From Street Hawking to Championing Africa’s Creative Economy: The Gleams Foundation Stor
A Vision Forged in Struggle
Rex Moses, fondly called Otunba Gleams, knows what it means to rise from nothing. Long before he became the visionary founder of the Gleams Awards Foundation, he was a street hawker in Lagos, navigating the chaotic markets with a resilience that would later define his mission. His journey from selling goods under the scorching sun to empowering thousands of African creatives -is a testament to the power of turning adversity into opportunity.
The Birth of Gleams Foundation
Driven by his own struggles and the untapped potential he saw in Nigeria’s creative youth, Rex founded the Gleams Foundation (GF) – a movement to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. What started as a dream to celebrate excellence in entertainment and entrepreneurship has evolved into a pan-African force for creative empowerment. Through mentorship, funding, and platforms like the annual Gleams Awards, GF is rewriting the narrative for Africa’s next generation of creatives.
The School Tour Revolution
At the heart of GF’s mission is the “Rising Above Limitations” School Tour, a grassroots initiative that brings world-class training, celebrity mentorship, and electrifying concerts to campuses across Africa. Starting in Nigeria (UNILAG, OAU, LAUTECH, UI, BELLS, and more), the tour is a launchpad for students to transform their creativity into careers. Imagine 10,000+ youths in a single arena, ignited by the message that their dreams are valid this is the Gleams effect.
Building the Gleams Hub: A Legacy Project
The future? A Gleams Creative Hub in Lagos a physical space where African youths will access free training in music, film, fashion, tech, and entrepreneurship. Picture a factory of talent where 5,000+ creatives are upskilled yearly, with satellite hubs spreading across the continent. This isn’t just a center; it’s the Silicon Valley of African creativity, where ideas meet infrastructure. “It’s mission possible, we will establish our creative hub soon” – Rex Moses
The Gleams Awards: Africa’s Creative Oscars
Beyond the glitz of the red carpet, the Gleams Awards is a strategic engine for economic growth. By honoring trailblazers in music, film, and business, Rex and his team are curating a new class of African icons – proving that creativity is a viable career, not just a hobby. The awards also funnel resources into GF’s programs, creating a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment.
Africa’s creative industry is projected to generate $20 billion by 2030, yet millions of talents remain underserved. Rex’s story and GF’s work—challenges systemic barriers with a simple philosophy: “Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. We’re here to change that.” From street stalls to global stages, Gleams Foundation is proof that Africa’s creative economy won’t just rise -it will dominate.
Rex Moses’ journey from hawker to hub-maker is more than inspiration; it’s a blueprint. Whether you’re a student, artist, sponsor, or believer in Africa’s potential, Gleams Foundation invites you to build the future -one gleam at a time.
“The world told us our dreams were too big. Now, we will build empires with them. We will eventually establish our physical creative hub.” — Rex Moses (Otunba Gleams)
