A woman steps onto a runway dressed in a beautifully crafted African fabric. Somewhere in the room, a musician strikes a chord, and a poet prepares to tell a story. Around them, people from different backgrounds gather to share an evening of fashion, music and conversation. For a moment, differences in religion, ethnicity, profession and social standing give way to a shared appreciation of creativity.
What if moments like these could do more than entertain? What if fashion could open conversations about identity, music could bridge social divides, and literature could help people understand one another in a world often fractured by conflict?
These are the questions at the heart of Titi Kushimo’s vision which she revealed in an intriguing interview with Rotimi Ige in the Nigerian Tribune .
A writer, media personality, development advocate and cultural enthusiast, Kushimo, a graduate of the University of Ibadan (UI), believes that some of the most powerful tools for building peace may already exist in the things people love. Rather than relying exclusively on conferences, formal dialogues and peace agreements, she is exploring how the arts can create spaces where people connect naturally, discover common ground and find opportunities for personal and collective growth.
Her answer is The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert, an initiative that brings together African fashion, literature, music, poetry and meaningful conversations to promote cultural identity, social harmony and human-centred development.
But the idea did not emerge from a desire to organise another glamorous cultural event. It grew from a deeper personal journey, one shaped by a childhood love of words, a fascination with African fashion and an academic encounter with the causes of conflict and the possibilities of peace.
For Kushimo, the journey has been about discovering that her seemingly different passions were not competing for her attention. They were pieces of a larger purpose.
And that purpose begins with a simple belief: people do not always have to agree on everything to find a reason to connect.
A Childhood Shaped by Words
Kushimo’s love for writing started when she was a little girl. She would exchange handwritten letters with her favourite cousin, Olawumi, who lived thousands of miles away in Maryland, United States.
Growing up in a home where English was spoken proficiently, she developed an early fascination with words and their meanings. By the age of seven, she was already familiar with sophisticated vocabulary, while books and writing materials had become some of her favourite possessions.
At 11, she had read all the books written by Ben Carson, further strengthening her relationship with literature. Her grandmother, D.N. Akinsowon, recognised her affinity for words and nicknamed her Ezra, after the prominent Jewish scribe in the Bible.
The encouragement continued when an inspiring Literature-in-English teacher helped nurture the passion that had been growing within her.
As she matured, writing gradually became more than a childhood hobby. During her National Youth Service Corps year in Osun State, she served as the voice of the Orientation Broadcasting Service and edited the corps’ annual magazine.
These experiences provided opportunities to develop her communication skills and express ideas to wider audiences.
Yet, writing was only one part of the story.
Discovering Africa Through Fashion
While developing her interest in literature, Kushimo was also drawn to fashion, particularly the boldness and cultural significance of African clothing.
From her teenage years, she admired elaborate earrings, afros and striking fashion accessories. African fashion became a means of self-expression, allowing her to celebrate a heritage she found both beautiful and distinctive.
In 2018, she decided to take this passion further by establishing a fashion blog called SINMIRELLA.
The name combined the first two syllables of her other name, Sinmiloluwa, with the last two syllables of Cinderella, a deliberate attempt to connect her African roots with global cultural influences.
However, her vision extended beyond showcasing beautiful outfits. She wanted to tell the stories behind the fabrics, traditions and cultural practices that give African fashion its meaning. Through her writing, she documented the origins of indigenous materials such as Aso Oke, Alari, Adire and Sanmiyan, associated with the people of Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria.
She also visited cultural centres, including the Adire Mall in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to deepen her understanding of traditional textile production and the stories surrounding it.
Some of these accounts were presented as prose, while others took the form of poetry. Regardless of the format, the central focus remained the relationship between fashion, identity and cultural heritage.
Her work eventually extended into book publishing with the release of Not a Perfect Story, published by Safari. The book, a witty collection exploring what it means to come of age as a young woman in the Global South, was inspired partly by true stories she had shared weekly on her WhatsApp status. Encouraged by the positive responses from readers who appreciated her writing style, she decided to transform those experiences into a book.
In doing so, Kushimo demonstrated how personal experiences, when thoughtfully documented, can become stories that resonate with a wider audience.
From Academic Knowledge to a Purposeful Mission
Although her interests in fashion and literature were developing, Kushimo’s desire to contribute to society took a new direction when she pursued a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan. She graduated with a distinction, but she regards the experience as more than an academic achievement. For her, it marked a turning point in how she understood people, relationships and the causes of violence.
Her studies exposed her to the underlying factors that can transform disagreements into serious conflicts. She also developed a deeper appreciation of the importance of emotional intelligence in managing relationships and reducing tensions. The experience challenged her to consider how the lessons of peace and conflict studies could be taken beyond lecture rooms, academic discussions and professional conferences.
Across Africa, ethnic divisions, religious differences and economic inequalities continue to contribute to social tensions. Although formal peace initiatives and agreements remain important, Kushimo believes that everyday human relationships must also become part of the conversation. She began asking herself whether the things people naturally enjoy could become instruments for bringing them together.
Fashion, literature and music offered a possible answer.
