Collectible trading cards inspire and teach black youth

Christine McCall

A 28-year-old Canadian entrepreneur, Luanga Azique Nuwame, wanted to educate and influence black youth so he came out with a Black History Month trading card set commemorating people who have influenced history.

Nuwame’s imagination was sparked last fall after he heard black youth talking about black culture. He conducted his own study and found that black children have a distorted view of their history and culture.

Through his research, Nuwame realized that black children know more about 50 Cent and his lyrics instead of influential leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the significance of his “I Have a Dream” speech.

“Our culture is about more than hip-hop; we’ve changed history,” Nuwame said.

His trading card set was created as a way to honor Black History Month, teach young children and adults about their culture and preserve the memory of black icons whose great life stories have made a difference.

The trading card set consists of 24 cards, each with a picture, biographical information, interesting facts and a list of relevant books.

The majority of cards feature prominent black Americans like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Sojourner Truth. However, some of the names are international and not as well known by the general public.

“This is the first trading card set of its kind and I have a lot of pride in it,” Nuwame said. He added, “I tried to dig a little deeper and I did my own research to see who else I could touch upon.”

A few of the uncommon names Nuwame discovered in his research included Shaka Zulu, Makeda, and Mary Ann Shadd. Shaka Zulu was a powerful chief of the Zulu tribe in South Africa. Makeda is also known as the Queen of Sheba. Mary Ann Shad graduated from Howard Law School and became the first black female lawyer in the U.S.

“I want people to realize that this is a taste of what is true black history and culture,” Nuwame said.

The cards are sold only online through his business, LA Nuwame Designs, and he says they will be discontinued at the end of March. Of the 5,000 sets created, 1,000 have already been sold. The card set sells for $16.99 and Nuwame says that a portion of the profits will be donated to organizations that encourage black children to stay in school and steer clear of drugs and gangs.

In addition, Nuwame has created two other collectable trading card sets based on the most evil people of all time and the greatest.

“I’ve always considered myself a black man who is always trying to achieve more,” he said. Nuwame aspires to grow his business into a reputable toy company.

For more information visit www.lanuwame.com, or call 416- 556-3462 (Canada) or email info@lanuwame.ca.