Annika Allen Gray (She/Her)

The "Big 3" is a novel term in the Nigerian music industry that came with the advent of social media and the international success of Afrobeats. Although choosing the Big 3 of any era is entirely subjective, when one considers the major criteria of commercial success and impact, it's possible to point out the three biggest artists of the different eras of Nigerian mainstream music since 1999. The Big 3 of Nigerian mainstream music is 1999 - 2024. https://lnkd.in/d2u-q982

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Embracing Dialogue For National Development It was the South African Reggae icon, the late Lucky Dube who sang that It takes a million people to build up a good reputation but it takes a fool to destroy everything they’ve done. This lyric leaps out from that evergreen song as the nation grapples with the impending threats of a planned protest over what the organisers referred to as widespread hunger in the land. The social media has been humming with reports of various groups planning the nationwide protest from August 1st to 10th, tagged “10 days of rage. But the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained that the issues raised by the organisers can only be addressed through constitutional amendments. According to the party, some of the issues highlighted by them are political, while others are constitutional matters that can only be addressed through the amendment of the constitution, which is on-going at the National Assembly. President Bola Tinubu had appealed to those planning the protests to shelve their plans and have confidence in the government. The government has met quite a number of challenges since coming on board and is gradually implementing programmes to bring succour to the people. Quite instructively, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security has warned that the planned protest in Nigeria might be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives. In a threat and risk assessment, the UN expressed concerns about the possibility of violence, citing past instances where similar protests in Nigeria escalated. An earlier experience of a similar action tagged ‘Endsars protest’ came with a lot of wanton destruction. That protest which had its lead point in Lagos was perhaps started with good intention but along the line criminals infiltrated their ranks and it turned sour. The pains of that experience is still fresh in many hearts while many did not even live to tell the story. https://lnkd.in/ei637gDV

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Headline of the Morning - this is NOT a Black Woman or political issue. This is a journalism issue. The radio station owners did the right thing, but does appear they may have thrown her under the bus. The article says she did it without permission. If they broadcast it, that is permission. Meaning they knew. When the public watches an interview they expect the journalist is learning answers to the questions the same time they do. What makes the journalist asking the questions a journalist not just a member of the public , is training and experience. Getting the interview in the first place means the reporter specializes in the topic, has done some research and knows information the average person on the street might not know but would be interested to. Biden was in a tough spot. He was being criticized by opponents and folks in his party. His campaign was in crisis. When people in power fear threat of loss, they behave badly. The government left unchecked will always behave badly. It is the job of a journalist to keep the government and people in it in check. Allowing the subject of an interview, or a target of an investigation, to control the interview is not journalism. It is trying out to be a government public information officer. Or PIO. The reporter was fired for being unethical which stands to lose public trust. It is more than likely that everyone at the station knew she was given the questions and she only got fired when the info leaked out. Biden, like any other person with power , and his team , could always ask to pre draft the questions as a term for granting the interview and the station would have run it because they are benefiting from the advertising the election brings and don’t care either way who wins or loses the election. But that reporter didn’t have to accept and do the interview with pre drafted questions - but she did. Several judges and cops have expressed frustration off record and on about journalists not being licensed. This is why we aren’t. Journalists hold public trust as a condition of employment. If a journalist should break that trust , they never get it back. If they are given a second chance , they never hold public trust as completely as they did before they broke it by mistake or greed. The firing says - we will let the public decide if she agreed to do the interview our of greed or in the public interest.

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This post on X caught my fancy. it also raised questions as to the death of school sports in Nigeria. It is essential to note that in the quotes of this post, there were quite the comments as to how institutions did not encourage their student athletes. School sports remain the bedrock of any sustainable sports system in a country as large as Nigeria. It is essential that the Ministry of Sports ensure a liaison with the Ministry of Education & a proper template is put in place to ensure more sporting activities. It is shocking Universities are dropping sports for lack of funding. That should be the point of attack. Competitions like the Proprietor's Cup, Principal's Cup & Shell Cup need to be brought back to public consciousness. It is also essential that corporate organizations invest in competitions like the HiFL which has done a good job in recent years. As a matter of factly, the advantages of the US draft system for team sports & emphasis on development for individual sports are quite the template to adapt to our environment. The journey to 2028 begins today, not in 2027

