Njangi for Creatives: Building Bamenda's Creative Future, One Session at a Time
On Sunday, July 19, the Njangi for Creatives convened once again in Bamenda for another impactful session. True to our mission, we came together not just to contribute financially, but to share ideas, strategize, and strengthen the bonds that hold our creative community together.
A Meeting of Minds
The room was filled with a diverse group of creatives from across the cultural and creative industries—musicians, fashion designers, spoken word artists, cultural entrepreneurs, event organisers, and more. What united us was a shared desire: to grow, to learn, and to build a sustainable future for ourselves and the next generation of Bamenda's creatives.
We spent the session discussing strategies to grow our individual crafts and the industry as a whole. From marketing and branding to financial management and collaboration, the conversations were rich with insights and practical ideas. It was a reminder that when creatives come together to share knowledge, we all rise.
Who Was Present
The session brought together a cross-generational gathering of Bamenda's creative elite:
- Ankias Vallyman – veteran reggae musician
- Amsrong Fombiyong – culture consultant, researcher, curator, and creative
- Medine Yahje – spoken word artist and CEO of Benji's Embroidery
- Vumomsi Ngwefontaa – president of NOFADA and organiser of the Atoghu Fashion Festival
- Mrs. Nformi Schneider Williams – CEO of King's Event Company
- Akumbu Bubu– CEO of Black Swagger Inc and director of La Liberte Arts Group
- Master Ngwa Ngwa – veteran artist, event organiser, and director of culture at Ngwa Ngwa Cultural Space
- Madame Claris of Asui Designs
- Bayong Emmanuel Che – CEO of Forest Music and Forest Children Academy
- Tanni Desmond Awa (Mottanni) – spoken word artist and director of Ngraffi Fine Arts
A Visit from a Legend
We were honored to receive a visit from JM of Africa, a veteran of the music industry whose stories from yesteryears reminded us of the passion and grit that have always driven creatives. He shared how artists of his generation raised finance for their work with nothing but community trust and raw determination. His words inspired us and reinforced the importance of what we are building together.
Growing Together
The session was a powerful reminder that our Njangi is more than just a savings circle. It is a platform for collaboration, learning, and mutual support. We are committed to growing ourselves, our businesses, and our industry—not in isolation, but together.
As we look ahead, we remain focused on our goal: to insert ourselves into economic discussions where decisions about our creative industries have always been made without us. With every session, every contribution, and every idea shared, we are moving closer to that vision.
We are Bamenda's creatives. And we are just getting started.
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