Speaker Faculty
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Nky Iweka
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Nky Iweka a.k.a. ‘The Executive Mama Put’ has spent almost a decade redefining Nigerian food and challenging the way in which Nigerian food is cooked and presented.
She opened her first restaurant, Pitanga, two years ago. Situated in West Kensington in London, U.K., it bills itself as offering “Nigerian Food With a Twist”. Serving traditional fare such as Egusi and Okro as well as inventions of hers using Nigerian ingredients in new ways such as her signature Jollof Balls and Prawn Akara. Pitanga boasts an eclectic client base and is fast becoming a destination restaurant for Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
“One of my biggest joys is looking around the restaurant and seeing people of various ethnicities eating Nigerian food. I show them how to eat with their hands. It’s part of the Pitanga Experience. Our open-plan kitchen means we can quickly respond to customer needs. My teenage dream is eventually coming true! The next step is to spread the Pitanga Experience.”
A mother of two, she started off her professional career as a management consultant at Unisys and PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she was lucky enough to eat her way round the world (in addition to working in Finance Transformation for Blue-chip Companies, mostly in the Telecoms Sector).
“Worldwide, chefs are constantly reinventing their national dishes and creating truly beautiful masterpieces, worthy of any artist. I wanted the same for our food”.
Her first book, ‘Quintessentially Efik Recipes’ which showcases the dishes and culture of the Efik people of Southern Nigeria was published in 2014. Other books on Nigerian cuisine and her culinary adventures are in the pipeline.
Key Media & Appearances
● ‘Where’s My African Takeaway?’ BBC Food Chain (Nov 2017)
● Guest Chef, Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, UAE (Apr 2016)
● Annual Igbo Conference: Panel Speaker (Ap 2014 & Featured Speaker Apr 2016)
● ‘Nigerian Food Pops up in London’, BBC (Dec 2015)
● CRBC, Nigeria (Sept 2015) -
Stephen Hendel
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Stephen Hendel graduated with a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He was a partner at Goldman Sachs, and went on to co-found Hartree Partners, LP, a global merchant commodities firm specializing in energy and associated industries.
Growing up, Stephen Hendel would spend his spare time in record stores to see what looked interesting. Decades later, having become a prominent commodities trader in New York, Hendel was scrolling through music on Amazon.com when he came across an unfamiliar name: Fela Kuti, the pioneer of Afrobeats and regarded as Africa’s most “challenging and charismatic music performers”. Hendel’s love for transporting music took form with Fela, whose dramatic life as an African nationalist embedded in the lyrics of his pulsing songs was so inspiring to Hendel that he said to his wife, Ruth, a theater producer, that they should find a way to bring his music to a wide audience.
That endeavor led Hendel and his wife to producing “Fela!,” the Broadway show that tied for 11 Tony nominations – the most Tony Award nominations in 2010, including the leading contender for best musical.
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Misan Harriman
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Photographer & Filmmaker
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Ava Hall
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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The Empress of Global Entertainment & Culture
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Akinwale Goodluck
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Akinwale Goodluck is the Head of the GSMA in Sub-Saharan Africa and has primary responsibility for the attainment of the GSMA’s objective in Africa of connecting everyone and everything to a better future. He leads GSMA’s objective to serve as a guiding beacon for the mobile industry in Africa, focusing on collaboration between mobile operators, governments and other ecosystem players to overcome the physical, social and economic barriers to GSMA’s vision for a better future. Akinwale joined the GSMA in February 2017.
Akinwale Goodluck is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and has had a career spanning Investment Banking, Legal Practice and in the last 15 years been engaged in the ICT & mobile communications sector working for MTN Nigeria Communications Limited for 14 years, 7 of which was at Executive level with primary responsibility for the management of the Regulatory, Commercial Legal, Reputation, Corporate Governance and Stakeholder management risks for MTN Nigeria. Akinwale provided leadership for the Regulatory objectives of the MTN Group Limited and all its 23 Operations spread across Africa and the Middle East. He was appointed by the GSMA to Chair the GSMA Chief Policy & Regulatory Officers Group Sub Saharan Africa, in January 2015 for a two-year term, providing Regulatory Policy and Strategy for mobile telecommunication companies operating in Sub Saharan Africa.
Akinwale has served on the Board of several Companies among which are the MTN Nigeria Foundation, Nigeria Internet Exchange Limited, The Digital Bridge Institute, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, the Lagos State Innovation Council and he continues to serve on the Board of the Redeemer’s International School and other private companies. Akinwale has been recognized as an authority, respected resource person and much sought after speaker locally and internationally in the realm of ICT Regulation & other utilities.
He is an alumnus of the Lagos State University, The Nigeria Law School and the Harvard Business School. Akinwale is an avid cyclist, a friend of the Arts particularly theatre and a firm believer in Social Responsibility.
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Marcus Glover
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Marcus is a successful entrepreneur, and consummate storyteller. His breadth of experience and expertise at weaving together relevant trends, cultural influences and technologies has made him a sought after advisor and speaker.
As the Founding Partner of the private equity firm M. Glover Capital and Board Chair of Defy Ventures, Marcus catalyzes change through social impact investment and criminal justice reform. Through close collaboration with local stakeholders, M. Glover Capital’s investments drive job creation to economic stability and wealth generation for systems affected communities. Through Defy Ventures, which fights mass incarceration and recidivism by building on the natural talents of incarcerated men, Marcus mentors youth and teaches yoga and meditation.
As a Global Creative Director and Chief Marketing Officer, Marcus produced some of the most memorable advertising campaigns within pop culture urban lifestyle, music, sports, entertainment, including an award winning Super Bowl commercial. Based on his agency experience, Marcus is highly active as a consultant for early stage ventures and leads workshops on brand and personal storytelling for founders and leaders.
