2 Minutes With: Paola Audrey Ndengue
Paola Audrey Ndengue is an entrepreneur specializing in media and digital communications. She is co-founder of the Afro media FASHIZBLACK and founder of the Abidjan-based consulting agency PANNELLE & Company.
Since 2007, she has been working to promote Africa’s creative industries, from fashion and beauty to urban music and the art of living. In 2014 and 2015, she published a white paper on Cameroonian urban culture, and in 2016, she co-wrote the book “Global Africa” dedicated to the 100 personalities who make the fashion industry in Africa.
Since 2019, she has specialized in content production. She produces, directs and hosts “Afrique & Pop”, a program dedicated to African cultural news for TV5 Monde Afrique. Then, from May 2020, she will oversee the production and hosting of the weekly program “Le Débrief”, dedicated to pan-African news.
Paola Audrey Ndengue has been named by FORBES AFRICA magazine as one of the 30 African personalities under 30 in 2019. She was also named one of the Top 100 African Women of 2020 by American media Okay Africa.
The town where you were born.
Douala, Cameroon.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Psychiatrist, novelist, journalist... it all depended on the day.
How did you discover your creativity?
Through writing, especially keeping a diary.
Who's the person you've always admired, from your youth to the present day?
My father.
A moment in high school or college that changed your life.
Generally speaking, the year I spent at a Catholic boarding school in the sticks, in 4th grade. I learned a lot about human relationships and solitude.
What's your favourite meal?
In true Cameroonian style, fried plantains and Ndolè with beef. Or Ndomba (pistachio cake).
What's your favorite musical artist?
Fela Kuti. For the messages, the rhythm, the melodies, the sarcasm, the avant-gardism, the timelessness.
What's the best book you've read recently?
Unfortunately I don't have time to read much, so I make up for it with documentaries. The best I've seen recently is “The cleaners” by DW.
What's your favourite film?
KILL BILL 1.
The best creative project you've ever worked on
Hard to say, but I'd have to go with Fashizblack.
One thing that always makes you happy
(Good) food. Or seeing the sea.
One thing that always makes you sad
Injustice or inequality.
Your favourite fictional heroine or hero and why?
O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill 1. Chinese-American orphan who rose through the ranks as a contract killer to become head of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia). But why? Because she's turned her anger and desire for vengeance into a force for good.