Ameyaw Meets
Introducing actor, Freddie Annobil-Doodo
Promising Ghanaian-born, British actor, Freddie Annobil-Dodoo has had an interesting journey in theatre, film and television so far and he continues to push his ambitions of making it into Hollywood and becoming another household name in acting. Born to Ghanaian parents in South London, Balham, Freddie grew up in East London, Isle of Dogs. It […]
Promising Ghanaian-born, British actor, Freddie Annobil-Dodoo has had an interesting journey in theatre, film and television so far and he continues to push his ambitions of making it into Hollywood and becoming another household name in acting.
Born to Ghanaian parents in South London, Balham, Freddie grew up in East London, Isle of Dogs. It was at the early age of 14 that he was bitten by the acting bug after watching Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop’.
Freddie soon developed an intense passion for acting and it was spotted by his then drama teacher and english teacher, who got their departments to pay for Freddie to go to a Sylvia Young Theatre School on weekends for a year. He later got into Seltec College, now Lewisham College, to study drama for two years. There, Freddie learned a lot of Stanislavski, Brecht, and Shakespeare among others, and got hooked on ‘The Method’.
At age 21, Freddie got his first role as a professional actor with The Black Theatre Co-op doing Theatre In Education with a play called “Just For Kicks” about drug awareness , which toured schools in the London Boroughs. Soon he broke into television and got his first role as one of the main characters in ‘Holding On’, a BBC2 Drama Series about life in the big city. The series won a BAFTA for Best Drama Serial. Since then Freddie has worked on various productions in Radio, television, Film and Theatre. In 2001 his talent was noticed and he was awarded the Barclays Theatre Awards (TMA) for ‘best actor in a supporting role’.
His acting credits include roles in Sing Her Heart out for the Lads, When Brains Don’t Count, Things Fall Apart, Three Steps to Heaven and Greenwich Meantime Jump Boys. His TV appearances include: Casualty, She’s Gone, Holby City, Helen West, Down To Earth, As If, Casualty, The Bill, The Vice , The Bill, Heat Of The Sun, Grange Hill, Shakespeare Shorts etc.
I caught up with Freddie to talk about his career, African movies, his dreams and plans for the future.
You have been in theatre, film and television, which do you like the most?
I would say theatre is more challenging because of the live audience; you have to know your part, and the play inside out so that the audience can be taken away into the world that the actors, director and writer have created. This can be really rewarding when you meet the audience after a performance when they approach you asking questions and saying that they believed in the characters the actors were playing. But I now prefer TV/film because of the intimacy you can have with the camera (audience); the subtle movements and little gestures that an actor does can be seen a lot more in TV/Film. I’ve learnt to appreciate acting a lot more because of this.
What kind of roles have you played so far?
I’ve played quite a few roles from a Drug dealer to a Corporal, I like playing roles that are challenging and that also challenge the audience.
Do you think African movies and actors are able to challenge themselves and their audiences?
To be honest I haven’t seen that many African movies, but from what I have seen they look like things are going in the right direction. I would love to be in one. I however think the “home movie” style and look should go.
Do you think actors in the Diaspora, like yourself have a role to play in shaping African films?
We most definitely have a role to play in the African movie scene not just actors from the UK but film makers, directors, producers etc.
If you had the chance to play the role of any African personality, who’s it going be?
Historically I would say, Kwame Nkrumah.
Did you ever live in Ghana?
Well my parents are both from Ghana. The last time I was in Ghana was when I was about 1 or 2 years old. I lived in Accra, where my mum is from, for about a year and I moved around the country. I learnt some Twi but I’ve forgot it now (laughs out loud!) I can only understand Twi now and I speak a little. I plan to go back one day soon.
What do you do apart from acting?
In addition to acting, I’m also an Entrepreneur. I’ve just started an online business called Orderfboutique.com selling women and men’s designer wear. I’m also in the process of setting up another business, developing e-commerce websites for small businesses and individuals.
What’s your favourite pastime?
I love listening to music, at the moment I’m on a Jay-Z tip! I bought his new album a few weeks ago and it lives in my CD player, great album. Oh and I watch a lot of TV.
Who are some of your influences as an actor?
My influences are Eddie Murphy (he gave me the acting bug when I was a youngster), Al Pacino (in his younger days), Robert Dinero, Terrance Howard, Benicio Deltoro, Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and Laurence Fishburn.
What would you like to achieve with your career?
