In this episode, I speak with Hamid Ibrahim, creator and production designer of Iwaju, the groundbreaking Afro-futuristic series produced in collaboration between Kugali Media and Disney. We dive into his journey from portrait artist, to Hollywood VFX work on films such as The Lion King, Dumbo and Doctor Dolittle, to building one of the most important African creative IP houses of our time.

Hamid shares the origins of Iwaju, how a BBC interview unexpectedly led Disney to their door, and what it took to build a futuristic Lagos that resonated globally. We talk about African IP, ownership, investment, the realities of raising funds as an African founder, and why authentic stories still matter in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

If you care about African storytelling, animation, technology, creativity or the future of global IP, this conversation offers valuable insight.

Highlights:

• How Kugali Media caught the attention of Disney

• The making of Iwaju and its cultural impact

• African IP as a global asset

• The business realities behind storytelling

• AI and what it can and cannot replace

• Why meaning and authenticity still matter

• Building creative businesses without a roadmap

Guest Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamidibrahimportfolio

Instagram (Kugali): https://www.instagram.com/kugalimedia

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/hamid-ibrahim-564892a7

Twitter: https://x.com/hamid_portfolio

My Links:

About Stella: https://stellaonithewriter.com/about

Podcast Website: https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/episodes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives

Substack: https://stellaoni.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-oni-065788140

This week I have a lively conversation with author and literary activist Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm about building platforms for women of colour from the 1990s to today.

Rasheda traces her path from founding Candace magazine to writing fiction, creating the WILDE Foundation, running writing retreats in Jamaica, and launching the H&F Writers’ Festival in West London. We explore how technology and community remove old gatekeepers, the healing power of journaling, and WILDE’s future plans to expand retreats, mentorship, and international collaborations.

It is an inspiring story of creativity, persistence, and the ongoing work of empowering women’s voices through literature, activism, and connection.

Key takeaways:

• Community and craft can coexist and strengthen each other.

• Journaling helps survivors find voice and confidence.

• Technology widens access and continuity beyond physical events.

• WILDE seeks collaborators, mentors, and publishing partners to platform emerging writers.

We also spent time talking about Jamaica, where Rasheda runs her writing retreats and where I recently attended the Calabash Festival. Sadly, the country has since been hit by Hurricane Melissa and suffered devastating damage. Journalist Nadine White has compiled a helpful list of trusted aid sources here:

Hurricane Melissa – How Can We Help

Please do your due diligence before making any donation.

You can read more of Nadine White’s reporting here: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nadine-white.

Explore more:

Talking Tech with Creatives – talkingtechwithcreatives.com

Podcast Instagram – @talkingtechwithcreatives

My author website – stellaonithewriter.com

Author Instagram – @stellaonithewriter

Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm – @ashantirashedaauthor

H&F Writers’ Festival – handfwritersfestival.co.uk

H&F Writers’ Festival Instagram – @hfwritersfest

If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe to Talking Tech with Creatives, follow us on Instagram, and share the episode to help amplify the stories of women shaping creativity and culture.

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with my literary agent, Francesca Riccardi of Kate Nash Literary Agency, to unpack how publishing really works. Drawing on her 15 years at publishers like Harper Collins, Atlantic Books, and Canelo, Francesca explains the differences between traditional, indie, and self-publishing; what agents actually do; and how deals, rights, and marketing come together. We also talk frankly about author income, why building community matters, and how AI is reshaping the industry and what protections authors need. If you’re a writer, or curious about the business of books—this conversation will help you navigate the landscape with clarity.