Patricia Bebia Mawa is a leading figure in media and television in Canada, serving as the Executive Vice President of Silvertrust Media and Afroglobal Television. With over 20 television programmes to her credit, including hits like “The Visionaries” and “Standing Ovation,” she showcases her creative prowess as a producer, director, host and writer.
Patricia’s contributions have earned her numerous awards, including the Toronto Police Community Service Award and the International Women Achievers Award. She co-founded the Crossover Mentorship Programme and holds key leadership roles in industry institutions like the Reelworld Screen Institute and Trebas College’s Advisory Board. Patricia’s commitment to diversity and excellence is evident in her role in launching Afroglobal Television; and her co-authorship of the “150 Extraordinary Canadians Legacy” book further underscores her dedication to showcasing talent and diversity. Her journey is a testament to her passion for storytelling and empowering others in the Canadian media landscape. In this exclusive interview with ESTHER IJEWERE, she shares her story
Childhood influence
DURING my high school years, I actively engaged in the debating club, where I represented my school in various competitions. Additionally, I took part in impromptu speech contests, wrote plays for special programmes and served as a writer for our school bulletin. From a young age, I have harboured a deep passion for the arts. I was a very inquisitive child and always loved interacting with people. Looking back on my childhood, I feel as though I was destined to do what I do now.
Growing up in Nigeria is a gift. It prepares you for life. You learn early that you always have to find a way. There are no excuses. This mindset is a prerequisite for success.
Media journey and inspiration
My journey to becoming a Silvertrust Media and Afroglobal Television executive is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities and following one’s passion. While my initial career aspirations leaned towards Law, it was an unexpected encounter during my university years that set me on the path to a career in media and television. I had seen Oprah on satellite once and voiced that I wanted to be a television host one day.
As a student pursuing a degree in Political Science, I found myself drawn to the world of storytelling and performance. I discovered my knack for writing, moderating and directing plays showcased in church. It was during one of these productions that someone approached me with an opportunity to host a television show.
My debut in television hosting began with “Gospel Music Therapy” on NTA Calabar, in Cross River State, Nigeria. Despite being in my first year at the university at the time, I embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. From there, my career trajectory continued to evolve as I started hosting a popular daily talk show called “Lunch Date” on DBN Television in Lagos, Nigeria.
However, my journey took a significant turn when I made the life-changing decision to migrate to Canada in 2000. Upon arriving in Canada, I pursued further studies at Algonquin College of Science and Technology in multimedia, where I continued to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of the media landscape. There was a glaring gap in the Canadian media landscape – a lack of representation reflecting the experiences and issues of the African Canadian community.
Fueled by a desire to fill this void, we launched the groundbreaking Planet Africa show on OMNI TV across Canada. The programme quickly gained traction and became a platform for amplifying the voices and perspectives of Black Canadians. I served as President of the Planet Africa Group for a few years.
Building on the success of the Planet Africa show, we expanded our reach by launching three regularly scheduled magazines, namely, Planet Africa Magazine (now Excellence Magazine), Destiny Magazine and Diversity Magazine (now Envision Magazine). The vision culminated in the creation of Afroglobal Television in 2016, a 24-hour television channel dedicated to showcasing the richness and diversity of the Black community in Canada and internationally. Today, Afroglobal Television is proudly available on all major cable platforms in Canada, serving as a beacon of representation and empowerment. Silvertrust Media is currently the largest Black-owned media organisation in Canada.
The vision behind Afroglobal
Afroglobal is like the zenith of our vision and work. People of African descent encompass a rich tapestry of experiences and backgrounds. Some were born on the continent itself, while others hail from regions like the Caribbean, the United States, Brazil and even Canada. Additionally, individuals of Indian descent and various other ethnicities have deep roots in Africa, considering it their ancestral home. As such, anyone with ties to Africa is warmly embraced as part of the Afroglobal family. Afroglobal Television is committed to magnifying the voices and narratives of people of African heritage worldwide.
Our mission is to feature programming that showcases the experiences and aspirations of people of African heritage, fostering a more authentic and positive representation.
