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Anna Nyakana featured at essence fest 2023 - New Orleans, NY 

Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary Takes Center Stage at ESSENCE Festival of Culture: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Wizkid, Jermaine Dupri & More Set to Perform

March 29, 2023, NEW YORK --- "Now what you hear is not a test: The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM, presented by Coca-Cola® is back in New Orleans for its 29th year and a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop.

From fresh fits to lyrical hits, the in-person and virtual experience will both explore and showcase how hip-hop has impacted every aspect of global culture through daytime programming and nightly shows. Ever a hallmark of ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM are the live evening performances, which feature some of the most award-winning hip-hop artists to rock the mic over the last 50 years including headliners Ms.Lauryn Hill, who will give a special performance of the 5x Grammy-winning album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in recognition of its 25th anniversary, and 3x Grammy Award-winning artist, Megan TheeStallion. Doug E. Fresh will curate a special performance of hip-hop pioneers, and in honor of So So Def’s 30th anniversary, Grammy award-winning super producer and label founder, Jermaine Dupri, will deliver a special performance with some of the biggest names in hip-hop to come out of Atlanta. Other artists joining the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM stage include Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones and Kizz Daniel. Fans can look forward to laughs every night with evening hosts Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams and Janelle James, as well as sounds by DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri and DJ Clark Kent. Additional talent and experiences will be announced soon.

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Anna Nyakana LIVE on Hot 93.7 FM's "Voices" - Hartford, CT 

Join Anna Nyakana LIVE this Sunday, May 1, 2022 on Hot 93.7 FM's show “Voices” hosted by DJ BiggMann. Tune in Live or stream the replay on the free audacy app to listen to what is set to be a transformational talk by this Award-Winning and Bestselling Author, Speaker, and Producer Anna Nyakana, creator of the Niyah Zuri movement for the youth! - Hot 93.7 FM Connecticut's Number One for Hip-Hop and R&B

Anna Nyakana on "The Alexa Rose Show" Ep. #5 

Join Alexa Rose Carlin, Best-Selling Author, Speaker & CEO of Women Empower X every week in her new podcast focused on thought leadership. In each episode you’ll be introduced to diverse guests and energizing conversations to help you elevate your dreams, share your story, build your business & grow your wealth. Alexa believes it only takes one conversation, action step, person or decision that can change your life forever. Her mission is for you to discover that possibility of one on The Alexa Rose Show. 

Anna Nyakana is empowering the youth through her Bestselling books & production company. As an Award-Winning and Bestselling Author, Speaker, Producer, Singer-Songwriter, and Business Owner of Niyah Zuri Books and Niyah Zuri Studios, she is inspiring kids one adventure at a time.

Listen to my interview on Episode #5 of the The Alexa Rose Show!

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Anna Nyakana "Elevator Magazine" Feature Article - Chicago, IL 

“Anna Nyakana is One to Watch - Someone who Truly is Here to Create Change and Long-lasting Impact in the World for Generations to come. Her Focus and Passion for the Youth is a Rarity and something is telling me, this is JUST the Beginning.” 

THANK YOU Elevator Mag for my feature article; bringing another spotlight to my upcoming animated film and dedication to the youth all the way from the Windy City. This really is Just the Beginning, Stay Tuned!

FULL ARTICLE: ELEVATOR MAGAZINE

Anna Nyakana "This is 50" Feature Article - New York, New York 

Anna Nyakana: Amplifying the Sounds of World Music 

Anna Nyakana is an award-winning and bestselling children’s author, speaker, producer, musician, and singer-songwriter. Hailing from Uganda by way of Berlin, Germany, she is most notably known for creating the Niyah Zuri children’s book series, which focuses on representation for our Black and Brown youth and empowerment through historical exploration of our own rich legacies. Growing up in the U.S. from the age of six, Anna discovered an unfulfilled need for kids to gain a true knowledge of self by understanding where it is they come from; beyond the stories of trauma normally instructed in schools and highlighted by the media. From this discovery, the Niyah Zuri movement was born and Anna Nyakana began her relentless mission to save the youth. Now building upon her book series, the visionary is growing her Niyah Zuri movement by creating an animated cartoon and short film to expand the message of diversity and self-love from literacy to digital content, so kids can have access to educational programming that is also honoring to their heritage. “Kids should see a reflection of themselves from books to screens, my mission is to inspire them one adventure at a time,” states Nyakana.

