Celebs Spotted at GUBA 2025: From Nollywood Legends to NFL Stars, Here's Who Pulled Up to Barbados
- Sahndra Fon Dufe
- Nov 14
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Bridgetown, Barbados – Listen, the GUBA Trade & Investment Forum isn't your average conference. This is what happens when you mix high-stakes business with culture, purpose, and a guest list that looks like the Oscars decided to collaborate with the African Union.
From NFL stars to Nollywood royalty, civil rights icons to Afrobeats architects, Barbados became the epicenter of Black excellence last week. And honey, everyone showed up.
Here's the rundown of who made history:
ACTUAL ROYALTY PULLED UP
Let's start at the top: His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene King of the Ashanti Kingdom, touched down in Barbados, and it was a MOMENT. We're talking about the first time an African king has made this journey for a trade mission. Four hundred years after our ancestors were taken in chains, a king arrived in partnership.
The symbolism? #wakandaforever
Also in attendance: President Sandra Mason Barbados, who hosted the King and dignitaries throughout the week. This was diplomacy at it's finest.
The Diaspora Powerhouses
Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE-the woman, the myth, the legend. As Founder & President of GUBA Enterprise, she's the architect of this entire movement. She's been connecting Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora for years, and GUBA 2025 is proof that her vision is changing the world.
Aisha Maina, the powerhouse known for bridging the Africa-Caribbean gap through her work with St. Kitts and Nevis, showed up ready to build partnerships that actually move the needle.
Stephanie Busari, former CNN lead for the Africa desk and founder of SBB Media, brought her storytelling expertise and media influence. When she's in the room, you know the narrative is about to shift.
Dr. Ky Dele, Principal of Connecting One Million Women in Trade (C1WT), announced Barbados as the first Caribbean country onboarded to the network. She's advancing women in trade across the Atlantic, and we're here for every bit of it.
THE NOLLYWOOD TAKEOVER
Tola Odunsi brought his A-game. The Nigerian filmmaker, producer, and director, well-known for his celebrated TV show Men's Club-premiered his film "19" at GUBA for the first time ever, and the audience was on their feet. From Prime Minister Mia Mottley to everyday Bajans who flocked the hall in numbers, everyone connected with this important film on fraud and its relationship to the youth. Starring powerhouse names including William Benson and Bisola Aiyeola, "19" made such an impression on Barbados Minister of Education Chad Blackman, who immediately announced plans to bring the film into schools nationwide.
That's how you make an impact.
Stan Nze delivered a performance in "19" that had everyone talking. The post-screening Q&A? Electric. This man's range is unmatched, and he proved it on the biggest stage.
Sola Sobowale THE Nollywood legend, in person graced us with her presence and reminded everyone why she's royalty. From King of Boys to "19," she continues to redefine what it means to be a veteran in African cinema. Iconic behavior only.
Veteran Hollywood actor Clarke Peters (John Wick) attended the 19 screening, and expressed his admiration for the work Nollywood was doing to advance black equity
Nana Ama McBrown, Ghana's media powerhouse and beloved actress, also pulled up looking stunning and representing Ghanaian entertainment with grace. When she walks in, you know it's about to be a vibe.
The Athletes
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah NFL linebacker and proud Ghanaian joined the Sports & Recreation panel to discuss how infrastructure investment and athlete development programs can transform communities and drive economic growth. Seeing him rock his heritage at GUBA? Chef's kiss.
The Music & Culture Architects
Fuse ODG is synonymous with one of Ghana's most viral sounds: Azonto. The hitmaker brought his signature energy and unstoppable presence to the GUBA Awards in Barbados. The Ghanaian-British artist who gave us "Antenna" and made Azonto a global phenomenon has always been about more than music; he's about the movement. Seeing him celebrate Africa-Caribbean unity on this stage? A perfect full-circle moment.
King SMADE, founder of Afronation and the man who literally put Afrobeats on festival stages worldwide, joined the Education & Creative Industries panel. He talked monetizing the creative economy alongside Barbados' Minister for Transformational Education. If you've ever been to an Afronation festival, you already know this man is a visionary.
THE CONTENT CREATORS & CHANGEMAKERS
Wode Maya, the content creator who's become Africa's biggest hype man, led a diaspora call-to-action session that had people ready to write checks on the spot. He's shown millions what the continent really looks like beyond stereotypes, and at GUBA, he challenged everyone to move from connection to collective investment. That's growth.
Liz Agbor-Tabi, Global Citizen's powerhouse advocate, brought her passion for social impact and global movement-building to GUBA. When she's in the room, you know real change is about to happen.
THE ICONS OF JUSTICE
Ben Crump-yes, that Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney who's fought for Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, brought his voice to GUBA's reparations panel. Watching him discuss economic justice alongside African and Caribbean leaders at the Prime Minister's residence? Powerful doesn't even begin to cover it.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Chair of the UK Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Reparations, came through with receipts. She's been leading the charge to make reparations more than symbolic, and her presence at GUBA signaled loud and clear: this conversation is moving from talk to action.
The Business Titans & Innovators
John Hope Bryant, Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, sat down for a fireside chat about financial literacy as a tool for freedom. He talked about transforming cultural pride into economic power, and if you haven't read his work yet, add it to your list immediately.
Mary Spio, CEO of CEEK AI and a pioneer in immersive technology, joined discussions on education reform and future-of-work skills. She's proof that tech and culture can and should intersect in powerful ways.
Kwame Anku, CEO of the Black Star Fund, joined John Hope Bryant to discuss how the diaspora can leverage collective identity to build generational wealth. The energy in that room? Transformative.
THE YOUNG DISRUPTOR
At only 26, Nicholas Wildman is emerging as one of the most compelling young business minds and regenerative construction industry disruptors within the CARICOM and wider markets. His trajectory is a reminder that the next class of leaders isn’t aspiring to greatness, they’re executing it.
THE GOVERNMENT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Hon. Reta Jo Lewis former Chairman & President of US EXIM Bank brought her expertise to discussions on regional financial integration and cross-border finance vehicles.
Hon. Chad Blackman Barbados' Minister for Transformational Education made waves by announcing that Tola Odunsi's "19" would be introduced to Barbados schools nationwide.
Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr Former Vice President of Costa Rica joined the reparations panel, bringing a Latin American perspective to the Africa-Caribbean conversation.
The Vibe
GUBA 2025 didn't just bring star power, it brought purpose. Every celebrity, every minister, every CEO showed up not for photo ops, but to build. To invest. To repair. To reclaim.
And honestly? That's the real flex.
Milvest, part of Miller Holding, didn't just title sponsor the three-day GUBA Trade and Investment Conference and Awards 2025, they bankrolled the historic first-ever direct charter flight from Accra to Bridgetown, carrying ministers, investors, and cultural leaders across the Atlantic. The forum had spent the day discussing how to monetize cultural assets and build cross-Atlantic partnerships in across sectors. By evening, "19" proved the concept in real time.
The GUBA Awards ceremony capped off the week, celebrating icons across business, entertainment, public service, and diaspora leadership. If the week leading up to it was any indication, Barbados witnessed something legendary.
The GUBA Awards ceremony celebrated even more icons across business, entertainment, public service, and diaspora leadership. By all indications, Barbados just witnessed something legendary.
Photography by Ernest Simmons
For more coverage from GUBA 2025, stay tuned to Black Film Wire.
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