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New Jersey, USA / Cali, Colombia – [June 15, 2025]

The Pan-African Council is proud to welcome celebrity music executives Jamal “Mally” Brandon and Steven “Steve-O” Carless as strategic Board Members, bringing their unparalleled expertise and vision to launch a transformative community initiative in Colombia and beyond. This groundbreaking program aims to uplift the music and creative industries, nurture local talent, and bolster the entertainment business by establishing an artist development program, a state-of-the-art music studio in the heart of Cali’s most marginalized communities, and a distribution strategy to connect local artists with international markets and fans.

Jamal “Mally” Brandon, a seasoned Music Executive and Serial Entrepreneur, brings over a decade of experience in executive production, record production, deal negotiation, music video curation, artist management, and A&R. Known for his mantra of “connecting Creatives as a Creative,” Brandon’s career spans producing records like Fabolous’ “Lituation” to amassing over 1 billion YouTube views as a partner in Shot Selection Media, a venture specializing in targeted digital marketing and social media viewership. His journey from a former artist and record producer to a media mogul reflects his deep understanding of artistry and business. Through his work with MSLM DONS, Brandon promotes peace, discipline, and purpose among Black youth, using Islam as a guiding force to foster brotherhood and empowerment. His commitment to bridging the African American diaspora with Africa through tourism, citizenship, and investment aligns seamlessly with the Council’s mission to foster collaboration and advance Black communities globally in finance, education, and quality of life.

Joining Brandon is Steven “Steve-O” Carless, a renowned record executive, talent manager, tech advisor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Carless is celebrated for his work with global icons like Beyoncé, Polo G, and Nipsey Hussle, earning two Grammy Awards in 2020 for “Racks in the Middle” featuring Roddy Ricch and “Higher” with DJ Khaled. As a co-founder of The Defiant Foundation, Carless champions mentorship, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship to address wealth disparities in underserved communities. His leadership roles, including President of A&R at Warner Records and co-founder of the Republic Records Action Committee, underscore his dedication to systemic change in the music industry.

Through his company The Dream Company, Brandon is spearheading the Pan-African Council’s initiative in Cali, Colombia, creating a vibrant ecosystem for local artists. The artist development program will provide mentorship and training, the music studio will offer a professional space for creation, and the distribution strategy will amplify Colombian talent on the global stage. This initiative reflects the Council’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities and expanding our global footprint through cultural and economic collaboration.

We are thrilled to have Jamal “Mally” Brandon and Steve-O Carless on board, leveraging their expertise to drive impact and opportunity for Colombia’s creative communities. Join us in celebrating this milestone as we work to uplift local talent and connect the African diaspora through the universal language of music.

 

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CHARLOTTE NC, USA  —

The Pan-African Council (PAC) and Global Impact Industries (GII) today announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating sustainable development across Africa and its Diaspora. The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifies a shared commitment to leveraging combined expertise and resources to empower African communities.

The PAC, a leading global organization dedicated to advancing and uniting Africa, brings a wealth of experience in fostering international cooperation across political, economic, and social spheres. GII, a consortium with proven success in collaborating with businesses, NGOs, and governments, offers a comprehensive range of services to support small business development.

“This partnership represents a powerful step forward for Africa and the Diaspora’s future,” said Hassan Wardere, Executive Board Member at the Pan-African Council. Kimberly M. Nelson, President of Global Impact Industries, echoed this sentiment: “We have already successfully engaged HBCUs in partnership, this memorandum agreement will become the cornerstone of furthering our cooperation and community impact.”

Through this collaboration, the PAC and GII will focus on the following key focus areas, leveraging their combined expertise and resources to achieve shared objectives:

• Program and Project Development: Collaborate on the creation and implementation of programs
  and projects that align with the Parties’ missions and objectives. This may include joint ventures
  with private and institutional partners.
• International Initiatives: Partner on international initiatives related to Historically Black Colleges
  and Universities (HBCUs), the African diaspora, and other work related to Africa and the global
  diaspora.
• Investment Facilitation: Jointly develop strategies to drive investment into projects through
  raising capital, grant writing, securing funds, and exploring other innovative financing mechanisms.
• Events and Experiential: event support services, such as conceptualizing, marketing, managing,
  and executing various events; assistance in sourcing, negotiating, and securing qualified talent for
  its events, including speakers, celebrities, musicians, singers, performers, among others.
• Mutual Support: Provide mutual support on a variety of projects as deemed mutually beneficial,
  fostering knowledge exchange and resource allocation.

This strategic partnership is poised to make a significant impact on the trajectory of African development. By uniting their leadership, resources, and expertise, the PAC and GII will empower communities, unlock economic opportunities, and create a brighter future for all of their stakeholders.

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About the Pan-African Council

The Pan-African Council (PAC) is a global leadership and strategic development organization committed to advancing and uniting Africa and her Diaspora. The Council works across political, economic, and social spheres to foster international cooperation and empower African and Diaspora communities.

About Global Impact Industries

Global Impact Industries (GII) is a consortium with extensive experience collaborating with local and international businesses, private entities, NGOs, and governments. As a certified small business enterprise (SBE) professional firm, GII offers a comprehensive range of services to foster sustainable development and economic empowerment.

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Media Contact:

Tatiana Mensah
media@panafricancouncil.org

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