Not stopping there – this multi-talented creative is taking things a step further by co-producing an original soundtrack for her animation to truly blend the sounds of our origin with Hip-Hop. By incorporating world music, primarily AfroBeat, AfroFusion, and AfroPop, Anna Nyakana is bringing our heritage to the forefront of the Culture. “I aspire to unlock the youth to achieving their highest potential and understand that we have a responsibility to give them the keys to discovering their true selves. The music we’re creating for the animation will vibrate to the core of every listener and allow their subconscious to reconnect with the sounds of heritage and their own glorious history,” Anna explains. Working directly with Producer and Recording Artist LaChaleur (A$AP Ferg, Desiigner, ARNSTAR), the two were able to collaborate to bring the vision and the sounds of back home alive. Anna contributing melodies, vocals, and live instrumentation while LaChaleur creating hypnotic beats and rhythmic patterns stemming from his own roots from Ivory Coast – joining together to truly make a one-of-a-kind sound. “Anna and I wanted to give it a fresh sound that still represents culture and that millennial-vibe that people could easily resonate with; where it’s not looked at as something just for kids but where you could watch it as a family,” shared LaChaleur.

The journey of the Niyah Zuri soundtrack will be released as an exclusive studio bio filmed and directed by the talented Gil Rios; an award-winning Filmmaker and Director. Gil Rios prides himself in selectively choosing creative partnerships where he is able to bring stories and experiences to life through his video making; his work has been featured in The Rolling Stone, The Source Magazine, and Hot 97 to name a few. When asked why he chose to capture Anna’s journey Gil shared, “Because I feel her mission for teaching our children of color their correct history and culture is very important in their growth and development.” Anna Nyakana is one to watch – someone who truly is here to create change and long-lasting impact in the world for generations to come. Her focus and passion for the youth is a rarity and something is telling me, this is just the beginning.

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Anna Nyakana Feature Article in Thrive Global - San Francisco, CA 

Anna Nyakana Honing the Generations of Tomorrow

APRIL 13, 2021 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA --- The children are the generations of tomorrow. How future adults will function and co-exist as a society will depend on how they are taught to live and how they are taught to be co-existing individuals. People are born unbiased, honest, and pure. On the other hand, adults often live with stereotypes and the tendency to discriminate because society taught them to do so. Since the mindsets of adults in the current generation will be hard to alter to avoid stereotypes, the children are the only hope in trying to form a better society. Raising them with the correct mindsets will save humanity from discrimination, biases, and racism. Anna Nyakana recognized this reality and chose to change the narrative.

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Anna Nyakana Feature Article in New York Weekly - New York, NY 

Anna Nyakana Continues to Empower Children with Another Addition to the Niyah Zuri Series

MARCH 19, 2021 - NEW YORK, NY ---

While some cultures have been openly celebrated, others have been humbly striving to be heard while being in the shadows. Eclipsed by the popular, many individuals feel underrepresented for not fitting the mold. Award-winning and bestselling author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur Anna Nyakana feels an immense responsibility to shed light on such cultures and uphold her mission of educating and empowering the youth to ultimately bring unification to humankind. 

Anna Nyakana is the genius behind Niyah Zuri Books, a children’s books series that seeks to break away from the traditional damsel-in-distress stories while introducing history from cultures around the world not typically discovered in the classroom. She is also the creator of Niyah Zuri Studios, her production house that is responsible for “Adventures with Niyah Zuri,” a cartoon series based on her books with the purpose of bringing representation to the pixels and inspiring excitement for literacy. To sum up her goals, the multi-talented visionary wants to instill in the youth the Niyah Zuri Way,which means “beautiful purpose.” 

