SheiFunmi Interviews Abiola Abrams

Abiola is currently the host of The Best Shorts, BET indie film showcase and competition. She is also the author of Dare, a retelling of Faust set in the hip hop world.

She hosted shows as the syndicated The Source: All Access, Source Magazine’s hip hop show, and Chat Zone, an HBO interstitial talk show billed as Politically Incorrect for the MTV set.

In 2007 Abiola Abrams, she appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show as a part of his red carpet interview coverage of The 2007 BET Awards in Los Angeles.

Finally I get to interview the famous Abiola Abrams, tell us a known face about you Abiola?

It’s a pleasure. I am happy to support your blog and your work. Congrats on your accomplishments. Well, as you know I am a writer and a TV personality. I had to think when you said a little known fact because I have so much of my life on my blog http://www.abiolatv.com and my site: http://www.abiolaabrams.com . A little known fact is that in addition to my online web TV shows like Planet Abiola and Kiss and Tell TV, I have directed several short social issues films on topic ranging from mental illness to sexuality. Your viewers can watch one of these projects here: http://abiolaabrams.com/bipolar_manic_depression_film.html

How do you feel when someone tells you that you are an Inspiration?

It is very humbling but then at the same time I try not to be taken up with it. The reason is that I am human and fallible and making mistakes (many) on a daily basis, but that’s how we grow! And as far as being someone’s inspiration it is a huge honor and a blessing. But if you believe 100% of the positive things that others believe about you then you have to also believe the negative. So for me it’s more important to be gracious and very appreciative and keep making the best choices for me. If that inspires others then I am honored. If that offends others then it is what it is. I feel like there’s so much for people to focus on that for them to follow you or read my book, or watch my videos – even one person, it’s an honor. So thank you.

Are you working on any project of late?

I am really excited about Abiola’s Kiss & Tell right now – it’s (1) a web show Kiss & Tell TV about love and relationships (http://abiolaabrams.com/love_videos.html) (2) Abiols’s Kiss & Tell Live Revue, a live monthly reading series and performance event in NYC. http://abiolaabrams.com/reading_series.html (3) And an upcoming book project. My fist novel Dare by Abiola Abrams, published by Simon and Schuster, is now available on Kindle and hopefully I’ll do an audiobook version soon. Really exciting stuff. You can find my column and all of my love, sex and dating related content at AbiolaTV.com.

You have a West African name and some of our fans sent mails to ask you if you are Nigerian?

I am not Nigerian; people assume I am because of my name. I am Guyanese-American. Yoruba names are common there. In my family we have Adiola, Abena and of course, Abiola. I had the good fortune of visiting Nigeria a couple of years ago for the African Academy Awards. The beauty of the Nigerian community is very close to my heart so maybe my parents knew that would be the case when they named me. My ancestors were definitely West African.

When life sometimes gets a bit too much, and it takes to much effort to keep a smile on your face or keep your spirit up, what do you do to make yourself positive and smiling?

Lots of stuff! Turn on my faorite music and rock out, share with my favorite people in my life, and focus on just feeling a little bit better, not the best I’ve ever felt, just reaching for a better feeling thought. And I listen to inspirational radio like HayHouseRadio.com. Staying positive takes work!!

Thank you Abiola for your time, it’s been great interviewing you

You’re awesome. Beautiful things are in your future. You are blessed, my friend.