Hi, I’m Bidemi Adedire
A Communications Expert An Idea Strategist A Gender Advocate An African Voice Amplifier A Podcaster for Change A Movement Builder An E-Community Creator

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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​.

Campaign Title: Generous Activism – Amplifying Voices Against Gender-Based Violence

Role and Leadership: Creative Direction, Campaign Strategist and Communications Support

Summary

I was an integral part of the #GenerousActivism campaign during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2023, a movement uniting a diverse coalition from organizations to artists. I developed communications materials that celebrated the unsung heroes of Africa and crafted the Generosity Playbook to guide community engagement. The campaign leveraged music, storytelling, and digital advocacy to inspire action against SGBV and honor those who stand for justice and equality.

About 16 Stories

16stories is a media advocacy coalition working on amplifying voices and unsung heroes working at the intersection of digital advocacy, civic engagement, and the voices of creatives to drive active participation and build a movement for collaborative actions and generous activism to solve Africa’s biggest challenges.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: #GenerousActivism

Themed around Giving Tuesdays Africa’s #GenerousActivism initiative, the coalition will showcase 16 artists demonstrating the power of poetry and music as tools of advocacy to drive conversations around SGBV for the 2023 16 days of activism.  The Coalition will celebrate heroes whose acts of generosity are actively dismantling the barriers that enable the occurrence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls.

Champions will be identified and selected across Africa based on their innovations and models helping women and girls access justice, education, well-being, and economic opportunities. The coalition will curate these stories to show 16 ways to support SGBV campaigns that demonstrate the power of collaboration and generosity activism.

Description of Involvement:

Conceptualized and directed the #GenerousActivism campaign, focusing on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, aimed at fostering empathy, fair policies, justice, and equality through a collaborative approach.

Identified and celebrated champions across Africa who have innovated and modeled solutions aiding women and girls in accessing justice, education, well-being, and economic opportunities.

Crafted communication materials that highlighted the contributions of women, aptly named “Africa’s Unsung Heroes”, whose acts of generosity are actively dismantling the barriers that enable the occurrence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls thus effectively blending storytelling with advocacy to bring attention to the silent warriors combating gender-based violence in Africa​​.

Developed the Generosity Playbook, a comprehensive guide that provided actionable steps for individuals, companies, small and medium-sized businesses, non-profits, networks, schools, universities, families, and youth to participate in and support the cause of women’s empowerment. Each day of the campaign offered unique and insightful activities to engage communities and encourage a generous spirit in supporting gender-based violence survivors and promoting women’s rights​​.

Executed creative direction for the design team, resulting in impactful social media assets and a magazine that celebrated the strength and perseverance of women, driving engagement and raising awareness about the campaign.
Spearheaded social media campaigns at the GivingTuesday Africa hub’s front that amplified the message of the initiative, ensuring a wide reach and active participation from various stakeholders.

Outcome:

The campaign achieved significant reach, fostering global conversations and community actions against gender-based violence. With widespread digital engagement, tangible support for survivors, and a strengthened network of advocates, #GenerousActivism marked a pivotal step in raising awareness and promoting a culture of kindness and empathy across Africa. It successfully showcased the power of collective generosity in driving social change and supporting the rights and well-being of women and girls.

As a key developer of the #PeriodGiving campaign, I helped to conceptualize and grow this movement within the GivingTuesday framework. My efforts were focused on changing how we converse and address menstruation equity, as well as how we might incorporate the aspect of generosity into this cause, with the goal of creating a continuous and inclusive discussion that continues beyond designated awareness days.

My responsibilities included developing a comprehensive strategy encompassing a range of initiatives and actions, as outlined in the #PeriodGiving Playbook. This playbook serves as a guide for individuals, communities, and organizations to contribute to menstrual equity through various actions, such as educational sessions, policy advocacy, creating menstrual product access points, and supporting menstrual health in workplaces.

I facilitated the inaugural #PeriodGiving Webinar, which brought together a panel of industry leaders and advocates to address period poverty’s critical challenge. This event was crucial in introducing #PeriodGiving as a unique form of generosity whilst exploring and sharing solutions that transform societal discourse around menstruation from embarrassment and ostracism to generosity, inclusivity, and empowerment.