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Anna Nyakana Feature Article in KIVO DAILY - Nashville, TN 

Anna Nyakana: The Chieftess of the Niyah Zuri Tribe

MARCH 19, 2021 - NASHVILLE, TN ---

“Who and What is Niyah Zuri?” you may ask. “It means Beautiful Purpose in Swahili, and I chose that name on purpose and for a purpose,” states Anna Nyakana, the award-winning creator behind the movement. Anna is responsible for the Niyah Zuri children’s book series, most notably the bestselling Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne, which has grown to new heights in popularity as it enters countless school districts across the country. The book series follows a fearless and curly-headed heroine, Niyah Zuri, as she and her best friends the Gonzales Twins time travel to ancient lands to assist other children from history overcome obstacles. It fulfills the need for representation in kids literature while also highlighting history, youth empowerment, and STEM. 

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1986, Nyakana is of Ugandan and German-Moldavian descent. Her family immigrated to the US in the ’90s and she began her journey of self-discovery in a very Black-and-White American society, all the while never letting go of the culture she hailed from. Her passion to bring diversity to the classroom is very much rooted in her own cultural pride and is perfectly captured in her vision statement, “Children should see a reflection of themselves in the books that they read. My mission is to inspire them, one adventure at a time.” 

Building upon her book series, Anna Nyakana is giving the Niyah Zuri Tribe another source of motivation to literally tap into; the digital world. Anna has created an animated cartoon series titled, Adventures with Niyah Zuri, which she is currently pitching to networks. When asked about her reasons for creating the cartoon she shared, “I seldom identified with a character on the cover of a book and that was the same case when I turned on the TV, even if there were only a handful of channels. Our hue deserves to be represented in the pixels and with the amount of screens in our kid’s hands these days, there’s no reason why they can’t learn about their own glorious history and that of others, all while gaining a new love of literacy through exploration! I vow to do my part to make even a screen an unmistakable tool for a child to discover the worth of their own melanated element.” Nyakana is leaving no stone unturned as she leans on her #NoDaysOff mantra to bridge the gap of representation from books to animation and beyond! 

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Anna Nyakana “House of Ramirez” Podcast Interview (Purposely Awakened Magazine) - Atlanta, GA 

“There are levels to this and EVERYONE is DESERVING of the levels, including YOURSELF, you have to FIRST tell yourself that. We tend to hold ourselves back, especially as WOMEN like we are now the “secondary class,” the men are more the “dominant.” We have to understand that we are birthing these men, we are raising them up, so why is it an issue for us to RAISE OURSELVES UP; raise your VIBRATION, tap into your ESSENCE! Understand you are a GODDESS, we SPEAK LIFE, we BIRTH LIFE, so birth it within YOURSELF!” 

A HUGE THANK YOU to Leslie Ramirez of "House of Ramirez" for an encouraging and critical discussion about our youth, women empowerment, and the force that is the Niyah Zuri movement! Another, BIG THANK YOU to Purposely Awakened Magazine for spotlighting my mission to empower and enlighten the youth! 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO FULL PODCAST EPISODE!

Anna Nyakana Feature Article in AFROELLE Magazine - Nairobi, Kenya 

 

“It was important to bring my young readers to Africa for we have BIRTHED THE WORLD but our history does not MAGNIFY us as the MOTHER OF ALL MANKIND. So, I will take on the responsibility of teaching our HISTORY with HONOR.” 

THANK YOU Afroelle for this incredible feature article and my debut in Africa’s publication world! Afroelle exists to encourage, empower and elevate our readers through highlighting the plight of women in Africa and the Diaspora celebrating their achievements and contributions to their communities. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE!

