Freedom Vibes Academy Alumni Engagement: June 2026 Impact Report
In June 2026, Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) continued to empower its growing network of Freedom Vibes Academy (FVA) alumni, driving impactful, arts-based advocacy through dedicated Alumni Engagement Sessions on June 11 and 25. These data-driven convenings focused on measurable campaign strategies, rigorous alumni evaluation and the strategic premiere of new advocacy content aimed at shifting public mindsets and empowering marginalized voices.
Strategic Outcomes & Key Highlights
- Anti-Xenophobia Campaign Productions: The sessions reviewed the ongoing “Say No to Xenophobia” campaign, formally establishing a cohesive digital strategy to maximize visibility around the #HomeBeyondBorders campaign. The convenings showcased five original art-based advocacy videos successfully produced by distinguished alumni: Ricqy Ultra, Austin Telojo Kanwei, Ahmad Mubarak Tanimu (2025 FVA Award 1st Runner-Up), Tijay Webster (2023/2024 FVA Award winner) and Oladimeji Gabriel (whose moving video, HOME, championed African unity and shared humanity). Together, these productions leverage creative storytelling to challenge xenophobia and promote solidarity across Africa.
- “Her Right” Premiere & Strategic Expansion: The June 25 session culminated in the highly anticipated virtual premiere of “Her Right,” a powerful spoken-word project by Aisha Indabawa (Aisha Sani Lawan), the winner of the 2025 FVA Award. The production boldly challenges the systemic barriers and silence surrounding the denial of girl-child education as a fundamental right.
- Creative Execution: The project strategically deployed the Hausa language to complement English for regional relatability and featured a male voice (2025 alumnus Ali Lawan) to model cross-gender allyship and community accountability.
- Future Trajectory: To expand the campaign’s grassroots impact, advocacy efforts will transition to physical, school-based screenings in Kano, alongside planned international premieres.
- Institutional Backing: This premiere serves as a key milestone in UVA’s Freedom Vibes on the Move initiative, proudly supported by the Bertha Foundation following UVA’s recognition as a winner of the Bertha Artivism Award 2026.
- Alumni Evaluation & Recognition:
Beyond content premieres, the June 25 engagement served as a platform to celebrate the artistic and advocacy growth of the academy’s cohorts spanning from 2021 to 2025. During the convening, UVA formally recognized the top ten most engaging alumni, sharing upcoming strategic plans to further support their grassroots advocacy initiatives and integrate them in the broader Freedom Vibes advocacy work.
