Fela Anikulapo Kuti did not create music to be comfortable or convenient. He created it to confront, to question, and to awaken. Decades after his passing, his voice remains as relevant as ever—not because the world has changed enough, but because it has not. His posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is more than an honor; it is a quiet acknowledgment that truth, when spoken boldly, has a way of enduring.
Fela’s life reminds us that legacy is rarely recognized on schedule. It unfolds over time, carried forward by the courage to stand firm and the clarity to speak without compromise. In honoring Fela today, history is not revising its judgment—it is catching up.
Meet Emem Nwogwugwu.
She helps people build systems that serve the whole person and not just the bottom line. In our Founders Friday feature, Emem shares what transformation really looks like, how to stay grounded in chaos, and why presence is the real secret to a balanced life.
Born from family, built with purpose. Sisé is redefining how African meals are cooked and enjoyed, without losing the soul. Founded by two sisters from a lineage of incredible cooks, Sisé delivers bold, homegrown Nigerian flavours in under 20 minutes. Their mission? To make traditional meals accessible, joyful, and stress-free for modern homes - one meal kit at a time.
After 13 years of quiet growth and deep surrender, Elwoma returns with Throne of Grace, a worship album rooted in Hebrews 4:16 and birthed from a place of authentic devotion.
Thing and about thinking differently. About making bold decisions, developing clarity, and building discipline long before the money shows up.
In this post, I share 7 timeless money mindsets from the book, the kind that don’t just live in theory, but show up in your daily choices, habits, and circle.
If you’re looking for fresh, fun, heartwarming, and action-packed Christmas movies the whole family can enjoy this holiday season, this list is for you. I’ve curated films that bring joy, adventure, music, laughter, and that unmistakable Christmas magic – whether you’re watching with little kids, teens, adults, or the whole extended family.
Here are 10 great Christmas movies on Netflix and Prime Video to make your holiday cozy, cheerful, and unforgettable.
1. Red One (Prime Video)
If your family loves action and adventure, Red One delivers. It’s fast, funny, imaginative, and filled with Christmas energy. A perfect holiday watch when you want something exciting and family-friendly.
2. A Very Jonas Christmas (Netflix)
Musical, funny, and delightfully chaotic. A fresh Christmas release that blends humor with festive charm. Great for families who want a fun, modern twist on holiday storytelling.
3. That Christmas (Netflix)
A heartwarming animated film that captures the pure magic of the season. Sweet, uplifting, and safe for all ages – this is one you can watch again and again.
4. Jingle Bell Heist (Netflix)
A fun, light-hearted adventure with kids taking the lead. It’s cheerful, silly in the best way, and perfect for younger viewers – but adults will enjoy it too.
5. The Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2 (Netflix)
These two films have already become modern Christmas classics. Think Santa, adventure, sibling teamwork, humor, and lots of festive sparkle. A guaranteed family favorite.
6. Tinsel Town (Prime Video)
Bright, colorful, and packed with holiday spirit. Tinsel Town is joyful, cheerful, and beautiful to look at – a great choice when you want something light and mood-lifting.
7. Best. Christmas. Ever! (Netflix)
A humorous, feel-good family comedy. It’s chaotic in the best way and perfect for a relaxed movie night where everyone wants a good laugh.
8. Oh. What. Fun (Prime Video)
Brand new, modern, and full of festive energy. A refreshing pick for families who want something different from the usual Christmas classics.
9. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix)
A musical masterpiece with stunning visuals, beautiful costumes, and a magical storyline. Perfect for all ages, and one of the best Christmas musicals of the last decade.
10. A Merry Little Ex-Mas (Netflix)
Light, modern, and funny. A playful Christmas comedy centered on unexpected reunions and holiday chaos. Great for families with teens and young adults.
11. Bonus: Champagne Problems (Netflix)
More for adults and older teens, but still festive and fun. A holiday dramedy that’s refreshing, stylish, and perfect for a quiet night in.
There’s something special about sitting together during the holidays – blankets, lights, warm drinks, and a good Christmas movie that everyone enjoys. Whether you’re laughing, singing along, or getting swept up in adventure, these films bring families together in the most beautiful way.