Anna Nyakana Feature Article in Medium - San Francisco, CA 

"Creating Hues of Representation in the Pixels"

Medium

By: Anna Nyakana

"AN ODE TO MY YOUNGER SELF: Lift your chin, straighten your back, walk with purpose; each step more firm than the lack. Forget their painful remarks, about your hair and your tones, but take a seat towards the front in case before the next stop they throw stones. As you stare through the window’s reflection, you may question if you’re perfection, if their words are in fact true. For you failed the comb test, so could that contradict the benevolence of you? The daily search for faces similar to your own in literature’s printed spaces set to educate have left your backpack light, yet again. Unbeknownst to you, this lack of weight has planted the seed that will germinate into your destiny to empower all girls and women. Lift your chin, straighten your back, walk with purpose; each step more firm than the lack. 

Two channels click in sequence as you turn the dial, aluminum foil to strengthen the signal as the static begins another circadian trail. Characters of animals and boys that are blue, dance across the screen with no representation of you. The technicolor lights flash into your pupil, creating an ocular messaging to the mind that your hue’s acknowledgement to the World is a strategic refusal. As you sit there in compromise, realize what’s hidden in the apparent, see, apparently, our Glory is the essential key to unlocking the mind from captivity. Lift your chin, straighten your back, walk with purpose; each step more firm than the lack. 

As you blink in search for our narratives to manifest in response don’t convert Truth into nonchalance. In fact, pull your curls from your eyes so you can see it clearly, the blatant exclusion, pollution of delusion. Remember this moment for the orbits to come, create an anchor in the deepest chambers, kiln of the hottest embers, where your LifeSpark resides ablaze, your melanated essence appraise. For we are pixelated matter in a rubics cube equation and you have been chosen to solve the moves for Our color pervasion. Lift your chin, straighten your back, walk with purpose; each step more firm than the lack."

READ THE FULL FEATURE

Anna Nyakana "What's In The Words" Podcast Interview Hosted by AJ Joiner & Steve Canal - Atlanta, GA/New York, NY 

"Your crown is for protection of your greatest treasure young girls, understand that your MIND IS EVERYTHING, what you think you become. We have birthed the WORLD and we have been given every strand of DNA, every emotion POSSIBLE so we can continue to birth this World...Women are not EMOTIONAL, I feel that we have a HIGHER CAPACITY for emotion, we contain ALL OF THE EMOTIONS, we were made that way genetically so we can pass them on to our offspring...That's our NATURAL makeup, so really we are POWERFUL because we are ALL ENCOMPASSING OF EMOTION!!! They don't have to play that damsel in distress role, they don't have to be that dependent WAITING for someone to rescue them, they can rescue THEMSELVES - PROBLEM SOLVE!!! PRESSURE not only busts pipe but PRESSURE creates DIAMONDS and that's what I want my young girls to understand and KNOW!" 

Deepest gratitude to AJ Joiner and Steve Canal for an amazing interview on "What's in The Words" podcast and the opportunity to spread the Niyah Zuri message as well as discuss critical concerns and share personal insights to advance our People. Continued progression to you both, keep magnifying your own voices and those of us who will contribute to the transformation on this World! 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MY FULL EPISODE "THE SELF ASSURED HEROINE" - NOW STREAMING ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS!

Anna Nyakana “Black On Black Education” Podcast Interview - New York, NY 

“What happens to EMPOWERED children? They become POWERFUL adults and these POWERFUL adults CHANGE the WORLD!” 

Thank you Black on for an opportunity to spread my Niyah Zuri movement and dig deep into the critical education reform that is needed for our youth! 

CLICK HERE to listen to the full podcast episode - Now streaming on all major platforms!

