Introducing March TBR Blogger,
Claudia Akyeampong!
Claudia Akyeampong
Hello Everyone!
My name is Claudia Akyeampong, just wanted to introduce myself before I start blogging. Let’s see, a little about me. I am…no longer 29, let’s just leave it at that. It’s still too soon. Currently, I live in Brooklyn, NY. I graduated with my MFA in English and can’t wait till all that money spent is pays off, so I can pay off these loans. I’m just saying. There should be some kind of warranty. Like if you don’t get a job in the field you went to school for, you don’t have to pay back anything. I can get down with this. Anyway, in the meantime I’m still writing keeping my head above water, making my way while I can…more on that later, as in two paragraphs away. Yes, I’ve been in NY for the past 5 years but I was born and raised in Madison, WI. Midwest! Before you ask…yes, there are Africans in WI and yes, our cheese is the BIZNESS!
My focus in school has been poetry but I’ve also done some article writing for magazine publications in my hometown, here in NY and in the UK. In addition to writing, I am also an artist. I draw, paint, make African masks and I design jewelry. Beads, leather, fabric and metal…if it can hang from my ear, I will rock it. I just love being creative and I try to incorporate that into everything I do.
Okay, so I graduated during the recession and had the pleasure of being laid off with the rest of the masses. It’s been rough and still looking for my way. It is stressFULL! I’ve found that the stress has definitely affected me as a writer. The ways in which I would express myself have been tapped out by things that worry me. So here I am…at writer’s block. I think every writer has that period when nothing sounds right and you just come up blank. Blogging, has helped me maintain that creative writing passion within me and helped me vent like no one’s business. I hope you all enjoy my posts. Feel free to offer advice, EMPLOYMENT (just kidding…but not really) and chocolate. I will always accept the chocolates! This intro was long. Be warned, I can ramble like nobody’s business. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Claudia – who took your stunning profile photo? What’s it like to be African in Wisconsin?
(JJ Evans voice) Well uh ruh, you know…what can I say. lol. I took the photo. Would love to build my portfolio on some other folks though.
There is a small community of Africans in Madison, for the most part, we all know one another. Nigerians, Cameroonians, Sudanese, Ivorians, Mozambicans, Ghanaians…list goes on. Its cool, our own lil Africa Unite village.
People sometimes don’t realize how diverse the Midwest can be! Good luck with the debt, girl. Also, if you’re in Brooklyn, I hope that you’ve had a chance to experience THE CHOCOLATE ROOM. Happy blogging!
There was never a more perfectly named restaurant. I saw it and was like ahhhhhhhhhhh! Destroyed the chocolate cake. Should’ve been crime tape around my plate. GRAPHIC!
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Claudia,
I hope u find a job in your field at wherever you choose to stay. Life can be tough if u do not have a good job and good family to back u up.
I wish you all the best of luck in LIFE
Good job, Claudia! You write well. I hope you get a job while freelancing as a writer. Good luck to you. Hope your parents are doing well. We used to be friends in Madison, but we’ve lost contact. Be well!