Christmas has a way of capturing our attention. The lights glow brighter, music fills the air, everything feels momentarily lighter, and for a brief season, love becomes a popular language. Yet beneath the beauty and celebration lies a truth, one that asks more of us than decoration and cheer.
Because while Christmas brings joy to many, it also comes into homes carrying grief, worry, and unspoken struggles. Some hearts are full, others are holding on. Some are surrounded by laughter, others by silence. Compassion begins when we acknowledge this reality and choose not to look away.
The true meaning of Christmas is found in love put into action. It is a love that gives freely and steps into the world. It does not stay distant but moves closer, showing care where it is needed most. This is the kind of love Christmas points us toward: sacrificial, present, and real. As the Bible says,
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Love becomes real when we act on it, especially when doing so requires effort, patience, or sacrifice. Compassion, then, is not weakness. It is strength expressed through empathy. In many ways, compassion is love slowed down enough to see clearly.
Another scripture reminds us,
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This depth of love does not deny imperfections; it embraces humanity. It creates space for people to be seen as they are, not as we expect them to be. Christmas itself embodies this truth, reflecting the love that moved into the world as a living presence, a love that gives fully, as John 3:16 teaches.
As the year draws to a close, Christmas gives us a chance to pause and reflect on the kind of presence we have been in the lives of others. Not how well we celebrated, but how well we cared. Not how much we received, but how freely we gave compassion.
The lights will eventually dim. The music will fade. Life will return to its usual pace. But the love Christmas calls for is not meant to be packed away with decorations. It is meant to be carried forward, into conversations, relationships, and everyday choices.
Beyond the lights is a love that stays. May we choose to live it, not just this season, but always.
From all of us at The Brief Network, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a season filled with love, peace, and compassion.
The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery goes beyond advice or encouragement, exploring the internal forces that shape our decisions, behaviors, and limitations. Brianna Wiest examines how self-sabotage, fear, and entrenched habits become the invisible obstacles in our lives, demonstrating that meaningful transformation comes from understanding and reshaping these patterns, rather than relying solely on external change.
Lessons from the Book
1. Self-sabotage is a form of self-protection, not self-destruction
Wiest explains that many of the behaviors people judge themselves for are rooted in survival. Patterns that hold us back were once necessary to keep us emotionally safe. The problem begins when those old coping mechanisms remain long after they are useful. Healing, therefore, requires intentional mental reconditioning. This is why she stresses awareness and mindset shifts, writing,
“To truly heal, you are going to have to change the way you think. You are going to have to become very conscious of negative and false beliefs and start shifting to a mindset that actually serves you.”
The book emphasizes transforming self-sabotage into self-mastery.
2. The greatest barriers in life are internal, not external
Obstacles often come from within, not from circumstances or people.
“The mountain is you. Your obstacles are not external; they are internal.”
Growth begins when we recognize our triggers and learn to overcome them, taking responsibility for our responses.
3. Everything you are searching for already exists within you
Instead of chasing external validation, Wiest urges self-recognition:
“Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are.”
Fulfillment comes from embracing the inner resources we already have, building emotional intelligence, and trusting our own capacity.
4. Clarity is often missed because it is too close to be noticed
People often complicate their journey by assuming solutions must be distant or dramatic. In reality, insight is often ignored because it feels ordinary or uncomfortable. Wiest writes,
“You wander from room to room hunting for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck.”
The lesson is to pause, pay attention, and trust the insight already within.
5. Growth requires the death of an old identity
Transformation is subtractive. To move forward, we must release identities and beliefs that no longer serve us. Wiest encourages letting go of the past and old narratives to build a future that supports the person we want to become.
6. Emotional mastery is more important than motivation
Success is not sustained by excitement or willpower alone. Wiest emphasizes the ability to tolerate discomfort without abandoning goals.
“When you avoid discomfort, you avoid your life.”
Developing emotional intelligence becomes the foundation for consistent action, resilience, and long-term change.
7. The purpose of struggle is transformation, not punishment
Hardship is reframed as a refining process rather than an obstacle meant to defeat a person. The mountain exists to shape character, perspective, and resilience. Wiest writes,
“One day, the mountain that was in front of you will be so far behind you, it will barely be visible in the distance. But who you become in learning to climb it? That will stay with you forever. That is the point of the mountain.”
