MACHERI SAMUELS, HEAD OF OPERATIONS, DREAM ENTERTAINMENT

I am Macheri Samuels, head of operations at Dream Entertainment with over a decade of experience in the entertainment and event management industry. We are responsible for events across the globe such as Dream Wknd and Xodus Carnival, as well as local events and marketing campaigns for numerous corporate clients.

Though events and entertainment is renowned as a male-dominated field, we have been able to ensure gender diversity in our leadership roles and decision-making processes by having a balanced representation of women and men in key positions. And because of this we also have the opportunity to advocate for, and collaborate with other like-minded organisations and even many other women-led organisations when executing various projects, which help to support and drive positive change on a broader scale.

Investing in myself and other women/girls to accelerate progress and empowerment is a continuous commitment, not only in my professional life with Dream, but also in my personal life. I cannot highlight enough the importance of surrounding oneself with a community for mentorship and support and the immense impact this has had as we provide guidance, resources, encouragement and celebrate each other’s achievements as we inspire one another to fulfill our potential.

Personally, I prioritise ongoing learning and development and have been currently dedicating my time and resources to a few new projects that aim to provide mentorship and support to the wider community. One being The Scholar, an edutainment game show that essentially provides equal opportunities through scholarships for persons to further their education after the secondary level. Applications are now open on the website thescholar.tv
and so far, it is clear that many girls have seen this as an opportunity for advancement. Recently I also launched, Ask The Event Experts, an online platform to peel back the curtain on the events and entertainment industry, answering questions and sharing insider tips for anyone interested in elevating their skills. By sharing my knowledge, and experience, I strive to uplift others and create a ripple effect of empowerment within our community and I hope that my leading by example will inspire other women to join the industry.

In essence, by championing inclusion, providing opportunities, and investing in the development of women and girls, I believe we will accelerate progress towards an even more equitable and empowered society.