Trading cards pay tribute to Black History Month

Christine McCall

After the successful launch last year of his Black History Month trading card set, Luanga Nuwame is at it again.

He is back with his 2007 Official Black History Month Trading Card Series and a range of other new products to honor black history not only in February, but throughout the year.

As Nuwame developed the second trading card set, he said that he tried to use a more international scope He researched black history Web sites and other cultural Web sites to come up with key figures he wanted to include.

“I put a lot of heart and soul into it,” Nuwame said.

The new set contains 30 cards, all of which honor legendary figures, places and events in America, Europe and Africa. Some of the figures featured in this set include Booker T. Washington, Coretta Scott King, Toussaint L’Ouverture and Steve Biko.

Nuwame has kept busy in the last year. New additions to Nuwame’s collection of products are four insert sets: 2007 Helping Hands, 2007 Hall of Fame, 2007 King and Queens of Pop Culture and 2007 International Slavery Emancipation.

The King and Queens of Pop Culture insert set includes Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Jimi Hendrix, Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dorothy Dandridge.

Nuwame said that people have found value in his product. He has received numerous positive responses and people have told him that he has “created something innovative and different.”

Nuwame has also received encouraging reactions from teachers who say they like the trading card set because it keeps their students engaged.

“My products are collectable, an innovative way to learn black history in a simplified form and a way to get all kids interested and involved in black history,” Nuwame said.

Nuwame’s business, L.A. Nuwame Designs, is a one-man based operation and run out of his house.

“I have a sense of pride being able to do it all myself,” Nuwame said. He added that his ultimate dream is to open up a store of his own that would offer games, toys, dolls, customized merchandise and, of course, his trading cards.

Nuwame is already in the process of planning his 2008 trading card series, with between 15 and 30 figures already chosen. As he continues to spread the word about his product, Nuwame said that he wants to appeal to as many age groups and demographics as possible. “Everyone uses playing cards,” he said.

As he continues to sketch out his business plans, Nuwame remains focused on two simple objectives.

“I want people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to gain a “better appreciation and knowledge for black history,” he said. “I also want people to open their eyes and be amazed.”

For more information visit www.blackheritagecards.com or e-mail info@lanuwame.ca.