ABOUT:

We believe properly educating America’s minorities and its lower economic classes the same way it does our white middle and upper middle classes will have a transformative effect on our nation as a whole. Every child has the ability to positively impact the world, but for far too many a lack of educational opportunities leaves our future doctors, lawyers, and economists stuck in schools with outdated books and insufficient supplies, not being properly nurtured to achieve their full potential. Let’s create a space that empowers black people to take ownership over our communities by developing a love of learning and a commitment to self-determination. FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: www.blackonblackeducation.com

Anna Nyakana "Motivate U" Podcast Interview Hosted by June Archer - Hartford, CT 

Watch my exclusive interview for the "Motivate U" podcast hosted by the talented and uplifting June Archer. We dive into the importance of representation in children's books, my Niyah Zuri movement, and so MUCH MORE! Had to bring the fire when speaking on the injustices that took the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and too many others to recount and ensuring we as a people are progressing towards a higher standard of accountability and transformation. Also gave some motivation to those feeling discouraged during quarantine to remember "Not every door is locked, PUSH!" and even sang some Nina Simone to reflect on the summit I have currently reached and the climb I have ahead to reach the peak of my Niyah Zuri mission. Thank you June Archer for the continued support! STAY TUNED FOR THE FULL EPISODE ON THE MOTIVATE U PLATFORM!

 

 

Anna Nyakana "The Importance of Diversity in the Classroom" Article for Book Room Reviews 

"The Importance of Diversity in the Classroom" 

Book Room Reviews

By: Anna Nyakana

Diversity should be a defining thread in the weaving of a child’s education, for it produces an undeniable texture that will impact all of their decisions and understanding, a magnificent pattern of culture that will remain tightly stitched within their spirits for a lifetime. Most school districts select a child’s school placement by ZIP Code or street address. Sometimes pulling children in from “different sides of the track” into the same school. As a result, the classroom may be the very first place that a child comes into contact with another different from their own race!  What an incredible opportunity to ensure that children are learning about world cultures, rich traditions, and customs; especially children of Color, for our history is limited within standard curriculum. Diversity in the classroom is critical for its shapes the very society that children will grow up to inherit; let us make this World worthy of their inheritance 

We have a responsibility to expose children to the rest of the World, including the communities in which they live. This in turn will ensure we are developing well-rounded students that will mature into compassionate, understanding, and empathetic global citizens; consider how this change could impact the current state of the World. We need to strike at the minds of the youth, while they’re malleable, while they know no malice, while they know no prejudice, before that seed of ignorance is planted. Diversity should not be tolerated but rather celebrated! Moreover, diversity promotes a child’s creativity as it adds perspective, depth, rhythm, flavor, and essence to an otherwise one-dimensional and predictable environment. 

 Every culture contributes uniquely to civilization in areas such as music, dance, written expression, spiritual insights, athletics, science, and mathematics. Therefore, it would be an injustice to only focus on a single-culture perspective in the classroom, as it restricts the creative mind from expanding to its true potential. This is the fundamental reason of why my focus has been to implement the Niyah Zuri series into every single classroom across the country. 

Within “Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne,” children are learning about Ancient Egyptian history: spiritual practices and beliefs, way of life, the geography of a monumental Empire; all of which is not being watered down or misconstrued to receive a western acceptance. I am exposing children to real African history. Something that is going to significantly empower children of Color because they now understand the richness of their own selves and broaden the minds of other children, who may not identify as such, to embrace and respect the Kingdoms and Empires they descend from. This knowledge is beyond the 28 days of Black History month and the standard topics that are traditionally revisited in the classroom during that time period, for we are beyond Black History month! Our history is 365! Our history created all history! 

Additionally, with a focus on Prince Tut, a young boy turned Pharaoh at the tender age of only eight years old, children are inspired to believe in themselves without question and walk in their dreams now. One’s age should not limit them from achieving anything that they desire in their life; look to history to remember your worth, your value, your strength – you are limitless! What a powerful elevation that could be to all children, as it creates a more enlightened and compassionate society – I don’t know about you but that’s the world I want my children to grow up in. And I will do everything I can each and every day to ensure I contribute to that society for everyone else’s children too. Let’s continue the work!

