IHRAM Unveils Judges For African Human Rights Music Competition

 

IHRAM UNVEILS JUDGES FOR AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MUSIC COMPETITION

 

The International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has revealed the judging panel for its inaugural African Human Rights Music Competition. The competition, which recently concluded its submission period, seeks to harness the power of music to address critical human rights issues across the continent.

 

In a statement released to media outlets, Competition Coordinator Wole Adedoyin emphasized the competition's mission: "Through this competition, we're creating a platform where music becomes a catalyst for social change, giving voice to the struggles and aspirations of African communities."

 

The two selected judges are Afeez Olagunju and Tom Block.

 

Afeez Olagunju (Afeezee), professionally known as a versatile recording artist, is a genre-blending force in the evolving landscape of African music. With over a decade of songwriting experience since 2015, Afeez has honed his craft into a signature sound he proudly dubs "Afroroots" — a vibrant fusion of Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, and traditional influences that reflect both personal storytelling and cultural consciousness. He began releasing music in 2021 and has since built an impressive discography of five EPs, each pushing creative boundaries while capturing the essence of his growth as an artist. His debut EP, Humble Beginning (2022), set the tone for a compelling journey, followed by Lifesaver (2023), a soulful reflection of resilience and hope. In 2024, he delivered two standout projects: Pick Your Gems and African Magic Vol. 1, showcasing his versatility and sonic curiosity. His most recent EP, More Money, More Love (2025), dives deeper into themes of aspiration, self-worth, and emotional depth, cementing his reputation as an evolving storyteller. Beyond music, Afeez is a multifaceted creative with pursuits in tech, education, and mental health advocacy — a testimony to his belief in art as both expression and impact. With more releases on the horizon, he continues to evolve as a voice of his generation, bridging rhythm and meaning through sound.

 

Tom Block is a playwright, author of five books and 20+ year visual artist. His plays have been developed and produced at such venues as the Ensemble Studio Theater, HERE, Dixon Place, Theater for the New City, IRT Theater, Theater at the 14th Street Y, Theater Row, A.R.T.-NY and many others. He was the founding producer of the International Human Rights Art Festival (2017), the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010) and a Research Fellow at DePaul University (2010). He has exhibited his artwork and spoken about his ideas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East.

 

The shortlist of 10 outstanding entries are expected to be announced in the middle of July 2025.

 

The International Human Rights Art Movement is a global network of artists and activists committed to using creative expression as a tool for social change. Through competitions, festivals, and educational programs, IHRAM amplifies voices advocating for justice and human dignity worldwide.

African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition: IHRAM Unveils Judges

 

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION: IHRAM UNVEILS JUDGES

 

The International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), renowned for its commitment to promoting human rights through artistic expression, has officially announced the panel of judges for the recently concluded African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition. This landmark competition was initiated to stimulate intellectual dialogue, inspire critical thinking, and foster youth engagement on pressing human rights issues within the African continent.

According to Wole Adedoyin, the Coordinator of the competition, the essay contest stands as a beacon of academic exploration and activism. “The African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition offers students a unique platform to utilize their academic insight in addressing the urgent human rights concerns facing Africa today,” Adedoyin said. “Our goal is to cultivate research, dialogue, and awareness while empowering the future generation of African leaders.”

The competition drew submissions from university students across Africa, each tackling contemporary challenges through well-researched and compelling essays. After a rigorous review process, IHRAM has unveiled two distinguished judges who will be evaluating the entries: Dr. Sinyuy Geraldine and Tom Block.

Dr. Sinyuy Geraldine, based in the North West Region of Cameroon, brings to the panel an extensive background in literature and activism. She holds a Ph.D. in Commonwealth Literature from the University of Yaoundé I and has been an active figure in the literary and human rights spaces. She is currently the Director of the IHRAM African Secretariat in Cameroon and was the Chief Judge for the WritingUkraine International Poetry Competition in 2023.

Dr. Sinyuy is also known for her environmental advocacy and editorial roles, including positions at WordCity Literary Journal, ASA Journal, and the Journal of Cameroonian and Nigerian Writers League. Her dedication to literature, human rights, and social change continues to inspire young African writers and activists alike.

Joining her on the panel is Tom Block, a seasoned playwright, author, and visual artist based in the United States. Block is the founder of both the International Human Rights Art Festival (2017) and the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010). He has authored five books and has seen his plays staged at renowned venues including Ensemble Studio Theater and Theater Row. His international career spans the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Tom Block’s multifaceted experience in the arts and human rights advocacy adds a global dimension to the competition’s evaluation process. His longstanding commitment to merging creativity with activism aligns perfectly with the vision of the African Human Rights Essay Competition.

IHRAM confirmed that the shortlist of the top 10 outstanding entries will be released by mid-July 2025. The shortlisted essays will reflect insightful perspectives on critical human rights issues, as seen through the lenses of young African scholars from diverse academic backgrounds.

As the competition concludes and anticipation builds toward the announcement of winners, IHRAM reaffirms its dedication to creating avenues for youth voices to shape the human rights landscape in Africa. The African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition is more than just a contest—it is a movement toward empowering thought leadership and sustainable change across the continent.

 

African Human Rights Poetry Competition: IHRAM Receives Entries from Twenty-Five Countries

 

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION: IHRAM RECEIVES ENTRIES FROM TWENTY-FIVE COUNTRIES

 

The African Human Rights Poetry Competition, organized by the African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), has concluded its entry phase with remarkable success. The competition, which aimed to spotlight pressing human rights issues through the medium of poetry, received a total of 350 entries from poets across 25 countries.

According to Wole Adedoyin, the Coordinator and the Director of IHRAM in Africa, the competition drew submissions from across Africa and beyond, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Egypt, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, and Tunisia. Additional entries came from nations outside the continent such as Thailand, India, Canada, Jamaica, the United States of America, and others, highlighting the global appeal of the initiative and the universal nature of human rights advocacy.

Each poem submitted engaged with critical human rights themes including freedom, justice, democracy, gender equality, child rights, environmental protection, and social inclusion. The competition provided a platform for writers—both emerging and established—to reflect, challenge, and advocate through creative expression. It affirmed the vital role that art, especially poetry, plays in shaping public discourse and raising awareness on key societal issues.

The process of compiling and reviewing the entries was rigorous, given the volume and diversity of the submissions. Every entry was carefully catalogued, and participants were duly acknowledged with confirmation and appreciation messages.

As a gesture of recognition and encouragement, every participating poet has been issued a Certificate of Participation. The certificates serve as tokens of gratitude for their creative effort and dedication to promoting human rights through poetry. This initiative is part of IHRAM’s broader mission to engage artists in global human rights education and advocacy.

With the entry phase concluded, the competition now moves into the next exciting stage—longlisting. The longlist will feature standout poems that will proceed to the next round of evaluation for possible inclusion in an anthology and for final prize consideration.

IHRAM expresses heartfelt thanks to all the poets who submitted their work. Their courage to speak truth to power, address injustice, and give voice to the voiceless through their art is commendable. This competition has proven that poetry remains a powerful tool for social change and a mirror of the human condition.

Looking ahead, IHRAM plans to publish a special anthology featuring the best entries from the competition. This publication will serve as a lasting testimony to the resilience, creativity, and advocacy of African and global poets in the fight for human rights. It will also be part of IHRAM’s contribution to literary and civic engagement across the continent and beyond.

The African Human Rights Poetry Competition is more than a literary contest—it is a movement, a platform, and a call to action. Through poetic voices from twenty-five countries, IHRAM continues to amplify the stories that matter and foster a culture of dignity, equity, and justice for all.