enabling Community Ownership over Natural Resources
Alfredo Wagner Berno de Almeida
Coordinator, New Social Cartography Project of the Amazon
Manaus, Brazil

For centuries, traditional peoples have inhabited the forests of the Brazilian Amazon, preserving the forest through their wise stewardship. Despite this history, they have been denied their rights to their lands and livelihoods. In the 1980s, anthropologist Alfredo Wagner Berno de Almeida launched the region's first mapping project challenging official maps by making visible for the first time the claims of traditional communities over the millions of acres of their Amazonian homelands. Wagner's groundbreaking initiative became the model for the New Social Cartography Project of the Amazon, enabling communities to make use of the latest technologies to bolster their rights over their own territories and resources.

Helping Working Families Achieve Economic Security
Ellen Bravo
Executive Director, Family Values @ Work
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ellen Bravo, a life-long advocate for women, has galvanized the movement to bring low-wage earning women the benefits and opportunities they need to support their families. For nearly 20 years, Bravo ran the influential organization 9 to 5, which has been at the forefront of the fight for pay equity, family leave, fairness for part-time and temp workers, and an end to sexual harassment and punitive welfare laws. Most recently, she founded Family Values @ Work, a network of state coalitions that has already led successful public campaigns to adopt paid family leave policies in California, New Jersey and Washington.

Empowering Women to Forge Their Own Futures
Ela R. Bhatt
Co-founder and CEO, Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)
Ahmedabad, India

Widely recognized as one of the world's most remarkable entrepreneurial forces in grassroots development, Ela R. Bhatt has dedicated her life to improving the lives of India's poorest and most oppressed women workers. A former parliamentarian, she founded the Self-Employed Women's Association-a trade union for poor, self-employed female workers in India with more than 1 million members. Bhatt also founded Sa-Dhan (the All-India Association of Micro-finance Institutions) and the Indian School of Micro-finance for Women, which together have created new financial opportunities for millions of women across India.

Making Art that Provokes and Transforms
GADO
Syndicated Editorial Cartoonist
Nairobi, Kenya

Godfrey Mwampembwa, better known by his pen name GADO, started drawing as a teenager and found that he had a flair for raising awareness through satire. The most syndicated political cartoonist in Eastern and Central Africa, GADO has given form and voice to a new vision of democracy. Through his cartoons and satirical TV series, "The XYZ Show," he has increased awareness of social and political issues, encouraged public participation in discussions about governance and reminded elected officials of their responsibility to the public. With millions of viewers and nearly 120,000 Facebook fans just two years after its debut, "The XYZ Show" has already had an impact both in Kenya and throughout the region.

Educating Today's Students for Tomorrow's World
Steve Barr
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Future Is Now Schools
Founder, Green Dot Public Schools
Los Angeles, California

In his push to help struggling urban schools act as better supporters of student achievement, Steve Barr has leveraged public dollars to transform public education in California. In 1999, he founded Green Dot Public Schools and has since propelled the organization to become the leading force for change in the region, overhauling deeply troubled schools and helping them achieve remarkable levels of stability. In 2010, Barr formed Green Dot America, recently renamed Future Is Now Schools, to bring the lessons learned and successes achieved on the local level to other communities around the country. Barr was also a co-founder of the nonprofit, nonpartisan "Rock the Vote" campaign.

Harnessing Technology for Social Good
Yochai Benkler
Co-Director, Berkman Center for Internet and Society
Professor of Entrepreneurial Legal Studies, Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Yochai Benkler is recognized as a leading thinker on technology and the law. Since the 1990s, he has been working to pinpoint the importance of the "information commons" -systems such as libraries or online communities that exist to preserve information for current and future generations-to innovation, information production and freedom. His award-winning book "The Wealth of Networks" analyzes our increasingly networked economy and society, and illustrates the impact of networks on individual and group collaboration. Awarded the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer Award, Benkler is an important voice in the current debate about Internet freedom and access.

Lifting the Voices of Indigenous People
Tarcila Rivera Zea
Founder & Executive Director, CHIRAPAQ (The Center for Indigenous Peoples' Cultures of Peru)
Lima, Peru

Tarcila Rivera Zea started her teenage years as an indigenous servant in a small Quechuan village and today runs one of South America's most influential organizations for indigenous people. Over the 20 years since she founded CHIRAPAQ, she and her staff have worked to give indigenous people a national and global voice, secure equality and access to opportunities they have been denied, and develop pride for indigenous cultures. Rivera Zea helped create the International Forum of Indigenous Women of the Americas and other bodies working to strengthen the lives of some 25 million indigenous women across the region.