Anna Nyakana selected as Valedictorian for 2020 "100 Women of Color" Award - Hartford, CT 

AUGUST 27, 2020 - HARTFORD, CT --- ‘Strength is our motto’ for 5th annual 100 Women of Color Gala 

Susan Dunne 

Hartford Courant 

A CNN commentator, a children’s book author and an 8-year-old activist will be among the speakers at the 5th annual 100 Women of Color Gala & Awards, celebrating and inspiring community leaders. The gala, postponed from April by the coronavirus pandemic, will be held on Aug. 28 at Simsbury Meadows. 

“Women are the backbone, the pillars of community. Without them there would be no us. I want to honor them,” said June Archer, UConn lecturer, entrepreneur and author, of how the 100 Women of Color Gala began. “We’ve built a community of women coming together and supporting their own.”

 Anna Nyakana of New Britain, a children’s book author, will speak as the valedictorian of the 100 Women of Color Class of 2020. The rest of the Class of 2020, a wide range of women of color positively impacting their community, will accept awards, Archer said.

“Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh’s Throne” and the upcoming “Niyah Zuri and The Mayan Eclipse,” which she plans to pitch as an animated series. Nyakana has worked with school systems in Hartford, Bloomfield, New London and New Haven to put her books in schools. 

“I grew up in a housing project in Stamford. Not the best school district. No one ever came to speak to us to tell us we were worthy,” Nyakana said. “That never really left me.” 

So she creates books to promote diversity, inclusion and female empowerment. “It’s a seed to implant into the minds of youths,” she said.

READ FULL ARTICLE: The Hartford Courant

Anna Nyakana, LIVE Interview on "The Vibe" 97.9 FM - New orleans, LA 

 

 

"Don't play with our kids, our children are not your pawns to do testing with for statistics. Our children are our future and we need to safeguard them!" What an incredible moment returning to "The Vibe Show" on 97.9 FM for my second interview this summer! WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE  with legendary Host and Producer Kevin Hampton as I drop some EXCLUSIVE announcements including my selection as Valedictorian of the 2020 "100 Women of Color" Awards and my NIYAH ZURI APPAREL dropping for youth and adults September 2020! S/O to the entire Vibe Show and 
Esource team! Thank you for your continued support of the Niyah Zuri movement and my mission to elevate our youth to their greatest potential!

Anna Nyakana Feature Article in Enspire Magazine - New York, NY 

AUGUST 7, 2020 - NEW YORK, NY --- Anna Nyakana Publishes Adventures of Young Heroine to Empower Children of All Backgrounds

Rising Author Uses Her Series to Broaden the Scope of the Publishing World 

ENSPIRE Contributor: Elizabeth Duchan 

Anna Nyakana is making waves in the publishing industry, one time-travel adventure at a time. The 33-year-old author has had immense success in her mission to provide a celebration of multiculturalism, female empowerment, and self-discovery for children through her writing. Born in Germany in 1986 and later moving to the United States, Nyakana pursued her passion for writing and singing throughout her teenage years while adapting to life as an immigrant and woman of color. After acquiring a Bachelor’s degree in Business and publishing The Student Survival Guide to Online College, Nyakana shifted her attention towards children’s books and bringing to life Niyah Zuri, a little girl much like her younger self. 

As the daughter of a Ugandan father and German-Moldavian mother, Nyakana recalls the constant struggle she felt in trying to relate to characters in books. “Growing up,” she said in an interview with News 12 Connecticut, “I could never find anyone on the cover that looked like me.” Thus began Nyakana’s mission to develop literature that not only celebrated diversity but allowed children of all backgrounds to identify with the multi-dimensional characters they so admired. 

Nyakana professes that she places a lot of the weight on herself as an author to bridge the gaps in gender equality and diversity in the publication world. With less than 10% of children’s books having a multicultural element and only 5% of authors being multicultural themselves, under-representation in writing has long run rampant. Within the education system especially, older books with predominantly white characters fail to reflect the diverse demographic makeup of the classrooms themselves. 