Good question, I would love to achieve household recognition as an actor so I can give younger actors that fire I had when I was watching my favourite actors in TV or film, when I was young. If in five years time I see myself doing a police drama as the lead or in a blockbuster Hollywood movie, that would be nice.
Are working in any production now?
I’m not currently working on any productions at the moment but may have something in the pipeline, it’s for the BBC…nothing has been confirmed yet.
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I single-handedly popularized Shea Butter in the United States – Margaret Andega
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He went from cooking on Instagram to owning a food truck in Atlanta and more… the story of Quabena’s Kitchen
The COVID-19 pandemic birthed many opportunities for people all over the globe. For one Ghanaian living in the US, the pandemic reconnected him with his passion which has now become a full-time job.
Quabena’s Kitchen shared with me his story about how he went from cooking for family and friends, to sharing content of his cooking on Instagram page at the height of the pandemic, which has now transformed into a thriving catering business in Atlanta, Georgia.
Quabena’s Kitchen services now include a food truck providing Ghanaian and West African delicacies to Africans and non-Africans alike, with ambitions of a restaurant on the cards!
Watch this exciting story on Ameyaw TV below:
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Fashion
Why Ghanaian-American Jeffrey Ampratwum is the menswear expert to watch in fashion!
At the start of the Victoria era, early 19th century – the English began to tone down the royal style dressing of the French army, namely those adorned in prestigious regalia and heavy embroidery. It was a sign of English nationalism and sparked a new wave of appearance in men. A few decades later, the suit was born and heavily influenced those in Italy and America. The British and the Americans have a rich revolutionary history, of course, and coincidentally the British colonized the African country – Gold Coast – until 1957 when they declared their independence and changed their name to Ghana.
As part of an independent Ghana, a host of individuals began to exercise new freedoms and venture out of the country into new territories. Many Ghanaians set their eyes on American travel and a wave of trail blazers left the country and settled in the infamous New York City. For most, it was an opportunity to plant new seeds in the hopes that their children would be afforded even more opportunities for a prosperous life.
One of these children of the diaspora is Bronx-born Jeffrey Ampratwum. The only child to Kate Bampoe and Eugene Asante-Ampratwum Mpere, who met in the Bronx after immigrating from Ghana. The dynamics of having African parents and being raised in a heavily eclectic environment gave rise to Jeffrey’s style and prose. More importantly, we can honestly say that there are only a handful of Ghanaian-Americans living in the states that can exhibit a special presentation that reflects both their African heritage married with the esthetic of their nationality. We recently caught up with Jeffrey to discuss how his early influences provided him with a framework to now become such a strong force in the menswear industry in fashion.
AD: Jeffrey, Ɛte sɛn?
Jeff: Haha, Eye.
AD: I had to test your Twi really quick! You know most Ghanaians who are born in the states don’t have a clue about the language unless it’s spoken fiercely in the home.
Jeff: You are 100% correct with that. Ha. But for me, I was lucky in that my mother took me to Ghana before I even knew how to use words. So, in actuality, Twi was the first language and vocabulary I learned, and in essence, English is my second language. So, I’m really decent when it comes to using Twi. I’m a cheat code! But keep that quiet. Ha.
AD: How much of the remnants of the Ghanaian culture factored into your approach to your style and presentation?
Jeff: When I was younger and in school, particularly in the Bronx – it wasn’t always your proudest moment to be from Africa or to say your family was African. Part of the silly embarrassment was perhaps from the narratives that were spinning on television. Americans were being indoctrinated with visuals of “feed the children” which only highlighted the extreme poverty in a few Africans countries. The images and broadcasts were all the same, for decades. So called philanthropist and humanitarians took camera crews into ravaged areas and televised starving children for us to see here in the states. I believe that had a profound effect on young boys and girls born from African parents.
However, as for me – I always looked at being dark skinned and being deeply rooted into my African culture as a super power. I liked the idea of being different, even though all the kids in all my classes were also children of immigrants. They just couldn’t grasp the concept of it at that time. So, from there, it was showtime. My Uncle, Joseph Ken Mintah – was the pioneer as the first in the family to travel to the states – he had extreme style. My mother also is very detailed with her sense of jewelry and fragrances. I adsorbed it all.
AD: Did you start dressing in traditional African attire? What do you mean exactly?