Marcus has created successful ventures with some of the world’s most beloved celebrities and athletes as an agency owner. He has also served as executive producer on films such A Beautiful Game and Bilal, and served on the Board of Harlem Arts Festival and Liberation Prison Yoga.
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Yvette Gayle
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Yvette Gayle serves as COO and Head of Communications & Engagement for Africa Creative Agency, a pan african talent management firm with offices in Los Angeles, Kenya and South Africa. Gayle successfully bridges the continental gap between creatives and corporates wanting to align and do business in new territories. Her roster of clients include Nasty C, Pearl Thusi, Amanda Black, Sauti Sol, and Celeste Ntuli to name a few. Gayle’s noticeable successes also include launching the Jam Africa Stage at the 2019 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans whereby showcasing Africa’s biggest music clientele.
During a career that spans more than three decades, Mrs. Gayle has worked with many of the music industry’s biggest and brightest names. She served as Head of Urban Publicity for Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records from 2001- 2018, where she oversaw the day-to-day media and public relations efforts for such standout IGA labels including Aftermath Entertainment, G Unit Records, Bad Boy Entertainment, Dreamville Records, 10 Summers, Zone 4 Records, and Mosley Music. Her notable accomplishments included crafting superior media campaigns for recording artists such as 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, The Game, Diddy Dirty Money, French Montana, MGK, Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson, Robin Thicke, and Timbaland to name a few.
As a consultant and personal adviser to 50 Cent, Gayle was instrumental to the success of the mogul’s non music verticals including Vitamin Water, Reebok, G Unit clothing, SMS Audio, G Unit Film & Television and SMS Promotions.
Prior to joining Interscope Records, Gayle spent nearly ten years with Columbia Records Sony Music, where she worked with the label’s urban and jazz rosters including Destiny’s Child, 50 Cent, The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Nas, Kenny Lattimore, Nancy Wilson, Wynton Marsalis, Xscape, Bow Wow, Jermaine Dupri and so many more.
Gayle has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from West Virginia University.
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Pauline Fischer
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Ms. Fischer is an industry leader with a proven track record of building strong and diverse slates, driving creative, and brokering some of the industry’s most groundbreaking and innovative deals.
Across previous roles, including Netflix and Paramount Pictures, she has established a reputation for taking creative ideas from concept to release and building cutting-edge businesses and initiatives. As an architect of the Netflix Original Film business, Ms. Fischer oversaw the acquisition, development and production of internationally acclaimed films including Okja, Bright, Beasts of No Nation, First They Killed My Father, A Very Murray Christmas, and Death Note. She also greenlit Klaus, The Two Popes, Murder Mystery, and Dolemite is My Name. Also during her tenure at Netflix, deals she brokered helped revolutionize the Netflix film brand including a four-picture deal with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, a Pay TV deal between Disney and Netflix, and a franchise deal for the film Bright starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. As vice president of acquisitions at Paramount Pictures International and Worldwide DVD, Ms. Fischer acquired film and television content globally and helped launch the company’s DVD Premiere Group. Currently, Ms. Fischer advises on content strategy, business development and global productions and co-productions through her company, PMF Media Group.
Ms. Fischer’s career has included leadership roles across strategic planning, business development, and content acquisition and production with both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. She is recognized for being a long-time advocate of creating opportunities for diverse creative voices and executive talent within the industry. Ms. Fischer is also a dedicated leader in the non-profit world serving as a founding board member of The Blackhouse Foundation established in 2006 and renown for increasing access to opportunities for Black independent filmmakers and executives and as Board Chair of Ednovate, an innovative charter school management organization formed with the USC Rossier School of Education to provide pathways for positive multi-generational change.
Ms. Fischer holds a JD and MBA from Harvard University and a BA in Economics/Business from UCLA. She was awarded a High-Tech Fellowship by Harvard Business School and is a member of the CA State Bar and the Executive Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).
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Eryca Freemantle
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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Eryca Freemantle is one of the world’s leading makeup educators and researchers. A former makeup artist and advisor to London College of Fashion (UCL), she has worked with celebrities, mainstream brands and leading world renown beauty institutions. Recognized as a leading expert on diversity in makeup and beauty, she has been interviewed by Bloomberg TV and Forbes Magazine.
She believes diversity should be celebrated and should no longer be treated as a tick box exercise, statistical project, fashion statement or gimmick. Eryca is Founder of EATOW, a platform which celebrates successful black experts in beauty, fashion, entertainment and the creative industry across the globe.
She spent many years in Nigeria researching the beauty industry for the British government, sits on the board of Africa’s leading makeup organisation, Makeup Ghana and is a beauty business and life coach ambassador for ‘The Princes Trust.’ She recently spoke at Oxford and Cambridge university, Houses of Parliament and SOAS and was invited to Clarence House where she met The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
She is supported by Nat West Bank and Salon Services, a beauty campaign for women of colour and was recently appointed Governor for a prestigious UTC school in England.
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Sipho Dlamini
- January 15, 2021
- Posted by: Michael Umoh
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A strategic leader with 20 years’ experience in live production, festivals, the recording industry, artist management, television production, marketing and operations for Africa’s largest collection society. Sipho was Vice-President, Creative Kingdom Records USA; VP, Operations, Centre Stage Management, Dubai, Los Angeles; Partner, IAAM Entertainment and CEO, SAMRO.
The South African Government and FIFA engaged Sipho to produce ceremonies for FIFA’s Confederations Cup and 2010’s World Cup, making him one of the creative architects for these momentous occasions.
Sipho oversees Universal Music in Sub-Saharan Africa, expanding into West Africa with companies in Nigeria and Kenya, via the acquisition of AI Records.