Challenging the Injustice of Poverty
Bryan Stevenson
Founder and Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
Montgomery, Alabama
Law Professor, NYU School of Law, New York City

Every day Bryan Stevenson challenges the fundamental injustice of poverty and fights bias against people of color and the poor in the criminal justice system. "The opposite of poverty is not wealth-it's justice," he says. Through the Equal Justice Initiative, he advocates on behalf of juvenile offenders, poor people denied effective representation or wrongly convicted or charged, and others whose experiences with the criminal justice system have been marked by bias or misconduct. Driven by the belief that society's treatment of the disadvantaged is the real test of its commitment to social justice, Stevenson teaches law and has written extensively on criminal justice, capital punishment and civil rights issues.

Building 21st-Century Social Movements
Jeremy Heimans
Co-Founder and CEO, Purpose
New York, New York

Jeremy Heimans is a next-generation leader who is carving out new venues and strategies for social movements and proving that the power of online communities can translate to authentic social change. He co-founded Avaaz.org, the fastest-growing online movement in history with more than 8 million members from 190 countries, and GetUp.org, a grassroots community advocacy organization that has become Australia's largest political group. Today Heimans leads Purpose, a global initiative that draws on leading technologies, political organizing and behavioral economics to build powerful, tech-savvy movements that can transform culture and influence policy.

Bringing African Culture to New Audiences
Elsie McCabe Thompson
President, Museum for African Art
New York, New York

The Museum for African Art is one of only two major American museums devoted solely to African art, and it was Elsie McCabe Thompson's singular determination that made possible the opening of a high-profile showplace for the museum's collection. The lawyer and former city government executive was relentless in her quest to enrich the lives of all through a deeper engagement with African culture and art. After more than a decade of fundraising and planning, Thompson succeeded in establishing the $95 million institution on upper Fifth Avenue near Harlem, where New York City's cultural institutions and African, African American, Caribbean and Latino communities meet.

Creating Financial Opportunities for the Poor
Martin Eakes
Co-Founder and CEO, Self-Help
CEO, Center for Responsible Lending
Durham, North Carolina

Martin Eakes is a national leader in the fight against abusive financial practices-predatory home loans, payday lending, and exorbitant checking and credit card fees-that target poor people and trap them in cycles of poverty. Self-Help, the groundbreaking community development lending institution that he founded in 1980, reaches low-income families underserved by conventional financial institutions. Over the years, Self-Help has provided almost $6 billion in financing to more than 60,000 homebuyers, small businesses and nonprofits, and serves more than 25,000 mostly low-income families through seven retail credit unions. Standing in direct contrast to the predatory financial products that played a central role in the financial crisis, Self-Help's work demonstrates the importance of responsible and affordable financial products in helping low-income people achieve economic security.

Reimagining the Way We Think about Urban Design
Teddy Cruz
Co-Founder, Center for Urban Ecologies
Professor of Culture and Urbanism, University of California, San Diego
San Diego, California

Teddy Cruz was born in Guatemala City in an overpopulated old neighborhood teeming with people and life. Today he is an architect with a humane vision for metropolitan areas across America that breaks down physical and cultural barriers, and introduces social complexity and richness by mixing wealthy and poor, old and new, and public and private. Cruz is internationally renowned for his urban research on the Tijuana-San Diego border. His work focuses more broadly on traditionally overlooked poor, minority and immigrant communities and spaces, and has transformed border neighborhoods in California and communities in New York by creating affordable quality housing and public infrastructure.

In addition to its Visionaries Awards, the Ford Foundation will host a series of global conversations throughout its 75th year exploring the next generation of critical social challenges.

May 4: Fresh Angle on the Arts - An exploration of the role arts and culture play in social justice. For more information: http://www.fordfoundation.org/newsroom/events/473
June 30: A Metropolitan Vision - Identifying next-wave growth and opportunity in American cities.
Sept 20: Human Rights - A global conversation on the future of this vital movement.

Learn more about the Ford Foundation Visionaries Awards at http://www.fordfoundation.org/visionaries-awards

Explore our history and interactive timeline at www.fordfoundation.org/about-us/history

www.fordfoundation.org

SOURCE Ford Foundation

CONTACT: Suzana Grego, Ford Foundation Media Chief, +1-212-573-5128, grego@fordfoundation.org

Web Site: http://www.fordfoundation.org