The struggle itself is meaningful because it transforms who you are, teaching lessons that last beyond the climb.
The Mountain Is You is a guide to understanding and reshaping the inner patterns that hold us back. The mountains in our lives are not barriers, they are opportunities for growth, shaping both our path and the person we become. This book comes highly recommended for anyone ready to confront themselves, embrace change, and pursue meaningful transformation.
Get your copy here to begin your journey of self-discovery and growth.
Tara Fela-Durotoye began her career as a makeup artist long before the Nigerian beauty industry became what it is today. She studied law at Lagos State University, but her interest leaned toward beauty, colour, women, confidence, and transformation. While working from a small space with little capital, she found something that would become her life’s work: building a business that could empower women and shape a sector.
Over time, House of Tara grew into one of Africa’s most influential beauty brands, with makeup schools, product lines, studios, and thousands of beauty entrepreneurs. The question is not simply how she succeeded, but how she built work that has lasted. Her journey offers valuable direction.
1. Passion is a foundation, but consistency strengthens it
Tara often says that she did not start because she had money, but because she had interest and willingness to work. In one interview, she recalled how referrals kept coming because people saw effort and improvement in her work. Passion made her start, but consistency made the work visible.
A brand that endures begins with something real, something the founder is willing to stay with long after excitement fades.
2. Structure makes growth possible
From early in her business, Tara put systems in place. She created policies, formed a board, and set standards even when the business was small. She has spoken openly about the importance of building companies with structure, not emotion.
Her approach reflects a simple truth: passion brings movement, structure gives direction. A brand grows when there are systems that allow new people, new ideas, and new scale to function without chaos.
3. Solve a clear need, and solve it well
One thing that made House of Tara relevant was clarity of purpose. There were very few professional makeup services in Nigeria at the time. Quality products for African skin tones were even harder to find.
Tara saw that gap and responded with products, training, and services that met real needs. Her impact shows that a business gains strength when it answers a question the market is already asking.
4. Growth means expansion of vision, not only expansion of size
As House of Tara spread across cities, Tara did not focus only on storefronts. She built a makeup academy, developed product lines, and created platforms for other beauty entrepreneurs. She once explained that entrepreneurs must decide if they want to build companies that exist temporarily or build institutions that can last beyond them.
Her thinking shows that growth is not measured only by scale, but by purpose. A brand endures when it has a mission that can evolve with time.
5. People are the heart of longevity
Perhaps the most defining part of Tara’s work is that it uplifts people. Many women who trained under House of Tara have become business owners themselves. Tara has said that entrepreneurs should build businesses that can develop others, enable income, and contribute to the economy.
A brand can remain relevant when people can trace their progress back to it. When it strengthens lives, it stays.
In the End
A lasting brand is not built in a rush. It is shaped by passion, strengthened by structure, guided by real need, expanded with purpose, and sustained by the people it raises. Tara Fela-Durotoye’s journey reflects this quietly. Her work reminds us that success is not only about visibility, but about depth. The kind of depth that can stand time.
They say that a name carries its own destiny. Alára means “wondrous performer” in Yoruba, a name that reflects ambition, artistry, and a bold invitation to stand, perform, and be seen. It is a name that Reni Folawiyo carried into her vision: a space where African design could be celebrated with dignity, creativity, and global relevance.
Reni Folawiyo was born in London and raised in Nigeria. She studied law at the University of Warwick before returning to Lagos to work in her father’s law firm. Despite her legal career, she felt drawn to African creativity and recognized a gap: the continent’s designers and artisans did not have a platform to showcase their work at the level it deserved.
In 2015, she opened Alára in Lagos, West Africa’s first luxury fashion and lifestyle concept store. Reni describes Alára as “a window to the world, an authentic curation of contemporary Africa… a symbol of my personal journey of self affirmation and belief.” The store presents African designers alongside global labels, bringing fashion, furniture, art, and décor together to show that African creativity can be refined, contemporary, and globally relevant.
Her approach, which she calls Afro‑lux, blends African heritage with modern luxury. She explained, “A lot of the beautiful things that people were making in different parts of Africa were not celebrated in the way that I thought they should be celebrated.”