Rather than expecting people from different backgrounds to connect only through formal meetings, she envisioned an environment where they could interact through shared cultural experiences, entertainment and open discussions.
That idea became the foundation of The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert.
Where Fashion Meets Peacebuilding
The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert is built around a simple but significant idea: creativity can provide a common ground for people whose differences might otherwise keep them apart. The initiative brings together fashion, culture, music, storytelling and conversations to encourage social interaction, celebrate African identity and promote community development.
Its approach reflects Kushimo’s belief that people do not always need to be compelled to connect through formal agreements. Sometimes, creating the right atmosphere for interaction can help people discover their shared interests and develop mutual understanding.
A fashion runway, for instance, can celebrate the work of indigenous designers while encouraging appreciation of African heritage. Music can create a shared emotional experience, while literature and spoken-word poetry can give people opportunities to communicate their experiences and perspectives. Panel discussions can then provide space for participants to examine issues affecting individuals, communities and society. By bringing these elements together, the concert seeks to make conversations about peace accessible and engaging to people who might not ordinarily attend conventional peacebuilding conferences.
For Kushimo, the concept has also provided a meaningful connection between her different interests. Fashion is no longer simply about clothing, just as literature is no longer limited to books and poetry. Together, they have become part of a broader effort to encourage understanding, empower individuals and contribute to social development.
Creating Opportunities for Emerging Talents
Beyond its peacebuilding objectives, The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert has begun creating opportunities for young people seeking to establish themselves in the creative industries. Reflecting on the maiden edition, Kushimo highlighted the experiences of two young women whose participation helped open new professional doors.
One of the musicians who performed at the event subsequently secured an international opportunity in the United Kingdom following a recommendation from the organisers. Another young woman had her first red-carpet hosting experience at the concert. She has since become a professional event host and content creator, earning an income to support herself as a young graduate.
These experiences demonstrate how creative events can provide emerging talents with platforms to showcase their abilities, gain professional exposure and build valuable connections. The impact has also extended to women seeking to develop their confidence and professional voices.
Kushimo recalled the experience of a seasoned fashion entrepreneur who participated in a panel discussion at the maiden edition. The session marked the entrepreneur’s first public-speaking experience and helped strengthen her confidence as a stakeholder in the industry.
Such outcomes are particularly significant in a creative economy where access to opportunities, professional networks and platforms for visibility can influence the growth of young entrepreneurs.
For Kushimo, these stories represent an important part of the concert’s purpose: ensuring that creative expression translates into practical opportunities for individuals and communities.
A New Chapter in December
With the second edition scheduled to hold in December in Ibadan, Oyo State, Kushimo hopes to build on the foundation established by the maiden event.
The forthcoming edition will be held under the theme, “It’s Time to Come Home: Find Your Voice, Heal Your World.”
Unlike a call to return to a physical location, the theme is intended as an invitation for individuals to rediscover their identities, embrace their authentic selves and move beyond the pressure of meeting other people’s expectations.
Kushimo believes that many people allow social standards and public opinion to influence their decisions so strongly that they lose touch with their own values and aspirations.
In her interpretation, home represents the place where individuals can understand themselves, recognise their strengths and function at their best.
She argues that discovering one’s voice is an important step towards making a positive contribution to the world.
The event will feature a fashion runway showcasing indigenous designers, awards for the best-dressed male and female attendees on the red carpet, panel discussions, live music, spoken-word poetry, special appearances and opportunities for social connections.
Young creatives, fashion enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, members of the academic community, media professionals and other interested members of the public are expected to form part of the audience.
The programme is designed to combine entertainment with reflection, providing an atmosphere where participants can celebrate creativity while engaging with ideas about identity, personal development and social harmony.
Creativity as a Pathway to Development
Kushimo’s work offers an example of how individual passions can be channelled towards broader social objectives.
Her journey from childhood writing to fashion storytelling, literary publication and peacebuilding illustrates how seemingly different interests can eventually converge around a shared purpose. It also highlights the potential of the creative industries to contribute to development by preserving cultural heritage, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding professional opportunities and creating spaces for dialogue.
For Africa, where cultural diversity is both a source of strength and, at times, a basis for division, initiatives that encourage mutual appreciation can play a constructive role in strengthening social relationships.
However, the long-term value of such initiatives depends on their ability to sustain participation, expand opportunities and translate conversations into lasting outcomes.
The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert’s early success stories provide encouraging examples of what can happen when creative platforms connect people with opportunities. Its forthcoming edition will offer another opportunity to deepen that work.
Ultimately, Kushimo’s vision goes beyond organising an annual event. It is about encouraging people to recognise the value of their identities, appreciate the creativity of others and discover ways to contribute to society through their talents.
In a world where differences can easily become sources of division, she is exploring another possibility: that fashion can tell stories, literature can build understanding, music can unite audiences and entrepreneurship can create opportunities for development.
Through The AfroLiterary Fashion Concert, Kushimo is bringing these possibilities together in the hope that a shared appreciation of culture and creativity can help people find common ground, strengthen communities and contribute to a more peaceful Africa.
