Virtual Training Takes Off for CO-CARE Cohort Two, Empowering Creatives from Kiambu, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi Counties

By: Salome Asena and Ken Waudo (Across Solutions)

USIU-Africa CO-CARE Program held a successful recruitment phase, the County Creative Arts, Residence and Empowerment (CO-CARE) Project, a collaboration between United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) and Across Solutions, has launched its second cohort with a fully virtual training program. This Cohort unlike the first, which combined both virtual and physical sessions will be majorly virtual, with physical interactions scheduled and planned for later stages.

Our focus remains steadfast: empowering young creatives to formalize their crafts and transform their passions into sustainable careers with monetizing opportunities and exposure. These transcending actions reflect the growing demand for digital spaces occupation as a future for the creative economy globally and some lessons learned and carried on from our first intake, which successfully trained 497 creatives across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Kiambu counties.

We approached the recruitment process with renewed vigor, emphasizing greater participation representation, and inclusivity. Our awareness and promotional campaigns are showcased by a diverse set of role models, reflecting the wide range of talents we hope to nurture. After a rigorous two-week physical cohort 2 recruitment interviews, we proceeded with baseline data collection, and talent mock auditions, ensuring the selected individuals are talented, passionate and resilient with their talents. These creatives cut across various UNESCO-recognized genres, including; performing arts - music, dance, theatre, and the audiovisual arts -painting, drawing, photography, cinematography, culinary, and digital arts, each ready to be transformed into professional, sustainable career paths.

Virtual Training: Laying the Groundwork

Our virtual training, which started on October 7, 2024, spans essential modules that are designed to foster insights, not only creative growth but also sustainable business opportunities in the sector

The Life Skills module introduced participants to key emotional intelligence practices, problem-solving techniques, and adaptability, all of which are crucial for succeeding in the rapidly changing creative industry. By learning how to navigate challenges with resilience, the young creatives were better positioned to make the most of their opportunities.

In the Entrepreneurial Artist module, participants learned about the monetizing opportunities available for their artistic pursuits, turning passion into a profitable and sustainable livelihood. This component highlighted the importance of developing a business thinker mindset, ensuring that the creatives understood how to market and scale their artistic ventures commercially.

The Financial Literacy training taught participants on basics of financial management on their earnings, focusing on budgeting, saving, and investing. These skills were crucial, especially given the unpredictability often experienced in creative careers on rainy days. By mastering financial planning, the young creatives could secure their economic future.

The Legal and Ethical Issues module opened the mentees on legal issues affecting directly their trade including trademarks, industrial designs and patents, rights and protection of intellectual property, navigating legal frameworks and understanding contracts. Participants gained insight into the importance of ethical business practices, helping them to establish a foundation of trust and professionalism in their creative endeavors.

Personal Branding and Digital Marketing allowed participants to hone their ability to position themselves effectively in the industry as a valuable brand/product. They learned those marketing skills by cultivating a unique personal brand and product, creating relevant content that resonates well with their target audience and leveraging digital platforms to expand their visibility, reach, and monetiziation.

Another significant aspect of the training was sensitization on Gender and Sexual Harassment Awareness, in which participants were made aware of the gender dynamics within the working atmosphere and how to help foster a culture of safe, respectful environment for all creatives to live in. This module was instrumental in ensuring that the participants understood their rights and responsibilities in creating and maintaining a harassment-free professional space.

Lastly, the Social Media Analytics module equipped the young creatives with the skills to track and understand their audience's engagement and preferences. By analyzing social media performance, participants learned how to adapt their content to align with audience demands, thus growing their following and boosting their creative career viability.

These modules worked in tandem to provide a holistic education that not only focused on artistic development but also laid the groundwork for sustainable business practices. The training aimed to prepare participants to formalize the business of creative economic practice, ensuring that they could thrive in the creative industry and secure livelihoods for themselves, sustainably.

After the successful completion of the virtual training, the next phase will involve physical sessions, where participants will be hands-on and receive more personal mentorship and guidance from seasoned practitioners. As we continue to support these promising creatives, we are actively seeking employers interested in offering employment and internship opportunities within the creative economy set up to deploy the various CO-CARE beneficiaries. Those interested in participating on this initiative can reach us at sasena@usiu.ac.ke and copy cocare@usiu.ac.ke, or call +254 733 683 097 or physically visit CO-CARE offices at USIU-Africa premises.

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