Beyond fashion, Alára includes NOK by Alára, a restaurant that reinterprets African cuisine, and Alára Interiors, continuing her work in design and spatial experiences. NOK by Alára is not just a place to eat; it is a celebration of African culinary heritage, blending traditional ingredients with modern presentation to create a dining experience that feels luxurious and authentic. Alára Interiors extends her vision into the spaces people live and work in, showcasing furniture, décor, and design that reflect African craftsmanship and contemporary style.
Through these ventures, Reni demonstrates that African creativity extends beyond fashion, into lifestyle, food, and spaces – offering a holistic vision of contemporary African identity. Each project reinforces her belief that African culture and talent can thrive on a global stage, proving that luxury, innovation, and heritage can coexist.
Alára has elevated African designers, given them visibility, and changed perceptions of African luxury.
As she said, “We wanted an aesthetic that truly reflected who we are. We chose designers who embodied bold, unapologetic beauty, had a conscience, and celebrated craftsmanship.”
This vision was brought to life in the building designed in collaboration with architect David Adjaye, creating a space that embodies both contemporary luxury and African heritage.
Reni Folawiyo proves that vision, courage, and persistence can redefine not only a career but an entire culture. Her story inspires us to pursue our dreams, trust our instincts, and create spaces where creativity, identity, and heritage are seen, celebrated, and allowed to thrive.
Kolwezi, a city in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, declared itself differently between November 29 and December 2, 2025. A mining city with red earth, blue skies, and a history carved from beneath the soil suddenly glittered with fabric, music, colour, and creativity.
For four days, Kolwezi opened itself to the world for the inaugural Kolwezi Fashion Week, a gathering that reimagined the city beyond copper and cobalt, into a runway of identity, culture, and possibility. With the theme “Extraction of Style,” fashion became more than clothing, it became history, memory, elegance, and the loudest proof that beauty can rise from the ground just as resources do.
The four-day event highlighted Kolwezi’s heritage while embracing innovation. Designers brought bold prints, flowing silhouettes, and expressive textures to the runway, blending tradition with modernity. Live music, from Congolese rhythms to contemporary sounds, accompanied the shows, adding a lively atmosphere. Stages reflected the city itself, drawing on mining landscapes, urban streets, and Congolese cultural motifs to create immersive experiences.
The Fashion Village brought together artisans, emerging creators, and local entrepreneurs. Visitors explored handcrafted textiles, interactive exhibits, and workshops on sustainability, digital innovation, and fashion production.
Street-style presentations and evening showcases added energy, color, and rhythm to the week. Every segment emphasized creativity, craftsmanship, and the city’s emerging identity as a fashion hub.
The final shows radiated pride and vibrancy, leaving audiences with a sense of excitement for the future of fashion in Kolwezi, DR Congo, and Central Africa.
Kolwezi Fashion Week 2025 highlighted culture, creativity, and identity, establishing the city as a new platform for African fashion.
Disability is not inability. Our limitations do not define our potential; our courage and determination do.
Meet Farida Bedwei. At just one year old, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects muscle movement and coordination. From that moment, life required more from her than most children. Her body moved differently, but her mind and spirit refused to be confined.
Farida was born to a family whose work and life circumstances meant she spent her early years moving across countries. She lived in Nigeria, Dominica, Grenada, and the United Kingdom before her family finally settled in Ghana when she was nine. Each move meant adapting to new cultures, new schools, and new ways of living. For a child navigating cerebral palsy, it was both a challenge and a lesson in resilience. As she later reflected,
“Nobody is perfect. We all have a part of us that doesn’t work well. Identify your disability and turn it into greatness.”
Education at home became a central part of her life. She was homeschooled until twelve, a period guided by her mother’s patience and encouragement. During those years, her curiosity flourished. She explored subjects that fascinated her, asked questions, and developed the habit of approaching challenges with determination.
At fifteen, she discovered a deep passion for computers. Recognizing her talent, her parents enrolled her in a one-year computer course. It was there that her skills and determination became evident. She went on to earn a degree in Computer Science from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, preparing her for a career in a field that demands precision, innovation, and creativity. Farida often reminds others,
“We have weaknesses and strengths like everybody else and it’s about time the focus moved from what we can’t do to what we CAN do.”
