Making Memories and Connections: An Unforgettable Experience at the Africa Media Festival

It is with great delight that I sit down to recount my experiences of the just-concluded Africa Media Festival, which took place this past week on the 14th and 15th of February. Two eventful days that brought together media and creative professionals from all across the continent which was an exciting occasion. I must say that it was an experience that I will remember for years to come.

First of all this was the most lit Valentine’s day of my entire life 😃 I mean I have met so many people on 14th alone, like what more would I have asked for!

I vividly recall waking up on the morning of 14th February with a whirlwind of emotions stirring inside of me. Before heading out, I paused for a moment in front of the mirror to have a brief pep talk with myself. "Alright," I said, "today there will be countless pairs of eyes upon you, and they will stare. But, fear not, my dear, you look absolutely fabulous, and you will hold your head high with a smile on your face. Oh and, most importantly, you will engage with people. Yes, you will!"

And I did precisely that - from snagging a spot in the coveted front row (a credit to my amazing sister Najda who urged us to take our seats there) to engaging in small talk with complete strangers. Admittedly, I do get a bit self-conscious about my speech, as my words aren't always crystal clear. However, I gave it my best shot and spoke as clearly and audibly as I could.

From the moment I arrived at the conference venue, I knew that I was in for a treat. The atmosphere was electric, with people bustling around, eager to engage, click pictures at the photo stations and share their stories. So much life!

The festival was a great opportunity to network with media and creative professionals from different parts of Africa. I met people from Nigeria and South Africa and of course our very own Kenya, and many other countries. It was fascinating to hear their stories and learn about the unique challenges they faced in their respective industries.

I also made many impactful contacts at the conference, exchanging numbers and discussing potential collaborations, it was all so surreal. As someone who is always looking to expand my professional network, this was a golden opportunity, and I was grateful for every minute of it. The superb team at Baraza Media Lab really outdid themselves as they hosted a truly unforgettable conference.

Post the conference, Baraza held an in-person Podcast Garage hosted by PRX’s awesome training team, a non-profit public media organisation, which I attended with great enthusiasm. As a budding podcaster, I was eager to learn from the experts and improve my skills. The workshops did not disappoint, as I gained invaluable insights on how to make engaging content, structure a show, technical aspects of recording and editing podcasts, as well as the importance of finding and cultivating a unique voice as a podcaster.

We were also treated to a live show recording of ‘The Stoop’ a podcast that tells stories from across the Black Diaspora. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba start conversations about what it means to be Black and how we talk about Blackness. Oh my, they were so good and I was taking notes on how they spoke and articulated themselves. Uff, I was literally a kid in a candy store because all this was so new to me and a wonderful experience.

Despite the hectic schedule of the conference, I managed to take many photos with well-known names from the media industry. It was a surreal experience to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the business and I am grateful for the memories that I captured through my lens. My brother who accompanied me all week was my official photographer, PR person, feeder and cheerleader. Lol.

We’d sneak a selfie here and there, because the gram’s got to be fed too right ;)

As someone who has rarely met so many people in her life, attending the Africa Media Festival, was an experience that left a profound impact on me. It was the first time that I had ever spoken to so many people in my entire life and I am grateful for the confidence that the event gave me.

Let me tell you, attending the Africa Media Festival, was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. There were moments of sheer excitement, as I met new people, learned new skills and made impactful connections. There were moments of anxiety, too, as I wondered if I was saying the right things, making a good impression or coming across as too eager.

There were moments when the dreaded brain fog would creep up on me and suddenly I'd find myself struggling to recall the name of the person I'd just met. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I saw the ingenious idea of name tags at the conference. Whoever came up with that deserves a round of applause! It was a true lifesaver for me, because weuh!! (Only Kenyans will understand this term)

But most of all, there were moments of pure joy - those moments where I found myself surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared my passion for the media and creative industry. We laughed, we joked, we shared stories and we bonded over our shared experiences. There were over 20 sessions and I attended a couple of them that were insightful and important discussions that needed to be held. So glad to be alive at a time when such discussions are being held and we are a part of the change we want to see.

When it was time to eat my brother, Najda and I would head over to the restaurant and my brother would take it on himself to feed me. The food at Radisson Blu was tasty and I thoroughly enjoyed all the desserts, lol. I’m sure desserts are your fave, right?

Being differently abled I often struggle to navigate new environments and connect with new people. But having my brother by my side throughout the festival made all the difference. He helped me with all the movements and ensured that I never felt alone or overwhelmed. And for that, I will be forever grateful. He would graciously pass my business card to whoever I were speaking to and one time he literally pulled someone to the side and flat out said, ‘Excuse me, Hi, My name is Imran and my sister would like to have a word with you’. Najda and I were left with our mouths wide open - of course the person came over and spoke to us for a few. PR tips from my very own brother, who could have known.

As an introvert, speaking to so many people was a daunting task, but I was determined to make the most out of this opportunity and I was pleasantly amazed at how friendly and welcoming everyone was, and it made my experience even more enjoyable.

One of the most exciting moments for me was when I met The Godfrey Mwampembwa, an award winning cartoonist who is famously known as Gado. I can’t tell you the fan girl moment I had, wow!! We have grown up looking forward to reading Gado cartoons and meeting him in person was pure joy. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak to him and introduce myself, and take a pic too. It was a surreal moment for me and I still cannot believe it happened.

I learned a lot during the conference and one of the key lessons was the importance of networking. I realised that networking is not only about exchanging contacts but also about building relationships and leaving an impression. My week at the conference was not only about the event itself but also about the personal growth I experienced. I learned to be more confident and to believe in myself more. I also learned to embrace my differences and to use them as a strength rather than a weakness. I also realised that my energy levels this week were above average , maybe it was the confidence boost ;) #TeamReal

Looking back on the week, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude. This was an experience that I will never forget. From meeting so many amazing people from all over Africa, to learning about the power of media to effect positive change, to advancing forward in life with a refreshed confidence level and to continue pursuing my passion for creative storytelling and media, this week was truly unforgettable. Alhamdulillah

In conclusion, my experience at Africa Media Festival was nothing short of amazing. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the conference and to learn from some of the best in the industry. I would like to encourage anyone who has the chance to attend such conferences to take advantage of the opportunity. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and I can't wait to see what the future holds for media in Africa.

And as for all those photos with some of the biggest names in the media industry? Well, let's just say that those will be cherished memories that I will always look back on with a smile. And I believe I will need a whole 30 days to recover from this past week, I’d say damn worth it!

Take care and keep being wonderful!

Until the next feed, please share this newsletter with your audience.

Enthusiastically,

Farah Khaleck