EKYOTO LIVE · The Fireplace, The Gathering Place
Take Control of Your Own Destiny
A free 12 week mentorship for African creators of every discipline. Live every Thursday on VIVEX, with lessons, weekly challenges and feedback from working mentors.
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Who it is for
Aspiring and established African creators: music, film, dance, painting, handmade arts, fashion, writing, photography, theater, digital creation and influencing.
You do not need fame, expensive equipment, professional credits or a portfolio to apply. Beginners are welcome. Creators under 18 can take part with a parent or guardian's consent.
What you get
- Twelve live Thursday sessions, about 90 minutes each
- A full syllabus, weekly lessons and a reading list of African writers, artists and leaders
- Worksheets and templates for every week
- One achievable challenge each week that builds your portfolio
- Private feedback from mentors
- A cohort showcase to present your work
How it works
Join
Create your student account and answer a few questions about your craft and goals.
Register on VIVEX
Thursday sessions stream on VIVEX. Sign up through the EKYOTO link with the same email.
Show up on Thursdays
6:00 PM East Africa Time. The site shows the time where you live.
Do the weekly challenge
One practical task a week, sized for the resources you have.
Get mentor feedback
Private, practical notes on your work. Your progress is never public.
Complete and showcase
Finish the 12 weeks and present your work at the cohort showcase.
Your 12 week journey
Each week has a lesson, a live conversation and one practical challenge. Read every lesson.
Cohorts
Four cohorts a year. Each runs for 12 consecutive Thursdays, followed by one week for feedback and intake before the next begins.
All sessions start at 6:00 PM East Africa Time (Nairobi). Dates shown in that time zone.
Your hosts
Andre Roberson
Lead host and mentor
Sets the creative direction of EKYOTO LIVE and leads the weekly mentorship conversation. Andre is also Executive Director of the Power of One Foundation.
Adji Axis
Host, storytelling and community
Leads storytelling and community engagement, and keeps every creator connected to the group.
Invited guests from across the creative industries may host an entire episode from time to time.
Watching or enrolled
Anyone can watch the Thursday broadcast for free. Watching does not enroll you in a cohort.
Enrolled students also get the weekly challenges, mentor feedback, a dashboard, the cohort showcase and a completion review. Join to enroll.
Completing the program
Students who meet the published standards complete the program. Those standards cover attendance, weekly challenges, a final piece of work and community conduct, and are set out in the syllabus. Mentors review each student, and accommodations are available.
The Road to GET NOTICED
GET NOTICED is a separate documentary variety series created and hosted by Andre Roberson. It follows artists as they develop, with no public eliminations and no single winner.
When casting opens, students who complete the mentorship may apply to be considered. An independent casting process looks at originality, growth, readiness, professional conduct and story. Completing the mentorship makes you eligible to apply. It never guarantees selection, payment, a contract, distribution, a visa or travel.
Questions
Does it cost anything?
No. Joining the mentorship and watching the broadcast are free. VIVEX registration is free through the EKYOTO link.
Why do I need a VIVEX account?
The Thursday sessions stream on VIVEX. Register through the EKYOTO link with the same email you use here so the program team can match your accounts.
What if I miss a Thursday?
Life happens. Watch the replay when it is available, then do that week's challenge. Your mentor can help you catch up, and the completion standards allow for missed weeks.
I only have a phone and slow internet. Can I take part?
Yes. The pages are built to load quickly, the worksheets can be copied into a notebook, and every challenge can be done with a phone or with no technology at all.
Is this a university degree?
No. EKYOTO University is a learning program, not an accredited school, and there is no physical campus yet. Students complete the program. They do not graduate.
Will my work be shown publicly?
Only with your permission. Joining, appearing in a recording, being featured in promotion and applying to GET NOTICED are separate permissions, and you can withdraw them.
How do I become a mentor?
Experienced creators and professionals can apply to mentor. The program team reviews every application.
I forgot my password.
Use reset your password and we will email you a link.
Safety and respect
EKYOTO LIVE is a gathering place, and everyone in it should feel safe. Harassment, unsafe contact, impersonation, copying other people's work and any form of exploitation are not allowed. Creators under 18 never have their contact details shown, and take part in recordings only with a guardian's permission.
If something is wrong, tell us here. Reports go privately to the program team.
Accessibility and privacy
The site works with keyboards and screen readers, and on slow connections. Tell us about any access needs when you apply and we will make reasonable accommodations. Read how we handle your data in our privacy notice.