I am Baraka Leo, a Tanzanian curator, cultural producer, and arts manager working across visual arts, electronic music, and interdisciplinary storytelling. With a background in Accounting & Finance and extensive experience in the East African creative sector, I have built a practice rooted in cultural preservation, community engagement, and innovative artistic collaboration. I currently manage the Midimu Collective—Tanzania’s first electronic music collective—and lead projects that connect artists, audiences, and institutions through meaningful cultural experiences.

My core passion lies in expanding how African stories are communicated through the arts. I am deeply committed to transforming how Tanzanian and African creatives arerepresented, both within the continent and globally. I aim to create platforms that empower artists, nurture emerging talent, and position creative work as a tool for healing, community-building, and cultural diplomacy. In the long run, my impact will focus on building sustainable creative ecosystems—spaces where artists can grow, where audiences can access diverse artistic experiences, and where African cultural narratives can flourish without limitation.

I joined the 30U30 Mentorship Program because I wanted to strengthen my leadership in cultural communication and connect with a network that understands the future of African arts. My experience so far has been enriching—my mentor provides clarity, structure, and strategic guidance that is already shaping how I build creative programs and communicate impact. Through this mentorship, I am learning to refine my voice as a cultural leader, scale my ideas, and position my work within broader African and global conversations about creativity and innovation.