Maïmouna Jallow
Communications Manager | Writer | Multidisciplinary Artist
My professional journey spans journalism, communications, and artistic leadership. I began at the BBC World Service in 2003, producing flagship programs and covering significant global events. Transitioning from journalism, I became a communications officer for Médecins Sans Frontières in the Horn of Africa, managing communications during critical humanitarian emergencies. This experience deepened my understanding of strategic communication in complex environments. I later worked for the African Media Initiative, managing a million-dollar grant-making programme for African journalists from inception to conclusion.
In 2016, I co-founded Positively African, a Nairobi- based organization that leverages storytelling and creative arts as tools for social and political change. Through this platform, I developed comprehensive cultural programs, facilitated workshops, and produced international storytelling festivals.
As a filmmaker, writer, and theatre director, I create works that celebrate my African heritage and challenge dominant narratives. My debut film Tales of the Accidental City received multiple international awards, including the Audience Award at Cine Invisible and Best Experimental Film at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival. I've also adapted literary works for stage, such as The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, by Lola Shoneyin, which I toured internationally.
My publications include children's books, an anthology of reimagined African folktales, and contributions to various literary collections. I hold a Master's in African Studies from SOAS, University of London.
Maimouna has a vast and diverse experience working in the creative field both as a performer (Storyteller, writer, producer) and creative manager. Her broad experience was crucial for the implementation of some of the activities of the EU co-funded project "ArtXChange – Connecting Creative Youth in Africa and Europe"
Maimouna is a selfless, self-motivated and time conscious consultant who proved utmost effectiveness and efficiency in her assignment. She is someone who I would never hesitate to recommend in any assignment that describes her mettle.
Ms. Jallow is a highly-competent communications expert and brings great breadth and depth to her communications work given her experience in media, non-profit sector, performing arts and film making. She was able to craft and run the training program in a way that is suitable and relevant to participants from CEWARN’s national and regional constituencies. Ms. Jallow is also strategic, thoughtful and easy to work with.
I am a long-term collaborator of Maimouna’s, having worked with her on EAST in 2017 running the writing master classes and on EAST 2019 in an advisory capacity. This year (2021), we have invited her to be the Artistic Director of our hybrid residency, guiding the artists as they explore the theme of Lost + Found. As an artist herself, who has produced work across disciplines, including theatre and film, and who interrogates relationships between past and present in creating contemporary stories rooted in traditional African storytelling forms, her engagement with the project is an asset.
In our current and previous collaborations, Maimouna has always ensured broad consultation with all members taking part in the project. She is hands on, present every step of the way, from inception and beyond. Her emphasis on tailoring content for the needs of the participants and creating safe spaces for collaboration means that her workshops are engaging, relevant and build the capacity of participants to engage with storytelling as a form of self-expression and a tool to influence societal change in the long-term.