Nyakana aims to combat this prevalent issue by creating dynamic characters in which children can see themselves reflected. Her hope is to not only normalize but also to celebrate having a wide representation of backgrounds in books and media, especially in a school setting. 

While the book itself has been wildly successful in attracting children to reading, Nyakana explains that another primary focus was to illustrate the heroism of women. In a world where male protagonists often steal the spotlight in literature and media, Nyakana articulates that there is a profound need for “heroines [who] could slay the fiercest of dragons versus filling the typical princess in distress role.” Nyakana cunningly shifts typical gender roles through Niyah’s fearlessness and independence, weaving an inspiring tale of female strength and leadership. 

Nyakana continues to develop her series with its latest installment Niyah Zuri and The Mayan Eclipse and works to spread the messages of her books by integrating them into school curricula and visiting schools and virtual classes. Guided by her strong principles and pursuit of change, Nyakana is at the forefront of molding the landscape of children’s books, and her success story promises to reap profound benefits for generations to come. 

READ FULL ARTICLE: Enspire Magazine

Anna Nyakana LIVE on FOX SOUL's "Out Loud with Claudia Jordan" - Los Angeles, CA 

"Everyone loves that glorious peak because you can see everything from up there but don't forget the valley that you came from and the strength that you got from pulling yourself up so you can then help others!" What an incredible conversation with the amazing Claudia Jordan on the new FOX SOUL network, which spotlights OUR stories told by US! Thank you for highlighting my story and mission to uplift the youth with the Niyah Zuri message! WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW!

 

 

 

 

Anna Nyakana on "PopFuzion the Talk Show" - Los Angeles, CA 

 

 

 

THANK YOU PopFuzion TV and the talented Creator and Host Francesca Ellanafor featuring me on "PopFuzion the Talk Show!" Watch my segment as we dig into the Niyah Zuri Movement, the importance of representation in children's books and media, and how we all can use our voice to make positive change! Watch new episodes of every "PopFuzion the Talk Show" every Friday on Comcast Universal!

"Meet Connecticut Author Anna Nyakana" Feature Article by Bobby Pen - Houston, TX 

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 27, 2020 --- Meet Anna Nyakana from Stamford, Connecticut who is an author and entrepreneur. 

Niyah Zuri Books & Niyah Zuri Studios/"Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne"

Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of your struggles along the way? 

There have been many obstacles in my journey. In the very beginning, publishers rejected my manuscript. Others loved my story idea but wanted to make my main character less “urban”. I have kept all the rejection letters until this day. I would not compromise my fearless Black heroine. Instead, I decided to publish on my own to get my book into the hands of young readers. 

The first year I sold a few hundred, the next year a few thousand and last year 10,000. In addition, another obstacle occurred when implementing by book into the curriculum of schools in my State and abroad. Many administrators didn’t believe this was a crucial story to a child’s development. I fought to change their minds and succeeded. As a result, I proved that our stories are beyond Black History Month. 

What do you do? What are you most proud of? What sets you apart? 

Niyah Zuri Books is the book imprint for the Niyah Zuri children’s book series, most notably the bestselling “Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne.” I specialize in bringing representation to kid’s books for they “deserve to see a reflection of themselves in the book they read. Additionally, my mission is to inspire them, one adventure at a time!” Therefore, I am most proud of implementing my book in countless districts of my own state, across the U.S., and in Canada. I also know that the Niyah Zuri series is changing the narrative; brining diversity to the classroom. 

My persistence sets me apart. I don’t focus on sales like normal authors or even collaborate with normal author channels, for instance. Instead my focus is impacting a child’s mind for a lifetime by ensuring they are learning about world culture and multiculturalism in schools. Furthermore, I uplift my community by supporting other entrepreneurs who join me in the movements of inuring and uplifting our youth and communities. I am now elevating my mission beyond books. Therefore, through my company, Niyah Zuri Studios, I am creating a cartoon series based on my books; pitching to networks in the coming months. 