Our vision transcends borders and cultures, delivering unique content that informs, empowers, uplifts and entertains. We present balanced perspectives that celebrate the diversity, richness and complexity of African culture and heritage. This sets us apart from most mainstream media agencies, which showcase mostly negative stories regarding people of African descent and the continent.
Omobella Palace: Creative vision and diversity
My creative vision for the series is rooted in exploring cultural identity, resilience in the face of adversity, and complex family dynamics. Through Omobella’s journey as a budding musician navigating the entertainment industry while grappling with her Nigerian-Italian heritage, I explore a narrative that resonates with diverse audiences.
The goal is to authentically depict the multicultural fabric of Toronto and the complexities of Omobella’s background. I weave together a diverse range of experiences and perspectives by involving people from different cultural backgrounds, including Omobella’s mother from Nigeria and father from Italy, as well as staff members who speak Jamaican Patois fluently and a very diverse cast.
One of the most interesting things about the series is the setting of Omobella Palace, a fusion restaurant named after the main character, which serves as a melting pot of cultures and a celebration of diversity. In both Nigerian and Italian cultures, food is of great importance and is a symbol of unity and heritage.
In portraying Omobella’s romantic entanglements and family struggles, I present nuanced and versatile characters, who defy stereotypes and showcase the intricacy of human relationships. The themes of love, self-discovery and loss foster empathy and understanding while showcasing the diverse experiences of certain facets of society.
My most exciting project yet is a feature film titled “The Life Coach”, which is set to be released later this year. The groundbreaking film delves into the dichotomies of success, unveiling the contrast between public success and private struggles and underscoring the importance of tackling mental health behind the facade of achievements.
Awards and accolades: Influence on work and advocacy
Being recognised for my work with multiple awards and accolades is a testament to my commitment to my work and the community. I see the awards as validation of the impact of my contributions, and this reinforces my resolve to keep striving for excellence in my endeavours. Also, these achievements bolster my advocacy efforts by lending credibility and visibility to the causes I champion. Awards are more than just a pat on the back; they are like a cloak of responsibility to do better.
Crossover Mentorship Programme: Inspiration and impact
Summer 2005 was described as the summer of the gun, as many young lives were lost to gun violence. We collaborated with several organisations to execute programmes tailored for Black youth to alleviate the situation. In 2008, we decided to launch an ongoing programme to ensure that our young people are exposed to role models. The Crossover Mentorship Programme is a six-track youth mentorship initiative that includes career, academics, leadership, entrepreneurship, life coaching and the creation of a personal blueprint for success for each participant. Most of the participants are youths from the African Canadian community.
We have also implemented a province-wide youth-focused initiative called United Voices, which culminated with the production of five tool kits located at unitedvoiceswin.com. The toolkits promote positive images of Black people and empower youth with strong cultural identities. The initiative was supported by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Reelworld Foundation chair’s diversity strategy
As the chair of the board of directors of Reelworld Foundation and a member of the Advisory Board of Trebas College, part of the Global University Systems, my overarching goal is to advance diversity and inclusion in the media landscape through strategic partnerships and initiatives. Reelworld provides access and opportunities for underrepresented talents in the media industry. Our programmes and initiatives foster diversity in storytelling, talent development and industry representation. We prioritise mentorship, training and networking opportunities for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the industry and share their stories authentically.
As a member of the Advisory Board of Trebas College, I lend my voice to ensuring that diversity is an integral component of the college’s curriculum and initiatives to cultivate an innovative generation of media professionals who are equipped to foster diversity and inclusivity in their work. My commitment is to drive systemic change and create pathways for underrepresented talents to thrive in the media industry.
Challenges
Before migrating to Canada, I hosted a daily talk show called Lunch Date on DBN Television in Lagos, Nigeria. Many people told me when I first arrived in Canada that because I had a foreign accent, I would never be on TV here. Having grown up in Nigeria, I never thought that my race or accent was a problem. Everyone looked like me and understood me. Now that I was in place, everything I did was put under a microscope. I had to get used to repeating myself.