Farida’s professional journey began modestly as a software developer, but she quickly distinguished herself through her intelligence and dedication. She rose through the ranks to become a senior software architect, working on complex systems that required problem-solving and leadership. Her achievements were significant on their own, but Farida’s vision extended beyond personal success.
In 2011, she co-founded Logiciel, a company focused on creating innovative banking solutions for microfinance institutions. Farida led the development of gKudi, a cloud-based platform that allowed small financial organizations to manage loans, savings, and customer data more effectively. Her work transformed access to financial services in underserved communities, empowering institutions to operate more efficiently and inclusively.
Her commitment to impact goes beyond technology. She created Karmzah, a superhero character with cerebral palsy, to challenge societal stereotypes and inspire young people living with disabilities. Through Karmzah, she emphasizes that courage, creativity, and brilliance are not limited by physical challenges.
Over the years, Farida has been recognized for her contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Her achievements serve as proof that obstacles can be transformed into opportunities, and that true success is measured by the lives one touches and the barriers one breaks.
Farida Bedwei’s story is a testament to resilience, courage, and determination. She shows that limitations may exist, but they do not determine who we are. Every challenge she faced became a step toward innovation and purpose. Her life reminds us that strength is cultivated in adversity and that with focus, determination, and vision, extraordinary things are possible.
For anyone reading, especially those burdened with struggle, self-doubt, or seeming disadvantages, let her story inspire you that no challenge is too great. Keep striving, stay determined, and believe in your ability to rise above every obstacle – because ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.
Everywhere you turn, you’ll find women quietly raising the bar for what African innovation can look like. They’re fixing problems others overlook, creating opportunities where none existed, and showing the world what vision backed by courage can do. Their stories deserve to be told, and here are some of the women leading that charge today.
1. Blessing Abeng (Nigeria)
Blessing Abeng, is a Nigerian entrepreneur and co-founder of Ingressive for Good, a nonprofit that provides tech training, scholarships, mentorship, and talent placement to African youths. Before I4G, she co-founded a platform called Disha, later acquired by a larger fintech company, showcasing her early engagement in tech entrepreneurship.
Her work with I4G and previous ventures has earned her continental recognition. Notably, she was listed among Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 in 2023.
Building opportunities for youth is building Africa’s future.
2. Betelhem Dessie (Ethiopia)
At just 19, Betelhem Dessie founded iCog Labs, one of Ethiopia’s first AI labs, quickly earning the title “Ethiopia’s tech prodigy.” By her early twenties, she had developed several innovative web and mobile projects addressing education and social challenges, gaining recognition across Africa.
Beyond her technical achievements, Betelhem has become a role model for young women in tech, showing that age and limited resources are no barriers to shaping the continent’s future.
Age and resources are no limits to innovation.
3. Thato Kgatlhanye (South Africa)
At 21, Thato Kgatlhanye co-founded Rethaka, a social enterprise that turns recycled plastic into eco-friendly schoolbags with built-in solar panels. As children walk to school, the panels charge, later providing light for studying at home.
Her innovation addresses both environmental and educational challenges, helping thousands of students while promoting sustainability, positioning her as a leading young African innovator.
Sustainability and education can walk hand in hand.
4. Rachel Sibande (Malawi)
Rachel Sibande is a trailblazing tech entrepreneur and social innovator from Malawi. She is the founder of mHub, Malawi’s first technology and innovation hub, created to support young innovators, software developers, and entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and digital resources. Through mHub, she has opened doors for thousands of young people, especially women, to access opportunities in technology and entrepreneurship.
By equipping the next generation with skills, mentorship, and access to technology, Rachel demonstrates that true empowerment begins with lifting others, showing how one visionary can transform a community and inspire a continent.
Empowerment starts by lifting others.
5. Caroline Mukuhi Mwangi (Kenya)
Caroline Mukuhi Mwangi is reshaping agriculture in Kenya through innovation and sustainability. She is the founder and CEO of Kimplanter Seedlings and Nurseries, a social enterprise that supplies climate-resilient seedlings, modern farming inputs, and training to smallholder farmers. Through this work, she helps farmers increase their yields, boost their income, and build resilience in the face of changing climates.
