Paramount Africa Teams Up with SHOWTIME/MTV to Foster the Next Generation of BIPOC Storytellers

Paramount Africa has partnered with the SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios Storytellers Lab to nurture the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) storytellers. This collaboration brought together students from the U.S., Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa for a global conference aimed at shaping the future of Black content creation.

The event, titled the Content for Change Global Conference, was hosted by Dometi Pongo and Lerai, and featured a panel of industry experts, including Nick Cannon, Sheila Ducksworth, Tolani Holmes, Jerry Mofokeng, Ferry Jele, and Desireé Markgraaff.

The discussions focused on elevating Black voices in storytelling, highlighting new talent, and creating narratives that connect with global audiences. Ti-Shea Meadows, VP of Operations at SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks, underscored the value of cultural exchange: “We were thrilled to have this critical conversation with Paramount Africa to explore how storytelling grounded in culture and global experiences is vital to creating impactful content. By embracing diverse perspectives, we can tell stories that resonate worldwide while staying authentic to our identities.”

Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Paramount Africa, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “We are excited to harness our global reach to include students from Africa in this industry development program. Our goal is to expand this initiative over time and provide young African creatives with a broader platform to showcase their talents.”

Melissa C. Potter, Executive Director of Content for Change, highlighted the initiative’s broader influence: “The engagement with HBCUs and the global dialogue among creators, both in the U.S. and across the diaspora, aligns perfectly with Content for Change’s mission—to transform how people are portrayed and perceived in media.”