My recent time in Accra gave me insight as to what it means to be a multi-hyphenate creative in 2024. Each new day in the city was a source of inspiration and curiosity as I found myself visiting galleries like Gallery 1957 or ADA Contemporary and even attending panel talks to connect with other creatives. This December was markedly different as many organizations not only highlighted impressive works but also became meeting places for budding creatives. AfroFuture, in a greater effort to inspire creativity, launched an expo that featured a series of concerted events, workshops, and panels meant to foster collaboration among budding creatives and professionals. The Amaka and Multi-hyphenates brunch was a part of the larger expo and the mission to serve as a hub in which multi-passionate professionals could exchange knowledge, resources, and build connections that would further support their personal and professional development. Before the event, my head was swirling with numerous questions about the creative life. I found myself inspired yet asking myself, how do people strategize around their various interests? Or where do people find creative community? More importantly, how do existing creatives sustain creative pursuits?

When I walked into Dawadawa restaurant on the day of the brunch and mixer, these questions quickly faded away as I learned so much about the hosts, panelists, and attendees alike. We were all brought together by this common passion for culture, media, and even our identity as Africans in the diaspora. Our day was filled with three key events: a demo by Amaka studio, a resiliency workshop by Angela Baidoo, and the “Crafting Excellence: The Fusion of Heritage and Innovation” panel discussion; all of which had a prominent feature on creativity and culture. The panel which included, Topicals founder Olamide Olowe, Rebecca Henry, and Akua Shabaka of House of Aaama, Kingston Kitchen’s Sharna Darko, and Ford Communications Lakeshia Ford, set the tone of what it means to explore multiple interests. At the start of the panel, Akua remarked “Generally the work we do is backed by ancestral work. Also, us looking at our own family narratives and history to inform the work that we do.” Additionally, Olamide built on this idea by noting that she prioritized Black women first as she knew that Black women lead and shape culture. It was in hearing their dialogue and insights that I understood the importance of being centered in your values and personal mission because those serve as a guide while you explore various mediums. Similarly, Lakeshia markedly noted that her life informed her mission of having more sustainable conversations about working and building community on the continent. One of her insights that were that people are the systems and she soon came to realize that she could work as a collective to address business and creative challenges. She noted that her new appointment at Ghana-Jamaica Chamber of Commerce was her way of rallying similarly-minded people around a mission. Each panelist was also driven by the urgency to stabilize the political, economic, and social systems that would help advance opportunity. Olamide shared, “We cannot do anything as a community without wealth, and I think we do not understand money and the way it functions as a community. I think that’s why we have struggled in making the advancements we want to make.” Her position as the youngest Black woman to raise $10 million in funding has also spurred her passion for entrepreneurship and storytelling alike. Her insights and comments highlight how crucial financial literacy is in positioning yourself as a multi-hyphenate. The panelists' various perspectives also underscored the importance of legacy and impact. For any multihyphenate, understanding that your gift has a larger impact is important. House of Aama founder remarked, “[your] gift is not for you alone but for the community.” This mindset informed Rebecca’s decision to foster her daughter, Akua’s interest in fashion, as she saw the business as an inheritable asset. For context, Rebecca who is a lawyer officially always had a sewing hobby so as her daughter grew and interacted with sewing and fashion, Rebecca knew she could not ignore this common interest. Each panelist had a unique story to tell that often centered around embracing those various life experiences. While I initially worried about how to avoid limitations around having many interests, I came to learn that being a multi-hyphenate meant using varying interests, or paths, to weave a greater story of connection and impact (and yes, enjoying yourself along the way).