Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, better known as Black Thought, is an American rapper and the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots, which he co-founded with drummer Questlove. As the Co-Founder of The Roots, actor, writer, producer, and creator, Tariq Trotter, aka Black Thought, has affirmed himself as one of the most prolific …
Hannah Beachler is one of the most electric Production Designers in Hollywood today. She didn’t realize her calling until she was sweeping the floors of a low-budget Lifetime movie. After walking onto productions across New Orleans, her breakout film was “Fruitvale Station,” followed by “Creed”–both alongside director Ryan Coogler. She went on to design the …
George Gachara is the Managing partner, Entrepreneur and Arts manager at HEVA Fund LLP. He leads a development and business exploration of the creative industries in East Africa and is providing leadership in creating long-term economic and cultural value in this dynamic sector. In addition to his work at HEVA, George is also a member …
Kenya Barris is a Writer, Producer, and showrunner. He was best known for creating the groundbreaking sitcom “Black-ish” (ABC, 2014-). Born in Inglewood, California in 1974, Barris’ family eventually relocated to a less impoverished neighborhood, when Barris’ mother earned her real estate license and his father was given a settlement for having been badly injured …
Joel Kachi Benson is a Nigerian documentary filmmaker and virtual reality content creator. He is passionate about stories, and has been making documentary stories for over a decade. In February 2018, he was introduced to the world of Virtual Reality, and became the first Nigerian filmmaker to use Virtual Reality technology for storytelling, when he …
Matthew Ohio is the founder and CEO of Industry Nite. He is a showbiz enthusiast, show promoter and businessman who started the Industry Nite in 2009 as an independent platform for artistes to showcase themselves. His iconic music show activation, Industry Nite, has been instrumental in platforming some of Nigeria’s biggest entertainment exports, birthing careers …
Pierre Thiam is a chef, author, and social activist best known for bringing West African cuisine to the global fine dining world. He is the executive chef and co-founder of Teranga, a fine-casual food chain from New York City that introduces healthy, casual fare directly sourced from farmers in West Africa. Pierre is also the …
Hicham Lahlou, flag bearer of Moroccan national design, an iconic figure of African and Arab design internationally and emblematic figure of new generation design, has been part for two decades of the new signatures that count in the sphere of world design and creation. His refined creations are always impregnated with cultural and identity references, …
Michelle Truselle is the Head Chef and Founder of Myristic. She was born and bred in London. Michelle knew from an early age that she had a special relationship with food. After finishing school at 16, she immediately applied and was accepted to the acclaimed Westminister Culinary Arts College. After graduating from College after 3 …
Sonwabile Ndamase, Fashion Designer & Creator, Mandela Shirts. The designer of the original Madiba shirt, admits that he was never put off by the lack of representatives of African fashion in the mainstream. His label, Vukani Fashions, began as an outlet for his passion for indigenous African fabrics and cultural design. He saw it as …