Hi, I’m Bidemi Adedire,
A Communications Expert. An Idea Strategist. A Champion for Women. An African Voice Crusader. A Champion for Adolescents. A Podcaster for Change. A Digital Space Cultivator. A Network Igniter.

Description:

As a Communications Consultant with Women Impacting Nigeria, I spearheaded initiatives that directly aligned with the organization’s strategic goals and substantially enhanced its communication efforts. My role involved managing and innovating content across multiple platforms, including the impactful creation of WIN’s inaugural “Top 100 Women Impacting Africa” magazine. This annual publication has become a cornerstone project, celebrating the achievements of influential women across the continent and fostering discussions on women’s empowerment.

Outcome:

• Successfully launched the “Top 100 Women Impacting Africa,” establishing it as a significant annual publication.
• Drove a 20% increase in social media engagement, expanding the organization’s reach and influence.
• Produced over 20 thought leadership articles, boosting WIN’s authority and visibility in the empowerment sector.
• Forged strategic partnerships that significantly benefited women’s support and empowerment initiatives.

Learn More: Top 100 Women Impacting Africa

Description:

In my leadership role at GivingTuesday Africa Hub, I spearheaded the Community of Practice initiative, designed to equip stakeholders with essential skills for maximum impact during GivingTuesday 2023. My responsibilities entailed orchestrating a series of five key workshops targeting storytelling and awareness raising, event management and facilitation,  basic design and presentation, digital marketing, and monitoring and evaluation.

I collaborated with subject matter experts to help deliver these workshops, increase movement visibility, and improve result assessment. From July to November 2023, I managed the execution of these workshops, which were held virtually to ensure broad continental participation.

My role was pivotal in the planning and organization phases, where I synchronized with experts to ensure the delivery of effective upskilling sessions. I also established mechanisms for continuous improvement through feedback collection and evaluation, thus fostering a culture of learning and growth.

Participants were engaged in practical take-home activities, encouraging the application of acquired skills in real-world scenarios. I facilitated a structure where shared plans and peer feedback reinforced a collaborative learning environment, progressively leading to the implementation of comprehensive campaign strategies.

As a testament to the commitment and progress of participants, I ensured the recognition of their dedication through certificates from GivingTuesday Africa Hub. This portfolio showcases my comprehensive approach to leadership, my dedication to community development, and my strategic vision for collective success.

Outcome:

The outcome of this initiative was a robust community of practice that not only aligned with GivingTuesday’s ethos but also primed its members for effective campaign execution, demonstrating a significant step forward in community-led development.

Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCxQ68ryZZk_qEHZlgCiWyGQh79fTaA1 

Description:

As the Founder of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA), I have been instrumental in pioneering the APVA Awards, an annual celebration that honors the diverse and rich audio talents across Africa. This platform serves as a beacon for discovering and elevating the unique voices from the continent – from podcasters and voice-over artists to spoken word artists and poets.

My role in the APVA Awards involved a multifaceted approach, including organization and management, coordinating with country representatives, and facilitating events. Under my leadership, the APVA has grown into a vibrant community dedicated to spotlighting African talents worth global appreciation.

Reflecting on our journey, the inaugural APVA in 2022 was a landmark event, garnering 2200 nominations and over 70000 votes. It celebrated African talent and creativity, marking the continent’s premier event dedicated to audio creatives. 

Building on this, in 2023, we expanded our horizons, hosting watch parties across five countries, namely   Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, creating a tangible sense of community and belonging among participants. See the APVA Report here

With the objectives of awarding personalities who are telling the African narrative and providing Afro-centric resources, the APVA Awards has successfully created a bridge for international recognition. We believe in the power of African audio creatives and aim to boost Africa’s creativity through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

The mission to recognize and celebrate African creatives is embodied through the APVA Awards, with the vision to become the largest platform amplifying Africa’s audio creatives through various programs, events, and awards. This program category not only underscores my commitment to African talent but also demonstrates the successful execution of a large-scale, impactful initiative that fosters recognition and appreciation for audio creatives across the continent.

Outcome:

The APVA Awards has become a pivotal event in the audio creative industry, providing a platform for African talents to be appreciated on an international scale. It stands as a testament to my dedication to nurturing and promoting Africa’s cultural heritage through the power of sound and storytelling.

Learn more: http://awards.apva.africa/ 

Description:

As the Founder of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA), I championed the “Utukufu” Poetry Contest sponsored by Afrexim Bank to coincide with the celebration of Africa Day. This initiative was not only a competition but a vibrant celebration of African heritage, creativity, and the power of the spoken word whilst building a case for creatives contribution to the social and economic status of the continent. We successfully engaged poets from 11 African countries, fostering a platform for new and established voices to share their stories and craft.

