Black AT Hosts ‘The Bigger Picture’ To Boost Africa’s Creative Economy

Black AT, a global movement dedicated to elevating creators and businesses of Black or African origin in the advertising, media, creative arts, and entertainment sectors, has announced ‘The Bigger Picture: This is Lagos’, a two-day event taking place from November 20-21, 2024, at the Alliance Française de Lagos.

The event will bring together stakeholders from the Advertising, Media, Creative and Entertainment industries to provide insights about the mission of Black AT, which is to train one million Nigerians and create a pathway to give access to over 10 million black creatives through financial access, training, mentorship, the facilitation of advertising agencies to participate at global events, and to secure partnerships and raise funds within the banking and venture capital sectors.

The Lagos edition of The Bigger Picture Series coming on November 20 will serve as a pre-seed launch for Blkat.io, a digital platform designed to connect, empower, and transform Black and African creators by providing access to financial resources, training, and mentorship.

A key highlight of the event will unveil the African Creative Fund, an initiative to provide grants, loans, and financial support to help creators scale their businesses and artistic endeavours

Co-founder of Black AT, Peter Ukhurebor,
said: “We believe in the growth of black creativity. Our creativity is not limited to one continent, nor does it know any borders or language because Blackness is Global. We are building a global community of Black creators, with Nigeria as the launchpad.

“Through the Blkat.io platform and AI being used on it, we aim to provide sustainable access to funding, mentorship, and global partnerships, setting new benchmarks for the Black and African creative industry.”

On Day 1, the attendees are expected to have a fireside chat, panel discussion, attendees and networking sessions featuring thought leaders from the advertising, media, music, film, and financial sectors.

The discussions will focus on the transformative power of advertising, the importance of investing in creativity, the art of music, comedy, and film, and the dynamics between clients and agencies.

The event will also highlight how African businesses can transition from merely selling products to addressing human needs, ultimately leading to long-term brand success. Day 2, 21st November, will be an exclusive gathering of industry veterans across music, film, fashion, and art in collaboration with Martell and the Bank of Industry.

General Manager of the Bank of Industry, Mrs. Uche Cynthia Nwuka, also said the session will provide deeper insights into fostering creative partnerships and scaling talents globally adding that “Constructive collaborations and strategic investments are essential to propelling Nigerian creatives into the international market.

“Building a strong cultural brand that reflects artistic heritage while embracing modern digital platforms will unlock new opportunities globally.”

The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, also emphasised the importance of the African Creative Fund, stating, “The creative economy in Nigeria is booming, with Nollywood, Afrobeats, literature, and fashion driving global engagement.

“The government is committed to supporting our soft power to ensure sustainable growth and global relevance.”

The event celebrates partnerships with leading industry stakeholders, including the Bank of Industry, Martell, National Council for Arts and Culture, The Ministry of Arts, Culture and The Creative Economy & its Destination 2030 Initiative, Omniverse, Marketing Edge, and Nigerian Breweries.

“The Bigger Picture: This is Lagos” marks a crucial step toward unlocking the potential of Black and African creatives and solidifying Nigeria’s role as a powerhouse in the global creative economy.