Leslie \u2018Lee\u2019 Kasumba is a visionary strategist and storyteller who shapes Africa\u2019s future on the global creative and intellectual stage. As the Founder and CEO of She Speaks Africa (SSA) Global, she builds new narratives, frameworks, and possibilities for the continent\u2014shifting the global conversation from visibility to impact.<\/p>\n
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At the helm of She Speaks Africa, Lee leads a dynamic agency that uses culture and creativity to connect brands and governments with Pan-African and diasporan audiences. SSA partners with multinational corporations, international development organizations, non-profits, government agencies, and individuals to clearly communicate Africa-focused projects. Under Lee\u2019s leadership, the agency elevates African ingenuity through mixed media, storytelling, and cultural consultancy\u2014showcasing the continent in authentic and compelling ways.<\/p>\n
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With a global outlook and deep local insight, SSA helps partners attract, engage, and grow audiences organically. The agency has become a trusted strategic partner for organizations including Canal+, Spotify, Nestl\u00e9 CWAR, Platoon (Apple Music), African Tax Administration Forum, E! Entertainment, Africa Fashion International (AFI), Kunda Kids, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NBC Universal, L\u2019Or\u00e9al Paris, NBA Africa, and Vlisco.<\/p>\n
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As a master conversationalist, Lee engages influential figures in substantive, agenda-setting dialogue. She is the host of the three-time internationally award-nominated podcast\u00a0The Africa Whisperer. On her previous platform,\u00a0The Africa State of Mind, she interviewed leaders including:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Former and first female VP of South Africa; former Executive Director of UN Women)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nima Elbagir (CNN International award-winning senior journalist)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tewolde Gebremariam (Former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Black Coffee (Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Amadou Gallo Fall (President of Basketball Africa)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Acha Leke (Chairman of McKinsey\u2019s Africa Region)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade (Mr Eazi) (singer, songwriter, record executive)<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sir Richard Branson and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, among others<\/p>\n
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Convening Leaders & Shaping Policy<\/b><\/p>\n
Lee\u2019s influence spans sectors through her ability to convene leaders and elevate policy conversations. She moderated a powerful panel at the Glitz Female CEO Summit titled\u00a0\u201cAlternative Funding Sources for Women\u201d\u00a0with Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh (Brainwave Tech Africa), Yvette Adounvo Atekpe (Internet Solutions), and Pearl Esua-Mensah (Feniks Ltd; Ashesi University).<\/p>\n
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At Her Summit (hosted by Nkem Onwudiwe), she led a conversation with Abokuma Ellis on the discipline, resilience, and quiet victories behind scaling a journey.<\/p>\n
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Her strategic insights are sought by policy and development bodies worldwide. She has been a featured panelist at the Attorney General Alliance (AGA) Africa Annual Conference, engaged with AUDA-NEPAD on communications strategies, and hosted the event\u00a0\u201c\u2018Africanness\u2019 for the Africa We Want\u201d\u00a0with former First Lady of South Africa, Gra\u00e7a Machel.<\/p>\n
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Building Pan-African Media Foundations<\/b><\/p>\n
Lee\u2019s vision is grounded in building Pan-African platforms from the ground up. She was one of the founding producers of the Africa Magic Viewers\u2019 Choice Awards (AMVCAs), served as Executive Producer for\u00a0Big Brother Africa, and as Head of Channel O Africa, oversaw the channel\u2019s expansion across East, West, and Central Africa.<\/p>\n
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For Standard Bank\u2019s\u00a0Africa Connected, she traveled from Ethiopia to Nigeria, Ghana to C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, and Mozambique, distilling complex narratives on emerging economies and innovation.<\/p>\n
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In December 2025, she demonstrated her versatility as the MC for\u00a0Resonance, the official launch of The New House Church led by Pastor David and Lady Vanessa King.<\/p>\n
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Creative Excellence & Global Recognition<\/b><\/p>\n
Lee\u2019s expertise is recognized internationally by organizations that value her judgment and creative direction. She serves as a seasonal judge for the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee. Her craft is also celebrated\u2014she is an award-winning voiceover artist honored by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS).<\/p>\n
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Her global ambassador role was highlighted by Uganda Airlines in a story on\u00a0\u201cThe Ugandans Breaking Global Barriers.\u201d\u00a0Across boardrooms and creative spaces, Lee curates conversations that shape how Africa is seen\u2014locally, globally, and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":30790,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-30791","presenter","type-presenter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"acf":{"presenter_description":"Leslie \u2018Lee\u2019 Kasumba is a visionary strategist and storyteller who shapes Africa\u2019s future on the global creative and intellectual stage","show":[4292]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter\/30791"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/presenter"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter\/30791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34465,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/presenter\/30791\/revisions\/34465"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/show\/4292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}