Stephanie Hazle Lyle hails from Kingston, Jamaica and being the first born of four children, she is everything you would expect in a big sister and then some. Always drawn to people and their stories, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication, and specialised in social marketing. With an appetite for creating social impact on the local and global stage, Stephanie formed the organization, Girls First International in 2017.
She has an extensive background in the performing arts, and a former Miss Jamaica World Runner-Up title, making her no stranger to public presentation and audience engagement. Her career thus far has spanned involvement in theatre, film, advertising and communication. She proudly represents the Jamaican film community as the current President of Women in Film and Television Jamaica (WIFTJA).
Samad Davis from USA stands at the crossroads of arts,
technology, sports, and business, dedicating his work to
fostering cultural bridges between the United States and
Africa. As a U.S.-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, and
international financier for film and television, Samad has
carved an impressive career spanning well over two
decade.
His extensive business network, which spans the U.S.,
Africa, Europe, UAE, Asia, and India, underscores his
commitment to cultivating business and trade
opportunities between the U.S. private sector and Africa's
burgeoning markets. His global partnerships have
enabled him to seamlessly integrate diverse business
sectors, uniting Hollywood with African content creation,
marrying brands with content and ad agencies, and
linking brands with his unique digital branding
integration technology. The culmination of these efforts is
a fusion with large-scale television networks and
streaming platforms that reaches an international
audience.
Self-identifying as a Pan Africanist, Samad has journeyed
across the length and breadth of Africa, visiting 18
countries and accumulating a deep understanding of
the African landscape. This insight fuels his company,
Pan Africa Group Holdings Trust.
Beyond his impact in the film and media sectors,
Samad's professional trajectory has also led him into the
mining industry, a field he has dominated for nearly two
decades. He has possessed mining assets between
Western & Southern regions of Africa and has designed
an all-encompassing blueprint for mining operations. As
the leader of the African portfolio at VMF Exploration
Services, Samad employs satellite exploration
technology to identify precious metals with 98%
accuracy, reaching depths of up to 8km.
Leveraging his extensive global mining network, Samad
has founded an investment branch within Pan Africa
Group Holdings. This critical move has facilitated
bringing mining assets online, with recent endeavors
valued at more than $2 billion. These assets are pivotal in
the ongoing electric vehicle revolution.
Angela White, from USA is an esteemed film producer and Producers Guild of America member focuses on
creating a lasting impact rather than chasing fame. With degrees from the University of
Delaware, Rutgers University, and New York Law School, Angela uses her academic
background to make a significant mark in the entertainment industry. She founded the production
company Silver Lining Entertainment, the innovative online platform "Backstage Pass to the
Movie Industry ®," and the charitable organization "Dreamers with Purpose." Angela is
recognized for her pioneering work on the faith-based film "A Question of Faith" and her
collaborations with prominent talent in productions such as “Who’s Cheating Who,” “A La
Carte,” “The Inspection,” “Lace,” “Snap,” and the “Comedy Underground Series,” which
she created.
Taking on new challenges, Angela has expanded her talents into screenwriting and directing,
with works like "Transgress" and the critically acclaimed "Hands Up" demonstrating her
dynamic and evolving abilities. Her commitment to storytelling takes a global perspective with
her upcoming film "Nine," set in Accra, Ghana. Angela's dedication to nurturing talent extends
to mentoring the next generation, ensuring her vision continues to shape the future of film making.
Wendy Parkies from South Africa is dedicated to fostering deeper content relationships between South Africa and the African diaspora in Canada, Jamaica, America, and most recently Korea. Through her active participation in global conferences and festivals, she has become a respected voice on cross-continental co-productions and global content distribution. Wendy has shared her insights on various global panels, emphasizing the importance of bridging cultural narratives and fostering partnerships in media, film, and television. Her work continues to unite diverse cultural perspectives, advancing the creative industries and strengthening connections between Africa and its diaspora.