The objectives of the webinar were to educate and inform participants about a unique form of generosity and ultimately change the narrative around menstruation. My role was to ensure that the event effectively met these objectives, bringing increased awareness and resource mobilization to the cause, and establishing actionable steps for future activities under the #PeriodGiving banner​​​​.

Outcome:

The #PeriodGiving Webinar successfully initiated a pivotal dialogue on menstrual equity, educating attendees about the multifaceted issue of period poverty and the transformative power of collective action. By engaging with experts and advocates, the event fostered a better-informed community, ready to challenge stigmas associated with menstruation. The success of this event marked a significant step in the #PeriodGiving campaign, expanding its network and inspiring an ongoing commitment to menstrual equity across various communities and organizations.

My role at The Smile Outreach (TSO) is to lead and innovate in advocating for sexual human rights and menstrual justice at the grassroots level throughout Africa. We strive to dismantle stigmas and provide comprehensive support. Our main focus is to mitigate the vulnerabilities of young individuals, combat cross-generational sexual relationships and sexual grooming by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary for informed decision-making regarding their sexual health.

The Good Cycle Initiative takes a holistic and transformative approach to menstrual inequality through WASH/PAD stations in strategic regions of the country.

We will be providing essential menstrual and sanitation products, fostering open discussions in schools,IDPS and Prisons, and normalizing menstruation, thereby challenging and dismantling the myths and stigmas surrounding menstruation, with the ultimate aim of empowering women and girls through uninterrupted education and promoting a culture of openness and support around menstrual health.

The Outreach Challenge, in collaboration with Advocates for Youth and AMAZE, has successfully reached over 5000 adolescents, providing crucial resources and educational content through animations and comics. 

The ADOBLE Initiative, short for Adolescent Bible, is another key project under my leadership. This initiative specifically targets the crisis of adolescent health in Nigeria, focusing on issues such as cross-generational sexual abuse, adolescent pregnancies, and HIV infections. By employing a unique storytelling approach, we intend to transform selected stories into animations and comics, making them accessible through our YouTube channel and school libraries. This approach not only raises awareness but also challenges societal norms, empowering communities with crucial information.

Moreover, the DIGI-TEENS club has established safe spaces in schools, offering support and educational materials on sexual health, and the our upcoming Basic 100 Empowerment Scholarships Program will provide crucial educational support to school dropouts. Our Orphanage Feeding Support Program has set out to nourish and empower 1000 orphans, integrating sensitization sessions to equip them with life skills.

Our next steps include expanding the reach of The Outreach Challenge by printing additional educational comics for distribution in both rural and urban communities, while the ADOBLE Initiative continues to invite adolescent participation from across Africa, broadening the scope and impact of our narrative-driven approach to health education.

Outcome:

At the helm of these initiatives, I have played a critical role in orchestrating these multifaceted programs.

These initiatives have resulted in significant strides in youth empowerment and health education in Nigeria. By directly engaging thousands of adolescents and providing them with essential tools for informed decision-making, we are reshaping the narrative surrounding youth vulnerability. Our efforts are not only creating immediate positive changes but also laying the groundwork for a more informed and resilient generation by 2030. The Smile Outreach’s commitment to these goals is unwavering, as we continue to innovate and expand our reach, solidifying our position as a pivotal force in grassroots change and adolescent empowerment.

The African Voices Script Repository, an initiative under the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA), stands as a beacon for African audio creatives. This innovative digital library showcases a wealth of scripts, offering voice artists across the continent a unique resource for practice, growth, and collaboration. Far more than just a script collection, AVSR celebrates the rich diversity of African stories, serving as a bridge between scriptwriters and voice artists.

I spearheaded this project with the vision to empower, enhance, and elevate African voice artists. The repository is tailored to the unique stories, nuances, and dialects of the African continent. It fosters collaboration between voice artists and creatives, paving the way for new, original African content.

The AVSR is accessible, inclusive, and continually updated. It features scripts across various genres, languages, and difficulty levels, enabling artists to hone their skills and discover content suited for professional use. Regular script donation drives and monthly reading events further enrich this vibrant platform.

Outcome:

The AVSR has become a vital tool for African voice artists, amplifying their talents and supporting their professional development. By providing this dynamic resource, we’re not only nurturing individual artists but also contributing to the growth and recognition of the African audio-creative sector.

Learn more about the African Voices Script Repository

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