Beauty Empowered: Ma-Musu Nyande
Posted by Shades Of Ebony Beauty on 22nd Sep 2020
Daughter, sister, friend and aunty, Ma-Musu Nyande embodies what it means to be a truly empowered woman. She is the founder of Nyande.Bo a consultancy and events business. As part of her business, Ma-Musu runs various events and initiatives designed to inspire and empower black women and others of African descent to feel more confident about their identity and self worth. Ms Nyande is also an esteemed youth leader and a community advocate within the Australian Community in South Australia. Read more about her below.
MEET MA-MUSU
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Ma-Musu Kugba Nyande. I am lover of African literature, and a Pan-Africanist. I am daughter, sister, friend and aunty. I am a big skin and hair care enthusiast and everything to do with myself and emotional care.
What do you enjoy most about working in community services?
I enjoy the connections I’ve made with not just my community but various other community groups in South Australia. The conversations we’ve held and strategies we have created on ways our communities can develop and grow stronger connections with each other. I have encountered some incredible leaders, that have contributed greatly to my leadership style and I will always be thankful for that. Working in this sector allows me to not only be a representation but also a voice in the room that creates and advocates for adequate services for our people.
Tell us about Nyande.Bo?
Nyande.Bo is a event based business. It started off as a passion project to host events for black and African women, that provided relaxation and joy in addition to being educational and informative. Nyande.bo means beautiful one. My vision for this business venture is to instil confidence in black and African women about our worth, our capability and strength but most importantly to rediscover our beauty and self-worth. I hope the events I hold will inspire other young girls to aspire for a dream bigger than you and me, a dream that will ensure the next generation of women who look like us can walk this earth with their heads held high. Another aspect of the business is to help Black and African women launch their business and help them celebrate it. We hope to be a direct contact for everything business for black and African women.
What motivated you to create your business?
My biggest motivation is the idea that future generations of black and African women in Australia can have a somewhat easier experience of existing and thriving in this country. I want our next generation to be born with confidence, to occupy spaces without fear. For them to know and recognise that the women that came before them have created spaces and places that ensures their safety and identity – that’s what motivates me daily.
Talk to us about your upcoming event, DEAR BLACK WOMEN, this is for you?
DEAR BLACK WOMEN, this is for you, was inspired from twitter and all the conversations around Black women deserving luxury and enjoyment without the guilt. As I worked towards finalising everything, something happened that changed the direction of this event. On July 30th 2020 the identity of three African women was shared across all media outlets in this country. The online and in person abuse these girls, and many other African women faced during that period, stamped as a reminder that we don’t belong here. And it was gut wrenching to watch, to hear stories and not know what to do about it. I recognised how important an event like this was to our community and I wanted to ensure that I can curate a space where we felt safe to speak openly about our experiences. I saw the value in bringing together black mental health specialists to curate conversations around our mental health and discuss some strategies we can put in place to protect our magic and ensure our well being is being looked after.
Why do you think representation matters so much?
Representation matters simply because it does. It doesn’t only add value to an organisation/business/institution, but it changes the conversations around specific groups of people. It encourages direct human interaction with people who aren’t the majority, and stems to change the narrative placed on who we are. I remember seeing a Black Muslim teacher while I was in high school and how that moment has stayed with me forever. Seeing someone who looked like me, in a space where I was a minority, changed the way I saw myself. It encouraged me to dream bigger and that’s what representation does. It encourages young girls from minority backgrounds to know their dreams are possible. That’s what representation does. It allows us to dream bigger.
Name some of your favorite black owned brands right now?
Ohh, this is my favourite question lol. I love talking about black businesses and encouraging others to support them. So below are some of favourites.
Hair
Skin
Clothing
As an advocate for mental health and wellness, what is your approach to self-care?
Self-care is a very individual thing. Our needs are different, so our self-care regimen will be different. My approach to self-care is doing things that brings me closer to home. Like eating my favourite Sierra Leonean dish (Cassava Leaf), listening to Sierra Leone music and afro-beat, and just being by myself. I also keep a journal, to help gather and maintain my thoughts.
What inspires you?
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty means healthy skin, healthy body and healthy soul. Beauty for me is an internal affair. It's all about what goes into my body, from food, drinks, the people I interact with and places I go. All of that affects my beauty.
What’s next for you?
Currently working on my first book, not sure when it will be released but I have loved putting my words and thoughts together.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty means healthy skin, healthy body and healthy soul. Beauty for me is an internal affair. It’s all about what goes into my body, from food, drinks, the people I interact with and the places I go. All of that affects my beauty.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on my first book, not sure when it will released but I have loved putting my words and thoughts together.
Keep up with Ma-Musu
Instagram: @finding.nyande & @nyande.bo
Website: www.nyandebo.com