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Rita Ugi, you are my mentor as much as I am yours. A bit of backstory: I was introduced to Rita about nine months ago. Having recently moved over from Nigeria and started her career here in the UK, Rita was looking for someone to mentor and guide her to build a career as big and bold as her ambition, and my good friend Sheeraz Gulsher thought I might be able to help. Over several coffees and glasses of wine, I’ve got to know Rita, and it has been my utter pleasure to watch her flourish as a PR, landing a job with the fabulous team at Welcome to SHOOK and absolutely smashing it from the get go. But I’ve got just as much out of our collaboration, if not more. Rita has given me a fresh perspective on the challenges of starting out a career in PR (which is now a rather distant memory for me), not only as someone who is new to the industry, but also as a Black woman. She’s caused me to question times when I haven’t been as inclusive as I should have been, and what changes I can make to be better in the future. I’d urge everyone to read this piece she’s penned for the PRCA, which encapsulates some of these challenges, and urges people to make representation and allyship important year-round, not just during Black History Month. It just shouldn’t be the case that Black PR professionals are told to delete LinkedIn posts about diversity and inclusion because it might harm their chances of landing job. Conversely, we need more people of all races and colours to post about it, because working in a more inclusive industry and celebrating diverse voices benefits us all. Rita, keep posting – and we must all keep listening.

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The topic of “Black tax” has got the social networks buzzing. #ElsaMajimbo (social media influencer) has been questioning the tradition of giving her hard-earned money to those members of the family who have less. This sentiment challenges a number of indigenous philosophies (such as #Ubuntu) where the community’s needs will take precedence over the individual’s achievements. Thoughts are welcome on how #futureleaders can navigate this dilemma when looking to build their successful businesses of the future. Here is an article to give some context: https://lnkd.in/e_ACK_Vg

On 8th October, I am getting real about diversity in creative spaces. Let's be honest, the creative industry has a long way to go when it comes to diversity and inclusion. We've seen too many examples of racism and insensitivity, like: A black boy wearing a "monkey" shirt in a Gap ad… Black soccer players having bananas thrown at them by racist fans… And as creatives, we have a responsibility to do better. We need to: - Listen and amplify diverse voices, not just give lip service. - Actively create opportunities for underrepresented talent. - Be intentional about the messages we put out. This isn't about checking boxes or being "politically correct." It's about creating an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued for who they are. So what are you doing in your studio or creative space to make a real difference? Are you: - Implementing diversity and inclusion training for your team? - Reviewing your work for potential cultural insensitivities before it goes out? - Partnering with organizations that support diverse talent? We are going to discuss all this and more with Bimi Ibok, Kelly Elaine Garthwaite, Ted Markovic, at Henry Stewart’s HS Creative Operations! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gX2Cexnc And don’t forget to use code SPEAKER100 to save $100 on registration! —--------------------------------- Hey there, I'm Karen Williams! My mission? To be your go-to guide in this crazy, beautiful, sometimes frustrating industry. If you are a photo creative, I got you! I post Mon-Fri, so click "Follow" and don't miss out.

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TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (THE TIFF AFRICA HUB): A JOURNEY OF IMPACT AS PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Reflecting on the journey of the TIFF Africa Hub, I remain very grateful to God for the highly successful, phenomenal, and historic outcome at this year's TIFF Africa Hub. I remember how last year's TIFF Africa Hub (first time for me, by the way) was faced with very low participation and almost zero hub activities, which is a far cry from what should be obtainable with one of the biggest film festivals globally. Recognizing this is as a far reflection of the huge potentials and possibilities of the African film industry and after having a conversation with Nola Kianza , the CEO of Canadian Council on Africa / Conseil Canadien pour l'Afrique (CCAfrica / CCAfrique) , we discussed ways to have a very impactful Africa Hub at TIFF through qualitative programming that will primarily impact and enhance participation and visibility. I started working with CCAfrica in November last year, and I'm thrilled to share the outcomes of our efforts. This year, the TIFF Africa Hub experienced a remarkable transformation, featuring impactful programs that drew active participation. Attendees from Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa all came out to participate, with insightful conversations by top industry executives and speakers - all were actively engaged, and sessions were truly inspiring. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our efforts have reshaped the Africa Hub, turning it into a platform that represents the dynamic spirit of African creativity and collaboration. Here’s to continued growth and impact! My special appreciation to the CEO of TIFF and the entire TIFF Industry Team for spurring us on and providing all the needed support despite the daunting challenges and limitations in delivering this year's TIFF Africa Hub Activities. As Africans, if we don't intentionally position ourselves by doing and engaging in impactful programs and activities to elevate our local industry, who will do it for us? The journey has just began... #tiff2024