Jeff: Not exactly! But, being an only child really allowed for me to sit deep in thought for long periods of time. Being left-handed allowed for me to be extremely dexterous and detailed. And being raised solely by my mother further allowed me to pay attention to the importance of clothing and accessories – as she dressed herself each morning. It was the ultimate cocktail and I was already drunk with creativity. I started customizing all the clothes I had. By no means were we wealthy, so I had to manage just a few outfits for school.
My styling began when I would turn 5 outfits into 15 – so essentially, a 5-day school week became New York Fashion Week for me. I would airbrush my sneakers, turn Old Navy sweaters inside out for a fleece appeal, and cuff my jeans in 4 different ways depending on my footwear. This soon became a bad habit and made me late for school many mornings.
AD: You see, if you are late to school in Ghana back then – you might as well have sat by the road to hide from both your mother and headmaster! What was college like for you then?
Jeff: Right! Ha. It grew legs during my undergrad. Now all the pretty girls were around, I had more freedom to come and go, and more importantly – I had a stage to showcase my style. I joined a student club in the SEEK Program, and soon became the President and started hosting a string of events based around fashion. 4 years and a bachelors degree later, there were 6 fashion shows and 3 beauty pageants under my belt. Huge successes. I started to doubt my real educational reason for attending college, which was to become a dentist. Fashion was dancing on one shoulder and dentistry on the other. But somehow, I figured out how to still involve the two. My best buddy, Kenny – whom I met at the college on the road to become dentists – made it through. So, I live vicariously through him. And now, coincidentally – together we’ve developed a brand – a service of bespoke mens luxury shoes and women’s handbags, and ready to wear womenswear shoes as well. Named, Kenjeffreys. It is serendipitous because all of the products are sourced and handcrafted in Haiti and infused with Ghanaian culture. As Kenny is from Haiti, we properly employ artisans within the community and focus heavily on our social impact.
Following undergrad, I then began at FIT as student, really just trying to test my styling hand – and to learn more about the industry. While there, I came across extremely talented and knowledgeable fashion professionals that have really guided me. Namely, Sadia Seymour and Joseph DeAcetis. Both wildly experienced, patient and embedded with a wealth of information. Respectfully in womenswear and menswear. You cannot beat that, and I am grateful for it.
AD: That is strangely unique and admirable. Talk to us about how all those experiences and inspirations give rise to the Jeffrey or Che we see today and ultimately, where that places you in your field of fashion and menswear.
Jeff: Sure. Great point. I have been indoctrinated by the basic principles of creativity as an adolescent – with respect to clothing. That is extremely hard to shake. Innately, styling was my ultimate form of communication, seeing that I was a shy introvert. So now, I still revert back to those same feelings…. the feeling of home, warmth, memories, great food and innocent fun. My approach now is exactly the same in the sense that when I am dressing, styling or designing for someone – I am taking into account their entire repertoire and holding a mirror in front of them which reflects the items that they love most. It is a skill that perhaps only empaths are only able to exhibit.
Having the ability to read into thoughts and connecting with the motivating spirits that drives people – is a gift. I ran the New York City marathon three times, and the 2nd time I ran it in a tuxedo! It was my ultimate homage and pledging of allegiance to fashion. Ha.
I also believe my extensive traveling experience has aided to the arsenal. Recent trips to Ghana always resets a creative instinct with me, as I look around and arrive back to a place of self-awareness. It feels right. My cousin Harry knows where to be to capture the real essence of the land. And, coincidentally enough, I am often back and forth to the UK as well. Savile row in London, England -as you know – is a menswear connoisseur’s Disney Land. It is the traditional hub for the world’s best tailored-bespoke suits. Naples and Florence are a close second. However, sartorially, the British have etched their names in the fine-art making of the suit. I do though spend most of my time in Brighton, UK. It’s where my love is and also like a second home for me. The culture there is infused with various styles and the community is inviting. The Duchess of Brighton-Hove, Lady Donna and her amazing friends will assure that you have a great time!
AB: Finally, talk to us about your styling approach with respect to specific talent that you work with.
Jeff: Definitely. This is perhaps an area you cannot teach. It is learned with years of experience and even reading the room wrong most times. I tell my fashion students often that they have to continue shooting airballs at the basket. Get out the miss shots, now – and properly learn your subjects. For example, if I am styling a celebrity for the red carpet – several nuances are to be considered before arriving at a dress or a tuxedo. Such as, what stages in life is your talent currently in, how body conscious are they and what are they most nostalgic about. These (and some of my other secrets that I cannot give away) are the pillars to nailing great style, image and presentation.
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