Creator | Executive Producer | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Expert (DEI Expert)
I'm Martin Kabutey Adjovu, but most people know me as "Nene Kabutey." I was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and my passion for entertainment started at a young age. I got my start on shows like Hobby Time, by the Fireside, Tsetsekulee, and other kids' shows on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
My talent and hard work allowed me to work with different beauty pageants in Ghana, including Miss. Malaika, Face of Legon, Face of Accra Poly, Face of Jayee, and Model of the Universe Ghana, among others, with the help of Afriken by Nana, a well-known fashion designer in Ghana and West Africa.
After leaving Ghana, I found ways to stay involved in the entertainment industry. I worked for New York Fashion Week, Plitz Fashion Marketing, Los Angeles and Houston Fashion Weeks as a model and showrunner before joining Warner Bros. Studios as a general clerk and tour guide. Working in the Warner Bros. Studio operations department allowed me to work with shows such as Ellen’s Game of Games, Ellen Show, Conan, The Real, and other special events, where I assisted in audience and guest coordinating. After AT&T acquired Warner Bros., I became the first Diversity Outreach Coordinator for Warner Media.
I then landed a role at Nike, where I worked with their University Relations and Recruiting Programs team. I helped bring diverse talent into the company from HBCUs, HIS, TC, and different marginalized and minority institutions.
My determination for success led me to become the first Ghanaian, Founder and First President of the Alpha Delta Theta chapter of Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society at the illustrious Texas Southern University, where I received my BA in Broadcast Journalism. I also hold an MSc in Journalism Innovation and an MA in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in Florida.
Currently, I'm the host of the Saturday Shade podcast, which has over 23,000 listeners across the globe. As a multi-talented individual in the entertainment space, I've directed and produced a few shows across the country. My podcast Saturday Shade filmed an upcoming season in Ghana (Saturday Shade Ghana Edition) in collaboration with TwinsDntbeg & Swag of Africa (IG @swagofafricanews & @twinsdntbeg), which premieres on Saturday, May 20th on YouTube and other podcast platforms (CLICK HERE). In my spare time, I model and enjoy eating and traveling.
What were the biggest initial hurdles you faced and how did you overcome them?
It’s always the first step to making your dreams a reality and sometimes wanting people to believe in you, especially close family, and friends. When that support isn’t coming in, it can get extremely frustrating, and you might want to give up. I allow myself to go through those emotions, then I get right back to the zeal that keeps me moving, which has been extremely helpful. “I always strive to get to the top and nothing stops me from that”.
What advice do you have for young people locally and internationally who are just starting out in their careers or pursuing their passions?
I will start by saying Hard Work, Perseverance, Dedication, and Commitment should be their focus. Oftentimes, people think you must travel outside your country before you can make it. Yes, it has worked for others and that was their journey, and your journey might not be the same. I will say start where you are, and your Talents and work will sell themselves locally and internationally.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @saturdayshade (Show page) & @Kabutey (Personal)
Email: sswithnenekabutey@yahoo.com
Website: https://linktr.ee/Kabutey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SSwithNKabutey