In this episode of Minds in Motion, I speak with Kofi Dotse (@kofigramm), a Ghana-based travel creator and producer whose work has been featured by BBC, Global Citizen, Volkswagen, and more.

We unpack Kofi’s pivot from a conventional STEM trajectory into content marketing and storytelling for some of the world’s largest brands, and what it really takes to survive and thrive as an Africa-based creator operating on a global stage. We also explore the overlooked economic potential of the continent’s young workforce, tourism industry, and creative economy, and how Kofi turned limited opportunity into leverage.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

00:48 - Kofi's Journey: From Sciences to Content Creator

03:11 - Navigating Education and Career Expectations in Ghana

11:30 - The Impact of COVID-19 on Freelancing and Opportunities

15:01 - Embracing Public Presence and Storytelling

15:27 - Creating Authentic Connections Online

16:39 - Navigating Opportunities in International Collaborations

20:09 - The Conflict of Migration and National Growth

22:16 - Learning from Other Nations

29:33 - Tourism in Ghana: Opportunities and Challenges

33:48 - The Future of African Creatives

35:42 - Monetizing Creativity in Africa

In this conversation, Charles Fatunbi interviews Adam Miko, the founder of Echora, a platform designed to protect artists' rights in the age of AI. Adam shares his background in music publishing and art direction, discussing the importance of ownership and consent for creators. The conversation delves into the functionality of Echora, its role in the creative industry, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Adam also emphasizes the need for collaboration between AI technologists and artists, aiming to create a future where creators are fairly compensated and respected for their work.A must-listen for creatives, technologists, and anyone curious about the future of art in the AI era.

Chapters

00:00 Adam Miko's Journey in Entertainment

00:52 Transitioning to Art Direction

02:37 The Role of an Art Director

04:05 Behind the Scenes of Production

05:51 The Genesis of Ikora

13:44 Understanding AI and Copyright Protection

18:10 The Three-Sided Marketplace of AI

19:13 Empowering Creators and AI Companies

19:50 Navigating Partnerships in the AI Landscape

21:54 Adams Technical Background

25:55 Building a Diverse and Passionate Team

28:06 Advice for Founders on Team Building

29:19 Trust and Skepticism in AI Integration

32:46 The Ethical Use of AI in Creativity

33:11 Legal Challenges in the AI Landscape

36:41 The Future Role of Human Creators

40:58 Actionable Steps for Emerging Creatives

In this episode of Minds in Motion, Charles sits down with Frank Akinwande Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Lingawa, a platform using AI to preserve and teach African languages. He discusses cultural identity, his entrepreneurial journey of building Lingawa, and the role technology plays in preserving African languages.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Frank and Lingawa

00:32 Frank's Journey: From Medicine to Entrepreneurship

04:02 The Role of Language in Identity

07:32 The Decline of Native Languages in the Diaspora

11:13 Cultural and Practical Benefits of Language Preservation

13:55 Learning Languages in an Immersive Environment

16:42 Overcoming Shame in Language Learning

20:28 What is Lingawa?

22:32 The Rebranding Journey of Lingawa

24:02 Building Lingawa: From Idea to Execution

28:50 The Fundraising Journey

34:08 Challenges of Pitching to Investors

36:05 Achieving Product-Market Fit

37:17 Building a Personalized Learning Experience

41:42 Quality Control and Tutor Management

46:07 Impactful Customer Success Stories

49:32 Unexpected Challenges of Leadership

54:56 Vision for the Future of Lingawa

58:25 Closing