When I applied for jobs, I was told that I did not have Canadian experience. My university degree did not count. The first thing I did was pursue further studies at Algonquin College of Science and Technology, where I studied multimedia.
While at Algonquin, I worked at Walmart as an overnight stocker. As soon as I concluded my programme, I created Planet Africa, a web portal to help African Canadian businesses promote their services online. At this time, we had pitched a show to OMNI TV and were turned down a few times, but perseverance paid off, as in September 2002, the Planet Africa show debuted on OMNI, marking my return to television within two years of arriving in Canada.
As an immigrant in any country, you have to be twice as good to be reckoned with. Advertisers also do not believe in the African-Canadian community. So, getting advertisers and sponsors for our initiatives proved difficult. However, we have found creative ways to engage with major corporations. Our commitment to excellence and resilience has been the bedrock of our accomplishments. For us, giving up is not an option. We don’t stop when we get weary, but when the job is done. Canada is a great country and the opportunities we have as immigrants are unique, as we have the prospect of bringing something different to the table. If you see the challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, you can attain great heights.
Launching a 24-hour television channel in Canada was not easy. The biggest challenge was raising the capital required. We also had to get the channel on the major cable platforms in the country. We had to convince them of the economic viability of the channel and show that we had enough programming to engage the audience.
The fact that we were already entrenched in the community made it easy for us to engage stakeholders and promote the channel. Before launching Afroglobal, we had produced various programmes that were on Vision TV, YES TV, Rogers TV and OMNI. The experience helped us create 15 original programmes within such a short time. We have a team of dedicated and very innovative individuals who know how to do much with little. We were also able to tap into our relationships with some Nollywood producers to acquire broadcast rights for their films.
Three women who influenced her journey
Three amazing women who have profoundly influenced my journey and continue to inspire me are Oprah Winfrey, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Dr. Jean Augustine.
As a young girl growing up, I recall being fascinated with Oprah’s presence and confidence while watching her on satellite television. I voiced my thoughts loudly, which embarrassed me, as there were people around. I said, “I would like to do this someday.” Little did I know that those words would manifest into reality. It was pure divine orchestration. Like Oprah, I have gone on to host TV shows, publish magazines, co-own and launch a 24-hour TV channel, and now produce films. I just realised how similar our journeys have been. I met her twice last year, and it was just an unexplainable experience.
Oprah’s journey from adversity to triumph serves as a constant reminder of the limitless potential that resides within each of us, inspiring me to dream big, work hard and make a positive impact in the world.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s historic attainment as the first female president of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state is nothing short of remarkable. Her integrity, leadership and commitment to rebuilding her country after years of intense conflict demonstrate the transformative power of strong leadership. I interviewed her recently and was surprised to learn that, at 84 years old, she is still pursuing her dreams. She is actively involved in the establishment of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Centre for Women and Development.
Dr. Jean Augustine’s achievements as the first Black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada and her subsequent tenure as deputy speaker and cabinet minister are very inspiring. This is a woman who came to Canada as a domestic worker but had a vision for her future. Her advocacy for diversity, equity and social justice has left an indelible mark on Canadian society, paving the way for future generations of female leaders. These women are like wings beneath my wings. They make me feel like I have not scratched the surface in terms of what is possible.
Being a Woman of Rubies
I am committed to using my platform to empower and strengthen women, both during and after Women’s History Month. I endeavour to ensure that the accomplishments of women from various backgrounds are heard by sharing their stories through Afroglobal Television, our magazines and other projects. Empower Her is an Afroglobal talk show that aims to inspire, enlighten and support women to tackle the unique challenges they face. Best practices and tips are shared to establish the right posture for success, the spirit of excellence, the attitude for overcoming obstacles, and the wisdom to remain successful.
We highlight activities, conversations and gatherings that showcase the achievements and experiences of women, giving them a forum to express their perspectives and motivate others. In addition, I work with organisations that share my passion for empowering women and advancing gender equality to foster an environment where women are valued and encouraged to pursue their goals.
