Creative Development with IFC

“Creative Development with IFC” marks International Women's Day with the legendary Barbara Hendricks. Join host Makhtar Diop as he explores Barbara’s journey from the segregated southern USA to the world’s most prestigious opera stages. Beyond the notes, Barbara unveils her passionate work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and the profound influence of human rights on her life's mission. A voice for the voiceless, Barbara shares lessons in embracing humanitarian action and the importance of women's inclusion in decision-making amid today's complex challenges. 

Clarification at 20:25: #IBelong is a UNHCR campaign that aims to end statelessness by identifying and protecting stateless people, resolving existing situations of statelessness and preventing the emergence of new cases. Learn more at https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong

IFC's Makhtar Diop engages in an enlightening conversation with Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group. They explore the intersection of business, culture and community, spotlighting Mahindra's popular artistic initiatives like the Mahindra Blues Festival and the Mahindra Excellence in Theater Awards. Additionally, they delve into IFC’s partnership with the Mahindra Group to promote green transportation in India with electric three wheelers, emphasizing its positive impact on women's empowerment and sustainability. 

Makhtar Diop engages in a captivating conversation with legendary South African guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Jonathan Butler. Following the release of his 28^th album Ubuntu, Butler reflects on his five-decade journey from poverty to international stardom, discovering his unique voice, and the role of musicians in shaping societal change and promoting a universal message of hope and unity.

Dans cet épisode, Makhtar Diop reçoit Mohamed Moustafa, mieux connu sous le nom de Mamane. L’humoriste et entrepreneur créatif partage sa passion pour l'Afrique, ses défis et son avenir plein d’espoir. Il évoque le pouvoir de l’art comme catalyseur de changement et de sensibilisation des populations aux problématiques actuelles tel que le changement climatique, et son engagement pour la formation des jeunes.   

Mohamed “Mamane” Moustafa: Comedy as a Catalyst for Change  

In this episode, IFC’s Makhtar Diop sits down with Mohamed Moustafa better known as “Mamane”. The much-loved comedian and creative entrepreneur shares his passion for Africa, its challenges and its promising future. In addition to his commitment to training youth, Mamane also talks about the power of art as a catalyst for change and for raising awareness of issues such as climate change. 

On the occasion of World Environment Day, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Lewis Pugh, a renowned endurance swimmer and UNEP Patron of the Oceans. From plastic pollution to endangered penguins and disappearing coral reefs, Lewis recounts the daring swims that exposed him to the devastation that lurks beneath the serene surface of our seas. Throughout their discussion, a resounding message echoes: global unity and immediate action are needed to safeguard our seas and preserve the delicate balance of our planet.  

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, award-winning bassist and author Victor Wooten discusses the link between nature and music, the art of leadership, and the lessons we should heed as technology and artificial intelligence transform many facets of our lives including how we create and engage with music.  

This special episode of Creative Development with IFC brings together Makhtar Diop and legendary American bassist Marcus Miller. Against the backdrop of Black History Month the two discuss Miller’s journey with Miles Davis, the power of music and the song that inspired UNESCO to elect Miller spokesperson of the Slave Route Project.

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop is in conversation with South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini - the first African artist to be signed by the iconic jazz record label Blue Note. From Coltrane to African cosmology, the two engage in a thought provoking conversation driven by their mutual appreciation for music, history and culture.  

Dans cet épisode de Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop reçoit Neila Tazi, entrepreneure marocaine, parlementaire, fervente défenseure des arts et de la culture et fondatrice du Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde. Au cours de cette discussion riche et inspirante, Neila nous parle de l’Afrique et du monde arabe, intimement liés par la musique, l’art et l’histoire, de sa passion pour les relations humaines, tissées grâce à la musique et de son engagement à servir son pays, le Maroc. 

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop is in conversation with Neila Tazi, a Moroccan entrepreneur, parliamentarian, champion of arts and culture, and founder of the Gnaoua World Music Festival. In an informative and inspiring discussion Neila tells us about how Africa and the Arab world are intimately linked through music, art and history; her passion for the connections forged through music, and her commitment to serving her country, Morocco. 

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Managing Director Makhtar Diop talks to celebrated Indian actor Dia Mirza. The conversation reveals Dia’s deep-seated passion for the earth as inspired by her childhood in Hyderabad; and her tireless commitment to using her voice to champion environmental causes.

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with operatic soprano sensation Pretty Yende. Yende talks about her journey from a small town in South Africa to opera houses around the world, and the possibilities that arise when diverse voices are included in the global operatic mainstream.

In this episode of Creative Development, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with superstar footballer and AFCON Champion Edouard Mendy; goalkeeper for the Senegal national team as well as premier league club Chelsea FC. Mendy speaks about the importance of community, what football has taught him about teamwork and how that fuels his desire to support and invest in tech and youth education in Africa to build skills for the next generation.

The conversation is in French with English and French transcripts available at the following link.

In this episode, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop is in conversation with multi-award winning actress Vidya Balan.  A powerful agent of change, Vidya has paved the way for socially conscious storytelling with women in leading roles in Bollywood cinema. Vidya and Makhtar draw attention to crucial social issues in an inspiring discussion on women’s empowerment in India and beyond.

In this episode, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop chats with Thai actor, singer and environmental activist Alex Rendell. Together, they discuss the importance of youth education in protecting the world's natural environments, what can be done to mitigate marine plastic pollution and how learning based solutions can be applied across the globe. 

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, host Makhtar Diop talks to renowned Senegalese musician, activist, and former Minister for tourism, Youssou N’Dour. They discuss N’Dour’s award-winning international career; the relationship between music, sports, and culture; and the infrastructure and systems needed for the creative industry in Africa to better support artists. 

After the introduction, the conversation is in French. English and French transcripts are available at the following link.

Dans cet épisode de Creative Development with IFC, le directeur général Makhtar Diop s'entretient avec le célèbre musicien sénégalais, activiste et ancien ministre du tourisme, Youssou N'Dour. Ils discutent de la carrière internationale primée de N'Dour ; la relation entre la musique, le sport et la culture ; et l'infrastructure et les systèmes nécessaires à l'industrie créative en Afrique pour mieux soutenir les artistes.

Après l'introduction, la conversation est en français. Les transcriptions en anglais et en français sont disponibles au lien suivant.

In this episode of Creative Development, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with Idris Elba–actor, producer, humanitarian and UN Goodwill Ambassador for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Together, they discuss the importance of agricultural investment in Africa and the plight of smallholder farmers. This wide-ranging discussion about social justice enterprises and causes includes first-hand perspectives on the potential of the creative industry.

International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD)

S’able Labs - a project on coupledom by Idris and Sabrina Elba

In the fifth episode of Creative Development with IFC, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop talks to French-Tunisian artist eL Seed about his unique public art pieces in “calligraffiti”--a blend of Arabic calligraphy and graffiti. They also discuss the artist’s recent exhibit at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, where eL Seed was the only male artist to participate in the exhibit, and why it’s so important for men to get behind the cause of gender equality.

Related links:

eL Seed exhibits at the Women’s Pavilion, Expo 2020, in Dubai

eL Seed’s website

IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with Sauti Sol, one of Kenya’s most well-known afro-pop groups, to discuss the evolution of music education and copyrights in Africa, music as storytelling, and how artists can document and share the complexity of their sounds with the world.