Under my guidance, APVA curated a virtual ceremony to showcase the top performances, highlighting the depth and richness of African poetry. The initiative culminated in a curated playlist that was widely accessible, allowing a global audience to experience the grandeur of African literary arts. The project also achieved significant media reach, with TV station replays and a dedicated website, enhancing the visibility of the participants and their poignant works.

One of the unique aspects of this program was the opportunity it provided for top performers to be recognized further through eligibility for the African Podcast and Voice Awards, amplifying their visibility within the audio-creative sector.

Despite facing challenges such as time constraints and financial limitations, the program was a testament to the resilience and passion of the African creative community. My leadership was pivotal in overcoming these obstacles, ensuring the program not only proceeded as planned but also achieved significant milestones in terms of participation and impact.

The Utukufu initiative represents my ongoing commitment to celebrating and promoting African voices, deepening our mission, and impacting new and emerging creatives on the continent. It stands as a reflection of my dedication to not only acknowledging the present artistic expressions but also nurturing future generations of African creatives.

Outcome:

The Utukufu Poetry Contest and #AfricaDay Celebration successfully provided a significant platform for African poets, expanded the reach and impact of the initiative, and contributed to the promotion and appreciation of the African creative industry. 

Learn more: https://utukufu.apva.africa/ 

Description:

As the visionary behind the Ubuntu Giving Podcast, my role was to illuminate the essence of African generosity through the lens of Ubuntu—a philosophy encapsulating community and interconnection. This initiative was a conduit to document, understand and celebrate African Generosity , bringing to the forefront stories of compassion and community-driven change.

I partnered with the GivingTuesday Africa hub’s director for this campaign by facilitating a series of carefully crafted podcast episodes, we delved into topics such as giving traditions, youth philanthropy, wildlife conservation, charitable giving, community development, capacity development and social impact, featuring diverse voices from grassroots leaders to influencers who share this vision.

The podcast served as an extension of the GivingTuesday Africa Hub, aligning with its mission to magnify African generosity. By embracing the power of digital media, we reached a broader audience, highlighting the work of GivingTuesday leaders and promoting a more compassionate approach to creating positive change within and beyond Africa.

Execution involved strategic planning of episode themes, guest engagement, and leveraging various distribution channels to ensure the message reached as far and wide as possible. We capitalized on the versatility of podcasting to connect with audiences on a personal level, making African philanthropy relatable and accessible to all.

Each episode was meticulously developed to spark discussions on generosity and the legacy of giving ingrained within African cultures. The podcast aimed to reshape narratives around African giving, celebrating the continent’s strengths and fostering a self-reliant giving ecosystem based on the principles of Ubuntu.

Outcome:

The Ubuntu Giving Podcast successfully established a narrative that celebrated the diversity and richness of African giving traditions, inspiring increased participation, innovation, and impact in the African giving sector. It has set a precedent for future endeavors in podcasting and philanthropy, reinforcing the concept of Ubuntu and inspiring everyday giving—an echo of generosity that resonates across the continent and the globe

Description:

As a pivotal figure in the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA), I have taken the initiative to lead the Creators Support Coalition, an ambitious project designed to recognize and harness the untapped potential within the audio-creative industry across Africa. This coalition is the embodiment of APVA’s commitment to deepening our mission, solidifying our role as industry shapers, and ensuring the longevity and vibrancy of the industry.

My responsibilities have ranged from strategic planning to hands-on project management, ensuring the successful launch of initiatives such as the African Podcast and Voice Academy, APVA Sounds, and the APVA Fellowship for Young Africans. These programs collectively aim to provide comprehensive resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities tailored specifically for African audio creatives by African industry experts.

The core of my work with the coalition involves facilitating collaboration, resource sharing, and network building across the continent. We have made significant strides in mapping Africa’s creative hubs and studios, engaging in partnerships, and providing an endorsement strategy that integrates these hubs into a unified platform. This has not only bolstered the visibility of African audio creatives but has also fostered a robust support network that includes mentors, industry insiders, and knowledge partners.

A critical aspect of our approach is the focus on collaborative opportunities, resource sharing, and branding edge, all while promoting inter-industry synergy and advocating the significance of the audio-creative sector in Africa’s growth narrative. Through these initiatives, we seek to enhance the visibility of our programs and initiatives, reaching a passionate audience of audio creatives and enthusiasts.

Outcome:

The Creators Support Coalition has established itself as a groundbreaking force in the African audio-creative landscape, leading to a strengthened, vibrant, and innovative industry. The initiatives launched under this coalition have contributed to the empowerment of individual content creators and related organizations, significantly impacting the African audio-creative industry and shaping it into a profitable and culturally significant sector​.