Nana O Oguntola

In commemorating VE Day, I have decided to share a video our young filmmakers made with World War II veteran Leonard Granger who joined the army when he was 17 years old because he saw London being bombed and wanted to do his 'bit'.

He was a sergeant in the army and manned the 25 pounder gun, was one of the soldiers landing on Normandy in 1944 and has the Medal of Honour.

Ironically he met his wife who was a soldier in the German Navy and for him that was the best part of the war ending.

A great privilege when history meets the present and the future and these young people had an opportunity to interact with a veteran who has since died but whose voice still lives in their film.

This film project was funded by Campbell Park Community Council and brought two former soldiers who attended the premiere to tears. The film was also featured in a BBC news story for VE Day.

Leonard's story is a beautiful story of love blooming in the unlikeliest places.

Thanks to Val from Campbell Park Community Council, Rosemary Hill and Frank Scarito for facilitating and working with the young people to make this film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltHmh3Taef8&t=13s

Interview with Leonard-WW11 Veteran Junior Filmmakers interview WW11 veteran Leonard about his experiences in the war

Why are we having this conversation in public?

A snippet from Series Two, Episode 4 of my podcast titled: AI and Creativity Conundrum A Government Unsure Ep 4 where I discuss the unresolved public conflict between creatives and AI developers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLDx_amF6ls

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlr-68DPKK8&t=1s

Why are the key stakeholders around the creative industries not talking to each other Don't forget to like the video, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss another video Thanks for watching.Subscribe to the new videos weekl...

Meet the Powerful Queens of Kush!

The Candaces of Meroe weren’t just queens—they were rulers, warriors, and decision-makers who shaped one of the most powerful African kingdoms.

Meet some of these legendary queens:





Shanakdakhete – The first known Candace (c. 170 BCE)





Amanirenas – Defied the Roman Empire (c. 40-10 BCE)



Amanishakheto – Known for her wealth & power (c. 10 BCE–1 CE)





Amanitore – Expanded Meroe’s influence (c. 1-25 CE)

For over 500 years, these queens built an empire of wealth, culture, and military strength.

Read about these remarkable women and 20 other African Queens from my book, Twenty-One African Queens Every Young Girl Should Know About'. On Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc.

*teEmpire

It is the 1st of May and the countdown has begun!!

Africa Day 2025 is coming to Milton Keynes in a BIG way!

Join us on Saturday, 24th May 2025, at the Ridgeway Centre for the Africa Day Executive Networking Reception: Showcasing African Entrepreneurs and Investors organised by Proof Accelerator UK and Linked Ltd.

This special event will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, and community influencers to celebrate the economic power, creativity, and resilience of the African Diaspora in the UK.

With a vibrant expo, panel discussions, food, and networking—it’s an evening not to be missed!

To get your tickets:

1. Scan the QR Code in the flyer or

2. Book on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/africa-day-executive-reception-tickets-1345784099469?aff=oddtdtcreator or

3. Pay directly at this link: https://buy.stripe.com/4gwg1MeAa3x625i4ja

Just over a year ago this tree was a victim of the whims of strong winds and lay broken on the ground.

It looked dry and baren. The seasons, with all their proclivities, came and went and it stayed there, desolate.

A few weeks ago, as I run past it as usual, I noticed there was life sprouting out of this tree. The tree that was dead was alive and giving life.

I don't need to state the obvious correlations to life, but I will say in the changes of the seasons, when it rains, snows or the sun is out if you can stand the tension, survive the seasons, you will give life again, probably even better than the one you had before.

People went past the tree, watching it broken on the ground day after day, month after month and thought that was its end, not knowing it's life was building up again, on the inside, waiting for the moment when the same people would see it bloom and be amazed. Thus the irrelevance of people seeing you in the dry or lifeless seasons of your life. They cannot see the life within you because they did not put it there in the first place. The time of your bloom is not determined by people, so just survive the season.

Sometimes as I run past the tree, I would think to myself that I should tell the Council about the dead tree so that they would come and clear it away. I never did, but what if I had and they had come and chopped it up? It would not be giving life today to so many shoots growing out of it. Do not abort the vision during the seasons when it looks dry. If you can stay in the tension of the seasons, learn in the tensions of the season, the season of life will return

Life is a cycle after all.

This study starts tomorrow for any young person who wants to take part.

Young people aged 16 to 19 years who are interested in filmmaking are invited to take part in a Pilot Study looking at the impact of AI on filmmaking education and production.

Enjoy free training and help us understand the impact of AI on filmmaking.

This is a unique opportunity for you to learn filmmaking skills and how to use AI in your filmmaking.

Register online Now at www.famk.co.uk

This Africa Day in Milton Keynes, it is about impact. It is about Change. It is about elevating voices. It is about creating alliances that make a difference.

Join Impact Investor and Serial Entrepreneur, Thelma Ekiyor, founder of PROOF Accelerator and myself at The Milton Keynes Entrepreneurs Networking Reception.

Thinking about setting up a business, already a business owner--at any stage of that business, an investor? This is your space.

We will see you in the Room.

Book your Tickets Now!

Hey Milton Keynes, you are very much invited to join us on the commemoration of the death of George Floyd.

Let's stand together and reaffirm our commitment, not to rhetoric or optics, but to actively nurturing and building a city of equality and equity for all.

Building an Equal Society Starts with Us

On May 25th, 2025, we gather as a community at MK Rose to honour George Floyd and to commit to a just and inclusive Milton Keynes.

This is more than a memorial—it is a reminder that we must continue to speak up for equity and fairness in our city and beyond.

1PM | MK Rose, Milton Keynes

Free event—everyone is invited.

Something happens when i wake up in the morning and put on my running clothes.

It feels like I am putting on a costume, a cape_ like batman, an alternative me.

I remember after the Christmas holidays.. After just eating and not doing any exercise...and when i put on my running clothes, i physically felt like 'it's time to move, we are back to work, holiday is over' and my mind got that message the adrenaline started pumping.

It makes me feel powerful, like I can do anything and my mind immediately gets the message that I can. I love it. It's a 'high'.

Because running teaches descipline, teaches resilience, teaches patience. It builds the confidence that you can go the distance and the discomfort or pain is always only temporary.

Additionally, exercise helps counter the natural pull of gravity on our bodies. So especially if you are over 40, make sure you are doing something for your body. The aches and pains in the knees and hips and waists are a mirage ..they are simpy the place of your growth.