By combining practical solutions with community support, Carolyn is turning challenges into opportunities, showing that African innovation can thrive not just in cities, but in the fields where it impacts everyday lives.
Innovation grows where the community thrives.
6. Ivy Barley (Ghana)
Ivy Barley is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and advocate for women in technology. She co-founded Developers in Vogue, an initiative that provides training, mentorship, and job placement assistance for African women seeking careers in tech.
Over the years, Ivy has been recognized as among Ghana’s most influential young people, appearing on top-50 lists and being acknowledged for her efforts to boost women’s participation in STEM and tech across Africa.
Opening pathways for women in tech changes the narrative.
7. Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria)
Temie Giwa-Tubosun is the founder and CEO of LifeBank, a healthcare-tech venture launched in 2016 to address critical shortages of blood, oxygen, and essential medical supplies in Nigeria via data-driven logistics. Under her leadership, LifeBank has saved many lives by streamlining the supply and delivery chain for blood and medical essentials across hospitals.
Her work has earned international recognition. She was named among influential African women entrepreneurs and won awards such as the Improving Lives category at the Cartier Women’s Initiative Impact Awards.
Data-driven healthcare can save thousands of lives.
8. Rapelang Rabana (South Africa)
Rapelang Rabana is a South African tech entrepreneur, educator, and thought leader known for her work in mobile communications and digital innovation. She co-founded Yeigo Communications, one of the first mobile VoIP companies in South Africa, which transformed how people access affordable communication services.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Rapelang has been an advocate for education and innovation, delivering talks at global platforms like TEDx and the World Economic Forum, inspiring young Africans to explore technology as a tool for social and economic impact.
Technology can transform lives locally and globally.
9. Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria)
Odunayo Eweniyi is co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of PiggyVest, Nigeria’s largest digital savings and microinvestment platform. She also co-founded FirstCheck Africa, an early-stage fund that invests in African tech startups with at least one female co-founder, helping to address the gender gap in African tech entrepreneurship.
Before PiggyVest she co-founded job-search startup PushCV. She graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Engineering from Covenant University in 2013. Over the years, she has earned many recognitions including being listed among Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 (Technology) in 2019, featured on the Bloomberg 50 list in 2020, and honored in the 2021 TIME100 Next.
Financial inclusion empowers a generation.
10. Ife Durosinmi-Etti (Nigeria)
Ife Durosinmi-Etti is a Nigerian business executive and entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Herconomy, formerly AGSTribe, a platform that supports women entrepreneurs with grants, training, networking, and business growth tools.
Through Herconomy, Ife aims to address structural barriers women face in entrepreneurship and business growth, offering them a support framework tailored for the African context.
Women-led ventures shape economies and communities.
Opportunities in technology have long been out of reach for many Nigerian girls, but Abisoye Ajayi‑Akinfolarin is changing that reality. Her vision is to ensure that girls see technology not as a distant field but as a space they can shape and lead. Through her initiative, Pearls Africa, she equips young girls with digital skills, mentorship, and confidence, proving that access and opportunity can transform futures.
Born in Ondo State, Abisoye’s childhood was marked by hardship. She lost her mother at a very young age, and she often speaks about growing up with a survival mindset. When she was 10, she visited a business café run by her brother’s friend and experimented with a computer for the first time. That early encounter set the course for her life. She later interned at an IT audit firm and realized that computer programming “just flows” for her, it was always about solving real problems.
She founded the Pearls Africa Foundation in 2012 because she saw how deeply girls were left out of the tech conversation.
“I believe you can still find diamonds in these places. They need to be shown another life.”
She launched programs like GirlsCoding, G.C. Mentors, GirlsInSTEM, and Empowered Hands, training girls aged 8 – 18 in programming, robotics, and leadership.
“We want girls to be creators of tech, not mere users. Watching girls who had never touched a computer before build apps and design solutions is mind-blowing. The joy on their faces, that’s more than money. I can’t buy it.”
Her impact stretches beyond coding. One of her most important innovations is the Guardian Co‑Learning Model, where parents, especially mothers, learn alongside their daughters. This model builds emotional support and ensures that learning is truly sustainable.
