British supermodel Naomi Campbell visited Egypt last month. Instagram / Naomi Campbell
British supermodel Naomi Campbell visited Egypt last month. Instagram / Naomi Campbell
British supermodel Naomi Campbell visited Egypt last month. Instagram / Naomi Campbell
British supermodel Naomi Campbell visited Egypt last month. Instagram / Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell shares selfie from Egypt's Great Pyramids of Giza to mark Black History Month: 'Where it all began'


Emma Day
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Naomi Campbell has paid tribute to Egypt's long and storied history as she marked the start of Black History Month.

The British supermodel, 50, shared a Boomerang selfie taken in the North African nation on Instagram this week, as she told her followers the country was "where it all began".

"Jumping into Black History Month [in] beautiful Egypt," Campbell captioned the clip, posted on Tuesday.

"More than ever, our culture has the right to know our ancestry. They label black people in America as African-Americans, but do they educate you about this beautiful continent?"

The supermodel, who rose to fame as one of the most recognisable faces of the 1980s and 1990s, called for African history to be compulsory in education curriculums.

"Times have changed, can’t hold back our minds ... so we can unite on a global scale of celebrating this Black History Month as one," she added.

Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is observed throughout February, most commonly in the US and Canada.

The first event took place in 1970, designed to commemorate key people and events in the history of the African diaspora, not only in North America, but around the world.

Campbell jetted into Egypt last month after a visit to Kenya, posting on Instagram as she prepared to depart: "Magical Kenya, I'll be back soon. North Africa, let's go."

She was named tourism ambassador for the East African nation last month.

The model had not previously shared imagery from her trip to Egypt, from where she few to Paris to walk in Fendi's haute couture show on Thursday, January 28.

During her visit, it was revealed that, while in Cairo, Campbell met with Egyptian archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass.

The archaeologist talked to the model about recent discoveries at the Saqqara necropolis in Giza.

“[Campbell's visit] had a great impact. For a star that is well-known worldwide to come to Egypt during this tough time … there is no doubt that this is an important message,” Hawass told local TV channel Sada El Balad.

Campbell has previously spoken about the importance of championing and showcasing fashion designers from Africa.

"There has, in the past, been the wrong perception about the continent and the creativity that comes out of it," she told The Guardian in December 2020, as she attended Arise fashion week in Lagos, Nigeria.

“Right about now, everyone’s kind of got it, finally – for example, that Nigeria is one of the biggest emerging markets with the under-30s, so everyone is looking in this direction. But we don’t want Africa to be considered as a trend.

“These designers are finally getting the notoriety that they deserve – and they are going to keep their notoriety.”

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

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