Women in entertainment breakfast to illuminate African talent at FAME Week Africa

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FAME Week Africa, built by RX Africa, the continent’s premier platform for celebrating African talent, is proud to announce the highly anticipated Women in Entertainment Breakfast on 6 September as part of the esteemed FAME Week Africa 2023.

This ground-breaking event, powered by EarCandy Dubbing and the Cape Town International Conventions Centre (CTICC) will shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of African women in the entertainment industry.

The breakfast serves as a pivotal moment for recognising the significant role women play in shaping Africa’s entertainment landscape and breaking barriers internationally. This initiative aims to inspire, empower, and foster meaningful connections within the industry, ultimately creating more opportunities for women to excel and lead.

This year’s breakfast will launch an exciting and transformative initiative that promises to fast-track meaningful transformation in the African entertainment industry by establishing a forum that will champion the cause of women in various aspects of entertainment, from film and television to music. By highlighting the immense talent and creativity of African women, and creating a forum for mentorship, support and advise, this initiative will pave the way for greater inclusivity and gender equality within the industry.

The morning’s proceedings will be highlighted by a captivating keynote address from the  woman that Forbes has described as ‘Africa’s most powerful woman, Mo Abudu. The Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist has been listed by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the ’25 most powerful women in global television’ , and is often referred to as the “Oprah Winfrey of Africa”. Abudu has consistently shattered glass ceilings and pushed boundaries with her ground breaking work in film and television production. Her unwavering commitment to amplifying African voices and telling authentic stories has been instrumental in reshaping the narrative of African entertainment on a global scale.

The Women in Entertainment Breakfast would not have been possible without EarCandy, an organisation dedicated to women’s empowerment and the establishment of networks that create opportunities for women in the localization industry across Africa. Louise Callcott-Stevens, Co-founder, and CEO at EarCandy expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “There is a wonderful quote that speaks about surrounding yourself with women that will mention your name in a room full of opportunity. We saw the opportunity to sponsor this event and get involved in this initiative as our chance to create that room. There is so much research that points to women not supporting other women to reach their full career potential. As an all-female owned business, that consistently sees the business benefit and ROI of developing women, we want to be a part of this change.’  

The CTICC, a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment, is also proud to champion this inspiring event. CTICC CEO Taubie Motlhabane, shared her excitement, saying, “At the CTICC, we believe in the power of women in driving change and innovation. We are honoured to be part of the Women in Entertainment Breakfast, as it aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse industry.”

Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa, expressed his anticipation for the event, saying, “The Women in Entertainment Breakfast is a crucial milestone for FAME Week Africa. By celebrating and elevating the incredible talent of women in the industry, we are forging a path towards a more equitable and vibrant future for African entertainment. We encourage everyone to join us in this inspiring celebration of talent and diversity.”

“We are thrilled to be the host city for the Women in Entertainment Breakfast at FAME Week Africa 2023,” says the City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. “As a city that celebrates diversity and creativity, we recognize the immense contributions of African women in the entertainment industry. This event aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting initiatives that empower women and foster inclusivity. We look forward to welcoming participants from across the continent and beyond to this ground breaking occasion.”

The Women in Entertainment Breakfast at FAME Week Africa 2023 promises to be a truly transformative event, driving the conversation on gender equality and providing a platform for African women in entertainment to thrive. As the industry continues to evolve, this initiative marks a crucial step towards a future where women’s voices are heard, celebrated, and embraced across all facets of entertainment in Africa and across the globe.

About Mo Abuda and Ebonylife Media

Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, has made her mark through various endeavors in the corporate world; she has been described by Forbes as ‘Africa’s Most Successful Woman’.

In 1993, she returned to Nigeria where she was headhunted to manage the Human Resources and Administration Division at ExxonMobil. In 2000, recognizing the need for a highly talented pool of professionals, she founded Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited. She also conceptualized and developed the Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park as the first new-build hotel of its type ever in Nigeria.

Abudu launched her foray into media by producing and hosting Moments with Mo, the leading pan-African talk show which aired from 2006 till 2015. In 2013, she launched EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global black entertainment lifestyle network which produced aspirational TV Series such as Castle & Castle and The Governor.

Abudu oversees EbonyLife Media, comprising EbonyLife Films and EbonyLife Studios, as well as the EbonyLife Creative Academy, a school aimed at accelerating filmmaking skills, and EbonyLife Place, Nigeria’s first luxury entertainment resort. She has produced several highest grossing blockbusters to include: Fifty, The Wedding Party, Your Excellency and Oloture.

Abudu’s most recent success is the launch of Blood Sisters, Netflix’s first Original Nigerian series. The show made the Netflix Global Top ten list with over 11 million hours viewed. Her most recent production Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman premiered in the Special Presentations category of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. 

EbonyLife Media under Abudu’s leadership has secured several production collaborations with international studios to include: Sony, AMC Networks (USA), Netflix, Starz and Lionsgate, BBC, Will and Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Will Packer Productions.

Abudu is highly sought after for her knowledge of the African and global creative industry. She has spoken at the Wharton School of Business, Cambridge University Judge School of Business, NYU, Oxford University and Harvard University. The EbonyLife Media Legacy was honoured in 2021 by Harvard Business School (HBS) through the inclusion of a case study on the organization for its MBA students. 

Throughout the years, Abudu has been a recipient of numerous awards and international recognitions, to include an honorary degree from Babcock University, Nigeria and University of Westminster UK, Médailles d’Honneur from MIPTV in 2019, Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 2021 and 2022, Series Mania Woman in Series Award 2022, most recently she was listed as one of the 20 Most Powerful Women in Global Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter. Abudu was invited to join the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences, popularly known as ‘THE OSCARS’ in the PRODUCER membership category-the only Sub-Saharan African woman selected in this category.

In October 2022, Mo Abudu received a National Honour in the rank of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for her service to the nation with regards to uplifting and growing the Nigerian Entertainment and Creative Economy.

Mo Abudu, is now an Executive Fellow of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, Harvard University and the African Media Mogul has recently partnered with Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures to empower and uplift talent from Africa and its diaspora by creating new tv and film projects, nurturing rising talent, providing educational and mentoring opportunities, and creating a more inclusive and diverse media landscape.

Mo Abudu, is also a member of the International Emmys. Founded in 1969, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is a membership based organization of leading media and entertainment figures from around the world.