Good morning, it’s Wednesday, 20 November 2024. It’s midweek and if work is getting a bit hectic before the holidays, we’re bringing some career tips that can help you refocus. Today, we’re talking about Sara Ali Khan’s yoga retreat in Goa and the tech scene in Africa. 

  • Art in Shanghai: Inspire yourself with some of the standout exhibitions from Shanghai Art Week such as Yin Xiuzhen’s solo exhibition “Piercing the Sky” (runs until 16 Feb 2025  at the Power Station of Art in Huangpu district) and “Stilllife” a satellite fair in Rockbund showcasing overseas Chinese artists.

  • Modi in Nigeria: PM Modi was in Abuja to discuss strategic ties on defence, trade and strategy with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

  • Scold your boss: OCDA is a company founded by Calimar White to anonymously scold your boss on your behalf which is trending 😂

  • Women’s Wrestling in Delaware: Delaware State University is partnering with the HBCU Wrestling Initiative to become the first HBCU with a Division 1 women’s wrestling program.

  • Michelin Star Indian Restaurant in New York: Spend a day in the life with Chef Vijay Kumar who is the executive chef at Semma, the only Michelin Star South Indian Restaurant in New York City. 

  • Vernon Davis Invests in Women’s Sports: Former NFL tight end Vernon Davis is now a minority owner of women’s soccer team DC Power.

  • Beyonce + The NFL: The artist with the most Grammy wins in history will be performing at the halftime show in her hometown, Houston on Christmas Day.

  • 🎧 Afrikan Di Alien: British hip-hop rapper Pa Salieu has a new song with Ghanaian singer Black Sherif, and it’s titled “Afrikan Di Alien”. 

  • 🎧 Ain’t A Lover: DJ Drama’s latest release with Jaz Karis, Nippa, and 310babii, Ain’t A Lover, is out now and marks the DJ’s entry into the UK music scene.

  • 🎧 Sooraj’s New Release: Indian singer-songwriter Sooraj Santhosh’s new song Kansoochi Thumbaal is out and is part of the soundtrack for the upcoming childhood-based movie Sthanarthi Sreekuttan.

  • 🎧 November by Zehr Vibe: The Punjabi pop duo is back with another soulful single featuring rapper and producer 4TheWorld. 

  • 📺 Gladiator II: is now in cinemas and there is Oscars buzz for Denzel Washington’s performance.

  • MORAYO: Award-winning artiste Wizkid has revealed the tracklist for his long-awaited album, Morayo, with features from Jazmine Sullivan and Asake.

  • Destiny Fulfilled Turns 20: The last album released by Destiny’s Child turns 20. 

  • Shallipopi Meets DSCVR: Nigerian artiste Shallipopi has been named one of 2025 Artists to Watch by VEVO’s DSCVR.

  • Smino’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Rapper Smino received a lifetime achievement award from the Black Men’s Forum at Harvard University.

  • Ravanat’s First Fragrance: Ayurvedic skin and haircare brand Ravanat has launched its first fragrance called Spiritual Awakening. The fragrance features notes of saffron and vertiver, and currently retails for $185.

  • The Honey Pot: Feminine care brand The Honey Pot now has a new soothing intimate wash designed for expectant and new moms. The wash contains witch hazel and is also hypoallergenic. 

  • The best hotels in Mexico: A round-up of the top spots to stay from treehouses to city escapes. 

  • Join Sara Ali Khan in Goa: for a tranquil yoga retreat hosted personally by Sara. 

  • The best places to shop in Rajasthan: Make sure to set aside time to shop when you're in town where you can find everything from detailed clothing to intricate pottery.

  • Yoga in Singapore: Your visit to Singapore doesn’t need to be all about meetings. Take time out to visit these yoga studios for self-care time. 

  • From $39,000 to $200,000: 33-year-old Khayla McCoy shares her 10-year journey from living on a tight budget in New York City to working with Google and achieving financial happiness.

  • RIMON Tells Her Story: Eritrean-Dutch singer-songwriter RIMON talks about her debut album, working with Mereba, and how she wants you to live for yourself.

As the tech scene in Africa is rapidly growing with fast-rising unicorns and tech giants, it's time to talk about African women in tech. Starting a career and growing in a stereotypically male-dominated industry can be challenging so we’re bringing you tips from Iwalola Sobowale, the head of CX research at Nigerian fintech unicorn Moniepoint and host of the Spotlight Podcast to help you level up at work 💪🏾

Keep Learning

Since I came to understand that we can only dream, think and perform at the limits we are currently aware of, I've made a conscious effort to continuously expose myself to new information. I do this by opening myself up to opportunities, taking chances to try new things, meeting new people, and joining communities.

I personally ensure that I dedicate time to completing a programme or course every year. Degrees and certifications can be leveraged to negotiate higher salaries with prospective employers.

Be Polite But Firm

I know we've all seen content advising women to write emails in a "bossy" tone like men typically do. However, I don't think it makes sense for us to emulate our male counterparts' rude or condescending behaviour. Instead, I ensure that I communicate assertively but politely in the workplace. 

I've found that my colleagues are more willing to be vulnerable with me, which improves our working relationship, as we understand each other better. In this episode of HBR's Women at Work, the podcast hosts discuss how being both assertive and warm at work will get you what you want. It's a great listen, and this podcast in general has helped me navigate difficult scenarios in my career.

Take Time Off

There should be time to rest, play, rejuvenate and do the things that help us recharge. As an introvert, I do this occasionally by dedicating a day where I cuddle up with a book and become a couch potato for a few hours. This helps me recharge, stay sane and stave off burnout. 

I also try to prioritise at least one hour a day to spend with my kids after work. During this time, I chat with them about their school day and whatever else they'd like to discuss. It's a non-negotiable for me. 

Invest In Your Network

Joining tech communities exposes you to opportunities and the pulse of whatever industry or career path you're on. I'm a member of People in Product, Women in Tech Nigeria and a few other great communities where I've met fantastic people. 

There are also women-only tech communities and meetups, which have exposed me to opportunities, people and rooms that would not have been accessible for me or that I would otherwise not have known about. You can check out communities like Women in Tech Nigeria, Elpha, Wetech and She Code Africa.