One organization taking female empowerment beyond the usual “talk and no work” fluff is the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc. (NABFEME).
On the 8th of March, 2017, marking the International Women’s Day 2017, the NABFEME Africa team launched the first chapter of the organization right on the rooftop of Maison Fahrenheit in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event which had in attendance some of the biggest names in the media, fashion and entertainment industry provided a platform for female executives and other stakeholders in these industries to network and have progressive conversations around the interests of African women.
The opening address was given by the founder of NABFEME Johnnie Walker, former Vice President of Def Jam Records and Head of Black Music at Dreamworks. who recounted how the NABFEME dream was birthed also talked about how NABFEME AFRICA will address the peculiar issues of the Nigerian media and entertainment sector.
Next was Chichi Nwoko, General Manager of Kwese Free Sports TV and Executive Producer at Hey, Whats on. Ms. Nwoko serves as the Network Leader for NABFEME AFRICA and she spoke on the importance of NABFEME to women in the media and entertainment industry in Africa and how the organization will help raise the profile of female executives in the industry.
She also informed the gathering about the different training, networking and career advancement opportunities NABFEME AFRICA has in place for female professionals in the entertainment, media, fashion, health and finance industries including the annual NABFEME International Women Leadership Summit which holds later this year.
NABFEME AFRICA will also launch new chapters in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa later in 2017.