She’s been called “Africa’s best-known female music video director.” She’s worked with some of the biggest names in Afrobeats, including WizKid, Burna Boy, and Davido. She was the first woman to win the AFRIMMA Award for Best Director in 2023. And she’s only 26.
Praise Onyeagwalam — known professionally as Director Pink — is a trailblazing Nigerian music video director who has made a substantial impact since breaking through in the industry with her hit music video for “Running To You,” which was the most-viewed Nigerian music video on YouTube in the first half of 2021.
But what’s even more impressive than her many accomplishments is the path she’s intentionally paving for other women and girls who follow behind her.
After breaking through in a heavily male-dominated industry, she’s expanding opportunities for young women through her own initiative — Pinkline Academy — which provides mentorship and support for African creatives with the goal of launching the next generation of female filmmakers.
Her commitment to using her voice and platform to uplift girls and women makes Director Pink an ally that we at Global Catalyst are excited to celebrate. We share her belief in the power of mentorship to help young women expand their vision of what’s possible — the same spirit that fuels our global programs — and we’re thrilled to share her advice and insights with girls around the world.
In the latest edition of our new Q&A, The Ally Series, we caught up with Director Pink to hear her reflections on the power of finding your voice, where she’s taking her advocacy work next, and the advice she has for girls who want to speak up, but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
Here’s what she had to say.
What does being an ally mean to you, and how do you make an intentional effort to show up for girls and women?
To me, being an ally means creating opportunities that outlive you. It’s not just about encouraging girls and women with words — It’s about building platforms that give them access, confidence, and the resources to thrive.
As a woman who broke into a male-dominated industry, I know what it feels like to be underestimated. Today, I see so many young women looking up to my journey, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Through Pinkline Academy, we’ve created a space where aspiring filmmakers — many of them young women — can learn, build confidence, gain practical industry experience, and begin careers in film.
Beyond education, I believe in removing barriers wherever I can: Whether it’s providing funding to women-led initiatives or supporting young women with opportunities, I believe empowerment should be practical.
I’m also building GoPink, a period care brand with a bigger mission than just creating products. Our vision is to improve menstrual health education, make period products more accessible, and use the brand as a platform to reach, support, and uplift girls and women in underserved communities.
Because for me, being an ally isn’t just a title — It’s a commitment to building systems that help other women rise.
When did you realize your voice could create change, and how have you used it to speak up for something you believe in?
I realized my voice had the power to create change when women I deeply admired in my industry began telling me how much my resilience inspired them. Around the same time, I started receiving messages almost daily from young women who said they were pursuing filmmaking because they had seen my journey and felt represented by it.
Without consciously planning it, “Director Pink” had become more than a name — It had become a source of encouragement for many young women. That realization made me understand that leadership isn’t just about the work you create; it’s also about the example you set.
“For me, being an ally isn’t just a title — It’s a commitment to building systems that help other women rise.”
Early in my career, I was constantly intimidated because I was a young woman directing large productions in a male-dominated industry. Instead of allowing that to discourage me, I let my work speak first. Every project became an opportunity to challenge stereotypes about who can lead and what excellence looks like.
Today, I use my voice to advocate for better access to film education, more opportunities for emerging creatives — especially young women — and a future where talent, not gender, determines who gets a seat at the table.
Can you share a meaningful moment in your advocacy journey that reinforced why this work matters to you?
One of the most meaningful moments has been watching some of my students who once doubted themselves return as confident professionals who are leading productions, launching businesses, and creating opportunities for others.
I’ve met young women who believed filmmaking wasn’t a career meant for them until they stepped into one of our training programs. Seeing that transformation reminds me that confidence often comes after opportunity — not before it.
This has taught me that people don’t just need someone to believe in them — They need someone willing to believe in them before they even believe in themselves.
What is something girls or young women have taught you that has influenced the way you live, lead, or advocate?
Girls and young women have taught me the power of dreaming without limitations. So many talented young women simply need someone to remind them that they belong.
They’ve also taught me that leadership isn’t about having every answer — It’s about listening, creating opportunities, and making sure the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles.
What is one piece of advice you would give a girl who has an idea for change, but isn’t yet confident enough to act on it?
Don’t wait for confidence before you begin. Confidence is built by taking the first step, not by waiting until fear disappears.
Start with what you have.
Your idea doesn’t have to be perfect — It just has to exist. The world doesn’t need another version of someone else. It needs the perspective and voice that only you can bring.
What’s next for you, and what impact do you hope to make in your community and beyond?
I’m building more than a career —I’m building an ecosystem. Through Pinkline Academy, my goal is to develop one of Africa’s leading filmmaking institutions, equipping thousands of young creatives with world-class skills, mentorship, and real pathways into the creative industry.
Through GoPink, I hope to transform the conversation around menstrual health by creating products, increasing awareness, and making period care more accessible for girls and women who need it most.
Ultimately, I want to create opportunities that continue long after I’m gone. If my work helps even one young girl believe she belongs in spaces she never imagined possible, then I know that I’m contributing to something much bigger than myself.
Want to learn more from the inspiring allies in our corner? Check out, Novelist Etaf Rum On Identity, Agency, and Reclaiming Her Story.
Global Catalyst mentors girls around the world to become powerful advocates and confident leaders. Our signature program, GLOW Club, connects girls in some of the world’s most underserved areas with trusted local mentors and a safe space to express themselves as they develop their agency, find their voice, and build their power. Since our founding, we’ve ignited the power of more than 100,000 girls, sparking a growing movement of youth-led change that is transforming communities — and the world — for the better.
