Entrepreneurship in fashion, literature, music can become tools for peace and development —Titi Kushimo

In this interview with ROTIMI IGE, Titi Kushimo, a writer, media personality, development advocate and cultural enthusiast, discusses how her diverse interests in fashion, literature, poetry and peacebuilding have evolved into a purposeful platform for social change. She reflects on her formative years as a writer, her academic journey in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, and the inspiration behind ‘The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert’. Kushimo explains how the initiative uses fashion, music, storytelling and meaningful conversations to promote African identity, social harmony and human-centred development. She also shares the impact of the maiden edition, the opportunities it has created for emerging creatives, and what audiences can expect from the second edition scheduled for December in Ibadan.

You are a writer, media personality, development advocate, and lover of fashion, poetry and literature. Break it down. Who is Titi Kushimo, and how did these different interests become a whole story?

I used to obsess over the need to be known for one particular thing before I could command attention and communicate value. However, my life over the years has taught me to keep stewarding all my gifts and capabilities until they eventually achieve coherence.

I started writing as a little girl, exchanging handwritten letters with my favourite cousin, Olawumi, who lived thousands of miles away in Maryland, USA. I knew the meanings of big words like incommunicado even at seven because my parents were proficient speakers of the English language. I fell in love with books, and by the age of 11, I had read all of Ben Carson’s books. My favourite things back then were a pen and paper.

My grandmother, D.N. Akinsowon, used to call me Ezra, after the prominent Jewish scribe in the Bible. I eventually had an amazing Literature-in-English teacher who kindled the fire for words that was already burning in me.

I later became the voice of the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) and the editor of the annual magazine of the National Youth Service Corps in Osun State, where I served during my NYSC year.

From my teenage years, I had also started paying attention to fashion. I loved magnificent earrings, afros and very loud fashion accessories. Then I fell in love with Africa, but it was African fashion that first captivated me. It was so bold and unapologetic. I found my expression through fashion and would always stand out in every room.

In 2018, I took my love for fashion very seriously and started a blog. The love affair needed a name and a home, so I called it SINMIRELLA, blending the first two syllables of my other name, Sinmiloluwa, with the last two syllables of the famous fairy-tale character Cinderella. This was an intentional way of retaining my African roots while connecting with global realities.

My writing came in handy as I began writing stories about the origins of Afrocentric materials such as Aso oke, Alari, Adire and Sanmiyan, worn by the people of Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria, where I come from.

Some of these stories were presented as prose and others as poetry, but fashion was always the focus. I documented these stories by visiting places such as the Adire Mall in Abeokuta, Ogun State, one of the notable centres for adire tie-dye in Africa.

While doing this, I wrote my first book, ‘Not a Perfect Story’, published by Safari. It was a witty collection exploring what it means to come of age as a young woman in the Global South. The book was also inspired by true stories I shared weekly on my WhatsApp status. People fell in love with my writing style, and I thought, “Why not just write a book?” That became ‘Not a Perfect Story’.

You hold a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. How did this academic experience change your understanding of identity, community and development in Africa?

My master’s degree from the University of Ibadan represents a personal revolution that changed everything. Despite graduating with a distinction, I knew it was about much more than an academic qualification for me. It became the beginning of purpose.

I gained a deeper understanding of people, human behaviour and the little things that trigger conflicts that eventually lead to violence. Learning more about the root causes of conflict taught me to look beyond the surface and probe deeper into issues. It also showed me that emotional intelligence in social relationships can reduce tensions and violence.

How did the academic degree shape your life and purpose, as you mentioned earlier?

I experienced a transformation that had to extend beyond the four walls of the classroom and professional spaces to the streets. There had to be a way to package conversations about peace and conflict beyond their theoretical boundaries. That was when I conceived the idea of ‘The Afroliterary fashion concert”.

Tell us about this event and how your many interests have come together through storytelling, culture and social change.

The AfroLiterary is a concept that combines African interests with literary knowledge to promote identity and community for Africans at home and in the diaspora.

It started as a personal burden to contribute to peace and development in Africa. I knew we had held numerous conferences, dialogues and conventions, and that many treaties had been signed, yet people were still fighting one another. Ethnic divisions, religious conflicts and even economic differences continue to create tension and violence across Africa.

So, I asked myself: What if we used the things that naturally excite us to unite us? My answer was to look inward. I love fashion, I love literature, and I wanted to promote harmony. So, I asked another question: What if we brought people from different walks of life together for an evening of beautiful live music, cultural and fashion displays, and meaningful conversations?

That way, we would not need to force treaties on people or compel them to warm up to one another. We could simply create the right atmosphere for connection.

That is the spirit of The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert: a convergence of fashion, culture, music and conversations designed to help people connect and create social harmony.

I call this a personal revolution because it also helped me find a home for my many passions—a meaningful home. It brought the most unlikely things together and made them coherent.

What impact has The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert recorded so far?

The impact has been tremendous at both local and international levels. One of the young women who performed music at the maiden edition later secured a global opportunity in the United Kingdom through a recommendation from us at The AfroLiterary.

Another young woman had her first-ever red-carpet hosting experience at the maiden edition. She has since become a professional event host and content creator, earning an income to support herself as a young graduate.

Another impact we have recorded is giving more people, especially women, a sense of agency. For instance, one of the panellists, a seasoned fashion entrepreneur, had her first public-speaking experience during the panel session. That boosted her confidence and helped her develop her voice as a stakeholder in the industry.

The second edition of the concert is set to hold this December. Tell us about the theme and what to expect.

This second edition will build on the legacy we have already begun to establish. It is going to be a powerful reawakening, with a focus on the individual. Hence, the theme: ‘It’s Time to Come Home: Find Your Voice, Heal Your World.’

There will be a fashion runway showcasing indigenous designers, awards for the best-dressed male and female attendees on the red carpet, a rich panel discussion, live music featuring carefully curated tunes, special appearances, spoken-word poetry and opportunities for warm social connections.

Can you shed more light on the theme, ‘It’s Time to Come Home’?

The theme is a wake-up call for every individual who has been living according to social expectations and standards, drowning in the ocean of public opinion instead of leaning into their true selves.

Home is a metaphor for the place where each person can function at their best. It is when we come home to ourselves that we find our voices. When we do so, we can heal our world.

Essentially, the theme challenges Africans not to lose themselves in the echoes of other people’s expectations and opinions. We are expecting young creatives, fashion lovers, entrepreneurs, members of the academic community, media stakeholders and anyone who simply wants to enjoy a beautiful evening of creative expression.

The event will take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, this December.