First Hollywood, then Kigali... Celebrating Women's Leadership
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you to everyone who made Africa Soft Power + Hollywood a success! We were pleased to be able to have the event in the home of one of our collaborators and it had the vibe of a community gathering; of old friends catching up and breaking bread. This intimate occasion was an opportunity to celebrate women in art and entertainment, and how they continue to shift the narrative for the continent and the diaspora at large.
Key takeaways
We are historians of the future:?Our guests accepted and took pride in their responsibility as the storytellers and enablers who continue to push boundaries and fight for the space and the resources to document our past and present – through our own eyes and use that as the base for a much brighter future.
We aren't tired yet: Despite the challenges, broken promises, gaslighting, and isolation that often come with being unapologetic in spaces that are still not inclusive, the women in this industry and those who work in ways to support them are not at all tired. There was a sense of excitement, a laser focus on addressing the issues in front of them, and a continued resilience that was reinforced by the strong sense of community and collaboration that was abundant.??
We need money to make money: Ultimately, what seemed to be missing was clarity on where the money is for women of the African diaspora as it relates to financing their projects. It became clear that this gap wasn't necessarily because of an actual lack of capital but a problem that exists because the women in the room aren't as well connected to one another as they need to be. This disconnection is not because of a lack of desire or motivation, but a structural issue that is exacerbated by a lack of deserved upward mobility and visibility of women in these spaces.?
The event was the latest in a series of activations leading up to the Africa Soft Power Summit 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. See photos from the event here.?
INTRODUCING THE RAW CONFERENCE
In collaboration with?African Women on Board, the inaugural RAW Conference will take place at this year’s Africa Soft Power Summit, which will convene in Kigali, Rwanda from May 23rd – 27th.
RAW is real, it’s hosted in Africa, and it’s women-led, providing an opportunity to press the reset button on traditional gender discourse, and reframe women’s leadership as a key strength in tackling local & global challenges.
To join us as partners/sponsors, email:?[email protected], and for general enquiries, email:?[email protected]
Thank you!
The ASP Team