Rewriting the African Story
Our Mission
Globally, there’s a growing realization that the freshest music, most captivating untold stories and most relatable culture is found in Africa. Africa Creative Agency was launched in 2016 as the cultural and creative intersection between Africa and the world. ACA’s core mission is to build an ecosystem to ensure African talent receives elite representation and maximizes their economic potential.
Our Vision
We provide passionate representation of the African people. We are dedicated to not only representing the best African talent, but also creating partnerships with them to develop their creativity and ensure that they’re connected to the best global entertainment platforms to showcase their talents.
Our strategic business model incorporates talent representation, label services, music publishing, production (script-to-screen film and series development, and live event properties) and strategic infrastructure ownership (studios, content hubs).
With our unparalleled understanding of global entertainment, and our boots-on-the-ground knowledge of Africa and its key storytellers, we connect the African entertainment industry to the rest of the world.
Meet The LEADERSHIP Team
Co-Founder & Partner
Kevin Boakye is an experienced investment executive with over 15 years of private equity and investment banking expertise. Kevin has executed over $1 billion worth of transactions across the technology, media and telecommunications, consumer and healthcare sectors. He also has unique experience leveraging the intersections of gaming and music, including leading business development for Africa’s leading mobile games publisher, Carry1st. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds an AB degree from Dartmouth College.
Founder & CEO
Colin Gayle is an entertainment industry executive with over 25 years of diverse entertainment experience as a manager, TV producer, event producer and booking agent. Having worked on the continent for over 20 years, Colin is an expert on the intersection between Africa and the U.S. He has advised multiple media and entertainment conglomerates on opportunities for sports, technology and entertainment engagement on the continent.
CO-FOUNDER & COO
With over 25 years of media experience, Yvette Davis Gayle brings a wealth of knowledge to ACA. Formerly the Head Of Urban Publicity at Interscope Geffen A&M, Yvette crafted campaigns for a host of multiplatinum artists. She led the PR efforts for artists signed to Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, Dreamville Records, and Shady Records. Yvette was named one of Billboard Magazine’s Women In Music: Executives in 2020. A graduate of West Virginia University, Yvette is also a member of The Recording Academy.
Co-Founder & Head of Business Development
Roger L. Patton is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. A former business and legal affairs executive for the Music division of Warner Bros., Roger has over 30 years of experience in drafting and negotiating complex music agreements. He serves as Head of Global Business Development and General Counsel for Africa Creative Agency, based in the Los Angeles office.
Co-Founder & Partner
Joel Rao draws from a deep digital marketing experience and business solutions development to fuel all-encompassing marketing, entertainment and communication initiatives across the globe. A believer in creating practical solutions to complex challenges through digital technology, Joel is regarded as the modern “Digital Mad Man.” He has garnered a number of awards, including eCommerce Agency of the Year, Top 25 Men in Digital, MSK Digital Agency of the Year, and The MMA Smarties award.