About Us – PIDGINMOJI Afro News

Our Goal and Mission

The mission of PIDGINMOJI Afro News is to build bridges between communities through the power of language. By integrating Hawaiian Pidgin, West African Pidgin, and Black American slang, the platform aims to celebrate cultural diversity, provide unique perspectives on global and local narratives, and create a space for shared experiences and understanding.

Founders

At the heart of PIDGINMOJI Afro News are Hawa Who, a Ghanaian Hausa woman, and Ka’ohele Carlos from Hawaii. Their partnership is a testament to the power of language in bridging worlds. Despite the geographical distance, they found common ground in the rich traditions of Pidgin English present in both Hawaii and Africa.

Hawa’s journey from Ghana to the USA at the age of 12 endowed her with a unique blend of African and Western perspectives. Her deep understanding of cultural storytelling captures the essence of diverse narratives.

Ka’ohele, imbued with the vibrant Pidgin culture of Hawaii, brings to the table an innate understanding of the language’s playful yet meaningful expressions. Their combined vision gave birth to PIDGINMOJI Afro News, a platform dedicated to celebrating this unique linguistic blend and fostering a deeper understanding of diverse cultures.

Hawa Who

Brings a unique blend of Tech expertise and creative flair to PIDGINMOJI Afro News. Currently serving as a cybersecurity analyst at Carnegie Mellon, Hawa holds a master’s degree from Strayer University. Before joining Carnegie Mellon, she honed her skills at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, where she contributed as a cybersecurity analyst.

Beyond her technical career, Hawa has been actively involved in the creative scene for over five years. Her diverse experiences range from directing and styling photoshoots to modeling. She has collaborated with a photographer as a model from Harper’s Bazaar on photography project, modeling for these ventures. Additionally, Hawa has worked closely with independent clothing designers and writers, bringing a unique perspective to the PIDGINMOJI Afro News platform through her intersection of cybersecurity, fashion, and creativity.

Ka’ohele Carlos

PIDGINMOJI was ignited by the innovative mind of Kaโ€˜ohele Carlos, inspired by his brother, Kamalu Alameida, back in 2017. Mr. Carlos, a proud alumnus of the University of Hawaiโ€˜i at Mฤnoa, currently leads as a Senior Design Leader at Amazon for the Prime Video streaming service. His journey in the tech world is marked by significant achievements, including his time at CBS where he was pivotal in creating the CBS All Access streaming app, driving it to a staggering $1 billion in annual revenue.

Before CBS, Ka’ohele played a crucial role at Fandango, steering the startup towards its acquisition by Comcast and expanding its reach to 36 million monthly moviegoers. His work caught the attention of none other than Steve Jobs, who showcased the Fandango experience created by Mr. Carlos during the unveiling of the first iPhone. This rich background in technology has now been channeled into bringing the PIDGINMOJI lifestyle brand to life, bridging his tech expertise with his deep-rooted Hawaiian culture.


Hawaiian Pidgin English

Hawaiian Pidgin English is a language born out of necessity and survival. It originated in the sugarcane plantations of Hawaii’s 19th century, where workers from various corners of the world converged. These laborers from the Philippines, Japan, Portugal, China, and more, created a unique linguistic mosaic. Words and phrases from their native tongues were woven with English and Hawaiian, forming a pidgin language that enabled everyone to communicate across cultural boundaries. Recognized as an official dialect of Hawaii by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2015, Hawaiian Pidgin stands as a symbol of cultural resilience and adaptability.


West African Pidgin English

Similarly, West African Pidgin English has its roots in history and cultural amalgamation. It developed as a lingua franca during the colonial era, bridging communication between Europeans and Africans, and among diverse African ethnic groups. This variant of Pidgin is characterized by its rhythmic flow, lively expressions, and ability to convey complex ideas in a straightforward manner. Today, West African Pidgin is an integral part of social and cultural expression across several African nations, embodying the region’s diversity and vibrancy.


Why Black American Slang

The inclusion of Black American slang in PIDGINMOJI Afro News is a conscious decision to acknowledge and resonate with the broader Afro diaspora. This element of language brings forth the shared history, experiences, and cultural nuances of African Americans, enriching the platform’s narrative and connecting with a wide audience.

Explore our full story, mission, and vision at PIDGINMOJI Afro News.