Under her leadership, Pearls Africa girls have built real projects to serve their communities: an e-commerce platform for fishermen in Makoko, an advocacy tool to raise awareness about female genital mutilation, and an app that links surplus resources to vulnerable households.
Abisoye’s work has received global recognition. She was named a CNN Hero in 2018, and featured among the BBC 100 Women for her impact in that same year. For her, accolades are not the goal, they are a sign that her message is resonating: technology should be a path to economic independence and social change.
Reflecting on her journey, she says she wants every girl she trains to know that “regardless of where they are coming from, they can make it.”
Her life shows that vision combined with courage can change lives. She demonstrates that creating opportunities where none exist, believing in the potential of young people, and nurturing their talents can reshape generations. Her story reminds us that when women lift other women, entire communities benefit, and the future is reimagined.
The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.
Sleep is one of the body’s most essential healing processes. It regulates memory, mood, hormonal balance, immunity, and overall wellbeing. Yet many people go to bed each night and wake up feeling no better than when they slept. This happens when sleep becomes light, fragmented, or disrupted, preventing the brain and body from completing their restoration cycle. Medical practitioners often describe restorative sleep as sleep that leaves you mentally alert, physically energised, and emotionally balanced when you wake. When these outcomes are missing, the body sends early warnings.
Here are seven evidence based signs your sleep is no longer restorative, and practical steps to help you regain healthy rest.
1. You wake up tired even after 7 to 8 hours of sleep
Quality matters more than duration. According to sleep specialists at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, restful sleep requires the body to complete several stages, including deep and REM sleep. When stress, late night screens, or irregular sleep patterns interfere with these cycles, you wake up drained.
What You Can Do: Establish a consistent sleep routine. Sleep and wake at the same time daily. This trains your internal clock and improves sleep architecture.
2. You struggle to fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes
Difficulty initiating sleep is often linked to overstimulation, anxious thoughts, or poor sleep hygiene. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that delayed sleep onset can significantly reduce the time spent in restorative stages.
What You Can Do: Create a calming pre-sleep ritual. Reduce screen exposure, dim your lights, stretch lightly, or read something relaxing.
3. You wake up multiple times during the night
Interrupted sleep fragments the deep and REM cycles your brain depends on for memory, mood regulation, and physical repair. Common causes include stress, caffeine use, a hot room, or underlying sleep disorders.
What You Can Do: Keep your sleep environment cool and quiet. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals at least four hours before bed.
4. You experience morning headaches or facial tension
Sleep experts note that poor sleep quality can cause muscle tightening in the neck and jaw, low oxygen levels, or teeth grinding, all of which may lead to morning headaches.
What You Can Do: Maintain proper room ventilation, sleep on supportive pillows, and consult a clinician if headaches persist. You may also explore relaxation exercises before bed.
5. You feel mentally foggy or struggle to focus during the day
Cognitive fog is a classic sign of non restorative sleep. Lack of deep sleep affects concentration, memory, and decision making.
What You Can Do: Prioritise daytime habits that support sleep. Get natural light exposure in the morning. Engage in physical activity. Avoid overstimulation close to bedtime.
6. You experience mood changes, irritability, or emotional fatigue
Psychologists and sleep physicians highlight that inadequate restorative sleep affects the prefrontal cortex and emotional regulation centres of the brain. This leads to irritability, anxiety, and low emotional resilience.
What You Can Do: Reduce psychological stress before bed. Journaling, gentle breathing exercises, or quiet reflection can help the mind release tension before sleeping.
7. You rely on frequent naps to function
Short power naps can be healthy, but depending on naps to make up for lost night sleep indicates poor nighttime rest. Long naps may also disrupt your internal clock and worsen sleep quality at night.
What You Can Do: Limit daytime naps to 30 minutes and avoid napping late in the day. Focus on improving nighttime rest instead of compensating for it.
In Conclusion:
Restorative sleep is not a luxury. It is a foundation for mental clarity, emotional balance, immunity, and long term health. By paying attention to the signs and adopting healthier sleep habits, you give your body permission to repair, reset, and function at its best. Improving sleep begins with small, consistent changes that support calm, comfort, and stability.
