A Big, Extended Family of Africa and the African Diaspora
The Articulated POV Crew are working dolls and action figures. No dolls in boxes here! They are storytellers who help us celebrate Black life, history and culture. They represent the beauty and diversity of Africa and the African Diaspora with a wide variety of ethnicities, hues, ages, shapes and sizes. They are organized as the big extended family of African American and Senegalese couple Ezekiel and Mariama. Meet the Crew!
Ezekiel & Mariama
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Ezekiel and Mariama met in Senegal when he was there for a conference of the World Peacekeepers, a global military organization. Zeke was 31 and, at 25, Mariama had just completed her Master’s degree in English and was serving as an interpreter. They married a year later. After living around the world and completing his career in the military and hers as a teacher, they are now retired. Most big family gatherings happen at their house. Though Zeke has a gruff exterior, he’s all love inside and you’ll mostly find him at his favorite spot – the grill. Mariama will be close by gardening or doing activities with the kids.
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Kaira is the eldest daughter and her husband is Sekou. They were high school sweethearts and reconnected after college.
Their daughter Ashanti is in high school and son Tyler is 11.
Kendra & Kwame, Maya
Bijou & Langston, Omar
Jamilla & Jerald, Ruby
Joan & Darren, Rita
Their daughter Ashanti is in high school and son Tyler is 11.
Kendra & Kwame, Maya
Bijou & Langston, Omar
Jamilla & Jerald, Ruby
Joan & Darren, Rita
Lorraine
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Lorraine is Zeke’s sister-in-law, the wife of his older brother. They are the respected eldest members of the family and recently moved to be closer to the family.
Opal & Roc, Gabi Janay & Jordan, Selena Candi & Ralph, Zelpha B & John, Prince Bernard & Patricia, Denny and Harriet |
Moussa & Ade
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Moussa is Mariama’s older brother. His wife Adesuwa (Ade for short) is Nigerian. Moussa is a retired pilot and Ade was a homemaker. They have all girls and the family refers to them as “Tonton (uncle) Moussa’s Beautiful Daughters. They live in Senegal, but come often for extended visits. When the family goes to Senegal, they usually stay with Moussa and Ade.
Grace & Kofi, Chimi and Cherie CJ & Frantz, Awa Mae Cynthia & Landon, Amada Kimani |
Dasia & Walter
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Dasia is Ezekiel’s younger sister and her husband is Walter. Dasia loves to throw a party with great food and good music and you’ll always hear her laughter in the background.
Melanie, Darius Nelson & Cicely, Dominique Dwayne & Wangari, Kayla Simone |
Nafi & Stan
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Nafi is Mariama’s younger sister and Stan is her 2nd husband.
Issa & Ahmad, Star Khady Malik |
Maya & Arthur
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Maya is Zeke’s younger sister and her husband is Arthur.
Alex & Fafali, Charlie Toni & Martin, Yara Penda, Miles, Nikkia |
Idrissa & Celia
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Yusuf & Coumba - Yusuf is Idrissa’s oldest son. Yusuf’s mother died when he was a baby. Even though she was in school, Mariama stepped up to help raise Yusuf and Yusuf lived with Mariama and Zeke at various times over the years. He calls Mariama “Mom” considers her children his brother/sister/cousins. Coumba’s family lives in the same neighborhood as Uncle Mousa in Dakar, Senegal. They met at a wedding when he was visiting a few years ago. They married 2 years ago and after she finished her Master’ degree, she moved to live with Yusuf. Now they have baby Idy. She’s still trying to figure things out career-wise.
Tia & Sy – Tia and Sy have been married for 14 years. Sy’s family is Moroccan and he and Tia met in college. Together they own a construction company. They have 2 daughters, Lena aged 12 and Bella, aged 3. Marcus & Pearl – Second son Marcus is a chef he is engaged to Pearl, who is a flight attendant. Sutton is the youngest son. He is in his first year of graduate school where he is studying electrical engineering. He and girlfriend Naomi, a personal trainer, have a baby girl, Hope. Manuel and Rosa are Celia’s younger siblings. Manuel’s wife Marta is Dominican and they’ve been married for 11 years. They have one son Roberto. Rosa had Teresa when she was a teenager and 8 years ago she married Latif, Sy’s younger brother. Teresa is a senior in high school and Rosa and Latif have a daughter Ana, who is 7. Rosa is an interior designer and Latif has a trucking business. They often partner with Tia and Sy on projects. |
Idrissa is Mariama’s older brother and his wife is Celia. Idrissa was married previously and lost his wife when his son Yusuf was a baby. Idrissa is an officer in the military and traveled a lot. Celia’s family is Cuban (Afro Cuban) and Puerto Rican and she Dorothy worked together at ___ Dorothy introduced Celia and Idrissa and the rest is history! Celia’s brother and sisters moved nearby several years ago and her youngest sister
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Dorothy & Henry
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Dorothy is Zeke’s younger sister. Henry is one of Zeke’s military brothers
Josephine & Randall, Brianna Helene, Gordy Sasha Bailey Robin |
James & Aida
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James and Aida are Idrissa and Celia’s in-laws. Their son Yusuf is married to their daughter Coumba. They have a real estate business and have homes in Senegal and the U.S.
Zora & Malcolm, Amber Coumba & Yusuf, Idy Adama & Mecca, Star Marieme |
Sokhna & Harry
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Sokhna is Lorraine’s younger sister.
Sidney & Lindewe Desmond Angelique Imani |