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://thebobbypen.com/meet-connecticut-author-anna-nyakana/

Anna Nyakana Featured in Sheen Magazine July 2020 Issue 

GREENVILLE, SC - JULY 14, 2020 --- Getting to Know Motivational Speaker and Children’s Book Author, Anna Nyakana 

Lesley Logan 

A native of Berlin, Germany, Anna Nyakana, and her family immigrated to the U.S. in the ’90s in search of the American dream; and that’s exactly what she found. The award-winning author is also an inspiring youth motivational speaker, as well as a talented entrepreneur! 

With a diverse background that ranges from being a songwriter and live performer to writing children’s books and working with schools to spread the message of diversity across the country, this inspirational mother of two is enlightening the world one word at a time. 

We sat down with the multi-talented Anna Nyakana to see what has been keeping her busy, what motivates her, and what her plans are for the future. Here’s what she had to say. 

It’s been a crazy few months – how are you holding up during this pandemic? 

I’m thriving! I’ve been connecting with my young readers through social media and I even created two new businesses, Niyah Zuri Books and Niyah Zuri Studios, which allowed me to launch a second edition of “Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne” on my own book imprint! It was released on June 13thand I’m proud to say that it hit #1 in seven children’s book categories! 

What inspired you to write children’s books and become a motivational speaker? 

I remember getting library books to practice my English and none of the people on the cover ever looked like me. That stigma never left me, and I grew a passion and desire to have our own stories represented. This grew into the Niyah Zuri children’s book series. When I was a kid, no one of significance ever came to our school to motivate us and tell us that we could attain our life goals. What a difference that would have made to many of us?! I live to be a difference now. That’s what inspires me. 

Let’s talk about your success in writing children’s books! What is the most rewarding part about being the author of “Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne”? 

Connecting with the kids! I love seeing a child’s face light up because my characters look and sound like them! “Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh’s Throne” has inspired children who used to hate reading to now have a love of literacy and I am honored to be making that impact! 

At what moment did you know the book was going to be such a success. What was the turning point in your career? 

The first time I processed a bulk order of 1,000 books for a school district; I knew my book would be a success. A big turning point for me was in July 2019 when I was invited to be a guest on the legendary Karen Hunter Show on SiriusXM. She believed in my mission. This made a huge difference in my career because it allowed me to connect with millions of listeners and spread the Niyah Zuri message. 

What exciting new projects are you working on now? 

I am completing the second book in the series, “Niyah Zuri and The Mayan Eclipse.” I’m also launching official Niyah Zuri apparel with interpretations of my main character Niyah Zuri and Prince Tut. And, last but not least, and this is an exclusive, I am finally bringing a huge dream to life by creating a cartoon series based on my books! It will be visually striking and educational, so kids can enjoy both at home and in the classroom all while building their vocabulary and knowledge through world adventures. I am in production now, so keep an eye out! 

Stay tuned for great things from motivational speaker and children’s book author Anna Nyakana! 

 

Anna Nyakana Featured on Indigo Blue's "Women's Empowerment" Podcast 

JUNE 29, 2020 - PHILADELPHIA, PA --- Episode 9 of The Indigo Blue Empowermet Conversations Podcast airs tonight at 6pm Featuring Best Selling Author , Motivational Speaker, And Entrepreneur Anna Nyakana .  

During this episode Anna gives an in-depth look into her life as an immigrant, born in Germany, and adjusting to life as a biracial child in America .  

She discloses how she was able to find her strength as a Black Woman in America, finding the hustle mentality from living in the projects, to living in the suburbs. Anna overcame many adversities while publishing her book, being told by many Publishers that her Book was too Urban. They would frown upon her characters time traveling to Egypt preferring the characters remain in the US only. 

Anna Nyakana shares vital business and entrepreneurial gems that authors, aspiring entrepreneurs can use to uplift themselves and their communities. Tune in tonight at 6pm on all streaming platforms. Visit Indigobluestyle.com to subscribe to the show.