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Read this article investigating the complex relationship between Black audiences in the UK and their experiences in British television 📺 Viewing (p)leasure, viewer pain: black audiences and British television. This research article explores the views that Black audiences hold towards the representations of their various selves on British television. It is informed by the findings from a 1995 qualitative research study undertaken for BBC TV Equal Opportunities. Click the link below to learn more about the media representation of Black people on British TV: https://lnkd.in/eNa_VYDf #BlackHistoryMonth #BritishTV #Representation #TVRepresentation

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I am constantly finding myself in environments where i am one of the few black People in the room. Often times the youngest as well, this is what comes with breaking down barriers and growing on the foundations set by those that came before you. I would be lying if being one of the view people of colour doesn’t cross my mind when I’m in these environments and to this day i still feel slightly uncomfortable. But one thing that I will never feel is unworthy. Every room you’re in you’re there because you have earned the right to be there. ‘You need to learn to see yourself beyond your physical attributes’. It’s only when you understand your true worth and value others will see it. The first sale is always yourself. In 2024 I have a mission! Integrate entrepreneurship into the work place. → Most companies don’t know how to hire A - player talents from Gen Z and how to keep them in their company. Gen Z grew up in a very complex generation so their skill sets from a young age are very unique. Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, currently accounts for about 2 billion of the world’s population and is expected to represent 27 percent of the workforce by 2025. Through posts like this I’m going to empower my community to become A players. And then connect them with the best jobs and opportunities through austinokolo.com Join my community at austinokolo.com by filling in Your details and you’ll gain access to exclusive and unique opportunities propelling your career to the next level (973/1000) spaces filled. I’m bridging the gap between entrepreneurship and the corporate world one post at a time.

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So we’ve just released another exclusive interview with Nikhil Gandhi, the former CEO of TikTok India and ex-VP of The Walt Disney Company, who is now leading ARISE IIP's mission to transform Africa’s industrial landscape. 🚀🌍✨ "Transforming Africa is our end goal," Gandhi shares. "We aim to create a million jobs in the next 10 years, significantly contributing to the GDP of African nations." His insights are not to be missed! 👉 Read the full interview on Business Insider Africa #Leadership #Transformation #AfricaRising #BusinessInsiderAfrica #EconomicGrowth

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The African & Caribbean Youth Organisation CIC 🟢🟡🔴⚫️ Results are coming in 👀 Whether you got the grades you wanted or not. The world is YOURS 🌏🏆📈👏🏾✨ Link in the BIO 14-25 #acyo #blackboy #blacktiktok #blacktiktokcommunity #typ #blackbusiness #blackbusinessuk #blackbusinessworld #blackentrepreneurs #blackeducationlondon #blackeducationuk

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Building a Brand: PR Strategies for Emerging Afrobeats Artists Afrobeats is a global sensation, with its infectious rhythms and vibrant culture capturing audiences worldwide. For emerging Afrobeats artists, breaking into the spotlight requires more than talent—it demands a well-crafted PR strategy to build a compelling brand that resonates with fans and industry stakeholders alike. Here are key PR strategies tailored to rising Afrobeats stars. https://lnkd.in/eW4vWPgt #afrobeat #artist #pr #branding

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Nigeria is a beautiful place with very hardworking people that are changing the world and it is very open for business. If you are planning to do business in Nigeria and need access to people that can be of help, feel free to reach out to me. ✅ An excerpt of my last presentation at the “globalization: International business Opportunities” webinar

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#bhm {Black History Month }@toluwaoyele ceo & founder of Zoah consultancy. she gives her insight as to what it takes to be thought leader in behavioural coaching & leadership management in work place . #bhm #4acetv #blackbritishbloggers #blackhistorymatters #blackgirlmagic #blackwork #blackexcellence #justbeyou #justbecauseflowers #consulting #consultant #supportsmallbusiness #podcast #talkshow #adviceoftheday #advice

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The CaribBEING short video series "Eat+ Shop+ Lime" Little Caribbean is nominated for WEBBY AWARDS! I wrote the scripts and did voice-over for seven of the businesses in this series, including this story on The Africa Record Centre which is NOMINATED! There were 13,000 entries from over 50 countries so this nomination is a big deal. The Webby Awards are powered by the people so we need your votes to win! Today is THE LAST DAY TO VOTE! Let's get a win for de culture! Check out the steps below to make your vote count! Step 1: Click the Link in below and scroll down to Eat+ Shop+ Little Caribbean and Click VOTE! https://lnkd.in/e-DzSrVN Step 2: Enter your email address and create a password when prompted. Creation of an account is required to vote. Step 3: Check your email for a verification message and click the Green button that says "Verify Your Account". This is the only way your vote will count! Step 4: Share this post and let's get a win for Little Caribbean!!

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