Rooted in the principles of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, the initiative is designed to move beyond dialogue and deliver measurable progress in areas such as representation, financing, leadership development, and global visibility for women working across advertising, media, technology, film, music, design, and other creative sectors.
Through Her Lens aims to foster action-oriented conversations and strategic collaboration among industry stakeholders. By bringing together brands, policymakers, financial institutions, creative leaders, and civil society organisations, the programme intends to drive solutions that expand opportunities for women while contributing to broader growth within the global creative economy.
Collaboration With Global Gender Equality Platforms
The launch of the initiative also reflects Black At’s growing engagement with international organisations advocating inclusive representation. The organisation recently joined the Unstereotype Alliance, a global coalition convened by UN Women that works with businesses and industry leaders to eliminate harmful stereotypes and promote progressive portrayals of gender in advertising and media.
Multi-City Global Rollout
The initiative will be implemented through a global engagement platform spanning multiple continents. Planned convenings will take place in key creative and economic hubs including:
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Cape Town, South Africa
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Cannes, France, during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
- New York City, United States, during the United Nations General Assembly 2026
Each city engagement will serve as a platform for dialogue and partnership among the private sector, government institutions, NGOs, and creative professionals. The goal is to develop sustainable pathways that enable women to advance across the creative value chain.
Lagos to Host Global Launch
The initiative will officially debut on March 30 in Lagos, marking the first of a series of global engagements planned throughout the year. The launch event is expected to bring together key voices from the creative, financial, and corporate sectors to discuss issues ranging from representation and access to financing and mentorship.
The Lagos convening also forms part of broader activities during Women’s Month, with discussions expected to focus on how institutions can collaborate to accelerate gender equity in the creative workplace.
Leadership Perspectives
Speaking on the vision behind the programme, Peter Ukhurebor, Chief Executive Officer of Black At, emphasized the need for tangible action in promoting gender equality across the industry.
He noted that creativity transcends gender and geography, but systemic barriers still limit opportunities for women in leadership roles. According to him, Through Her Lens is intended to create frameworks that not only include women in the creative economy but empower them to lead and shape its future.
Industry leaders also highlighted the importance of diverse voices in shaping successful brands. Sarah Agha, Marketing Director at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said creativity thrives on bold storytelling and a combination of art, science, and courage—principles she believes are essential in building brands and forging impactful partnerships.
On the issue of representation and industry accountability, Elspeth I’Anson, Interim Head of the Unstereotype Alliance, pointed to persistent gender disparities in leadership and senior creative roles across the global industry. She noted that the issue is not a lack of talent but structural barriers that prevent women from advancing.
According to research cited by UN Women, organisations with gender-equal leadership and inclusive workplace practices tend to outperform their peers financially and are more likely to unlock new market opportunities.
Addressing the Financing Gap
Access to capital remains a critical challenge for many creatives, particularly women. Uche Nwuka, General Manager of the Large Enterprise Directorate at the Bank of Industry Nigeria, noted that while the financing gap in the creative sector is gradually narrowing, sustained investment and advisory support remain essential.
She explained that the Bank of Industry continues to focus on providing not only funding opportunities but also strategic partnerships and advisory services to support sustainable projects and expand opportunities for women operating within the creative ecosystem.
A Whole-System Strategy for Change
Through Her Lens adopts a comprehensive framework designed to tackle multiple barriers simultaneously. Key pillars of the initiative include:
- Advocacy for representation and leadership opportunities
- Creative education and mentorship programmes
- Improved access to finance and structured funding pathways
- Global platforms that elevate women’s visibility in the industry
- Partnerships between public and private sector institutions
Through these strategies, Black At aims to strengthen connections between local creative ecosystems and global opportunities while continuing its broader mission of promoting equitable access for Black professionals and women in advertising, brand management, and technology worldwide.